2. Where, and when?

Keep in mind, I live close to the village of Winsley, near Bath.

• I can only book shoots here, at my home studio, or at locations I’m able to travel to, affordably, within a reasonable amount of time (i.e., up to two hours), and return home the same day.

• Alas, I won’t have access to a car for at least six months, so I rely on public transport or taxis. If you want me to travel to a shoot, I need to check out the distance, journey-time and cost before I can commit.

• I charge for travel expenses above £15 (so, if my fare is £25, I will only charge you £10). I will always take care to specify this cost in advance and make sure that you’re OK with it, before we proceed.

• On the other hand, if you are able to travel to me, or to a location nearby, you can take advantage of a special discount, as explained in question 5, below!

Also keep in mind – my time is limited too!

• In any given month, I can only manage a certain number of shoots. If I’m fully booked at least four weeks ahead, I’ll post details on my Talk page – so you’ll know how things stand, before making contact.

But In the future… As discussed on my Q&A page, I hope to extend the availability of these half-decent services, in the medium to long term. Watch this space!

3. What sort of results do you want, and what does this imply in terms of cost?

This is where it can all get a bit daunting… But I’m here to help!

To answer these questions, you need to know a bit more about the various options available to you, and how they affect the overall cost of a photoshoot.

To make this a bit easier, my half-decent pricing system is exactly the same, for every type of photography assignment. It just depends on three simple factors:

• My basic fee for photography and editing work

• Prints and other optional extras which add to this…

• Various special discounts, which may reduce it!

The next few questions address each of these considerations, in turn.

4. How many final images do you need?

My basic photography fee is currently £15 per fully-edited final image (minimum 5 images) plus £60 per hour shooting time (minimum 1 hour).*

• Keep in mind that I typically spend between 30 and 60 minutes editing and retouching every single final image that I deliver to a client – and oftentimes, this doesn’t include the time needed for extra tweaks and adjustments, once the client as seen a proof. A 10-image editing session is a full day’s work!

• As a rough guide, a one hour shoot gives me the time I need to capture at least 5-10 first class original images – selected, of course, from 100 or more shots I will typically take during this time! If you need 20-25 final images, however, a two-hour shoot, at least, would be a sensible minimum.

• To put my fees in perspective, please remember that half your total fee will be donated to your chosen group of charities, and I just get to keep some of what’s left. After tax.

* These rates are fixed for until May 31, 2022. I reserve the right to revise my pricing, thereafter.

5. Would you like to add any prints, photobooks, or any other products?

In addition to your digital files, I can have your images printed for you, in several ways:

• Single prints – in a range of sizes, which may also be mounted and framed.

• Multiprints – several images printed together in a bespoke layout

• Photobooks – from 24 pages; with various size, binding and format options.

• Printed artefacts – such as custom-printed T-shirts, place-mats, coffee mugs etc.

It’s a good idea to have some sense of a prints budget, prior to a photoshoot. On the day, you can inspect my print portfolio and see what fine-art quality prints actually look like – pricing for all of these options may be found on my prints page.

It’s important to stress, however, that I don’t ask or encourage customers to commit to a specific print order, when booking a shoot. I recommend saving this decision until after you’ve seen and approved the finished, edited, digital images!

6. Do you want any Creative Extras?

A “Creative Extra” is a special, luxury feature of your photoshoot – which transforms it from run-of-the-mill photography session into a totally bespoke event and a highly enjoyable and memorable experience, it its own right. Here are just a few random examples, to fire your imagination:

• A makeover shoot, including hair and makeup and designer dress hire

• A family outing – to a beautiful location, venue or visitor attraction

• A “surprise proposal” engagement shoot, at a romantic beauty spot!

• An exciting location – a sailing boat, or a hot-air balloon, perhaps!

• A fantasy photoshoot – courtesy of theatrical make-up and costume-hire

I’m always delighted to talk about creative ideas, like these – but of course, I can’t set a standard price for them; shoots like these are highly bespoke. So, if you have a wild idea that’s safe, affordable and feasible, I’ll be more than happy to discuss it!

7. Would you like a special discount?

I offer discounts to customers who are willing to do me one or more of the following favors:

• Travel to my home/studio, or to a location nearby (up to 5 miles).

• Book a series of two or more shoots, in advance.

• Spend £100 or more on prints, photobooks or other products.

• Join a group of customers on a pre-planned photo-day.*

• Combine a photoshoot booking with another service, such as private tuition.

Just one of these favors gives you a 10% discount on your basic fee; two gives you 15% and three or more is 20%. If you book multiple shoots, your discount applies to them all!

* I hope to announce details of regular photo-day events shortly, in Half-Decent News. Scroll down to subscribe!