Frequently Asked Questions

This page answers some of the most common questions about how I work. From creative development and production to editing and usage. You don’t need to read everything; feel free to jump to whatever’s relevant to you.

About my approach

  • My background is in advertising, so I don’t just focus on creating nice images. I think about strategy, messaging, and how visuals are actually used. I enjoy the creative and briefing process as much as the shoot itself, and I’m comfortable working with both ideas and numbers.

  • Yes. I’m happy to take part in all stages of the creative, briefing and production process. I enjoy developing ideas, preparing presentations, and helping shape a clear visual direction before we shoot.

  • That’s very common, and something I can help with. If you’re unsure what to shoot, how to communicate your product, or how to create a consistent visual identity, we can figure it out together during the briefing and pre-production stages.

  • Yes. I’ve helped both startups and well-established brands create and refine their visual language, whether that’s from scratch or as an evolution of what they already have.

Bookings, pricing & planning

  • Every project starts with a free initial briefing meeting where we talk through your goals, usage needs and practical requirements. After that, I prepare an initial budget outlining my shooting rates, estimated production expenses and editing costs. For current rates, please get in touch.

  • Yes. My daily and half-day shooting rates, as well as editing rates, are fixed for the year. For projects longer than two full shooting days, I can offer discounted rates. For current pricing, please get in touch.

    • Half day: up to 5 hours

    • Full day: up to 9 hours

    Half-day bookings are scheduled as a clear morning or afternoon/evening block, so they don’t split the day into unusable gaps. Start times are flexible within those blocks, depending on the project.

  • The initial briefing meeting and the pre-production meeting are both free of charge.

  • If a project requires deeper creative or strategic work across multiple sessions, such as concept development, presentations or extended planning. Those hours are charged at an agreed hourly rate and always discussed in advance.

Pre-production & payments

  • Any hands-on preparation work, such as set preparation, prop sourcing, shopping, food styling prep or decoration, is charged hourly. These costs are clearly outlined in the initial budget.

  • Before production starts, I ask for written approval of the budget and a 50% non-refundable upfront payment. The remaining balance is adjusted and invoiced after the editing process is complete.

  • Final costs usually stay within ±10% of the initial budget. Any expense exceeding that margin is discussed and approved by you in advance.

Equipment & technical details

  • Yes. I provide all necessary digital equipment. I work with Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z7 II cameras, along with a range of S-line Nikkor lenses.

    • Photos: Minimum 47MP, suitable for large-scale prints and digital use

    • Video: From HD up to 8K, including high frame rates where required

    High-resolution video allows landscape footage to be cropped into portrait formats for social media while still maintaining high quality.

  • The lighting setup changes depending on the shoot. I use studio flashes, Dedolight tungsten lights with lenses (for hard shadows, patterns, light leaks or sun-like effects), and LED panels for soft daylight and fill lighting.

Locations & studios

  • I often shoot lifestyle and real-environment projects in my own home, which has a large living space with mid-century character, a fireplace, and a bright kitchen with a conservatory extension.

  • Yes. I can build full studio environments for technical shoots such as drinks, splashes, packaging or controlled lighting setups. For larger productions, I work with Garden Studios near Park Royal.

  • Absolutely. I can bring equipment, props and backdrops to offices, factories, warehouses or other locations you provide.

Editing & post- production

  • Yes. After the shoot, I do an initial selection and apply basic colour correction. I then share all usable images with you. You’re welcome to keep and use all of them if you wish.

  • Once you’ve reviewed the initial selection and chosen your favourites, I revise the editing budget and carry out detailed retouching on the selected images only.

  • As a general guide:

    • Half-day lifestyle shoots usually require around one full day of editing

    • Full-day lifestyle shoots usually need one to two days

    Simple food or recipe shoots are quicker, while liquids, glass, packaging and transparent materials take longer.

  • I start by selecting and trimming the footage. If you prefer to edit in-house, I can upload trimmed files for review and selection. If any cleaning or preparation is required, I finalise the editing budget before proceeding.

    If you choose full video editing, I create a first draft for review. Once the edit is amended and locked, I move on to graphics, overlay text, pack shots and any required motion-graphic elements, all based on a pre-agreed cost.

Usage rights & licensing

  • I do not transfer full ownership as standard. I license usage rights for specific media and a defined time period. This reduces production costs whilst giving you the rights that you need.

  • The standard licence includes usage on up to three agreed media channels for a period of three years.

  • Media usage refers to where and how the images or videos are used. This can include, but is not limited to:

    • Websites and landing pages

    • Social media platforms

    • Print and press

    • POS materials

    • Outdoor and digital advertising

    • Screens (such as in retail spaces or shopping centres)

    • PR and editorial coverage

    • Packaging and physical products

    Specific usage is always discussed and agreed in advance.

  • Additional media usage is priced at 30% of the total production budget per medium, for a three-year period.

  • Usage can be renewed for an additional three-year period. The rate, 30% per medium, will be subject to inflationary adjustment at the time.

  • Any resale, stock usage, or use on physical products (such as packaging, prints or merchandise) will be priced on a case-by-case basis.

  • Yes. Full ownership requests will be reviewed and priced based on usage.

Working with teams, agencies & longer-term collaborations

  • Yes. I’m happy to work closely with in-house teams or external agencies. Having worked on both sides of the industry for over two decades, I’m comfortable bridging communication gaps and helping everyone work towards the same creative goal.

  • Yes, if the right conditions are in place. For certain projects, I can dedicate a defined weekly or monthly amount of time and work closely with your team as a visual consultant or visual director. This can be structured on a contract basis and tailored around your needs, whether that’s creative direction, visual consistency, or ongoing content development.

    This kind of collaboration is discussed individually to make sure it’s a good fit for both sides.