Frequently Asked Questions

• We’re thinking of hiring a photographer, but we don’t really know where to start.

If you’re looking for some general advice about photography, either give me a call on 01786 474448 or drop me an email at nick@nml.uk.com. I’m happy to help and give you as much advice as I can.

• What type of photography do you undertake ?

First of all, I only undertake business-to-business commissions. I specialise in corporate portraiture, but I undertake a whole range of work for corporate clients, ranging from public relations photography to to product photography to annual reports.

• Do you do weddings or family photography ?

No I don’t, but I recommend Paul Raeburn at Raeburn and Hamilton for wedding photography, and Seppi Preston at Lighthouse Studios for social photography.

• Can you come and see us ?

If you’re based in the central Scotland area (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee , Stirling), drop me a line and we’ll fix up a time.

• Can you send over a portfolio ?

Absolutely. Drop me an email with details of the type of photography you’re looking to commission, and I’ll put together a bespoke portfolio and either courier it over or drop it off myself.

• How do we book you ?

If you’re a new client, once you have a specific date or dates in mind, give me a call or drop me an email to check my availability. I’ll then provisionally pencil the job in my diary, and I’ll fax or email over a booking form for you to sign and return. If you’re an existing client, the booking is made as soon as I fax over the booking form (no need to sign and return).

• How far in advance do we need to book you ?

The majority of my work is booked in between three and six weeks in advance, but I keep a flexible diary to accommodate clients who need to commission photography at short notice.

• Which geographical areas do you cover ?

While I work throughout Scotland and northern England, the majority of my work is in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, all of which are within a 50 minute drive of my office in Stirling.

• What do the different licences on the rate card mean ?

Internal use is non-customer facing use – such as intranet sites, or internal company literature. PR use is for supplying publicity images speculatively to news media and publications. Marketing (one media) is for using the images in one format, such as either a website, annual report or brochure. Marketing (all media) is for when the imagery is to be used across multiple marketing uses.

On the job

• Do you shoot on film or digital ?

It depends on the specific job, but it would be almost always on digital. In 1999, every single job I shot was on film; in 2007, every job I shot was on digital. But depending on your needs, I can also shoot on 35mm or medium format film.

• What is your usual turnaround ?

My normal turnaround for non-PR work is four working days – so if I were to shoot the job on the Monday, the photographs would be with you on Friday. But turnaround can in some cases be the same day or the next working day for an increase in the standard rates. Please contact me for more information.

• How long will it take ?

It depends entirely on the job, and I undertake such a varied selection of work that it’s difficult to put down specific times here. But drop me an email or give me a call, and I should be able to give you a firm idea.

• Do you work on location or in a studio ?

Both – but it depends on the job. The vast majority of my work is either shot on the client’s premises or on location.

• How do you supply the finished images ?

It depends on your specific needs, but I typically supply digital images in either JPEG or TIFF format, in the Adobe RGB colour space. I will normally recommend the most appropriate format once I understand your specific requirements.

• What is digital post production ?

Post production is the process by which digital files are processed and optimised for colour balance, contrast and minor retouching, to ensure the highest quality images. For most assignments, an amount of digital post production is built into the day rate, with a small extra charge for each additional file.

• What about more extensive retouching ?

While digital post production covers the optimising of images and adjustment of minor flaws, I can also undertake more extensive image manipulation. This is charged in 15 minute blocks at an agreed hourly rate – contact me for more details.

Rates and payment

• When do you require payment ?

I invoice about a week or so after I’ve sent over the pictures and checked that you’re happy. My terms are 28 days, and there is a 4% discount if you settle within 14 days.

• How much do you charge ?

There are usually three elements to my invoice: fees, expenses and supply.
My fee varies by three factors: – how long I will be onsite – Usage: how the photographs are to be used (eg, website or brochure ) – Turnaround: how quickly you need the photographs for.
Expenses include mileage, parking, consumables (eg background paper) and other costs associated with the shoot.
Finally, supply is usually on CD, supplied by special delivery

If you’re looking for an immediate price on commissioned photography, you can use my Instant Estimate calculator to get an instant and free idea of my rates right now.

• We think the job will only take about an hour, less than the minimum job time on your rate card. Can you discount further ?

The ratecard times reflect the amount of time that needs to be booked out of my diary for each job

• Will you match quotes from cheaper photographers ?

No. While I’m always happy to look at ways how I can shoot a commission within a budget, I am not one of those photographers who markets themselves solely on price.

Students, work experience and model portfolios

• I’m a photography student, and I need some background for a report or essay I’m writing. Can you help ?

As long I’m persuaded that I’m not just writing your essay for you, then yes. Drop me an email and I’ll suggest a few times when you can give me a ring. (Incidentally, at the time of writing, seven of the last eight students who emailed me asking for help never phoned)

• Do you take students on work experience ?

No I don’t, but I’m happy to give advice or guidance if you drop me an email first.

• Do you shoot model portfolios ?

Unfortunately, due to my workload, I shoot very few model portfolios any more. However, if you send me an email at nick@nml.uk.com, I’ll see what I can do.