Sophia Robbins Photography You learn the first time New York, New York

Please, please, do not get headshots from this woman! If you do, make her sign a contract stating that if you do not like the shots, she will refund part or ALL of your money.

Sophia took my headshots, and I honestly expected a lot more. They were not even up to par with what she has on her website! I paid a couple hundred dollars for something that my sister could have taken better. I followed up with several e-mails and phone calls, and even asked her if she could re-do a few shots that I wasn't happy with. She ignored all of my e-mails and frequently hung up on my phone calls.

I persisted to get new headshots, and she still would not refund even part of my money, even though there was living proof that I did not use any of her work for anything, other than to demonstrate to her what I would like the final copy to look like.

Well, I learned my lesson. People have soft egos. Either that or they just have no sympathy for starving artists. Or maybe, it's both.

I suggest if you have to invest in headshots for your career, do these things:

1. Interview and really know your photographer. Get a referral from a friend, or maybe even a friend (who does a professional level of photography).

2. Ask to see their portfolio & have a test shoot. Or if that's too much, have the photographer show you a few photos during your session- that way you can voice your opinion before it's all 'said and done.'

3. Get your hair blown out if you are a lady (this costs about 15 dollars at a random salon & it really lasts), and have a friend or someone who really knows what they're doing do your makeup on set, that way the photographer can make any changes.

4. Do not pay the photographer until they are finished & you approve! DO NOT be scared to leave without paying if you do not like their work. They wasted your time, you did not waste theirs! Never pay someone for a cruddy job!

I did all of this the second time around and it costs me about 150 dollars less than I had paid before & turned out 1,000,000 times better!

Good luck aspiring artists & stay wary. You can make it to the top for free :)