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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Product Sizes:
Standard Size:
If your product takes up an estimated area of 2’ x 2’ x 2’ or less than your product is standard and there is no additional price for this. This tends to be most products. Were pretty relaxed about this rule and when in doubt it’s probably standard.
Oversized:
If your product is 2’x2’x2’ to 4’x4’x4’ in area than your product is considered large. A lawn mower would be considered large. You will be charged double because we have to set up a large set to photograph your product and it will take extra care to shoot it. You are limited in surfaces to glossy and flat white. Flat white is recommended.
What about larger than 4’x4’x4’?
Unfortunately we cannot photograph things that large at these rates. An example might be a car or a pinball machine. We recommend using our custom service.
Different Backgrounds:
We offer 4 different background choices. So we are actually more then just Products On White (POW just sounded like the right name).
Glossy White Surface
Our glossy surface shows a faint reflection of your product in the foreground of the shot, giving a clean sense of dimension. This is highly recommended for cans and bottles; however, it works well with most products. This is not recommended for clothing shots.
Glossy Black Surface
This is a very clean, modern, background. Popularized by Apple computer, it is now associated with high-end electronics. This background is really great for products with shiny, speculiar facets like jewelry, watches and some electronics because the lighting “pops” against the dark black surface. Not available on large products.
Flat White Surface
This is your standard white background, no frills, nothing crazy. It’s seen on ecommerce websites all over the world and has become a bit of a standard. This works well with everything.
Wood Surface
A bit of a specialty background, utilizing a bit of a softer focus on the lens with very soft window light. This must be photographed from a lower angle and is not recommend for clothing. This surface is recommend for food photographs. If you’re ready for a look that is different, refined and has a nice natural quality then try our wood surface. Not available on large products.
Group and Variations Shots:
Group Shots: *
A group shot is simply a photograph of a group of several products in the same shot. In the group shot our professional photographers arrange your products in a visually pleasing fashion for the group. The products will typically overlap with emphasis on showing the labels and the best angles of every product. Arranging products can be a bit of an art and sometimes the photographer may call you for help if they have questions on this matter. Or you can use our interactive layout form in our Order Wizard. This will allow you to create a virtual layout of your items that our photographers can reference later.
Cost:
We count any group shot as an additional photograph and therefore are an additional 39.99 for a group shot with only 2 products in it. If you add more products to your group shot it’s an addition $2 per product. So that means if you have a group shot with 3 products the price is $41.99 and 4 products is $43.99 and so on.
Variations:
We count 1 variation as a shot that is an addition to the original shot you ordered. So if you order 1 variation, your actually ordering 2 total photographs to be taken, the original + the variation.
Description:
A variation is multiple shots of the same product in different ways and angles. For example you may have an electronic product you want your customer to see the design of the front, but you may also want to show the back and display all the different plug-in interfaces it has too.
Cost:
A variation counts as a separate shot from the original shot you ordered, however, we offer a small discount for additional variations. The cost of 1 additional variation is $10.
Additional Checkout Options:
Turn Around Time:
Standard:
We try and turn around our products as fast as possible. Items to be photographed are placed in a queue in the order they are received. We guarantee that standard delivery will be no longer than 2 weeks from the time we receive the products to shoot.
Rush:
The other option is to pay our rush fee and your products will be move to the top of the queue and turned around within 4 days or less. There is an additional fee for ALL rush orders.
Delivery of File Type: This is how you wish to receive the files.
Standard:
8.5in x 11in (2550px x 3300px, 300ppi) Full resolution Jpegs. Great for print and/or resizing to web.
Web+Standard:
Includes the standard size file + web optimized 1000px X 1000px 72ppi image
Retouchers:
This is a high resolution 8.5in x 11in (2550px x 3300px, 300ppi) Full resolution Tiff file, a preferred file type for most retouchers.
Return Products After Shoot:
Sometimes it’s easier and cheaper to not have the products shipped back after the shoot. For example, if you send us a can of soda to photograph, the cost of manufacturing another soda, which you may already have thousands of, may be more affordable than the cost of shipping.
If you choose not to have the products shipped back (which is the default) be aware that the products then become property of POW.
Large Orders Discounts:
Clients with over 100 products qualify for a dedicated photographer or project manager as well as a discount. If this is the case, than please call us so we can arrange for your items to be shot properly and in a timely fashion.
100 - 500 10% discount
501 – 1000 15% discount
1000+ 20% discount
Discount applies with a signed contract and is not cumulative.
Can I request a different background other than the 4?
No. If you are seeking something out our normal services you will have to go with our Custom Photography Services. We are able to provide low prices and quick turnaround because our workflow is settled and adjusting. Requesting a different color background other then what is already offered will slow the processes and make the shoot more expensive.
Can I come to the shoot?
No, and here’s why. Having a client on set can slow the process down because the photographer will instinctively (and rightly so) want approval for every image photographed. If you want to be present on the shoot or act as an art director we recommend you use our Custom Photography services.
Usage:
What is this usage stuff?
Usage is a big deal in photography. Legally, the photographer retains the copyrights to the images photographed and those rights are licensed for a specific amount of time and use to the client for a fee in addition to the costs of the shoot. This can get a little confusing for some people that aren’t used to it. They think that if you hire a photographer you own the images and can do with it what you please. Like purchasing a CD with music, you don’t own the music you’ve actually purchased the personal rights to listen to the music. You can’t say that you are the creator of the music and sell it. Photography is similar. Just because you’ve hired a photographer or purchased a print, doesn’t mean you’ve been given the licensing rights to use those photographs however you please.
A good in-depth explanation can be found at www.pmai.org/content.aspx?id=6572
So how does that affect me?
POW automatically gives its clients usage rights over the images to advertise, promote or use the images in any commercial way, with unlimited alterations, without time limits, for national or international usage. Yea, what a deal! These usage rights are given only to the client and not to the client’s friends or other businesses. This is called 3rd party usage and it is not allowed and is legally punishable.
What is your Custom Photography Service?
POW is a group of photographers that specialize in photographing still-life and product photography in the Chicago area. We work with some of the best photographers in the country and can provide the highest quality advertising/commercial/product photography to fit your concepts.
Please contact us with your concepts and we’ll pair you with the perfect photographer for you custom shoot.
Features that are not available for regular POW shoots are:
-In studio Art Direction of the shoot
-Pricing and days are based on the difficulty of shoot
-Your choice of background, environment or location not limited to the four backgrounds
Custom Service Pricing
Like any custom professional photography shoot, pricing is based on the job. Some jobs require more days, stylists, assistants and some don’t. Here are some basic pricing ideas to give you an idea. The number of days is based on the complexity of the desired final image
Creative fee: $1800 a day
Usage fee: Based on usage at market value (http://www.photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm)
Photography Assistant(s): $250 a day
Digital Tech: $400 a day
Prop Stylist $400 a day
Special Equipment: Based on Shoot
Retouching $100 an hour
