13+ SAMPLE Product Photography Proposal

What Is a Product Photography Proposal?

A product photography proposal outlines the services you can provide as a photographer. It establishes project expectations by defining the type and amount of proposed deliverables, laying out a specified timeframe for services, and laying out your price system, including all expenses and fees related to billing and payments. Additional services, such as high-resolution digital images in multiple formats or post-production services like color correction, cropping, and photo retouching, might be highlighted in the proposal. Checking out proposal examples can help you out at the same time this article already provides you with a product photography proposal template that you can use.

Necessary Equipment for Product Photography

If you are curious about what other tools you will be needing for the task, then this curated list is for you. The most important piece of equipment for product photography is a camera, in principle. Unless you have other equipment, the results will be less than adequate in practice. Having the correct tools of the trade, like with any effort, makes all the difference in the world. Additionally, the correct instruments will save you time and energy while significantly improving your results. Continue reading to make sure you have what you need before pursuing product photography.

Product Photography Camera: Some people try to capture product photographs using their camera or phone. However, such devices will never be able to match the intensity and dramatic effects that a true professional-grade camera can achieve. You will need a DSLR camera with macro capability for close-ups, as well as several different lenses, for product photography. To suit the surroundings and the situation, you will need a variety of lenses at your disposal. Your camera sales representative will be able to advise you on which lenses to buy. Even if you have a quality camera but don’t know how to use it, you won’t be utilizing it to the best of its capabilities.Tripod: For product photography, a tripod is an absolute must. The tripod allows the photographer to capture steady photographs, arrange the subject without moving the camera, and take exceptional angle shots that would be impossible to do with a camera in hand. Consider obtaining a tripod with a sidearm adapter. This will give you more angles to choose from. Alternatively, if you want something handier, a gimbal could work for you. A gimbal is a gadget containing motors and sensors that allows your digital camera to rotate smoothly along one axis. This tool is useful for products out on the field.Reflectors: Reflectors assist in the direction or misdirection of light on or around the product as the subject of the photo. You can buy commercial reflectors or make your own using common household items like aluminum foil and mirrors. When there isn’t much natural light, reflectors come in handy. Colored reflectors, which may illuminate the goods in a variety of delicate colors without the use of a filter, are another option. The knowledge to use one could be beneficial as you photograph the product on set or at a specific location.Light: The secret to some of the best product photographs is light. Both natural and artificial light can be used to brighten the subject and catch all of its enticing features for high-quality photos. Lighting for commercial product photography is extremely beneficial. Full-spectrum bulbs, 360-degree pivoting heads, and adjustable height mechanisms are all included in these lamps. As your product photography skills improve, you can experiment with lighting from various perspectives to observe how much of a difference light can make. This also includes various colors or shades of lighting that can change the mood of the product, you have the option to experiment with this.Backgrounds: Backgrounds can give product photos a surprising amount of texture and character. Backgrounds can be built out of nearly anything: velvet fabric, a collection of props like river stones, weathered driftwood, and so on. Vinyl sheets with pre-printed backdrops are available in practically any design or style. If you buy a portable photo studio, you will get a background that will automatically block out any section of the room you don’t want in the photograph. Even if you are capturing single photos that will be published with a translucent background, photographing against a green screen will allow you to easily outline the image in software editing.Accessories: Light may also be altered with unconventional accessories like umbrellas, scarves, and the like, so having a variety of items on hand for product photography is usually a good idea. The product may be the star or subject of the photo but having complimentary items can help to boost the overall photo. You just need a good eye and sense of photography design to set the photoshoot well. Keep in mind that these accessories only serve as photo amplifiers so the main focus should still be on the product.Photo Editing Software: After you have completed shooting your product, you will want to import the photos into the editing software. You can use photo editing software to format and adjust the photographs to meet your demands and stylistic preferences. Adobe Photoshop and its extension, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, are two widely used picture editing programs. You will, of course, require a computer to download your photographs and editing software. In terms of the results you will receive from using photo editing software, there’s little to no difference between specific software, so you don’t need to buy a separate computer for your product photography.

Types of Product Photography

As previously said, there are numerous forms of product photography. The many types allow persons interested in product photography to develop a niche in which they capture items that are individually intriguing or inspiring to them. Companies may or not be aware of the difference and uniqueness of each type. So as the photographer, it is your task to know the difference between them. This will help you to identify which type will go well with the product you are photographing which can help you to come up with an impressive photo.

Individual Shots: Individual shots, in which a single item is the focal point of the image, are the most popular type of product photography. This image helps the product photographer to highlight the unique aspects of a specific item. You won’t be needing any other accessories for this type of shot as the subject solely lies on the single product. A single shot is a smart choice when you don’t want the camera to fire off a succession of photos that all look the same.Group Shots: When there are numerous products in a line of products, such as a skincare line of products, group shots in the product photography are utilized. When there is a relationship between the objects, such as in a promotion where a customer receives one product if they purchase another, group photographs are also employed. Finally, group photographs are used in BOGO promotions, in which a customer receives two products for the price of one. Having multiple products will be difficult to set the photo but through careful planning, it is possible to highlight each of them.Detail Shots: The name implies that they are detailed photos. These are detailed close-ups of one of the product’s features. A security box, for example, might have a close-up photo of the lock and key mechanism. Another example could be jewelry, where a camera lens can zoom in on each gemstone or charm. Detail shots are utilized to highlight unique characteristics of a product that may not be found on a competitor’s offering.360-Degree Shots: In e-commerce, 360 photos are particularly useful. These images, which allow a customer to see the full product from every angle, are the next best thing to hold and handle the item. A 360-degree shot necessitates the product photographer to take many photos and then smoothly combine them into one continuous image. Oftentimes in set production, multiple cameras are circling the product so that all sides of it are captured and then combined.Lifestyle Shots: Product pictures that depict the product as it appears when it is in use are known as lifestyle product shots. A lifestyle shot might include a gas grill with a sizzling steak on it. A lifestyle shot shows a woman wearing accessories or a sunhat product while standing on a yacht with the wind blowing her hair. Lifestyle shoots are a powerful e-commerce tool because they allow customers to imagine themselves using the product. It will help to entice the viewers and customers because they want to try out the item for themselves.Studio Shots: The pictures in the studio are quite contrived and minimal. In-studio pictures, shadows are frequently utilized, and the results are sometimes far more artistic than standard product images. Operating in a studio has several advantages, the most important of which is that you have total control over your surroundings. You may alter the lighting arrangement, add props, create new backgrounds, and put colored illuminating gels in place, among other things. This is in stark contrast to outdoor photography, which is exposed to the weather.

How to Write a Product Photography Proposal

Corporate photography is often known as business photography and is the process of capturing photos of a company’s brand, products, services, and people. There is a vast difference between merely capturing an image without a thorough process and professional touch-ups. If a company has reached out to you to employ your services, then this is where a proposal for product photography comes into the picture. Read and go through each of the steps this article provides to know what designated content fits into that certain section.

Step 1: Cover Letter

A cover letter is a written document that is typically included with a proposal and summarizes the applicant’s qualifications and interest in the task. You can directly state how interested you are to pursue the task they have assigned to you as well. This section can show that you are more than willing to go through with the process that the company desires and is willing to work with them for a fair price.

Step 2: Project Overview and Description

Companies may have approached you to specifically capture a certain product of theirs. This is the section where you can give an elaborate description of what you plan to do with the project. This will help the company see that you are serious about the task given to you. You can include the specific procedure you will be taking for the product, whether you will be using a studio or a different location for the shoot. As well as the timeline and how long it would take.

Step 3: Include Your Photography Portfolio

This section allows you to provide background information while showcasing previous achievements through client testimonials or a portfolio. To continue a live conversation with your potential customers, add optional videos, links, or comments to create an interactive customer experience. This will help you convince them that you are the right person for the job.

Step 4: List Out Your Photography Services

In addition to displaying your previous works, you can include in this section the specific photography control scope of work you are willing to offer. It is better to clarify what you are capable of doing so that the company will be aware of what you can do and if you are not a fit for who they are looking for, neither your time nor efforts are wasted.

Step 5: Cost and Payment

Since some clients are just concerned about price, separating costs and fees into their parts improves clarity and speeds up the proposal process. To highlight the cost of each service, use the price table included in this site’s photographic proposal template. It is simple to use and enables the preparation of an agreement that includes complete disclosure of all foreseeable costs, as well as any possibly unexpected fees.

How much can you make from product photography?

Product photography is not only profitable but also preferable to other types of commercial work since companies and clients would worry less over having to do it themselves and have a professional do it for them. If marketed properly, a typical freelancer can earn $2,000-5,000 per month, and a professional can earn $5,000-50,000 per job. Depending on the job asked of them and the time it takes to complete. Event photography can last as long as the event.

What is the difference between product photography and regular photography?

Product photography’s ultimate purpose is to capture a realistic image of the item. This allows potential customers to get a sense of what the product is like. This is critical because the buyer will not be able to inspect the item in person. To summarize, product photography aims for appeal and realism. Regular photography might have a variety of objectives: aesthetic expression, emotional response, realism, or something else entirely. Furthermore, the subject of regular photography could be anybody, a landscape, a property, animals, or a product.

How much time do you need for a shoot?

A shoot could last anything between a few hours to a few days, depending on how many products you have. Allow 10-15 minutes for each product so that you can have multiple photos to choose from. This way, you can acquire a few different angles and double-check that each product’s focus is razor-sharp. This will also allow you to alter and manipulate your light to achieve a consistent effect. Multiply 10-15 minutes by the number of goods you have and schedule this time in your work calendar back to back.

Product photography is a fun and engaging pastime or profession. It has important functions in e-commerce as well as traditional print media roles. There will always be a demand for high-quality product photography, no matter what the future brings. Don’t hesitate to invest in professional photographic equipment. Once you start photographing products in earnest, you will be glad you did. With time, you will find even more outlets for your work once you have acquired professional photography talents. Don’t dally any further and start writing that photography proposal letter. You can go ahead and begin that photography contract as well!