What sets a “commercial photographer” apart from other photographers?
Experience.
Commercial photography, as with any specialty, requires its own unique set of skills, abilities and experience. From balancing light to working with perspective it takes years of training and practice to perfect all the nuances of commercial photography.
One of the key differences between a commercial photographer and other photographers, such as a real estate photographer, is their ability to capture images that effectively convey a message or tell a story that also matches the voice and tone of an existing brand.
More Frequently Asked Questions
I don't have a big budget, can I still get "big-budget" media? How is the pricing calculated?
Yes.
Smaller businesses pay less. Larger businesses pay more.
The scope of use is a major contributing factor in how creative work is priced; a small startup will have less reach than a global corporation and thus pays less to license the same work.
I price projects based on the creative and production needs, in combination with the specific use of the imagery. In other words, while a small business may not have the marketing or advertising budget to book models, props, and large scale venues, the deliverables I provide will still match the technical quality and expertise of a large big-budget corporate production.
If you have concerns about budgeting, contact me and we'll discuss possibilities.
My business has a "brand/look" that we want to maintain, can your content match what we already have?
Yes.
I can take directive from examples of either (a) your current brand/look or (b) the brand/look you would like to emulate. The more branding and identity you have already established, the clearer our objective as photographers will be, and thus the better the entire project will turn out for you.
What sets a “commercial photographer” apart from other photographers?
Experience.
Commercial photography, as with any specialty, requires its own unique set of skills, abilities and experience. From balancing light to working with perspective it takes years of training and practice to perfect all the nuances of commercial photography.
One of the key differences between a commercial photographer and other photographers, such as a real estate photographer, is their ability to capture images that effectively convey a message or tell a story that also matches the voice and tone of an existing brand.
How do you and your team work? What is the process?
One step at a time.
I have a simple 4 stage process, starting right here, based on the details you provide. (1) I’ll create an estimate tailored to your specific needs. (2) We schedule a pre-production meeting and arrange a location scout. (3) Take great photos, shoot awesome videos, and have some fun. Lastly, (4) Select final images/videos, retouch until perfect, and format for your specific use.
This entire process can often be achieved in as little as a fews days upon request but generally are delivered within 2 weeks, depending on the size and scope of the project. However, the only way to ensure a project is completed within a deadline and budget is to assess a full scope of work in as much detail as possible.
Visit my contact page to request a detailed estimate.
How do I know I'm getting what I want/need? Can I be involved in the creative process?
Yes, you're the producer, I'm the director.
You (or your coordinator) can be involved in each stage of the process, from pre-production to the photoshoot and into post-production. During the actual shooting/filming, media can be shown on a monitor in real time so we all know we’re going in the right direction.
For those who prefer a more hands-off approach, we can schedule virtual a conference call over Zoom or Google Meet to review art direction, creative, model usage, etc.
Can I share the cost of a photoshoot with my partners?
Yes.
If your project is a collaboration between multiple companies or organizations, you can split the hard costs of a production and pay usage/licensing fees just for the specific needs of your company.
This is a great way to divide expenses and get the highest photography production for a fraction of the price.
Let me know if you'd like to discuss Cost Sharing or if your project involves any government agencies, NGOs, political affiliations etc.
I have a general idea of what I'd like, but want to leave the creative work to the professionals, is that ok?
Yes.
While we always encourage your involvement, we are professionals and with a well thought out and detailed plan we can be left to do what we always do best.
Note: Even when a project is left to our team to make key art direction decisions, we may still request your feedback.
What types of businesses typically hire a commercial photographer?
All of them.
Any business that needs high-quality visuals to promote their products or services can benefit from working with a commercial photographer. We work with a wide range of industries, including retail, hospitality, fashion, real estate, and more.
What services do you provide?
We make photos and videos.
We create photography and media of architecture spaces, food and beverage, product and retail, lifestyle and editorial and skilled drone/aerial coverage.
How much advance notice do I need to book a project?
2-4 weeks, ideally.
Commercial photography shoots can often take weeks of planning and preparation with very tight running schedules and deadlines. By providing as much advance notice as possible, we are better able to schedule and prepare for your shoot in a professional and reliable way.