FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Help me help you. Provide the greatest amount of info in your project, like in journalism, please fully describe the main points of WHO: Who or what is the subject of the session? You alone, you and your significant other, Kids, a team, employees WHAT - The goal:Personal Portraits Private portraits Sports Team Sports Action Shots Influencer shots WHERE: in/outdoors, Local, location, in state, in country? Commercial, Public, Private Spacious, cramped, access restrictions In studio? Any requirements WHY: Personal, Professional, Promotional... License on commercial work is different WHEN: how soon do you expect to start shooting, when do you need the final product. Also Extended sales? (Selling to 3rd parties from the web) Repeat business possibilities charitable cause and status such as 501C3 and verified on IRS rolls These all help me provide you with a quote that makes sense Pricing structure is generally based on Shoot time Post production time Digital images or prints local / remote or international requirements props, or gear required Note that I will often give a discount to 501C organizations, and other groups that I see as a worthy cause. but remember, I still have to eat, and cameras and gear is expensive. I have a bit more than $40K invested in hardware, and another 10 in training, all of which has a useful lifespan of 5 to 8 years) I nevertheless try to make my pricing fair, all while feeding myself and family. Overall I believe that when I quote you based on complete information about the event, I am an excellent price performance value.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
It varies, but I do like to start by getting to know them, and what their expectations are, as well as what the driving force is. Sometimes there are many ways of accomplishing something, and the best solution is not always the most obvious. For portraiture, I like to discuss what their target audience is, and what if any concept or emotions they want to pull from the viewer. I like images to have certain levels of tension or drama, and it is important to balance that with the clients personality in that area. Lastly I like to go over theme ideas where possible. for a shoot to work, there needs to be clear direction as far as goals are concerned, but we also must be careful not to micro manage the whole thing.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
During the 70's and early 80's I trained under some well known local (to me) photographers as an assistant or shadow. While I was away from photography for about 15 years I kept all of the old school ways in my head, until my wife suggested we get back into it about 10 years back. After an initial refresher at a well known school, I dove into the art form by working on a rather large personal project, and taking a host of workshops and classes in support of this. As well I volunteered my services to multiple charitable causes (shelter animals, disaster relief, kids and animal cause) Over the last 5 years I have done more and more freelance work for clients both big and small, local and international, and in multiple types of photography. Each contract or event is a learning experience, and I never stop training, as well as training myself.