What should I look for in a product photographer?

April 6, 2008 6:01 PM

What should I look for in a product photographer? What kinds of questions should I ask when contacting them for quotes? I'm looking for a product photographer to take pictures of clothing items. (T-shirts and fashion tops.) I've identified several in my area.

Right now I don't need any special sets built or any staging setup for the products. I'm fine with product-only shots at this time. I tried taking the photos myself using the techniques and equipment outlined in this book eBay Photos That Sell: Taking Great Product Shots for eBay and Beyond, and I decided that I don't want to spend the time required to get good enough to get quality shots on my own.

posted by braveterry to work & money (4 comments total)

look for a strong portfolio and look for recent recommendations.
posted by seawallrunner at 6:09 PM on April 6

You should ask to sit in on some of their other shoots.

CRT monitors are better than LCD monitors - they show truer color and contrast, even though they may seem old-fashioned. This is important when it comes to color correction. Color correction is very important, especially when items will be side by side in a catalog or web page.

How will they transmit the files to you? I found that it was easiest to have them upload them someplace, vs. receiving a CD.

Do they have a stylist on staff? Someone to get the products ready for the photograph? If not, you may find youself playing the part to get the look you want.

A good photographer is expensive ... in the low four digits per day. However, it is worth it in my experience.
posted by Ostara at 10:07 PM on April 6

Ideally you want someone with substantial experience shooting the specific kinds of products you're offering. Find out how extensively the photographer plans to style the photos, and, as Ostara noted, whether or not they have a stylist available.

I've done 40 or 50 clothing shoots over the years, and in all cases either the client has booked a stylist or has styled the products themselves. I shoot what's put in front of me the best of my ability, but I don't claim to know any special secrets for shooting clothing, and I tell my potential clients that up front.

In order to give the photographer enough information so he or she can provide you some sort of a cost estimate, know in advance whether you'll want the garments shot on mannequins, flat on white seamless, or perhaps on hangars in front of a backdrop. Ascertain who provides the mannequins, or backdrop(s). If the backgrounds will ultimately be stripped out of the photos, find out whether or not the photographer will do that or if you'll need a graphic artist or an experienced Photoshop user to handle that.

Obviously the better an idea you have of the specific shots and views you want, the more accurate the photographer's quote can be. Some photographers will charge by the shot or by the piece; others charge via a day rate. Ask what additional expenses to expect in addition to this. For example, whether or not there will be any digital post production charges and what they'll cover.

Find out what rights you'll have over the usage of the photos, and what rights the photographer will retain.

I disagree with Ostara's blanket statement that CRT monitor are better than LCD monitors. Modern higher end properly calibrated LCD's are the industry standard for every photographer, designer, and graphic artist I know.
posted by imjustsaying at 5:25 AM on April 7

Hire someone who has the kind of work you want done in their portfolio. There are many good photographers out there, but don't hire someone to shoot X when their portfolio is full of pictures of Y (even if their pictures of Y are amazing).

I keep multiple portfolios, one of edgier more produced work for commercial and editorial clients and a separate one for the occasional local person like you who needs something a little simpler and more straight forward. Try to be specific when you tell them what you need, that way they will know how to help you best and can tailor the work they show to you.

I would ask several photographers to submit estimates. Look for who is most prepared and seems to have a better handle on what's required to do the job. Someone who just says "Oh yeah I can do it for $(low flat rate)" is probably not going to deliver the results you want compared to someone who submits a detailed estimate with the costs and expenses broken down (ie. post-production rate, assistants or stylists that will be needed, props, etc.).

Whatever you do don't base it on some arbitrary technical issue like LCD vs CRT or what kind of camera they use or whatever. You wouldn't tell your plumber or mechanic what wrench to use to fix your sink or car, let the photographer worry about that part of it and you worry about getting the results you need.
posted by bradbane at 10:30 AM on April 7