How I deliver commercial photography

I have a Work Ethic and Service that works across a wide range of disciplines including; Commercial, Advertising, Industrial, Product and Fine Art Landscape photography. I use a wide range of skills and decades of experience together with the correct photographic equipment for each job.

How I deliver a reliable photography work ethic and service

Whether delivering complex photography for an advertising campaign or the most straightforward of commercial photography my methodology and work ethic remains consistent.

The photography brief

Beginning with the brief, as it is only when everyone involved has a comprehensive understanding what is needed that I can deliver an estimate.

Once commissioned

From the smallest photography job to the largest of catalogue shoots my work ethic remains the same. Following consultation and an agreement on the way to proceed including, times, costs and deadline etc. all I need from our account holding clients is an email confirmation to book in the work. New clients need to make an agreed deposit before we book any time in diaries.

My workflow

Once a job sheet is raised and the job is booked in the diary I will follow the brief and/or the Art Directors instruction on the job. As work gets underway any requirement, or unexpected deviation from the brief is always discussed in full with the client before proceeding.

The equipment

I shoot with the right equipment for the job in hand:

• Nikon Z9 flagship cameras and Nikkor lenses are used in the studio as well as out on location. 

• A high definition camera mounted on a Mavic drone is used for aerial photography. Drone images are often stacked to achieve unbelievable depth and detail.

• I have an extensive range of lighting solutions on hand including studio flash heads and modifiers to use in the studio and on location.

Digital files workflow and processing

At all times I shoot highest bit quality RAW format in the camera, and transmit JPG’s (tethered or wirelessly) to an iPad or MacBook as I shoot for immediate review by myself or the client. All processing/post production work is in house using a well thought out workflow. When processed RAW files are archived while the finished files are backed up to hard drives and sent to the client via the likes of WeTransfer, as required (if requested they can be sent out on a USB stick).

Photography services – what you buy

Full terms and conditions are provided in advance of the booking. While they do a great job at protecting the photographer and the client in law, in the real world I have never yet needed to refer or quote them. I believe this is due to our professional Work Ethic and Service together with a workflow that understands our clients requirements this has provided us with repeat business and referrals.

What you really need to know when purchasing from me

I’m very happy to “pencil” work into the diary so you can change times and details without incurring cancelation fees, I understand this flexibility can be essential when trying to pull several peoples diaries together and especially as my diary is often filled several months in advance.

• If a job runs over by a few minutes, or even an hour I do not charge for another day or indeed anything extra at all.

• Generally I only invoice existing account holding clients when the job is delivered and you have the photography you require in hand.

• The copyright always remains with the photographer (Martin Urch Photography). What you are purchasing when buying commissioned photography is a licence for use, (this is standard practice). That said my standard license is more extensive and inclusive than most.

• As a commissioned commercial photographer, (not a freelance photographer) the business is about selling; time, skills and experience. it is not about repeatedly selling individual images. Because of this your licence for use unless otherwise stated is indefinite commercial use within your business.

• Quotations and estimates include batch processing of files and editing work that is often about the same time as that spent on the photography itself, and also includes travel up to 30 miles from my base address. Quotes separately itemise out of pocket expenses such as travel costs or additional services and materials like additional post production manipulation, film, prop hire, set building, models etc.

I hope this helps you better understand my work ethic, service and due process of delivering professional photography.