How can your rates be so low for such high-quality work?
We are based outside of Central London and our overheads are low. We rely on word of mouth recommendations and building lasting relationships with our clients rather than spending money on advertising. We pass on these savings directly to you. And we do all the work ourselves – we don’t send the post-production to India. Therefore we are in a position to offer very high-quality and personalised services at relatively low rates.
Do you require an up-front fee?
We do not usually require an up-front fee. The full amount is due soon after approval and supply of the final images, plus the cost of returning your products if you are not collecting them in person. Our preferred payment methods are debit card online via a link on the invoice, or BACS transfer.
Do you offer credit terms?
We much prefer to be paid promptly on job completion and do not usually offer credit. However, if your business model utterly depends on credit please liaise with us to agree terms in advance.
What is “post-production”?
Post-production (also known as “post-processing” or “retouching”) covers the workflow after the photoshoot, especially what happens in Photoshop. We use Wacom digital drawing tablets and advanced techniques to achieve the desired effects. Every single image has some form of post-production, and often the post-production takes much longer than the photo shoot itself.
What is the copyright status on my product images? Do you apply royalties?
All product photographs from the Slippery Fishes Photo Studio are supplied on a royalty-free basis once payment has been made. In other words, you pay us once and then you may use the images any number of times in different ways without owing us any extra fees. (Unlike the situation at some other photography studios, where extra royalty fees apply if a print run goes over a set amount.) The royalty-free license covers everything from usage on your own website, affiliate websites, in brochures, catalogues, books, magazines, the national press, on TV or even on millions of items of merchandise. In return we retain the right to use our images of your products for our own website and pr, but we would seek your permission to use the images in any other context. The copyright is thus effectively shared.
Can you shoot a group of my products on a single image, then cut it up for each product?
We don’t recommend this because there are limitations of zooming in from a single shot as well as different lighting needs and variations across a group. Once all the extra post-production time is factored in for us to cut out each individual item, there is rarely going to be any benefit to shooting this way and no saving in cost.
Are my products insured during the photoshoot?
We would advise all clients to check that their business insurance policy covers their products whilst in transit and away from their own premises for the photoshoot, especially if the items are of high value. We always endeavour to take good care of clients’ products whilst they are with us but cannot be held liable for any accidental damage or loss in the event of fire, flood, theft, etc. In many cases we do not even know what your products are valued at. We will assume that you have adequate cover, but please let us know in advance if you have any worries and if you need to make special arrangements for security and insurance during the shoot.
Do you have public liability insurance?
Yes, we have photographers’ public liability insurance. (This does NOT cover your products; see above.)
I can’t collect my items promptly after the shoot. Can you store them?
We have limited storage space, so please allow for the full cost of us returning your items by courier if you are unable to collect them yourself. If no arrangement is made within a week following the shoot, we will assume the items can be disposed of. Disposal is always assumed for perishable food products. That means we’re likely to eat your food after the shoot unless you tell us otherwise!
Why are you called Slippery Fishes?
No idea. We’re also known as Thameside Photography. Which name is easier for you to remember? Both are part of Thameside Media Projects Ltd. Any more questions?