Pricing

Pricing for corporate photography typically depends on the requested usage for the images. There is a pricing distinction between "promotional usage", such as web sites, brochures, etc., and "advertising usage", such as magazine ads, billboards, etc. There are also differences in pricing having to do with the timeframe that the images will be used, such as one year, two years, five years, or unlimited, the geographies where the images will be displayed, such in the United States or worldwide, and the media in which the images will be displayed, such as print and online.

Here is pricing information on Executive Portraits, or "Head Shots."

Licensing vs. Selling

Photography is nearly always licensed and not sold. Licensing means that the photographer maintains ownership of the images, the copyright to the images, and grants various rights to the client. These rights, for example, may be for promotional usage in the United States for one year. Or they may be advertising rights for a one half page ad in a magazine with a distribution of 1,000,000 copies. The more specific these rights are defined by the client, the more easily an accurate estimate can be generated.

In some cases, a client wishes to buy unlimited rights to the images, and guarantee themselves any usage that they see fit, perhaps for any time period and in any geography. Even in this case, the photographer still owns the copyright to the images. In very rare cases, a photographer will outright sell the images to a client. This means that the photographer no longer owns the right to the images, and therefore cannot even use an image for his or her own promotion (unless the new owner grants those rights).

It may help to think of an analogy, such as software. When you buy software, you are really buying a license to use that software on one or more computers. Even though you have a copy of that software on a CD, the software manufacturer owns the copyright to that software. You are not allowed to reproduce that software and then sell it, or use it on 100 machines if you bought a one machine license. Similarly, when you purchase a license to use a photograph, that license defines your rights of use, and any additional use must be negotiated with the photographer.

Rates, Fees, and Expenses

Every photography project is unique - from the initial consultation through each phase to the final end result. There are differences in the shoot preparations, the execution of the shoot, the post-production of the images, and the usage of the final product. It is therefore impossible to list standard rates that are applicable to your unique requirements. The best way for us to move forward on a job is to meet in my studio or have a conversation that goes over your requirements so that I can generate an accurate estimate. Here is some of the information that I will request as part of this consultation:

Usage of the Images

How will the images be used? For internal use only, promotional use, advertising use? What is the requested time period of the usage? What is the requested geography of the usage? What is the medium of the usage, print and/or digital?

Requirements of the Shoot

What is the subject of the shoot? When is the shoot? Approximately how long will the shoot take? Are there any special equipment requirements for the shoot? Are there any talent/model, wardrobe, prop requirements for the shoot? Is there are any travel required for the shoot?

With this basic information, I can generate a formal Estimate for your review. Please contact us to begin or if you have any questions.