
FAQs
Understanding Commercial Photography Quotes
Commercial photographers in the industry offer various pricing structures. To ensure an accurate quote, we recommend that clients prepare the following at least one month prior to their desired shoot date:
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The basic product content to be photographed.
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Reference images or examples of the desired aesthetic.
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An estimated number of final photos required.
This allows the photographer to fully understand your products and the style you envision. We will then provide a quote based on your specific needs and requirements, followed by scheduling arrangements. A successful booking is confirmed upon payment of a deposit and the signing of both the quotation and contract.
Providing Reference Style Images
Once your booking is confirmed, you can find relevant example images from popular design platforms or trending Instagram accounts. We can use these as a reference, and our photographers will also offer suggestions that align with their photographic style. This two-way communication helps us arrive at the ideal final shooting style, ensuring your product's image is unique and sophisticated. Alternatively, you can entrust the entire creative direction to the photographer.
Collaboration with Third-Party Design Agencies
If your product already has an established design agency assisting with its promotion, please have them directly contact us for discussions. Through professional dialogue between both parties, we can quickly grasp the style that best suits your brand's characteristics. This collaboration will empower your designers, allowing for more complete and effective planning of compositions and layouts.
Commercial Photography Workflow
Step 1. Client Provides Product Information & Reference Images
Please email us the basic product information and your desired shooting direction/reference images for our review. If it's an urgent request, please state it at this step as additional expedited fees may apply.
Step 2. Quotation
Based on the requirements from Step 1, we will prepare a detailed quotation for your review and approval.
Step 3. Schedule Booking
Clients should provide their preferred shooting dates and times. We will promptly confirm the shooting date and any necessary meeting schedules.
Step 4. Quote Confirmation, Deposit Payment, and Contract Signing
Once the quote and shooting schedule are confirmed, we will request a deposit payment as indicated on the quotation to secure your booking. Subsequently, we will provide a contract for your legal review. The agreement becomes effective upon signature and the affixing of company seals on two copies.
Step 5. Photoshoot
We recommend relevant personnel to be present during the shoot to confirm photo arrangements, content, and to discuss post-production details.
Step 6. Post-Production
Due to ongoing projects for other clients, post-production typically takes two weeks to one month. This includes adjusting brightness and contrast, color tone and temperature correction, and refining product or portrait skin conditions to ensure your photos accurately match the actual product colors and appear polished.
Step 7. Final Delivery
We will provide large TIFF files for print use and standard JPG files for web use, uploaded to cloud storage. Files will be deleted after 7 days, so clients are responsible for backing up their own data.
Step 8. Final Payment
Collection of the remaining balance.
Commercial Photography Quote: Common Q&A
How is a commercial photography quote calculated?
Our quotes are primarily based on the type of shoot, the size, material, and quantity of objects, as well as the desired shooting style.
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Shooting style can impact pricing due to varying levels of complexity.
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Object size, quantity, and material influence pricing based on the difficulty of the shoot. Larger items generally cost more, as do items with reflective surfaces or transparent materials.
Can I mail the items to you for the shoot, or do I need to be present?
Yes, you can mail the items. However, we highly recommend clients attend the photoshoot. This allows for direct discussion of shooting details, helps the photographer better understand your needs, and facilitates subsequent discussions regarding retouching and other matters. Additionally, for food items that require preparation, items that need to be opened, or those with operational procedures, we strongly advise client presence.
Can the photographer provide props?
Prop storage space is limited, so our ability to provide props is restricted. Recently, there are rental shops available for props, or you can purchase them online. We can assist with purchasing for a handling fee, and prop costs will be charged at cost with receipts. However, we recommend clients prepare their own props to best meet their expectations. If a prop is not commercially available, we can assist with its creation, which will incur a handcrafting fee. Material costs incurred during production will also be charged at cost with receipts.
Can you shoot at the client's company location or outdoors? How is it charged?
Yes, we can. For outdoor shoots or shoots at the client's company, additional charges for transportation and accommodation will apply on top of the quotation fee. These charges vary by city and region. Please feel free to email us for detailed inquiries.
Will you retouch the photos after the shoot?
Retouching services depend on what was discussed and included in the quote. We offer both fine retouching and basic adjustments.
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Basic adjustments are performed after every shoot and include brightness/contrast adjustments, color tone/temperature correction, ensuring your photos accurately match the actual product colors.
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Fine retouching involves our retouchers meticulously cleaning up imperfections, refining lighting, adjusting horizontal/perspective issues, and setting the overall mood. For portraits, beyond clothing adjustments, we focus on skin texture, organizing lighting, skin tone adjustments, and blemish removal to achieve a clean yet beautifully textured skin presentation.
Common retouching services that incur additional fees include: fine portrait retouching, fine product retouching, color modification (changing to a non-actual product color), composites, etc. These services will be separately quoted. There is also a limit to revisions after completion, typically two times.
Can you remove the background (clipping path) from the photos after the shoot?
Yes, we can. Clipping path fees vary depending on the complexity of the item being photographed.
I want to composite photos. What should I do?
Please provide your requirements, and we will offer a separate quote. This is an additional service and falls outside the scope of standard commercial photography.
Do you have recommended models or makeup artists?
Based on your specific needs, we can provide a list of suitable professionals for you to choose from. If you require a makeup artist or models, we can connect you with our long-term collaborators. You can either inquire directly with them or we can assist in contacting them for quotes on your behalf.