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Large Format Film Studio Portrait Session
Traditional 4x5 sheet film view camera portraiture in Marc's private Tremé studio
What’s Included
- 60-minute private session in Marc's Tremé studio
- 10 finished images from 4x5 sheet film
- Unlimited clothing changes, as many as we can fit into the session
- High-end 4x5 view camera and the best large format lenses
- Profoto studio lighting and lighting modifiers
- Film hand-processed by Marc in his private wet darkroom
- Optional handmade silver gelatin prints up to 20x24 inches
- Online gallery delivered in 2 to 4 weeks
ABOUT THIS 4X5 STUDIO SESSION
Every portrait in a 4x5 studio sitting is composed under a dark cloth on ground glass, where the image appears reversed and upside down, and critical focus is checked with a loupe. Marc works with a high-end 4x5 monorail view camera paired with the best large format lenses from Nikkor, Fujinon, Schneider-Kreuznach, and Rodenstock capturing roughly fifteen times the surface area of a full-frame digital sensor, with the silky tonal gradation and painterly fall-off only sheet film can deliver.
Sittings take place in Marc's private Tremé studio, sculpted with top-of-the-line Profoto lighting equipment and lighting modifiers against a classic backdrop. With relaxed, natural direction drawn from over 30 years of portrait experience, the slow pace of large format becomes part of the portrait itself.
Each 60-minute studio session includes 10 finished images and unlimited clothing changes — as many as we can fit into the session. Longer sessions can be booked by the hour.
After your session, Marc personally develops your black and white sheet film by hand in his private New Orleans wet darkroom, drawing on 32 years of fine art film processing in traditional wet darkrooms, in the lineage of masters like Ansel Adams and Richard Avedon. Every negative is processed, inspected and digitized as a high-resolution file, and delivered in an online gallery in 2 to 4 weeks.
You can also add handmade wet darkroom silver gelatin prints. Each enlargement is exposed by hand under the enlarger on Ilford Fine Art Fiber paper, up to 20x24 inches — heirloom prints made to last for generations.
Weekday sessions are $600 per hour and weekend or holiday sessions are $675 per hour. Because Marc Pagani Photography sets aside the date and time of your session and does not book any other shoots during that time, session fees are non-refundable.
See This Work
Before You Ask
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SESSION
- Why choose a 4x5 film portrait over digital?
- A 4x5 sheet of film captures roughly fifteen times the area of a full-frame digital sensor, producing smooth tonal gradations, natural grain and a shallow, painterly depth of field. The slow, collaborative process also changes how people sit for a portrait — expressions become calmer and more intentional and each image is more carefully thought out. It's a unique experience that, in New Orleans, you'll only find at the Marc Pagani Photography studio.
- How many sheets of film are exposed in a session?
- Most sittings use between 6 and 10 sheets of film. Each exposure is composed and focused individually on the ground glass, so every frame is a considered photograph rather than one of hundreds.
- Do you shoot black and white or color film?
- Both. Black and white sittings typically use Ilford HP5 Plus for rich contrast and classic grain; color sittings use Kodak Portra for natural skin tones. We choose the stock together during planning.
- Where do large format sessions take place?
- In Marc's private Tremé studio, with controlled strobe lighting and seamless backdrops, or on location in historic French Quarter courtyards, Marigny verandas, other New Orleans settings using portable battery-powered strobes, or anywhere else in the world.
- How long does a 4x5 portrait session last?
- Sessions run 60 to 90 minutes. That includes setting up the view camera, composing on the ground glass and metering each frame. Shutter speeds of 1/250th of a second freeze natural posture, so you never have to hold an uncomfortable pose.
- How long until I receive my images?
- Allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing, negative drying and high-resolution digitizing. Marc personally develops all black and white 4x5 sheet film by hand in his private wet darkroom. Final scans of 50 to 100+ megapixels are delivered through a private online gallery.
- Can 4x5 portraits be licensed for album covers or book jackets?
- Yes. Large format portraits are ideal for vinyl gatefolds, album art, author jackets and editorial features. Commercial usage licensing is spelled out clearly before the session so you have the rights you need.
- Do you offer physical archival prints?
- Yes. Marc hand-prints traditional silver gelatin enlargements in his private wet darkroom on Ilford Fine Art Fiber paper up to 20x24 inches. Archival pigment prints on museum cotton rag paper are also available, made to last for generations as family heirlooms or collector pieces.
Reviews
What Studio Clients Say
“Had a great experience with Marc! I asked for professional headshots and frankly, I've been trying to get something I actually like for the last 10 years. Finally got it! He made me feel comfortable and was up for the many outfits I brought to try. I would definitely recommend him for your headshot needs!”
“Amazing work, super friendly. Marc put me at ease immediately, as I often feel uncomfortable being photographed, with some nice bossanova on the stereo. The shoot was easy and Marc knew how to get exactly what I couldn't articulate. His work speaks for itself, just look at it!”
“A+ experience getting updated headshots from Mark. Easy to schedule, comfortable experience with the photo shoot and quick turnaround on the sending me the photos.”
“Marc did an outstanding job capturing our corporate meeting in New Orleans! He set up a fantastic headshot lounge, ensuring everyone looked their best, and took incredible detail shots of the venue. His candid photos truly captured the energy and atmosphere of the event. Professional, creative, and a pleasure to work with--highly recommend Marc for any photography needs!”
“Booked several sessions with Marc. Timely, professional, great price and more importantly amazing pics! Even managed to get some lesssons from his as well! 10/10 would recommend!”
“Marc and his assistant were fantastic! Marc's professional headshot photos were a huge hit with our attendees at a recent medical conference. The photos were clear and crisp and professionally done. Plus, his assistant emailed them back to all our attendees within 2-3 minutes. Incredible service and I would hire them again in a second. Great job guys! :-)”