Ask me a question and I will try to give you an answer

With over 40 years of experience within the photographic industry, I am often asked questions by my friends, clients or anyone interested in becoming a photographer. I guess the question that professional photographers are frequently asked is: ‘What camera should I buy?’.… However, I am happy to try to answer any of your questions, so please get in touch. The easiest way is to complete the form below and then we can arrange to have a chat on the phone. If you are not sure what questions to ask me, I have listed below a few to start you off - they are not in any particular order, but may give you some ideas. There is no charge or time limit for the initial call.

SUGGESTED QUESTIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS OR aSSISTANTS:

Let’s start this off with a random question you might like to ask me: “Why does Elon Musk personally owe you £495 from 22 years ago?”

Should I go to University to study photography? How did you get started in Photography? What genre of photography is the most lucrative? What camera gear should I buy? Do I need a studio? Should I offer video together with photography? Should I use a stylist? Where do you source your photographic props? How do I source second hand photography and video equipment? Should I go freelance? Should I start a company as a sole trader, a partnership, or form a limited company? How do I gain experience as an assistant photographer? How do I create my own website? What social platforms should I use? How do I develop a style? Should I use film or digital? Did you have any formal photography training? Is stock photography worth considering? Where do your buy your photographic gear from? Should I use flash, LED, or daylight? How important is branding for my business? How do I choose a memorable URL? What email package should I use? Can you recommend an action cam? Which drone is best? What are the UK regulations concerning drone usage these days? How much should I charge? How do I write my terms and conditions? What are the copyright rules? Should I use a Mac or PC? Should I use the RAW format to take photographs? How do you digitally process your images? Should I use Adobe Creative Cloud? How do you distribute your images? How to you gain new customers? What lens should I use for portraiture? Should I work with agencies? What is a ‘cut-out’? Should I supply JPG or TIFF images? When should I use the SRGB or the Adobe 1998 colourspace? How do you calibrate a monitor? How important are Google reviews? How much credit should I give my customers are what payment terms should I use? Which accounting package is best: Sage, Xero or QuickBooks? Do I need an accountant? How important are BTS (behind the scenes) shots? Should I use a DSLR or a medium format camera? What is an ‘overlay’ and how do you use it? Should I photograph weddings? What is in your camera bag for a location photoshoot? Do you outsource any of your work? If so, who do you use? Should I use a retoucher, or offer this service myself? What is ‘generative fill’ and why do you use it? Do you work abroad? What insurance cover do you have? What is ‘public liability’ insurance? What is ‘goods in trust’ insurance? What is your favourite photographic genre? Should I use a Wacom tablet? Which brand of monitor do you use? What is ‘Tether Tools’ and why is it so useful? What is the difference between a backup and archiving? What is a ‘digital workflow’ and how do you use it? What is a ‘digi-tech” and do I need one? Should I hire or buy my gear? Where do you hire from? How did you get started in food photography? What is a ‘cove and sail’ and why are they important in car photography? Are corporate headshots worth considering? Do you cover events? Is it worth photographing houses for estate agents? What is Matterport and what is the difference between this and Realsee? Should I offer 360 spin photography? Do you offer conventional aerial photography? If so, do you use helicopters or fixed wing aircraft? How do you prepare for an aerial photoshoot? What is a GIF and how do you take them? How do you keep your Macbook running smoothly? Why is ‘live view’ so important and how do I use it? Why do you recommend Topaz Photo AI? What is a studio stand and why do you use it?

CLIENT OR AGENCY QUESTIONS:

How should I brief a photographer when asking for a quote? Why is important to learn about ‘usage rights?’ Can I attend the photoshoot and proof the images? How do I use overlays and why are these useful for photographers? How do I send the photographer PNG files for the overlay? I am thinking of commissioning a corporate film - what is the approximate cost per ‘finished minute?’ What is ‘per image’ photography and how will my photographer quote for this? What is ‘remote proofing’ and why do photographers hate this so much? Why are photographers and filmmakers so expensive? How should we prepare a brief for a creative? What is a ‘mechanical drop shadow’ and how is it used? Should I ask for TIFF or JPG images? Why are storyboards so important and how do I commission one? Should we consider setting up an in-house photographic studio? If so, what systems do you recommend for different volumes of product photography? How much do in-house studios cost? Are qualifications worth considering when commissioning a photographer or filmmaker? Should I ask for a ‘test shot’ free of charge? Can I take my own BTS shots during the photoshoot? What is ‘live view’ and why should I ask for it? What are the copyright rules? Will the photographer or filmmaker backup and archive my photography and film? If so, will they charge me for this service? How should I prepare for a corporate headshot? How should I prepare my products for a photoshoot and when is it best to photograph them on-site versus in-studio? How does Capture One and Lightroom incorporate AI in their software?