A little background of the cover photo, it is the buildings of the Financial District in San Francisco, California, USA.

Updated As of 5th of May 2023

The Manifesto

First of all, it will be my pleasure to work with you. Secondly, why do you want me to take the photo you need instead of the other photographers?

To answer this, I will give you a metaphor.

"It is like flying in an airplane going to your destination. Every airplane company has its own perks, routes, and unique services. It is not just about arriving at your destination but also the experiences until you arrive at your final destination - it includes good customer service, no hidden fees, ease checking in, fewer baggage restrictions, wide legroom, a wide selection of foods and drinks, a large variety of movies/show to watch, WiFi connectivity, power and USB outlets, helpful crew, accommodating stewards, and courteous attendants, fast and secure claiming your baggage. Then it is a happy flight. It is the experience that set me apart from the competition."

I believe that photographers have their own ways to interpret and execute your vision. Of course, it is very important, but also, there are things happening in the background that people do not realize like swift communication, detail-oriented emails, details on pre-production, having fun and positive attitude during the photoshoot, offering multiple perspectives, active listening, and open-minded with team members, critical thinking, and effective in problem-solving, organized, and fast-delivery of post-production materials. I do not focus just on the output but on the whole process of achieving the goals. 

My virtues are high quality, result-oriented, and fast delivery service. I create photos in the best way possible. If it is a lot of work on my side, it does not matter as long as you like the result. I do all the possible ways to obtain the goal no matter what is a very effective duration of time.  

I make sure to offer you 3 things:

1. Professionalism

2. Fun and Relax Environment

3. Result-Oriented Output - Amazing Photographs.

I have a proposition... Let us make something amazing!

The PRICES

Pricing is one of the complicated and delicate topics in this industry because every project is unique. It is better for both of us if you can specifically tell me/your company’s/the client’s budget rather than doing the guessing game. As a service provider, I need to make it possible in any way. If the budget is higher, then the quality would be better, faster, and more efficient. If the budget is low, then the equipment might not be as high caliber, but I need to make sure to render a good and effective end result. We will make it happen. As a creative person, I always want to deliver the best result that I can render regardless of the budget or equipment. As long as the output is of the best quality. I take pride in my work, always! Challenge accepted! 

Photography Services

Understand the different types of services I render. My photography service can be a small session, a creative, or a technical shoot, to a big production. It involves consultation, pre-production, shooting day, and post-production. It can be done in my partner studio or on location. Prices vary depending on expenses, special equipment needed, licensing, usage, and specific demands. I can give you a detailed estimate, if necessary. It helps both of us to know what is the breakdown of the project.

Understand the Terminologies

This will help you understand why a photography service is considered a formal business. Like lawyers, doctors, and maybe your job and any other occupation exist. Understanding the value and work will give you a perspective that this industry is not just a hobbyist and we render our services to eat, and pay our debts and taxes.

Usage, Licensing, & Rights - It is how you use the photographs. The usage fee also depends on how the imagery will be licensed depending on its use and given rights and exclusivity of the images. It varies on the exclusiveness and the duration of the usage of the photograph. That means, if you want the exclusive right of the image where you can use it in any medium for an unlimited time then you will pay higher than if you want it to use only on social media for a year. Most of the images are only limited to a season, maybe a year, some images can be used well for 3 years. Of course, you need to know how long you want to use the image and to understand the purpose of the photo. If you want the full rights, then you can use the photo for any reason and for how long you want it without thinking of legal issues just to save some bucks.

Media - It is where the image will be used. It can be digital (intangible - website, email, TV, social media, etc), or print (tangible - newspaper, magazine, brochure, menu, etc.)

Exposure - It is where the photo will be seen. Like in Social Media, Education/Research - List below

Small Coverage (< 20K views) - for small publications, entrepreneurs, and any small client list/reach media. I consider the COMMERCIAL for Small Business. 

Big Coverage (> 20K+ views) - for the internet, international coverage, billboards, TV shows, and large clientele (>500K+). I consider the COMMERCIAL and we can talk about the proper licensing for your needs.

Work for Hire - It is a service where you hire a photographer and get all the rights. I will not get the copyright of the images but the payment scheme adds between 250% - 750% fee. It depends on how big is the photo library and how big the audience/viewers/publication/circulation of the end-user.

Photo Library, Per image, & Usage Licensing

Photo Library is the images captured during a specific shoot. It varies in size depends on what type of shoot, number of subjects, amount of shotlist, and variations needed by the client.

Image Usage & Licensing is the photo captured during the shoot owns by the photographer. Then the photographer can permit you to use it depends on your required usage (end-use).

Is it for social media, or does the image will be published in the magazine, or will be on a billboard with roughly 1 million viewers? So the prices vary on the end-use.

It is important to state the usage because it varies on its price. The price of the usage of an image that will be on hanging on a small restaurant is lower than the same image that will be used on a billboard in the middle of Times Square. The price that will be used on the billboard will be 10 times more because millions of people can easily see the image in Times Square. The company that shown this photo can easily earn profit from the audiences seeing this billboard than in the small restaurant.

If you do not have enough budget, you can do per image arrangement. It will be handled as a standard shoot but you will only pick on the final images and the price will be given on your choice photos. Usually, it depends on how many images you selected or the complexity of how you made the photo. The selected images will be following your usage/licensing arrangement. The unselected images can be used by the photographer to earn money as stock photos or given non-exclusive to other client/s.

ADD-ON/OPTIONAL FEES

You can also book additional services/extra for my services: I usually find someone who specialized in the task to be part of the team to assist in the project. Also, some memorabilia will be included in the package like a compilation of the highlight photos that will be printed as a photo book or framed. Please contact me for more information.

COMMERCIAL SERVICE

These are projects that are used to advertise, market, and direct people to watch, buy, or support certain goods or activities that will lead to profit, business gains, or by kind.

(Social Media, Poster, Marketing Materials, For-Profit/Non-Profit Organization Usage, e-Commerce, Traditional Advertisement - Newspaper, magazines, billboard, etc.)

Working Breakdown

Day Rate is my billing cost for my creative service in a day (10-hours total daily service).

• It covers - the day/hours of preparing for the shoot. (Creating moodboard, meeting/phone calls, researching, making estimates, consultation, email checking/sending, canvas, location scouting, prop/equipment reservation, building sets, and pick up, etc). 
• The day/hours day of shooting day (set dressing, light/digital test, actual shooting, behind-the-scenes/BTS, wrap up)
• and the day/hours related to the project after the shooting day (Set breakdown, the return of prop/equipment, making photo selects, photo editing/adjustment, photo manipulation, file transfer, re-edit/modification request).

There is a lot of work and tasks happening just to make a perfect photo. Plus the equipment, investments, and knowledge that was spent to do a business are like in any occupation.

COMMERCIAL SERVICE for Small Business

It is the same concept with commercial services but applicable to smaller entities. The major distinction is the viewer/audience/end-users are Small Coverage (< 20K views/audience). It is advisable to know how much audience, circulations, annual report, or viewers/audiences/customers you may have.

Examples characterized as small businesses:

• Sole proprietor/owners, partnership, and independent entities (with exception of gross income/ under 20K audience/supporters)
• Start-up (with exception of gross income/ under 1st year of production/launching)
• Freelancers/Artists (without Agents/representation and under 20K audience/supports/exposure)
• Local/Community stores and service providers (Dental offices, Office Shop, Restaurants, etc.)

With exceptions, like Start Up, Church/Religious/Charity groups, and non-profits (depends on how big is the company and annual gross income/support).

The pricing is still applicable with lower usage/licensing fee. Usually, I am making a package that is applicable to the budget. Of course, I understand the situation and I can offer payment options depending on the need of the clients. I want to be part of your growth and success.

Every project varies but usually, the price starts at €500 plus expenses. You can also give me your budget and I can make a package for your creative needs.

NON-COMMERCIAL/FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY SERVICE

These are creative services that are for personal usage only! It can be for personal development (job-seekers, models for compcard, etc.) or memorabilia (personal portraits, graduation photos, family photos, etc.).

Usually, it has a basic setup (basic lighting/equipment), studio (if available/no reservation), or location (without permits needed or no restriction to shoot). If you want more/specific outputs, then the price increases accordingly.

Every project varies but usually, the price starts at €350 plus expenses. You can also give me your budget and I can make a package for your creative needs.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Of course, I offer special situations like collaborations/sponsored shoots. It can be a reduced-priced or free service if it classifies ONLY on the following:

• It is an exchange of service, not monetary, but by kind (equal worth/value of your service/product), like sponsorship, special feature, giveaways, or freebies.
• Example: You will send me your product, and I will photograph/review them and make content for you. The sent product will be obtained and I will not send it back.
• It will result in a definite project/work/offer/partnership.
• In terms of social media and exposure, I am not a big fan of it, but if I will gain at least 1K organic followers (within 1 month of collaboration time and not unfollow more than 10%) or will create 5K interactions/reach (within 14-day). I am using a business account, so I can monitor them, then we can talk!
• For executing my portfolio development/personal project/test shoot.

This special arrangement can happen if I deemed the project/service appropriate and fair. I will have total creative control (less stress, less restriction, and more creativity) in doing this kind of project. Of course, collaboration is a two-way street and I respect it. But if the final output will not equally benefit me, will create more workload on my side, or will hinder getting clients/production/work, then I have the prerogative to cancel the collaboration. But I always do my best to finish a project and render my best, always. (I offer 1-2 free project/s during a year.)

I love to collaborate and work with other creatives or individuals. Let's talk!

READY TO WORK WITH ME?

Click the button to contact me. Please fill out a form as detailed as possible so I can determine your needs! I will do my best to render your creative needs!

FOOTNOTES & REFERENCES:

These are helpful resources and references for you to use to understand more about the industry:

• Photo Usage & Rights: https://www.copytrack.com/how-to-license-images-correctly/
• Base Usage Rate: http://www.softfocus.co.za/photography/photography-base-usage-rate/
• Usage Calculator: https://www.the-aop.org/information/usage-calculator
• Bundesverband Professioneller Bildanbieter: https://bvpa.org/mfm/