Workflow, or how does a commercial photography shoot run?

How does a photoshoot run?  Obviously the answer depends on the type of job, but frequently it is as follows:

1. Setup time

In general terms we allow one hour of setup for a new client.  That may be halved for subsequent jobs if they are identical.

2. Photography time

In which we press buttons on one or more cameras.

3. Post-production time.

There are multiple steps in this one, most of which aren’t of direct interest. But for the record:

1. Image download. Usually dozens, sometimes hundreds of gigabytes.

2. File naming. Usually to our default system, but they can be to your specifications. For example, Surname_First name-Staff number.

3. Backup

4. First edit. Selection of the better images.

5. Second edit. Further selection to choose the best shots.

6. Image correction. A general improvement of the shot, consisting of fine-tuning colour, brightness and contrast.

7. Photoshop (if required or specified).

8. Final check

9. Output. Either to client specifications (eg. PNG files, 5000x3333 pixels + low-res jpegs) or our “default” of high-quality jpegs at high and low resolution.

4. Delivery. 

Usually we upload to clients via We Transfer, but occasionally a client might have their own FTP service. For very large jobs it’s sometimes faster to send a USB through Express Post. Delivery might also consist of a physical product like prints. 

Generally speaking we provide images a few working days after a job.  For instance, for a Friday job we would deliver images on Wednesday.  Sometimes an earlier deadline is required, in which case we are happy to meet it provided we’ve been given advanced notice.

Please tell us of any urgent deadlines in advance - we might be covering another job the next day and unable to send anything while on site.