Booking a photographer or film maker for your project is a critical decision – often you only get the one shot to make it a success. I’ll guarantee that one shot is the right one. Here are my top five rules for a London photographer and film maker to live by:
- Turn up. Don’t be late, don’t reschedule, don’t blame the train, the tube, the weather, the traffic. Just be there and be ready before the client.
- Communicate. Talk to the people, connect with the subjects, discuss ideas and perspectives. And share the processes and steps that follow on from the shoot (from draft cuts to image post-processing).
- Focus on Quality. If it’s worth taking the time, it’s worth ensuring that the quality is as good as you can make it. Rushed jobs, editing short-cuts, cheap equipment – these are rarely useful when an image or video is released to the world.
- Have the gear and the grey matter. Anyone can snap a shot with an smartphone, yet far fewer people can craft an image that will convey a powerful message. Even with top of the line photography equipment, a live shoot is not the time to learn how to use it. Have the best gear you can afford, and learn how to use it on your own time. Experience matters.
- Be flexible. A live shoot can be tricky, so be flexible with people and the weather, with lighting and those unforeseen events. Be flexible in post-production, and be prepared to share your work in the formats that clients need most (HD to a Facebook cover image).