Pricing
Pricing Built Around the Project
Commercial photography and filmmaking projects can vary considerably in scope, production requirements and how the finished work will be used.
Before providing a project estimate, we take the time to understand your photography brief: what we’re being asked to create, who it needs to reach, where it will be used, and what is required to produce the finished work well.
From there, we recommend an approach and build an estimate around the project.
Our estimates consider the creative direction, photographer or filmmaker’s time and expertise, usage and licencing, pre-production, production, post production, crew, talent, locations, equipment and other project-specific requirements.
For straightforward projects, we also have ready-to-go packages and established project pricing that can make pricing simpler.
Working With a Budget
If there’s an established project budget, we’d welcome knowing it.
It helps us recommend a production approach that makes the best use of the available investment rather than developing a scope that may not be commercially realistic.
If a budget hasn’t been established yet, we can usually provide an initial ballpark once we understand the broad requirements.
Building an Estimate
For tailored projects, we start with a conversation or written brief to understand the objectives, deliverables, production requirements, timing and intended use of the work.
We’ll then develop an estimate setting out the proposed scope, fees, expenses and usage licence.
Depending on the project, this may include:
- pre production and production planning
- creative and photography fees
- crew, talent, styling and locations
- studio, equipment and production expenses
- retouching, editing and other post-production
- the number and type of final deliverables
- licencing for the intended use of the finished work
This gives us something concrete to review to together. if the scope and budget aren’t aligned initially, we can look at where the production approach or deliverables can sensibly be adjusted without compromising what the project needs to achieve.
Commercial Photography Pricing
Our pricing includes a creative fee, a usage licence, and project-related expenses across pre-production, production, and post-production.
The final cost depends on the scale and complexity of the brief rather than the number of photographs alone.
Our standard licensing covers common marketing and communications use. Broader advertising or geographic use can be extended when required.
All fees are plus GST.
Copyright & Usage Licence
Under Australian copyright law, copyright in commissioned commercial imagery will automatically remain with the photographer unless otherwise agreed.
Sum Effect retains copyright in our photography and provides clients with a usage licence appropriate to the project. This gives the organisation permissions it needs while keeping the scope of use clear for everyone.
If you’re unfamiliar with how copyright and usage licences work, our professional industry association, Image Makers Association Australia, also offers helpful resources.
You may also like to read our blog article on photograph ownership.
Let’s talk. Please contact us to refine your project details.
