15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a High-End Photo + Video Team (Answered!)

If you're a designer, builder, hotel brand, or creative agency looking for help with visuals—you probably have a few questions. What’s the process like? How much does it cost? What do I actually get at the end?

We get it. Hiring a production team can feel like a black box—especially if you’re looking for more than just basic photos. That’s why we put together this honest, no-fluff guide to the most common questions we hear from new clients.

We’ll cover everything from what makes editorial photography different to how we handle licensing and timelines. Whether you're an interior designer wanting award-worthy images, a hotel looking to refresh your brand visuals, or a creative agency juggling campaign needs—we’re here to make this easy.

Let’s dive in.

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1. How does the process actually work?

We try to keep things simple and transparent—no surprises, just a calm, well-organized experience. Here’s what a typical project with us looks like:

• Start with a chat: We hop on a call (or meet in person) to understand what you’re working on, what kind of content you need, and what your goals are. We’ll ask a few guiding questions, share how we typically work, and make sure we’re aligned before anything else.
• Get a tailored proposal: Once we’ve talked through your project, we’ll send over a clear proposal with creative direction, estimated costs, licensing, and next steps. Whether it’s a photo-only project or a full video campaign, it’ll be customized to your brand.
• Plan the shoot: After the green light, we handle all the pre-production: scheduling, location scouting (if needed), shot lists, styling notes, and making sure we’re ready to roll. You don’t need to worry about the details—we’ve got them.
• Shoot day(s): We show up with the gear, crew, and prep to bring your project to life. You can be as hands-on or hands-off as you’d like. Our team handles all the creative direction and logistics while keeping things fun, relaxed, and efficient.
• Post-production: This is where everything gets polished. We color grade the footage, retouch the photos, add music, tighten the edit, and deliver content that aligns with your goals and brand tone.
• Review & delivery: You’ll receive your content in a private gallery or preview link, where you can review and share feedback. Once approved, we send over all the final files in the formats you need—web, print, social, etc.
• Support & future planning: Need a cutdown version? Looking ahead to your next campaign? We're always here to support your brand long-term, not just this one project.

In short, we take care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on doing what you do best—running your business and creating amazing work.

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2. How much does a project like this cost?

Let’s talk numbers—because we know that’s top of mind for most people.

Pricing really depends on a few key things: the scope, complexity, how many shoot days, how much editing is involved, and where it’s happening. But to give you a general idea:

• Editorial photography projects usually range from $4,000 to $15,000.
• Video productions typically start at $5,000 and can go up to $30,000+ depending on how involved the project is.

Here’s what influences the cost:

• What we’re creating: A half-day shoot of a single home will be priced differently than a multi-day brand film across several locations.
• Creative complexity: If we’re styling each scene, hiring talent, scripting a narrative, and shooting across golden hour and twilight—it’s more time and planning than a quick run-and-gun shoot.
• Post-production: Custom soundtracks, color grading, motion graphics, or narrative editing all take more time in the editing room.
• Licensing: We include marketing usage in our proposals, but if third parties need access (like a furniture vendor or developer partner), we can create shared licensing options. (More on that in Question 4.)
• Travel + crew: If we’re flying out to Palm Springs or bringing in additional team members like stylists or drone ops, we’ll factor that into the quote. We keep things transparent and always break it down clearly.

We’ll walk you through what makes sense for your project and budget. Our goal is always to create something beautiful and strategic—not just rack up extras.

Think of it like commissioning a piece of art that also works as a powerful brand tool.

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3. What do I actually receive at the end?

You’ll get polished, ready-to-use content that fits the platforms and audiences you care about most.

For photography:

• High-resolution, edited images for print, web, and social use
• Web-optimized versions for faster loading online
• Optional thumbnails or hero images for campaign visuals

For video:

• Final videos delivered in high-res format (usually .mp4)
• Shorter cutdowns for reels, social media, or ads if requested
• Music, voiceover, or text overlays baked in as needed
• Stills pulled from video footage if you want supporting imagery

We deliver everything via a private download link and make sure you have all the file types you need. No digging around or wondering what’s missing.

Need something in a different size or format later on? Just ask. We archive everything.

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4. Who owns the photos or video after the shoot?

Great question—and one that causes a lot of confusion in the creative world.

Here’s the deal: we (as the creators) retain the copyright, but you (the client) get a license to use the content for your marketing, portfolio, social, website, and more.

That means:

• You can use it to promote your brand
• There’s no expiration on the license, unless for large scale advertising purposes
• You can’t resell or transfer the content to third parties without permission

Need to share usage with your architect, designer, or vendor partner? Totally doable. We offer shared licensing or group packages so everyone can use the work fairly. (And we usually recommend cost-sharing in those cases—it’s more efficient for everyone.)

If a third party reaches out wanting to use the images, we’ll loop you in or handle it depending on your preference.

The big idea: we want you to get as much long-term value out of your content as possible—without opening the door to misuse or confusion down the line.

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5. What’s the difference between editorial and real estate photography?

This is a big one—and we’re so glad when people ask.

Real estate photography is fast, wide, and functional. It’s designed to show a space quickly to help it sell or rent. You’ll get lots of wide-angle shots, often taken in a single hour with minimal styling.

Editorial photography is thoughtful, intentional, and story-driven. It’s designed to capture the atmosphere, emotion, and design decisions behind a space. These are the images that live in magazines, on your website, or in your portfolio for years.

Here’s how they differ:

• Time & Detail: We might spend an hour on one photo—perfecting the lighting, composition, and styling. Real estate photographers might shoot an entire home in that time.
• Styling: We style scenes to feel lived-in or brand-aligned. Think: a freshly poured coffee on the countertop or a robe perfectly draped over a bed.
• Lighting: We often bring in lighting gear and use natural light intentionally. It’s not about just making things look bright—it’s about creating mood.
• Purpose: Our work is designed for long-term brand use: websites, press features, awards submissions, or campaign launches. Real estate photos are short-lived and rarely reusable once the listing is down.

If your goal is to elevate your brand, editorial is the way to go.

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6. How do you make sure the visuals align with our brand?

We’re not just showing a space—we’re showing your space, in a way that feels true to you.

That means:

• We start by asking good questions: What story are you trying to tell? Who’s your audience? What words do you want people to use when they describe your work?
• We develop a visual direction: From color tone to styling choices to music (if it’s video), we align every decision with your brand personality.
• We show you samples and references along the way: If you say “we love warm, natural tones and a minimal, modern vibe,” we’re going to use that as our north star throughout the shoot.

We also work across a range of industries, so we know how to adjust:

• For designers, we focus on materials, textures, and flow
• For hotels, it’s about atmosphere, guest experience, and emotion
• For builders, we highlight craftsmanship and form

We’re not here to apply a one-size-fits-all look. We’re here to capture what makes you, you.

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7. What’s pre-production and why does it matter?

Pre-production is just a fancy way of saying “planning ahead”—and it’s where the magic starts.

This is when we make sure every detail is aligned before the shoot day rolls around. That includes:

• Creating a shot list or moodboard based on your goals
• Coordinating with stylists or models if needed
• Choosing the best time of day for lighting
• Scouting locations or walking through the site
• Making sure all logistics (permits, gear, backups) are dialed in

Why does it matter? Because when we plan well, the shoot day is smooth, focused, and productive. It’s the difference between showing up and winging it—or showing up and knowing exactly how to bring your vision to life.

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8. How long does a project take?

It depends on the size and complexity, but here’s a general idea:

• Initial call to shoot day: 1–3 weeks (depending on schedules)
• Editing & post-production: 1–3 weeks after the shoot
• Rush jobs: Sometimes possible—just let us know upfront!

If you’re launching a campaign or submitting to a publication, we’ll work backward from your deadline to build a timeline that works. Communication is key here—we’ll always be realistic and transparent.

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9. Do you offer both photography and video?

Yes, and it’s one of our biggest strengths.

Instead of hiring two separate teams, you get one cohesive crew who can handle both seamlessly. That means your visuals match in tone, color, and storytelling across the board. You also save time (and budget) because we’re planning and executing everything as one creative unit.

You can hire us for just photo, just video, or both—we’re flexible.

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10. Do you travel?

Absolutely. While we’re based in Seattle, and we have done projects across the U.S. and internationally.

We simply add travel expenses and our travel day rates to your proposal, and we handle all the logistics—from flights to permits to booking local crew if needed.

Whether you’re in California, Colorado, Thailand, or beyond—we’re in.

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11. Do you help with styling?

Yes—and we highly recommend it.

We often bring in stylists or work with your team to ensure every space looks its best. They help with:

• Sourcing props
• Arranging furniture + decor
• Making sure everything looks intentional on camera

A great stylist can elevate a shoot dramatically. If you don’t have one in mind, we’re happy to recommend someone we trust.

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12. Can I be on set?

Of course. Some clients love being involved. Others hand it off and trust us to run with it.

We’ll always check in for big decisions, but either way—we’ve got you.

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13. Do you allow revisions?

Yes. Every project includes at least one round of revisions.

We want both you and our team to love the final result, so we’ll tweak photos or re-cut the video based on your feedback. However, this is rare since we do a very in-depth creative development and pre-production beforehand. If you need additional edits beyond what’s included, we’ll give you a clear estimate before doing anything extra.

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14. Can multiple partners share the content?

Yes. We offer shared licensing for projects with multiple collaborators—think architect, interior designer, builder, or vendor all working on the same home or hotel.

This way, everyone can use the content fairly, and costs are shared appropriately.

We just ask that everyone involved agrees to the usage terms upfront. Easy.

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15. How do we get started?

Reach out. Tell us what you’re working on. We’ll hop on a quick call, see if it’s a good fit, and walk you through the next steps.

Even if you’re still figuring things out, we’re happy to answer questions or brainstorm ideas. No pressure—just a real conversation.

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👉 Get Started Here