Frequently Asked Questions

  • I’m a portrait photographer based in Manchester, working mainly with actors, creatives, business owners, and people who don’t usually love having their photo taken.

    The work is simple, relaxed, and people-focused. No heavy posing. No awkward energy. Just portraits that feel like you on a good day.

  • My studio is based in Manchester, and most of my work happens there.

    That said, I do travel for shoots when it makes sense, both across the UK and occasionally further afield.

    If you’re unsure, just ask. It’s never a silly question.

    Manor Street Factory
    Graphite House
    Paddock Street
    Manchester
    m12 6ht

  • Honestly? Most people say this.

    You don’t need to know how to pose or what to do with your hands. That’s my job. The sessions are designed to feel calm, conversational, and unforced. We go at your pace. No pressure to perform.

    You’ll probably forget you’re being photographed after a few minutes. Or at least… mostly forget.

  • We start slowly. A chat. A bit of grounding. Nothing gets rushed.

    I’ll guide you gently rather than putting you into stiff poses. The focus is on creating space for natural expressions and small moments rather than “perfect” shots.

    Sessions usually feel more like a collaboration than a photoshoot.

  • Most sessions last between 45 minutes and 90 minutes, depending on what we’re shooting and how settled things feel.

    I’d always rather take a bit more time than rush something that deserves breathing room.

  • Simple, comfortable clothes usually work best. Neutral tones, minimal logos, things you actually feel like yourself in.

    Before the shoot, I’ll give you guidance if you want it. And if you turn up unsure, we’ll figure it out together. Happens all the time.

  • Yes. I’ve worked with actors for the last few years and understand how important it is for headshots and portraits to feel current, honest, and usable.

    That said, the approach is the same whether you’re an actor, business owner, or creative. It’s always about presence first.

  • Definitely.

    I create portraits for business owners, freelancers, and creatives who want images that feel human rather than corporate. Useful for websites, press, LinkedIn, and anything else that needs you to look like a real person, not a stock photo.

  • Pricing depends on the type of session and what you need from it.

    Rather than fixed packages that don’t fit anyone properly, I keep things flexible. If you get in touch, I’ll talk you through options and help you choose something that makes sense for you.

    No hard sell. Ever.

  • You can get in touch via the contact page on my website. Tell me a bit about what you’re looking for and what the images are for.

    I’ll reply with availability, next steps, and any questions I need to ask before we book anything in.

    Or you can book via the website on the pricing and booking page - here.

  • You’ll usually receive your images within a week. Sometimes sooner.

    They’ll be carefully edited but kept natural. No heavy retouching unless we’ve discussed it beforehand.

  • Yes. Your images are yours to use for personal promotion, websites, social media, and professional use.

    If there’s anything outside the usual scope, we’ll talk about it upfront. No surprises.

  • Absolutely. That’s probably the best time to reach out.

    You don’t need to have everything figured out. We can talk it through and work out what would actually be useful for you.

  • Life happens, I get it. If you need to reschedule your session, please email me at studio@jamesmelia.com as soon as you know.

    Rescheduling is possible up to 48 hours before your session. This gives me enough notice to offer the slot to someone else and keeps things fair for everyone.

    If notice is less than 48 hours, the session unfortunately can’t be rescheduled. The full balance for the session will still be due on the original shoot date, even if you’re unable to attend. That time has been reserved specifically for you, and last-minute changes make it very difficult to rebook the slot.

    If something genuinely unexpected comes up, you’re still welcome to email me. I’m human, not a robot, and I’ll always read the message. I just can’t guarantee a new date inside that 48-hour window

  • If you need to cancel your session, please email me at studio@jamesmelia.com as soon as possible.

    If you cancel more than 7 days before your session, your booking deposit remains non-refundable, but no further payment will be due.

    If you cancel with less than 7 days’ notice, the session can’t be refunded and the full balance will still be owed, as the time has been reserved specifically for you and can’t realistically be rebooked at short notice.

    If you’d like to pass your slot to someone else, let me know their details and I’ll contact them to arrange the transfer where possible.

    If you’re unsure how this applies to your booking, just drop me an email and we’ll take it from there.