How much will this cost?

Budgets are the gravitational pull of any project. Clients want to understand pricing model, usage fees, licensing, and what variables can nudge the final number upward or downward. The budget changes with each project. It is impossible to give a number without knowing all the elements of the shoot.

What’s included in your quote?

A gentle unpacking of production: pre-planning, shooting time, crew, equipment, styling, retouching, file delivery, and usage rights.

Do you have your own camera?

The short answer is, yes. However, we rent almost all equipment necessary for each production. It is impossible to have every single item that is needed on a shoot. A magazine requires less megapixels than an advertising agency making it impossible to have the perfect camera, lights, stands for each job. For advertising clients we generally shoot with cameras that are between 100 to 150 megapixels which is like owning a Ferrari or Bugatti. Making it impossible to always have the latest and greatest gear.

How long does a shoot take?

People want to know whether they’re in for a swift expedition or a full-day odyssey complete with coffee refills and prop juggling. This is impossible answer, every project has it’s logistical problems and the number of shots in a day depends on the complexity of the shot.

Can you match our brand style?

Clients often crave reassurance that your visual vocabulary can speak fluently with their brand’s tone. Yes we can. That is one reason why most clients have decided to work with us.

How many final images will we get?

They’re trying to picture the treasure chest at the end of the project. Upon signing the contract a minimum number of resources are included and guaranteed for delivery. That does not mean that we deliver more than the agreed amount of images.

What do you need from us before the shoot?

Shot lists, references, product samples, location access, brand guidelines, approvals, timelines.

Do you retouch, or do we need to handle that separately?

Clarifying what transforms good images into sleek campaign-ready assets. We do retouch in-house when possible. Sometimes do to overload of work and short deadlines, retouching is outsourced to Highly professional retouchers.

What’s your turnaround time?

Because marketing calendars never sleep. There is no straight answer to the turnaround time. Generally we agree on timing once the job has been awarded. In 30 years I have never missed a delivery time. If the client upholds it’s timing they know what to expect from our side. Obviously, if the client takes precision time in giving feedback or selecting the images, we still need the same amount of time for post-production.

What happens if we need to reschedule?

Production moves like a caravan; clients want to know the cost of changing the route. We can adapt to anything. However, the cost of the production will need to be revised and some fees will be lost due to rescheduling. Locations may also be lost due to availibility.

Do you carry insurance and handle permits?

We have liability insurance for all jobs inside or outside for Italy. Any production beyond the Italian borders is covered by the production company. We do not directly handle any permits, that is also a job for the production company.

Can you work seamlessly with our with the creative team?

Of course! I am an ex Art Director and know how important it is to communicate with the creative team.

How do you deliver the files, and in what format?

Cloud? Drive? TIFF? Layered PSD? They want to know how the final pixels will land in their hands. All projects are different. We have our own private cloud, password protected for file delivery.

Do you travel for projects?

Yes, some campaigns demand images from far beyond the studio walls.

Can we be on set during the shoot?

In other words, may they peek behind the curtain while the visual alchemy happens? Yes, generally it necessary that the client be on set.

What’s your backup plan if something goes wrong?

Always. Hard drive redundancy, spare cameras, weather contingencies... They want to see, feel and touch the safety net.