FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Are your rates on your website somewhere?

A: For real estate shoots, yes. For everything else, nah. Each project is different so it is difficult to publish rates for my services that may not apply to everyone. In general, clients are billed for production expenses (gear rentals, hard drives, location fees, travel and lodging, etc), a creative fee (hourly/day/overall rate depending on project needs and my availability), and for additional production staff when needed (primary assistant, digital imaging tech, additional camera operators, gaffers, electricians, production assistants, drivers, etc.). For still photography, most editing time is included within session fees. Film/video editing time is billed by half or full day.

My creative fees, consulting rates, and general production costs, all depend on a number of factors, but staff rates are a good starting point to figure out where your budget range may line up with what our team needs to succeed. Some projects really only need me and a camera to show up, but others require a team. I pay ‘interns’/runners $175/day, non-shooting assistants $200-$300/day, second shooters $500-$750/day, and outsourced video editors are $500-$750/day. If you’re going to ask me for a favor or donation of time, ask away, as I may say yes (especially to great causes and orgs/ngos/small businesses rooted in equity).

But please keep in mind, the bare minimum rig I show up with costs about $250/day if you went to a rental house. And that when I have to hire people to just stand there and look after gear cases and interact a little with clients, that one assistant’s time alone is worth ~$200/day. The lead technical and creative people on set are all surely each worth more than $200/day before taxes…..

Q: Do you offer introductory rates to new clients?

A: No. However, I do occasionally grant discounted rates and additional time to long standing clients, but only once we have already built goodwill in two directions. “Customers” often don’t know what they need, and jump from business to business looking for the lowest prices for their sometimes unrealistic expectations. “Clients” are my creative partners who I collaborate with and create for; the more we respect each other’s time the more of mine they have access to.

I don’t think creative and technical people should work extra hard and spread resources thin to offer a lower rate for new customers, just to prove that they are worth working with but within circumstances that make doing the best work possible, impossible. If a recommendation and my portfolio and testimonials and our phone call hasn’t convinced you I’m the right fit or worthy of your budget at this or maybe any range, then keep looking until you find your person! There’s literally so many amazing creators out there. You’ll definitely find more talented people than me, and maybe they’re also in your price range too!

Q: Do you include RAW files for photo or video shoots?

A: No. See below : )

Why Raw Files / ‘Work-for-Hire’ projects are priced higher (typically 2x+ the base creative fee)

• Full intellectual property transfer
  Delivering raw files typically means transferring ownership of the footage, not just a license to use the final edit. Clients understand this has value, otherwise they wouldn’t ask for it.

• Unlimited, indefinite use
  The client can repurpose, re-edit, and distribute the footage forever, across any platform, campaign, or market, which is not included in basic licensing agreement included with most projects.

• Loss of portfolio and promotional use
  I give up the ability to use the footage in my portfolio, reels, case studies, or self-promotion. Even if granted use by client as courtesy, they still have creative control of how and where I can use imagery in my portfolio.

• No future licensing or expansion fees
  Normally, additional edits, longer campaigns, new platforms, or expanded usage would be licensed separately. Raw files eliminate that entirely.

• Loss of creative control and brand association
  The footage may be edited or used in ways I wouldn’t creatively approve, but my name and work may still be associated with it even if we officially remove my name from the credits. That’s a risk that doesn’t come for free.

• No opportunity for future edit work
  Providing source files removes potential follow-on work (re-edits, cutdowns, new versions) that might otherwise be part of the project lifecycle.

• Increased production value for the client
  Raw footage functions like a content library — essentially multiple future projects or parts of them, delivered upfront.

• Industry-standard pricing adjustment
  Because of all the above, work-for-hire or raw-file delivery is commonly priced at 2× (or more) the standard project rate.

  
  

Q: Why is everything seemingly so expensive?

A: I understand that even small projects can be a considerable investment for most folks, but this is at minimum what it costs to do Good work. Great work is even more expensive. I understand I am not the best at any thing I do, but I’m not trying to be the cheapest either. I’m of course happy to answer any questions and concerns about getting the most of your budget and our time together. 

Q: Do you work in a studio or on location?

A: I rent studios when needed for some projects but I am most often working on location in unique spaces or outdoors.

Q: Do you use AI?

A: There are some tools in the various editing software I use that are considered to be powered by AI, but I don’t use generative AI for photo or video work and never will, and intend for every action I take in the capture and editing process to be done as humanly as possible.

Q: Our project/album/film/editing/rehearsal/etc isn’t going as planned & we need help. Do you do consulting/quality control/executive producing?

A: Yes. Sometimes an outside perspective can help make sense of something you’re feeling a little too close to. I offer varying levels of project dissection in a range of creative fields, and aim to be both honest and encouraging at the same time. Ultimately it is your project and you have final call on decisions, but I will challenge you and help you to refine what you made until both of us are convinced it is good enough to be released. Collaboration and perspective can make us all better, so please submit your project/gallery/album/film via email and let’s chat about what your project may need to get across the finish line.

Q: Will you travel to capture portraits or record an album or film a documentary?

A: Yes indeed. I love to travel and explore new places, or revisit my favorite familiar ones. Capturing images of the locals and their melodies is an important part of my career and life.

Q: What's your 'style'?

A: I... don’t know? I feel like this is for people other than myself to decide. But in general my intention is to capture immersive and meaningful images that illuminate the heaviest parts of human experiences.. Through film, photography, and music, I like to help tell stories that are compelling and perhaps devastating, or just completely random and odd, for art’s sake.

Q: Do we get a contract or something that proves you will be our photographer/filmmaker/engineer/editor?

A: Yes indeed! I’m actually the person that will be there creating/capturing the images/video (sometimes with an assistant or second photographer). We will sign an agreement that includes everything you can expect and what happens if plans change along the way. Click the button below to see more about terms and conditions, and see a sample contract.

Q: Can we order prints or other products through you? do we have to order through you?

A: High quality and reasonably priced prints and other products are available for purchase directly through your gallery. If you don’t see print/product options, please email me. Most projects include a print release, so you can also order prints through a vendor of your choice (besides chain pharmacies…).

Q: How do you handle invoices/contracts/payments?

A: Though I do accept payments in person sometimes, I use Dubsado.com for all client (and life!) management. Each client gets their own password protected dashboard that keeps track of contracts, invoices, important emails, gallery links, and payment schedules. (No payment methods are stored and all info provided is strictly confidential and never for sale).

 

Q: Do you shoot video too?

A: For environmental/restoration projects, music, art, documentary, and commercial projects, yes. For weddings and events, no.

Q: Why don’t you shoot weddings anymore?

A: After almost 15 years of witnessing countless amazing moments and being included in events like an honorary family member, I’m happy to be passing along my wedding referrals to a new young crowd of talented wedding photographers. I enjoyed every celebration, but my spine and knees did not. Time to hang up my skates and focus on art (and commerce).

Q: Can we edit our photos/video ourselves? Do you give us every photo you take?

A: In short, no. Some large commercial projects include an art director and editing staff, which allows me to have a supporting team that all contribute greatly to the final look of an image or gallery. But in order to ensure the quality and style of work my clients are accustomed to, in most cases I do not release RAW files or allow for client edits to final files (other than minor cropping) unless on work-for-hire agreement that transfers copyrights in exchange for additional fees. I own the copyrights to all image and videos I produce unless expressly agreed to prior to beginning of project. See question above re: source files….
 

Q: Do you ever collaborate on projects or second shoot for other photographers?

A: Yes of course! We all have something to gain from openly sharing knowledge and supporting each others’ creative endeavors. The talented assistants I hire are always teaching me something new, and while assisting others I work hard to help them do their best work too. If you want my help on your project, please send me some info and let’s talk.
 

Q: Are there any limitations to how I use the images/videos from my session/project?

A: In most instances the client receives a limited/non-exclusive image license for a set period of time for a certain range of uses. In some cases like events, the images are for personal use only and cannot be used commercially unless an additional license is obtained in writing.  In other cases like product photos, images that are to be used in a nationwide advertising campaign in multiple mediums will have greater licensing fees than a small business sending out 200 postcards to local clients. In all cases, I retain the copyrights to the images I create and they may not be reused, relicensed, or resold in any manner other than specified in your contract. Work-for-hire projects with assignment of copyright start at 2x standard rate.
 

Q: Do you meet up with clients before events/sessions to go over plans and ideas? 

A: Whenever possible! Though email is typically our primary mode of contact, at certain stages of your project it is important to have a call or meet up, to location scout, discuss ideas, set goals, etc. There are no initial consultation fees. To set up a meeting please email your questions/ideas to filmphotofarm@gmail.com 

Q: Can you deliver our images in a week/tomorrow? Is there a rush charge? 

A: Sometimes. While some sessions are more predictable, technical and creative processes can vary greatly from project to project. If you need rush service or have a specific deadline, please make sure to let me know well in advance so I can deliver the same high level of work without cutting corners just to catch up to a clock/calendar.