Question 1

Are you an insured business and do you guarantee your work?

Accepted Answer

I am not currently insured specifically for photography, apart from my own equipment. This does, however, keep your costs down. If required, I can secure insurance for your specific project, but this will be built into my rate.

Question 2

Will you require customers to share their COVID-19 vaccination status?

Accepted Answer

No. I am vaccinated, however, and happy to show my records.

Question 3

How did you decide to get into your line of work?

Accepted Answer

My formal background is in illustration and graphic design, but I have now also been a working automotive journalist for nearly 20 years. Each of these fields combine to create a natural love for imagery in all its forms, so extending into photography was an obvious next step!

Question 4

What questions should a customer ask to hire the right service professional?

Accepted Answer

I find that customers often do not know that photography is much more than the time we spend together. Which is understandable! The reality is that any photo shoot must also include editing, and some amount of travel time. I don't charge for travel time under three hours (as many will), but I must of course charge for editing. For your reference, an hour of shooting will usually equal an hour of editing — so if your maximum budget were, say, four hours at $90 per hour, we would have two hours together and then two hours of editing.   (And, yes, I am more than open to chatting with you about what an hour of editing involves!)  I feel it's important that clients know these details up front, and I know many businesses will avoid detailing these aspects in their initial quote.

Question 5

What makes you the most reliable and trustworthy person for the job?

Accepted Answer

This reminds me of the joke about job interviews.  Employer: "What is your greatest weakness?" Me: "Uh... I'm too much of a perfectionist?"  Luckily, that's perfect for photography. I'm obsessed with making sure we're both proud of the results — you and me both.  Importantly, I'm also a friendly, mature, open, transparent and honest communicator. I don't want to waste my time any more than I want to waste yours, so I'm focused on ensuring we're all clear on your project's goals and boundaries.

Question 6

Why should a customer hire you over another service provider?

Accepted Answer

Well! Thanks to my background in graphic design and writing, I view my offering as an 'end to end' service. While not always so, many people seeking a photographer are also looking for writing and design services — or may not even realise what a welcome addition it can be to any photography project.   I'm excited to speak with you about any works you might be considering on either of those fronts. I think (I hope!) you'll find most photographers cannot offer this type of end-to-end service and care.

Question 7

What are the typical things that you need to know before you can provide a quote to a customer?

Accepted Answer

The obvious things are:  Budget. Everything we can achieve will depend on how much of my time your budget will accommodate, both when we're together and when I'm selecting and editing your photos afterwards. The more time we have, the more magical the results will be.   Location. Do you have anywhere in mind, or any preferences? If not, I can help with that!   Purpose. What are we shooting? If it's a birthday, how old is the group? If it's portraits or family photos, what sort of feel do you want to achieve? If it's a wedding, how many guests will be in attendance and what are the locations like? And so on! Let's chat about it.   STYLE: Above all, the best step any client can take is to come armed with examples of what you like. Jump on Instagram or Pinterest and search for words that match your project. Download or take screenshots of the photos you like! Focus on poses and feelings, location and setting, colour and lighting. The more you can show your photographer to help inform how we should approach your project, the better the result is sure to be.

Question 8

How can a customer save money before you start the work? Please give 3 tips

Accepted Answer

Budget. Everything we can achieve will depend on how much of my time your budget will accommodate, both when we're together and when I'm selecting and editing your photos afterwards. The more time we have, the more magical the results will be.   Location. Do you have anywhere in mind, or any preferences? If not, I can help with that!   Purpose. What are we shooting? If it's a birthday, how old is the group? If it's portraits or family photos, what sort of feel do you want to achieve? If it's a wedding, how many guests will be in attendance and what are the locations like? And so on! Let's chat about it.   STYLE: Above all, the best step any client can take is to come armed with examples of what you like. Jump on Instagram or Pinterest and search for words that match your project. Download or take screenshots of the photos you like! Focus on poses and feelings, location and setting, colour and lighting. The more you can show your photographer to help inform how we should approach your project, the better the result is sure to be.

Question 9

What makes your pricing competitive?

Accepted Answer

Honestly, I'm not sure if my pricing is competitive in terms of offering low prices. I'm not here for clients who say "I can get this done for half the price!"   My price is what I'm worth, and I make sure you get what you pay for — at the very minimum. What's even better is that if we work well together, you'll get even more than you pay for. Good clients understand this. More care, more of my time, more attention to detail. I'm very focused on giving good, thoughtful clients more than they expect for their money.

Question 10

How do you normally charge for your service?

Accepted Answer

It's very, very important to know that photography is much more than the time we spend together. The reality is that any photo shoot must also include editing, and some amount of travel time. I don't charge for travel time under three hours (as many will) if the shoot is 2 hours or more, but I must of course charge for editing.   For your reference, an hour of shooting will usually equal an hour of editing — so, for example, if your maximum budget were four hours, we would have two hours together and then two hours of editing.   (And, yes, I am more than open to chatting with you about what an hour of editing involves!)  I feel it's important that clients know these details up front, and I know many businesses will avoid detailing these aspects in their initial quote.

Question 11

Is there a particular aspect of your trade or industry that you specialise in?

Accepted Answer

My focus is outdoor photography with natural lighting. I find it a magical look! However, if indoor is required or preferred, I can certainly accommodate you.

Mike Stevens

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