Do you have a corporate photoshoot on the horizon?
Hiring the right photographer is vital when it comes to building a brand image.
Don’t allow the work you have done in building your brand to go to waste by choosing the wrong photographer. When it comes to representing your brand to the public, you really do get what you pay for.
If you’re wondering where to begin, and how to get the best photographer to generate images for print, social media, and your website, here are 7 questions you need to ask.
#1 – “What services do you offer and what does the cost cover?”
It is vital to get straight to the point.
Remember, each industry or business has slightly different needs which will influence the final product. As such, it is not only important to know what you are looking for, but the corporate photographer should indicate what their quoted price covers.
In other words, they should let you know of their rates for all additional work. Generally, the cost of a photo shoot will include:
- Photographers time and expertise
- Supporting or assistant fees
- Printing materials and several prints
- The number of final images needed
- Image delivery timeframe
Knowing what your quote includes will better help you budget accordingly, and avoid any headaches down the line.
#2 – “Where can I use the images?”
Image licensing questions are vital.
Event planner Sam Gosper works with photographers regularly and often uses captured images in promotional materials or on his social media.
“I have used photographers before who have unclear guidelines when it come to licensing and it can be a nightmare” Sam says, “I have had clients before independently hire a photographer who works an entire event and later refuses to allow the images to be licensed, it can be devastating”.
In most cases, the corporate photographer retains the copyrights to the images but licenses the photos for a client’s specific needs. As a business you’ll need to be clear on when and where you can use your images.
Licensing fees vary depending on how the images will be used to represent products, staff, and the business overall. That is, will the images be used on the company’s website or as part of commercial advertising?
For this reason, it is wise to speak about your needs before agreeing on any service.
As a rule of thumb, expect to pay more for an image license that will be used in ads.
#3 – “Do you know what type of images I need?”
Corporate and event photographers are totally different in terms of skill and mindset. For example, shooting an event may need rapidly changing lights to capture moments that cannot be recreated.
On the other hand, directed photography may need arrangement poses and lighting to capture an object or people. It is important to note that being good at one does not always mean being good at both.
When looking for a corporate photographer, it is wise to narrow your search depending on what you are looking for for your business needs.
#4 – “Have you worked with businesses in my niche before?”
Style match is key when building your corporate brand. Going through the photographer’s portfolio and looking for images that represent your brand is a good first step.
Every corporate photographer develops a style that is applied in their work. This means you can find photographers who specialise in certain industries.
This was vital for high rise building maintenance company Sonaa Abseiling, who explained “our niche is quite small, and sometimes it can be a little hard for someone to picture what our service really is. Finding a photographer who can understand our vision and turn that into a reality is always key.”
#5 – “Can you recommend a professional team?”
By now you know how important it is to find an experienced photographer who has worked in your niche before.
However, surrounding them with a professional team can ensure the finished photos stand out for all the right reasons.
Ask your photographer if they can recommend a specific hairstyle, makeup, and any other relevant specialties. In other words, can they provide a style guide before the shoot?
#6 – “What is your reshoot policy?”
You hope your photoshoot will go off without a hitch. But is there a plan in place if something goes wrong?
Marriage celebrant Johan Khoury has experienced several situations where couples weren’t completely happy with their big day shots are were devastated to find out the photographer didn’t offer reshoots.
“Don’t be afraid to ask, most photographers understand that getting the perfect picture is hard especially when you’re working with large groups and they will work with you to get your ideal result” notes Johan.
There may be a lot of grey areas in regards to reshoots. For example, if the image looks great but it did not capture what you were looking for.
If this is the case, some photographers may provide reshoots while others will not. As such, you should never be afraid to ask about this upfront.
#7 – “What do you need from me?”
This is a simple question and yet carries a lot of weight.
Before signing a contract, ask the photographer what they need from you. A good photographer should know everything they need from you to make the project a success.
Roofing expert Richard Gabriel has used corporate photographers before and says asking this question is hugely important. He notes “don’t think all you have to do is turn up. By asking what your photographer needs from you you’ll come ready, and you’ll ensure your photographer is ready too. Your photographer might need a range of outfits, or requests that you’ll only know by asking.”
This may include:
- an exact shot list
- communicating the details to the staff
- arranging introductions with staff members
- gathering products
If a corporate photographer is unable to answer this question, be prepared for last-minute requests or a disorganised communication through the whole process.
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