Getting the most from your brief

A short, clear brief is the fastest route to a finish you'll love. When I open a new order, three things help me most: how the images will be used, what you'd like preserved, and what you'd like corrected.

Intended use shapes everything. A pageant headshot, a magazine editorial and a personal portrait each call for a different level of refinement — knowing where the image will live means I can judge how far to take the finish.

Reference images are welcome and never count toward your total. If there's a colour grade, a mood or a published image you admire, include it. It tells me more in one glance than a paragraph of description.