An Overview of Your Photography Project... Six Steps to Success

It’s important for clients to understand how our commercial photography process transforms your initial ideas into a set of compelling, high-quality images. This breakdown will offer a clear overview of each stage involved, from brainstorming concepts all the way through delivery. Some clients arrive with only a vague vision, while others have a detailed plan in mind. Wherever you stand, my goal is to guide you every step of the way, ensuring you’re comfortable and confident in how we’ll bring your ideas to life. By the end of this overview, you’ll have a solid grasp of what to expect and how our collaboration will unfold.

1. Information Gathering

Every great photography project begins with understanding your unique needs. This step might involve an online questionnaire, a phone call, or an in-person meeting. Some services—such as real estate and restaurant photography—are generally more straightforward, offering pre-packaged options. Others, like product shoots, benefit from a more in-depth conversation to ensure every detail aligns with your vision.

Gathering information is a key to success.

During this stage, it’s helpful for you to share any ideas or inspirations you have. You might create a “shot list” outlining the specific images you’d like to see, or provide sample photos from past projects or work you admire. We’ll also discuss:

• Your goals for the session: Whether the images are for a website, a print ad, or a sales presentation.

• Style preferences: Discussing the look and feel you aim to capture.

• Location: Determining the most suitable setting or backdrop for the shoot.

• Styling considerations: This could include everything from product styling to selecting clothing for portraits, as well as prepping plates or setups for food photography.

By the end of this phase, we’ll have a shared vision of the shoot’s direction—laying a solid foundation for the work ahead.

2. Scheduling

Once we’ve established the overall vision for your project, the next step is to choose the ideal date and time for your photo session. Several factors come into play when determining the schedule:

• Location Availability: For real estate or architectural shoots, it’s crucial to confirm when the property will be accessible and properly staged.

• Background & Aesthetics: If your project requires a specific backdrop—like a sleek, modern interior or a scenic outdoor setting—selecting a location that aligns with your brand and objectives is key.

By finding a mutually convenient date, we ensure you’ll be at ease and fully prepared when the day of the shoot arrives. This thoughtful scheduling process sets the stage for a smooth, successful session—and ultimately, photos you’ll love.

3. Your Photo Session

On the day of the shoot, the real magic begins. Here’s a quick look at what to expect:

• Setup: For real estate sessions, I can often get started immediately upon arrival, as there’s usually minimal equipment to configure. However, for other types of photography—

  like product or portrait sessions—setup can take up to 45 minutes to arrange lighting, backdrops, or props.

• Test Shots: Once everything is in place, I’ll take a test shot to confirm the lighting and composition are exactly right. If possible, I’ll show you a preview so you can see the

  general look and feel of the final images.

• Planning & Research: To make sure the shoot runs smoothly, I often research the location and pre-design the lighting strategy before we meet. That way, we can dive right into creating the best shots once everything is set.

Throughout this process, your comfort and satisfaction remain my top priorities. When you’re confident and at ease, it shines through in the photographs—leading to a result both of us can be proud of.

4. Post-Production

Once your session wraps, the creative work is far from over. In fact, the post-production phase often requires more time than the actual shoot—and it’s every bit as crucial to producing top-quality results. My commitment to detailed, professional editing sets me apart, ensuring that even simple projects like real estate or event photography receive the same level of care as more intricate commercial assignments.

Here’s a look at the post-production workflow:

• Culling: The first step is carefully reviewing all the images captured to select the strongest shots. This meticulous process helps filter out duplicates and ensure only the most compelling images make the cut.

• Editing & Retouching: Next, I adjust lighting, color, and composition to showcase each subject in its best light. For portraits, product, or real estate images, minor retouches—removing blemishes, stray hairs, or distracting elements—help create a polished yet authentic final look.

• Artistic Enhancements: Finally, I apply my signature style to make the photos stand out. Whether that involves a warm, bright aesthetic or a more dramatic mood, this is where technical know-how and creative flair merge to produce truly striking results.

By dedicating the necessary time and expertise to post-production, I ensure that every photo meets your professional or personal goals—elevating the final images from good to remarkable.

5. Delivery

Once the images are fully edited, it’s time for the big reveal. For commercial assignments, I deliver photos through a secure online gallery hosted on my portfolio website, jasonbleecher.com. Here’s how it works:

Your Online Gallery

• Online Viewing: Anyone can view the gallery, but you’ll need to log in from a desktop or laptop computer to download the image files. This ensures that only authorized individuals can access and save your photos.

• Format & Resolution: By default, images are provided as high-resolution JPGs at 5400×3600—suitable for most print and digital applications. If you need a different format or resolution, just let me know, and I’ll be happy to accommodate.

• Download Options: You can download the entire collection in one go or select individual files to save separately.

• Long-Term Availability: Your images remain in the gallery for at least six months, but in practice, I keep project archives online for much longer. Clients often revisit their galleries years later to retrieve files, and I’m pleased to offer that ongoing convenience.

With this system, you get quick, easy, and secure access to your professionally edited images—ready to be used wherever you need them.

6. Paying Your Invoice

The final step in our collaboration is settling your invoice. Simply put, I can’t continue providing high-quality services without your support—and, more specifically, your prompt payment. Here’s what you need to know:

• Online Payment: I accept secure online payments via credit card, PayPal, or bank transfers.

• Due on Delivery: Payment is due upon delivery of the final images, with a standard late fee applying if payment isn’t received within 7 days.

• Why Timely Payment Matters: Your on-time payment allows me to continue investing in the tools, education, and resources needed to create the exceptional images your business deserves.

I appreciate your cooperation with this final step, ensuring our collaboration remains smooth and mutually beneficial.

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Conclusion

From gathering information about your commercial photography needs to settling the final invoice, each stage of this process is thoughtfully designed to give you a seamless, professional experience—and, of course, impactful images that truly serve your business objectives. Having a clear understanding of each step allows you to engage with the project feeling informed and confident, leading to a smooth collaboration and a set of powerful images that effectively support your brand.

Whether you’re exploring a new campaign, updating your marketing materials, or showcasing a property, I’m here to guide you through the entire process. Think of these photos as an investment—one that can elevate your message, strengthen your brand image, and resonate with your audience. If you’re considering booking a session or have any questions about how these steps fit into your project, feel free to reach out. I look forward to helping you create visuals that contribute to your success.