The working life of a product photographer can feel like a bit of a juggling act at times; long photoshoots, getting creative with concepts, putting your design head on - all the while keeping those creative juices flowing.
The last thing on your mind is writing up long-winded proposals.
Sound about right?
Fact: nailing the perfect product photography proposal is crucial to your business. You need to stand out from the crowd. You need to beat the competition.
The best photography clients want to see a well-written and thought-out proposal before they even consider hiring you.
Before you can send out your release form, you'll need to sell your services.
Now, here’s your time to step in and grab the attention of those future clients. By using a proposal that will persuade.
And here’s the good news - our product photography proposal template will get you doing just that. You’ll be able to showcase your qualities/skill sets, a glimpse into your working methods, your process and terms – and tie it all up in one show-stopping little bundle.
Let’s take a closer look…
One day you can be delving into the world of glizty fashion and the next you might be producing marketing materials for a humble, local business. As a Product Photographer, that’s the working life you live.
The point is, whatever the job, this must-have section should be easily adaptable, making sure that you don’t miss a trick, covering all bases.
This is your first impression. It’s your time to shine and wow them with your innate understanding of their needs.
It can be tempting to hit the client with a rambling blurb about why you’re the best for the job. You’ll get your chance to shine, but for now think outside the box.
Focus on putting yourself in their shoes. What do you think they need from you for this photoshoot? What would you be looking for in a photographer if this was your event? Reassure them by pre-empting their concerns and showing that you understand their needs.
Here’s your moment. Time to wow them! Introduce your team, give a brief overview of your previous successes and highlight what makes you, you.
TIP: Gauge the tone on the client in question. Feel free to adopt a more personal touch if they seem more informal. Remember, they’ve seen a lot of proposals in their time and you’re wanting your photography business to stand out from the crowd.
As they say, the proof is in the pudding, so it makes sense to show photos of your previous work. Don’t be shy – show what you are most proud of, give details of what you achieved, whilst tailoring it to what sort of client you’re dealing with.
Use this section to lay out your process of your photography serviceswork in detail. To get this in writing and agreed as transparently as possible before any work starts is the best way to avoid any quarrels on the day.
As mentioned previously, the art of a writing a persuasive proposal is understanding your client. How exactly do they want to showcase their product? And how do you fit into that? Time to break down all their expectations – don’t spare them the details.
There’s no doubt about it: the market of product photography is competitive and tough. So if you present a proposal that isn’t up to scratch you may as well kiss that client goodbye.
You know that you’re the best for the job, but the client doesn’t know that yet. So tell them.
Just make sure that you avoid these pitfalls along the way.
Imagine this:
You’ve arrived for the shoot, assuming that the amount of work shouldn’t be too big and you’ll be finished by 2pm. You arrive to mayhem, a multitude of products to shoot, long hours and suddenly in need of twenty assistants and equipment that you’ve left behind a long way away.
It’s a nightmare that can be easily avoided.
Don’t be afraid to make sure that you have as many details as you need to feel comfortable. It’s in everyone’s interests and you want to do the best job you can do for best results. That can lead to repeat business.
The last thing that you want to happen is to ‘exaggerate’ your abilities, get in way over your head and do a bad job as a result.
Keep it simple, focussing on your glowing strong points (of which there are many, I’m sure).
Make sure you have an agreement in place regarding your licensing and usage rights – without a license, the client is free to interpret the usage rights however they wish. Potentially leading to some ugly situations.
Example: The creator of the Nike swoosh logo was originally paid a total amount of $35. Unfortunately, there was also no license in place which means – no royalties. It also then went on to become one of the world’s most recognizable logos. Ouch.
This YouTube video from Business Success Coach, Beate, takes you through the five basic elements of a professional proposal. Acquiring all-important knowledge from the pros will help you nail every proposal.
This article from professional Photographer, Kelsey Foster, is a well broken-down example of how she writes her photography proposals, focussing on each section in detail.
This blog post by copywriting agency, The Creative Copywriter, will help you master the art of hypnotic sales writing and storytelling. Remember, you’re telling a story of success, not just giving a boring cost estimate.
That’s it from us; remember the more effort you put into your proposal, the more you’ll reap the benefits. Happy creating!
{client_name} requires high-quality photographs to showcase its product line and make its website, online promotional materials, and print promotional materials more profitable.
Specifically, {client_name} needs photographs from a variety of angles, resolutions, and distances for each of its 10 products in order to highlight their features and appeal to potential customers in online and print promotional materials.
{my_company} can meet {client_name}’s needs by making its professional studio, equipment, and product photography expertise available for the terms set out in this proposal. {my_company}’s photographers will shoot {client_name}’s product line in studio on a background of choice, and post-process the images using computer software. {my_company} will then release a total of 150 digital photographs – 15 variations for each of {client_name}’s 10 products – to {client_name} for use on its website and in promotional materials.
If {client_name} doesn’t invest in photography services designed to meet its unique needs, it could lose customers to competitors who do a better job of capturing their attention. Failing to include professional product photos could bore readers and give them the impression that {client_name} isn’t the best choice to meet their needs. This could result in reduced market share and profitability.
Following the scheduled photo shoot, {my_company} will provide {client_name} with the following:
When post-production is complete, {my_company} will provide {client_name} access to the photographs via a password protected client portal website. {client_name} is free to use any and all of the photographs purchased.
To achieve {client_name}’s objectives, as outlined above, we recommend the following services as part of this project:
Product Photo Strategy Meeting
{my_company}’s team will meet with {client_name} to hear its vision for a product photo shoot and offer input to help {client_name} accomplish its business goals. {client_name} and {my_company} will work together to determine the concept and time for the upcoming photo shoot.
Photo Session of {client_name}’s Product Line
After finalizing the production strategy, key members from {client_name}’s team will meet at {my_company}’s studio so {my_company} can photograph {client_name}’s product line. This photo shoot is estimated to take the majority of a workday, as every product will be captured from a variety of angles in a studio setting.
Post-Production
{my_company}’s team will analyze the results from the photo shoot. Then {my_company}’s post-production specialists will use software like Photoshop and Lightroom to ensure every photo has the proper exposure and color, polishing every image to a professional level. Once post-production is complete, {my_company} will make 150 photographs available to {client_name} via a client portal website.
{my_company} gives {client_name} unlimited license to use the photographs in the package purchased. Usage rights include {client_name}’s website, online promotional materials, e-mail, and print media.
Irresistible Product Line Solution
| $7,660.00 |
{client_name} needs compelling product photos to get target customers’ attention and turn them into buyers. But {client_name} can’t justify spending thousands of dollars renting photo equipment, and it lacks specialized photography training. Hiring a company like {my_company} removes those roadblocks; we obsess over creating beautiful, engaging product photos that match {client_name}’s vision. We’ll bring the following strengths in our work for {client_name}:
Should {client_name} choose {my_company} to execute this solution as proposed, our timeline for this project is as follows:
| Phase | Activities | Completion |
| Strategy | Meeting between {client_name} and {my_company}; discussion of {client_name}’s business goals; product photo recommendations delivered by {my_company}; finalizing concept and date for photo shoot. | 05/31/XX |
| Product Photo Shoot | High-quality photography session by {my_company}’s photographers at {my_company}’s studio; shots of {client_name}’s entire product line from multiple angles. | 06/30/XX |
| Post-Production | Post-production by {my_company}’s experts to ensure perfect exposure and color of every one of {client_name}’s product photos. | 07/21/XX |
| Release of Photos | Release of 150 digital photographs to {client_name} for replication and use in online and print promotional materials. | 07/25/XX |
To take advantage of this proposal and proceed with the project as outlined, {client_name}’s next steps must be to:
Once completed, {my_company} will contact {client_name} to schedule a project launch meeting to make introductions and gather information before beginning the work.
We’re happy to make changes to project scope on {client_name}’s request at any time, but may be subject to additional billing.
Once project fee is paid in full to {my_company}, any elements of text, graphics, photos, contents, trademarks, or other artwork furnished to {client_name} for inclusion in website are owned by {client_name}.
{my_company} assumes {client_name} has permission from the rightful owner to use any code, scripts, data, and reports are provided by {client_name} for inclusion in its materials, and will hold harmless, protect, and defend {my_company} from any claim or suit arising from the use of such work.
{my_company} retains the right to display graphics and other web content elements as examples of their work in their portfolio and as content features in other projects.
This agreement becomes effective only when signed by agents of {client_name} and {my_company}. Regardless of the place of signing of this agreement, {client_name} agrees that for purposes of venue, this contract was entered into in [STATE] and any dispute will be litigated or arbitrated in [STATE].
The agreement contained in this contract constitutes the sole agreement between {client_name} and the {my_company} regarding all items included in this agreement.