Compare the total cost of finishing the task
A low headline price may exclude clothing, locations, styling, retouching or overtime. Define the purpose first: portraits, wedding coverage, product photographs or a scripted video with sound. Compare preparation, production, post-production and delivered files on an equivalent scope. Historical package prices and fixed budget percentages do not establish a current quote.
Record working hours, participants, locations and moves, outfits or product quantities, selection files and finished outputs. Check promotion dates and restrictions, deposits, cancellation, rescheduling and weather arrangements. Keep unresolved items as estimates until confirmed.
Make inclusions and extras explicit
| Item | Questions to settle |
|---|---|
| Photographs | Selection and retouch counts, size, compressed and print files; whether “originals” means raw files or adjusted photographs |
| Clothing and styling | Styles, sizes, changing time, own clothing, makeup, cleaning and damage arrangements |
| Locations and time | Access, travel, setup, waiting, overtime, moves and permission costs |
| Extras | Albums, prints, added retouching, more shooting, behind-the-scenes video and rush outputs, each with scope and price |
| Use and receipt | Delivery method/date, retention and replacement arrangements, and agreement about public display |
Review a complete delivery close to your task. A few selected images do not establish consistency across a whole set. Discuss framing, skin tones, product colour and retouching before work begins.
Match equipment and conditions to the subject
Landscape work depends on access, weather, light and coverage. Night work requires checks for focus, movement blur and available light. Portraits need attention to posture, expression, skin and separation from the background; products require legible detail, reflections and actions. A model name does not guarantee an outcome.
A tripod may suit a fixed position or a longer exposure, but it does not stop a moving subject. Check the support against the complete camera, lens and accessory combination, then test ground, wind and actions. Moving shots also need a route, support approach and staffing. Test representative pictures before renting or buying.
Video quotes include additional work
Specify information preparation, creative direction, script, participants, recording, editing, captions, music, colour and output versions. Different orientations, languages, durations and placements can each require work. Agree original footage, editable files and music permissions separately.
Distinguish corrections, agreed revisions and new work. One contact consolidates feedback. Added scenes, reshoots or a changed approved script require agreement on time, cost and delivery. Open each finished file to inspect pictures, sound, captions and receipt. The production cost guide explains related scope decisions. This is an inquiry method, not a package offer.