What did you expect?
(or, how I like to work with clients)
As promised in previous blog posts, this is the one where I tell you the method behind a brand photography shoot with Bluemoosephotos. Now I know everyone is a little different, and every brand will need their own specific tweaks to this method, but this is how I generally like to work.
Seascape artist @KatieBrooks during a brand photography session
First contact. It’s the age old tale. Brand needs story told. Brand finds photographer. Photographer looks amazing. Brand fills out photographer’s contacts form. Photographer responds to brand. Both work together happily ever after.
Initial meeting. I’ll be honest, once initial contact has been made, I’m not one who likes going back and forth over email or social media. I’d much rather meet with you (in person or virtually) to discuss requirements and expectations, both yours and mine. That way you get a chance to see what I’m like and how I work, and I get to see what sort of brand you have and what shots you’re after, so we can both be happy and excited about working together. This is also my chance to get to know your brand and what makes it special, which I love to do!
Plan and Arrange a shoot. Starting to get excited by this point. This may require several subsequent meetings and emails, or could be accomplished at the end of the initial meeting, depending on complexity. The aim is to schedule a shoot that works for everyone involved in the required timeframe.
Quote and acceptance. This is the business side of things. I use my experience to advise what I think is going to work well, as well as options for additional scope, and then we discuss to determine the best way forward for everyone involved. This usually happens as the shoot is planned and arranged, after all, there’s no point arranging an amazing, multi-day, multi-model shoot if that’s out of the budget.
The Shoot! This is where I bring my experience and equipment (and a big cup of coffee) and capture your brand. Ideally everything runs exactly as we’d planned, but I’m always flexible and can work with changes. Being an outdoor photographer also means dealing with weather, but unless it’s a thunderstorm I can usually work around it (and even a storm would make for some interesting shots!).
Editing. They say for every 10 hours a photographer works, only 1 hour is spent actually taking photos. Editing is probably responsible for 3 or 4 of those hours. Whether it’s removing blemishes, enhancing details, adjusting lighting, or just a simple enhancement, it all takes time. It also doesn’t happen in isolation. I like to give my clients a quick edit for review, then a more detailed edit, and then a final product. That way everyone knows what to expect and can give their input along the way.
Printing and framing (optional). Depending on the intended use, some brands are choosing to have their images printed and framed. I have a good relationship with a local, reliable printing and framing service, who provide excellent quality prints at very reasonable prices.
Delivery! Everything has been leading up to this, your brand is getting its’ new images! How? This will be worked out during the quoting and planning stages, but usually involves a download link (and password) to a secure location for digital files, optional physical media (USB drive, External hard drive), and any prints that have been ordered. I can bring them to you, or you can collect, completely up to you.
After-care. Now that you’ve got the final product, is that it? No! If you realise later that you need additional prints, further edits, or even some additional shots, please let me know! I’m more than happy to talk through anything you need after the shoot.
Want to have this experience for yourself or your brand? Please reach out and let’s talk.
