Tips for choosing a Commercial Photographer in 2024
Choosing a good commercial photographer can be difficult so we have complied our top tips to keep in mind when you are searching for a photographer to help showcase your business and services.
With the economy improving companies are beginning to realise that they need every advantage over their competitors and one of the best ways is to have their products and services shot by a professional commercial photographer. This will be the most cost effective route in the long run as many have paid previously for photography which is not up to professional standards and are in some cases unusable.
So below is a list of question’s to ask as you try to select the best photographer to suit your needs. Don’t forget that many photographer have various different skillsets so choose one that will make your products or services look their best.
Are they insured?
Mark is creative,good with people, reliable and a problem solver, but most importantly he is full insured. Most people don’t realize that professional photographer’s should have full public liability insurance unfortunately it’s not compulsory. So if you are employing a photographer after you have seen samples of their work and read reviews recommendations the next question should be are they insured? Don’t be afraid to ask for proof if in any doubt. Like any trades person photographers will have stands cables and ladders and they should be used in a safe manner so that they are not a safety hazard to anyone. After you have done all this you should arrange a meeting in your premises if necessary to discuss the shots needed.
Have you Prepared for the shoot?
Be sure that on the day you get what you need from the shoot. A shot list is essential so that on the day as the images are taken they can be ticked off. Be sure to keep in mind what the shots being used for and do they have to fit within a fixed format or size? Are they wanted on a white background, within a styled set or on location ? Don’t try & rush and shoot everything that you have. It’s best to take your time if you can and get great shots first time without having to spends hours later editing & retouching. Plan your shots work out physically how long it actually take to get your products ready for photography. If possible get as much prep work done beforehand. For people shots they may need hair make up and a change of clothes. Its quite common for people to have shiny skin so most photographers will avoid harsh strong light and will opt for shaded areas or they will bring their own lights. For food photography its important to plan it out carefully always make sure there is plenty of the product available as quite often it may take a few set ups before its just right. If there is a particular style or backgrounds needed let the photographer know beforehand. A good chef with a great sense of visual food preparation is great and ideally a food stylist is recommended. A food stylist is trained to make food look good and quite often can be seen placing bits of food into dishes with a tweezers or even spray painting a half cooked chicken. Which is why its always a good idea to check if food that was prepped by a food stylist is edible. Mark can recommend a food stylist if required
What you need to ask!
Don’t get caught up in how impressive their work is that you forget to talk logistics. Be sure to ask the following questions so that there are no hidden surprises. What is the turnaround time for delivery of images? Check with the photographer as to how they charge? Is it by the hour? Do they charge per image? Do they charge per cut-out and is retouching extra? Will you have unlimited usage for the images and receive Hi Res copies?
Location, Location, Location
For shots on location its best to do a recce beforehand so that if anything needs to moved/tidied staff will have ample time to do it beforehand this will save time and money on the day (especially if photographers charge by the hour or part off). Machinery should be cleaned, floors swept, painting to be done if necessary, if the shots are of products brand new/fresh are best, check labelling packaging for print consistency and for rips tears. These advance checks will save time and money as photo shopping later can be an extra charge.
For location shoots will they be setting up lights if so they may need power and extension cables. If it is in a factory / industrial setting this may not be possible and would need to be discussed with the relevant staff or health and safety personnel. Also on the day the photographer may need a hard hat, safety boots, Hi Vis jacket etc. to meet safety requirements. A safety induction is also quite a common practice before you can set foot on site & a safety assessment may have to be done & a safety statement may be asked for.
For exterior shots of premises check signage and lighting, do the green areas need tidying up? Driveways should be swept clean and if you have branded vehicles in the shot they should be clean and in good order visually. Check to see what time of day the building looks best preferably when it’s not in shade. However if its permanently in shade with the sun behind it may be best to shoot it on a cloudy overcast day. To get elevated shots it may be necessary to use telescopic boom or asscess to roof areas. If you want drone shots make sure the operator has the full licence,insurance & permits as its an offence not to have these.
Is the team involved?
For location shoots involving staff members it is better discussed in advance so that they are wearing fresh, new uniforms or work gear also if it’s branded even better. Staff used in photos will also need to sign a model release form for use of their images. If you want to get shots of staff in an office environment it should be decided before if there is a preferred dress code for example shirts and ties with jackets look best as shirts tend to get creased.
OK folks so to summarize it briefly for a successful shoot it is best to plan and prepare for all eventualities. If you follow these guidelines you will end up with great images that will showcase your products / services giving you that competitive edge.
For any photographic inquiries contact Mark at 087-2240869 or send him an email with any queries. For samples of his work you can visit his website Trinity Digital Studios.
Hi All,
Trinity Digital Studios is celebrating 10 years in business this year and I’d hoped to be able to do it it style. However Covid 19 has delayed the celebrations for a while. Its looking like from mid May things are going to slowly open and hopefully we will have a summer to look forward to. Also I hope to be able to get my first dose of the vaccine soon which is good
With the opening up of retail its going to take a while and not everyone is going to get it right so as a business owner I would ask if you see something that’s not being done right don’t go onto social media and slate the business. Contact the owner of the business owner or a manager and I’m sure they would appreciate the chance to rectify any problems don’t forget people’s livehoods are at stake. Until you are told different keep your distance,wear a mask and keeping washing those hands. As per Covid 19 guideline’s I will continue to wear the recommended PPE. As usual I’m available to chat ,advise & consult on upcoming projects.
Don’t forget this is a great time of year to get exterior’s done when all the trees are full of leaves and everything is in full bloom so I generally would recommend all exterior work to look its best that it should be shot before Autumn. So now’s a good time to get outside tidied up, walls painted ,green areas tidied up and driveways & footpaths power washed and top up up on Vitiam D at the same time & don’t forget to wear SPF.
Looking for a cheap propfessional photographer ? As its well known in most areas cheap is not always the most economic solution. So what do you need to ask when sourcing a commercial professional photographer ? First question before anything else is are they insured and ask for proof of insurance we wont take offence. Also how long are they in business and is it their sole source of income ? An experienced photographer will have proof of recent work and reviews of their work and don’t be afraid to talk to their clients. Have a face to face meeting on location before the shoot if possible to discuss any preparation needed cleaning painting etc. They will have the knowledge & experience to work in all kinds of environment’s whether it’s working on a factory floor or in the boardroom of a multinational company. Most photographer’s will also have a wide range on contacts from food stylists, make up artists etc right through to tradesman’s. They will have lighting, backgrounds, back up cameras and access to rental studios should they be required. They will have a website with plenty of sample’s of their work over a range of subjects all well as plenty of positive references. They would be a member of a professional organisation like The Irish Professional Photographers & Videographers Association
. Most photographers will charge an hourly rate and then a per image charge also there would be extra charges for retouching image’s and cutting out shots for dropping onto different background’s.
So when you want a commercial professional photographer call Mark Reddy of Trinity Digital Studios as his rates are sure to be very competitive . Working all over Ireland with a mobile studio Mark can put together a quote to suit all budgets. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can’t afford a commercial professional photographer and give Mark a call to discuss your next project it could be the cheapest call you ever make !
Tips for choosing a Commercial Photographer in Ireland 2024
Commercial photography covers a wide range of subjects and applies to businesses that need to promote a product or service.
This means advertising or promoting a product, person or service typically seen in the retail or wholesale sector, so photographs you see in magazines, online websites, print catalogues, and restaurant menu’s all fall under the category of commercial photography.
With online use becoming such a vital part of our everyday life it is a place where commercial photography excels and is easily visible via most consumer websites. Images need to be able to grab the consumer into making the purchase. Visual information is much easier for the human brain to absorb compared to written and even verbal formats. We have all heard the saying ‘A picture says a thousand words’ and it couldn’t be more accurate.
A experienced commercial photographer will be more than happy to meet up before the shoot and discuss all the options available and advise on the the most cost efficient way to get the job done right first time. They will have the knowledge & experience to work in all kinds of environment’s whether it’s working on a factory floor or in the boardroom of a multinational company. Most photographer’s will also have a wide range on contacts from food stylists, make up artists etc right through to tradesman’s. They will have lighting, backgrounds, back up cameras and access to rental studios should they be required. They will have a website with plenty of sample’s of their work over a range of subjects all well as plenty of positive references. They would be a member of a professional organisation like The Irish Professional Photographers & Videographers Association
. Most importantly they will be fully insured so don’t be afraid to ask for proof of insurance we won’t take offence.
Photographers generally work on an hourly, half day and full day rates. Ask if this includes finished chosen images and is a there a download fee to access them. Photos that need photo shopping / retouching will incur extra charge’s depending on the complexity of the work. Some photographer’s fees will depend on usage of the images for example if the image is to be used on billboards in a large advertising campaign. So it’s very important to discuss all this beforehand.
Mark is an award winning professional photographer with over thirty years experience. He is available to discuss and advise for your next upcoming photo shoot in studio or on location Nationwide. So if you are a Marketing Manager, Head of Sales, Head of Recruitment or HR,Production Manager,Distribution Manager or a start up business with a staff of one if you want to boost your profile and sales Contact Mark Reddy at TRINITY DIGITAL STUDIOS to arrange a meeting and free no obligation quote .
Mark Reddy of Trinity Digital Studios is a commercial photographer with 28 years professional experience, fifteen years was spent in one of Ireland’s top commercial studios. Whether its a small pack shot to a large scale catalogue shoot Mark can advise on the most practical and cost effective solution. Operating from his studio in Maynooth Co. Kildare he can provide a full service from prepping, photography and retouching services. He works all over Dublin and Nationwide with a portable studio setup shooting directly to a laptop so images can be viewed directly and adjusted as needed. In today’s current market you need to make your products and services stand out and one the best ways is to have professionally taken images. Call Mark to discuss how he can make your business stand out from the rest.
Commercial Photographer Catalogue Photographer Advertising Photographer Food Photographer Jewellery Photographer Interior Photographer Exterior Photographer Architectural Photographer Hotel Photographer Corporate Photography Portrait Photographer
Mark has nearly thirty five years experience of product & studio photography. he supplies work of a very high standard with careful attention to accurate color reproduction. Images can be supplied as cutout and retouched to the clients needs. Work can be submitted on online galleries in various size’s and formats. He can shoot most products on location nationwide however some are best done in studio. Mark is also available to advise and consult on the best way’s to promote your products and services. Whether you need professional photography for print or online Mark will supply images of the highest quality at a reasonable rate.
Trinity Digital Studios specializes in high-end food & drink photography. Mark works with Ireland’s top food stylists and chefs to produce images of excellence. Whether the images will be used Online, Point-of-Sale or packaging, you can rely on Trinity Digital Studios to deliver fantastic results. Mark is well used to working to clients deadline’s with quick turnarounds. Images are delivered online with clients having their own dedicated gallery for each job which can be shared and downloaded from on mobile’s and tablets. Shooting on location all over Ireland and in studio Mark will bring your product to life and make it stand out from your competition.
Browse through the galleries below to see examples of Mark’s work: