Camera Work

I began using a camera in 1992 when I was ten years old. Since then, I have continued to practice and grow and accumulate new equipment. I use a Nikon d750 primarily with a Sony as my secondary camera. I have flashes and tripods and a pro-grade portable lighting set up. I can reproduce virtually any style of photo that you might need.

I am eager to hear how I might be able to help you achieve your photographic goals. My costs are fully negotiable depending on a variety of conditions. I am motivated to work for you.

Your Photoshoot Timeline

Meeting

We will make contact and arrange a meeting. This may happen in person or through phone or email depending on your preferred communication method. We will discuss your priorities and how I will meet those goals. You can show me example images that reflect the style you are looking for. I am happy to emulate other photographers. I have a good sense of how other images are captured and edited. I will outline some concepts that I have. We will arrange a good time and place to meet up for the camera work.

For more elaborate photoshoots, I want to also have a chance to scout the site before we actually have a photo-session. I will have basic camera equipment with me just in case we catch an unplanned perfect picture. This does not count towards the actual photo-shoot time.

Arrival

I will get to your destination with time to setup. We can discuss any changes to the previous plan. I will get right to work taking pictures as we move towards our first planned scene. Some of my best work is in candid improvised face reactions - the more natural, the better.

Ideally this will only take five minutes or less. My off-camera lighting setup needs at least ten extra minutes to get unfolded and plugged in. It may be necessary to move tables and chairs, or run an extension cord.

Shooting

I work primarily with my Nikon full-frame DSLR. I also use an efficient little Sony as an off-hand camera for when my main camera is using an artistic lens. I use a DJI Osmo for 4k steady-cam video. I also have an off-camera flash setup for portraiture and head-shots. I have developed several photo techniques which I will employ to gather as much material as I can in our time allotted. We can try any new idea that may arise while shooting.

Editing

The majority of the work comes when I work through all of the pictures we took. I use Lightroom to organize it all and select the best images. Editing can take as little as five minutes per frame, but could also take hours.

Delivery

I will deliver a package of photos. I like to make three folders, one for the fantastic pics, one for very good, and one for good. There will only be a dozen fantastic, maybe four dozen very good, and around 100 good photos.

The easiest way to get your photos to you is to set up a Google Drive folder. You will receive an email with a link where you can download the pictures. This link will stay active for at least one year from delivery. You do not need a Google account to receive them. I can also physically bring a USB drive to you for a marginal cost.

Perfection in Editing

Photography in the 21st century is an 80/20 game where 80% of the effort happens in the editing room. Actually taking pictures comprises only 20% of the work. My skill as a photographer is best demonstrated in my skills as an editor. The real impact of a photo can only be drawn out through extensive work with editing software.

I have been using Adobe Photoshop for over 20 years now. There are fantastic new features being released all the time. Adobe is not a cheap solution but it is the best overall for several reasons. Currently the latest version of Photoshop includes some excellent AI based tools which can be quite useful in the right hands.

Changing scene elements, such as vehicles

Removing distracting elements like power lines and recycling bins.

Using a Wide Angle Lens to capture a more-complete interior

Ownership Rights

• This contract is for creative design services and does not imply ownership of digital property

• Any and all photos I take, edit, and deliver during an event remain my creative property indefinitely with all rights and privileges.

• The contract we sign gives the client the right to license my photos. I reserve the right to object to the misuse of my photos as I define it.

• I may at any time use photos I have taken in my own portfolio to demonstrate my technical ability.

Stop Work Order

• Should an unforeseen circumstance arise that requires the termination of this project, the client agrees to pay one quarter (25%) of the remaining charges.

• Circumstances may include but are not limited to

  • Loss of funding, Change of management, Change of company direction, or Natural disaster

• Any and all creative work produced prior to the Stop Work Order remains Bruce's sole property.

• The client relinquishes all rights to any content and must delete any digital property produced by Bruce for this project.

• The client also relinquishes all rights to any concepts, outlines, sketches, and any other creative ideas developed for this project.

• The client may request any content from Bruce after the Stop Work Order and reasonable situations will be considered with an appropriate cost applied.

Payment Schedule

• Work begins the moment we sign our contract and a down payment is made. This work may consist of location scouting, research, idea sketching, or other preparatory actions not directly connected to the day of the photo shoot.

• Thirty Percent (30%) of the final agreed price will be charged as a down payment before any work begins. (est. $###.##)

• Additional charges may apply during the planning process.

• Final remaining costs to be paid within 30 days of project delivery. (mm/dd/yyyy)

• Past Due payments are subject to a 10% increase to the total cost every week