Assignment Guidelines
When work is commissioned by you, it is important that we have a clear understanding of what you require. We have set out guidelines below to help us achieve this.
Below are some points you may wish to consider Location of the site, post code (or latitude/longitude for SatNav).
Provide map of site with North marked (in the case of architectural work).
Function of building (again in the case of architectural work).
For buildings/constructions, are property releases required?
Light is crucial in achieving the best results. Please consider the weather, time of day, week or year (seasonal issues, angle of the sun). We can advise in this aspect if necessary.
Areas/items/processes to be photographed and number of views expected.
Are there any key features to highlight or flaws for the photographer
to downplay or avoid, or any features/processes which must not be photographed?
Does the site/area need to be prepared prior to the shoot, has this been arranged? Especially for architectural assignments (some might apply in other cases too),
- is the construction complete?
has all signage, skips, mobile toilets, scaffolding been removed?
is the landscaping complete and free of litter?
are the windows and cladding clean?
can any delivery vans/other vehicles (as required) be excluded from areas to be photographed?
do all the lights work, are they all the correct colour temperature?
other matters: graffiti removed, interior spaces clean, installations complete, artworks/plants, if any, in place?
reproduced, eg, for display, publication or web use?
Supplied form of images required, eg, digital media, transparencies, prints.
Delivery deadline.
For architectural/constructional work, is the building in use/under construction/about to be handed over?
Are there any special Health and Safety issues/permits to be dealt with before the shoot? Will the photographer need to be accompanied?
What is the policy with regard to people appearing in the images, are model releases required.
Is a prior visit to the project with the photographer required or feasible?
Is the commission to be shared with another party? This needs to be
clarified and agreed before commencement.
Contacts - names and numbers
Client office and mobile.
Name and contact number for on-site contact.
Site/building security personnel
Any others involved in the project.
What we need to tell you
How we intend to proceed with the shoot, equipment we will bring or need to have available, impact on/access to neighbouring sites
Copyright this is transferred to the client in all cases, though Business Image requests use of the images for the promotion of its business.
Where possible, we will discuss/show you images related to the assignment as a guide to the kind of imagery you seek in order to fully understand your requirements
Other points to consider
Access
Is the site contact expecting the photographer?
Do they know what the shoot might involve? photography can mean using a tripod, maybe lights, a small step-ladder and time.
What about car parking and distance from the shoot?
Are internal spaces accessible, keys/access codes required and available?
Any special security clearance required?
If photography from neighbouring building(s) is required, have the
necessary permission(s) been obtained?
Insurance
We have public and products liability cover valued at £2 million.
Fees
Having negotiated the fee for the commission, will your accounts
department require a purchase order number on the invoice to facilitate
payment? While our policy is to quote a fixed price for every assignment, depending on circumstances, some costs might be difficult to assess ahead of the shoot. If this is the case, we will discuss this with you and gain your agreement before proceeding.
A shared commission with another party will bear an additional fee.
We hope these notes will help you in preparing to have your project
photographed. If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to call us.