Whether you’re building a modeling portfolio, updating your comp card, refreshing your LinkedIn, or submitting agency digitals, John Gress Photography provides premium headshot sessions in our Chicago studio. Each shoot is directed by international award-winning photographer John Gress, using professional studio lighting, collaborative posing, and fast turnaround to deliver images that get noticed.
Choose the session that best fits your goals — from quick actor headshot updates to full model portfolio sessions.
You can add these services at any time.
Get all of the images from the shoot without watermarks, but un-retouched in medium resolution. This is a great option for people who need the images for online use.
Get all of the images from the shoot without watermarks, but un-retouched in high resolution. This is a great option for people who need the images printed.
Professionally retouched by hand to make you look your best!
Professionally retouched by hand to make you look your best!
Professionally retouched by hand to make you look your best!
Professionally retouched by hand to make you look your best!
Professionally retouched by hand to make you look your best!
Individual Sessions
Clients can begin by visiting our website, where they can access our rates and use our online booking system. Once a session type, date, and time are selected, a 30% non-refundable retainer (first payment) is required to secure the booking. This amount is applied toward your total balance. The remaining balance is due on the day of your session.
After booking, you will receive a brief survey to outline your needs and session goals. This ensures we are fully prepared. If you’d like, you may also schedule a Zoom consultation at that time to discuss specifics.
If you would prefer to schedule a consultation before booking, please fill out our contact form.
Step 1: Arrival and Preparation On the day of the photoshoot, clients arrive at our studio or designated location. If makeup and hair services have been arranged, they are completed before the session and do not count toward your booked time.
Step 2: The Photoshoot John will guide you through poses and expressions to capture a range of polished, professional images. Multiple backgrounds and outfit changes are included as planned for your package.
Step 3: Review
Step 1: Image Selection Clients select their preferred images from the gallery. The number included depends on your package, with additional images available for retouching at an extra cost.
Step 2: Professional Retouching
Selected images undergo careful retouching to refine color, light, blemishes, stray hairs, and minor distractions while maintaining a natural, professional appearance. Our standard process may include reducing facial wrinkles, softening under-eye bags, and minimizing shine to create a well-rested, polished look that still feels like you.
Composite work, body reshaping, heavy alterations, or extensive background changes are not included in standard packages. In many cases, we can provide these services for a custom fee depending on complexity. If a request falls outside our scope, clients are welcome to use outside retouchers after our work is complete and delivered.
Step 3: Final Delivery Retouched images are delivered in high-resolution via an online gallery, watermark-free. Delivery is typically within 24–72 hours of selection, and if you need them sooner, same-day turnaround is often possible at no additional charge.
Our process is designed to be simple, transparent, and efficient — from booking through delivery. Every step is handled with professionalism and attention to detail, so you walk away with images you’re proud to share. Whether you need LinkedIn headshots, model digitals, or a full portfolio, John Gress Photography provides a seamless experience and outstanding results.
Retainer (First Payment): To confirm your booking, a 30% non-refundable retainer (first payment) is required at the time of scheduling. This amount is applied toward your total balance. The remaining balance is due on the day of your session. Retainers guarantee your slot and prevent other bookings for that period. Please note that retainers are non-refundable, regardless of any changes or cancellations.
Payment Methods: We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, ACH (eCheck), Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Cash, credit cards, Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are also accepted for balances due at the session.
Hair & Makeup Services: If you request hair and/or makeup and we are unable to schedule a provider, your retainer will be refunded if rescheduling is not possible. For sessions requiring extensive styling or multiple service providers, a higher retainer may be required.
Rescheduling: You may reschedule your shoot for any reason with at least 48 hours’ notice, and your retainer will be applied to the new date. Rescheduling requests made less than 48 hours in advance may require a new retainer.
Retouching: Our standard retouching enhances your natural look by adjusting color, light, blemishes, flyaways, background cleanup, and minor clothing wrinkles while maintaining an authentic appearance. Background changes for headshots (close-up portraits) may be available, but full-body background replacements are not included in standard services. Composite work, heavy alterations, extensive background changes, or body reshaping are considered advanced editing and may be available for an additional custom fee depending on complexity. Each image includes up to three rounds of adjustments; additional edits are available for $30 per round. For requests beyond the scope of our services, clients may use outside retouchers once files are delivered.
Usage Rights: Clients are granted personal usage rights for their images. This includes use for professional promotion (LinkedIn, websites, email signatures, resumes, speaking engagements), casting submissions, comp cards, and local marketing (such as real estate, insurance, or law firm advertising). Commercial use — such as national advertising campaigns, product packaging, or book covers — requires a separate license agreement. By booking a session, you grant John Gress Media Inc. the right to use retouched images from your session for portfolio, website, social media, and promotional purposes.
Answered by John Gress, Chicago Headshot Photographer
What exactly are Headshots?
Headshots can vary, typically focusing on the head and shoulders but can also include ¾ and full-body framing depending on the client’s needs.
How many images do I need?
The number of retouched images depends on the client’s goals. Actors might need a few specific shots for casting, while models might require a broader array to fill a comp card or build a portfolio. We recommend focusing on quality over quantity, showcasing only your best images.
What is a Look?
A “look” refers to a set of pictures captured in one session with a single outfit. Unlike some photographers who limit the number of shots per look, we continue shooting until we’ve captured the right images, covering as many looks as possible within the booked time.
What do you mean by Retouched images?
Retouched images are carefully refined for color, contrast, and light while addressing blemishes and distractions. The goal is a natural, polished appearance — authentic and professional, never overdone.
What should I wear?
Bring twice as many outfits as you plan to shoot. Choose versatile styles without logos or distracting patterns. Classic, solid colors are best.
Actors: Solid tops and layers (jackets, sweaters) work well to show versatility.
Models: Bring a wider range of looks to show versatility. Include a clean, casual look like t-shirt and jeans, a more styled fashion-forward outfit, and a polished option suitable for commercial or lifestyle work. Women may also bring dresses, tops, and layered looks with accessories. Men should bring jackets, fitted shirts, and casual layers. Male models in their late 20s and above should also bring a suit look. Aim for a mix of timeless outfits and styled pieces for a well-rounded portfolio.
Model Digitals: Avoid loose or oversized clothing. For women’s digitals, wear a simple, form-fitting outfit such as a black tank top with black skinny jeans or leggings. Keep makeup minimal and bring simple heels. For men’s digitals, a plain, fitted black t-shirt and black jeans are standard. Shirtless shots are often required for men, especially in fitness or swimwear modeling, as they allow agencies to evaluate physique.
Do I really need a make-up artist or hair stylist?
If it were me being photographed, I’d want a professional makeup artist. Makeup provides a foundation for polished images and ensures the best retouching results. While shorter-haired men may not require hair styling, women and models shooting multiple looks benefit greatly from professional hair and makeup.
For over 25 years, Chicago photographer John Gress has created stunning photography and video content for some of America’s largest companies and major international publications. His diverse portfolio spans lifestyle, advertising, portraiture, and video content tailored for the beauty industry, professional sports leagues, and high-profile campaigns. Recognized by Professional Photographer Magazine as “one of the nation’s foremost experts on lighting,” Gress is known for his bold, dynamic style—whether shooting on location or at his Chicago studio at 5339 W Lake St., Suite 427, Chicago, Illinois 60644.
As a commercial photographer, Gress has played a key role in crafting impactful imagery for advertising and public relations campaigns for numerous Fortune 500 companies. His notable client list includes Nike, Coors Light, Windex, Glade, the NBA, Hyatt Hotels, Lufthansa, the WAHL Clipper Corporation, and Panini trading cards.
In addition to his commercial work, his photography has appeared in leading global publications including Time, People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone, US Weekly, and The New York Times.
In 2025, Gress helped lead Team USA to victory in the World Photographic Cup, the premier international photography competition where top photographers from over 40 countries compete in the “Olympics of Photography.” He was also awarded Best in the Nation for having the highest-scoring image from the United States, helping secure the USA’s first-place finish.
That same year, Gress was honored at the United Nations with a Professional Photographer Achievement Award from the International Photographic Council—a distinction that celebrates excellence in photography as part of a decades-long tradition.
Gress discovered photography as a teenager in his native Oregon, taking his mother’s Vivitar point-and-shoot camera to summer camp. By his senior year of high school, he was already covering major events for the Associated Press. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Portland State University in 2000.
His background and breadth of experience allow him to deliver visual content that elevates branding and storytelling initiatives. Combining technical mastery with creative vision and a deep understanding of his clients’ needs, Gress has become a sought-after professional in the industry.
A passionate educator and mentor, Gress is committed to advancing the photographic community. Through Instagram, YouTube, and contributions to leading photography publications, he shares his expertise with a broad audience. He regularly speaks at top industry conferences and leads in-person workshops across the U.S., offering hands-on training in both the technical and creative aspects of photography. His dedication to education continues to shape the next generation of photographers and push the art of photography forward.
