Frequently Asked Questions
Copyright
Who owns the rights to the photos after a shoot?
As the creator of the images, I retain full copyright on all my photographs. You’ll be receiving a license that details the many ways you’ll be able to use the photos you’ve selected. This is standard practice in my field.
In fact, you’re probably already very accustomed to this sort of licensing model. For example, when you order a song through Apple Music or Spotify, you don’t actually own the song, you own a license to listen to that song on any of your personal devices whenever you’d like.
What’s included in my license?
My standard license, which is built into my fee, includes ‘in perpetuity’ usage with every photo – i.e., the license will never expire. Your license entitles you to use the photos in many ways, including within your business’s commercial website, in-house electronic publishing, contest entry submissions, digital display including keynote and PowerPoint presentations, as well as many other promotional vehicles, such as brochures, local magazines, billboards, prints, posters, flyers and video.
Can I post the photos on social media?
Absolutely! Usage on social media is also included within your license. Please be sure to tag me, though, at: @tcphotography99
What’s not included in my license?
Additional usage beyond what’s mentioned above, may require additional licenses (e.g., using one or more photos when promoting your business in a national or international magazine). Fees for additional usage will be determined via a standard “calculator” commonly used in commercial photography.
Does my license permit me to share the photos with others?
While your license specifies the many different ways you’ll be able to use the photos, sharing them with others is not one of them. Other parties can use the photos as long as they have proper licenses from myself.
If other parties would like to license the final photos, then they have a couple of options. The first and best option is to enter the cost-sharing agreement in advance of the shoot, as this will give all parties an opportunity for significant discounts. They also have the option to license individual photos directly through me, after the shoot. However, this per photo fee is available only at a significantly higher fee. This is done to protect the investment made by parties agreeing to accepting all photos as part of cost-sharing.
At The Shoot
Do you like having the client on-site during the shoot?
While I have a number of clients who let me do my own thing at a shoot, yes, I most definitely welcome having my client(s) with me. Engaging in a creative back-and-forth is not only a lot of fun, it tends to yield better photographs!
Do you shoot tethered?
Yes, having my camera connected to a large tablet is a huge benefit, as it allows me (and my clients) to examine composition and staging elements in a lot more detail, ensuring that everything is just so, before I capture the photo.
Do you like people in the photos?
When used appropriately, placing people in a photograph can add valuable impact to an image. For instance, people can give a sense of scale to the space or structure. It can also show how the space was designed to be used, both functionally and from a lifestyle perspective.
Do you use lighting?
While natural light is the dominant light source in virtually all of my delivered images, I do use artificial lighting at my shoots. Having well-lit, flashed photos can be a great help in my editing process, as they can be used to help “fill-in” dark shadows within a photo and/or correct various colour casts in the shot.
Do you offer half-day photoshoots for smaller projects?
Absolutely! Smaller spaces with great design choices and wonderful craftsmanship need to be photographed. Such projects can communicate quality, creativity and brand messaging just as much as a larger project. As such, I offer my clients a reduced half-day rate.
Do you offer drone photography?
Yes! Aerial photography opens up a lot of great possibilities for still images and video of your project. If this is something that you’re interested in, then just let me know when we’re having our planning chat and we’ll make it happen!
After the Shoot
What’s your process for editing the photos after a shoot?
I apply a seven-step method that is aimed at giving my clients a consistent look-and-feel, every time. It is a very involved process that requires intensive attention to detail. As such, it is very common for the editing process to consume at least as much time as the actual shoot.
What’s your turn-around time for me to get photos after the shoot?
You can confidently expect to see the first set of proofs within a week or so. These proofs will usually be partially-edited. You’ll use these proofs to select the images you’d like to license.
How long before I get to see the fully-edited photos?
Once I receive your selections, I’ll jump into the editing process, using Photoshop and other software. You can expect to see the fully-edited proofs in roughly two weeks, more or less, depending on time of year.
What if I’d like to make tweaks to the fully-edited files?
Absolutely! I want to make sure you’re completely happy with the photos I deliver. So, if you’d like a photo a little brighter or perhaps moodier, then let me know and I’ll make those minor adjustments. These sorts of changes are included in my fees.
What if I change my mind about a staging prop and want it removed from the photo?
Making a significant material change to a photograph often requires much editing work. I’m pleased to do this but since it’s outside the scope of what’s in my fee structure, this sort of work will be subject to an additional hourly fee.
In the off chance that the requested change is beyond my skill-level, I can call on a number of editing experts that I have relationships with. If they’re able to complete the work, I will simply charge you their rate, as a flow-through cost (i.e., no additional administrative fees are added).
What type of files will you deliver?
I’ll be sending you high resolution JPEGs (suitable for printing & magazine needs) and web-optimized JPEGs of each of the fully-edited images you’ve selected for licensing. The web-ready files are resized to meet to meet your requirements and then “compressed”, to allow for faster download speeds on your website. Both file formats will be delivered via a download link.