Property Content Services FAQ
Travel Expenses
All Property Content Services include travel within the Greater Los Angeles Area:
All bookings outside this area (in green) will require estimated Mileage and California Minimum Wage for travel time.
Mileage is determined by the IRS Standard at $.62/mile
California Minimum Wage: $15.00 USD/hour
EXAMPLE: If you want me to travel to San Francisco to shoot a property for a Half Day (4 Hours Max), I’m happy to do it, but I highly recommend you just hire someone in San Francisco!
Otherwise, I’ll calculate Mileage: (Los Angeles to San Francisco) 800 Miles Round Trip ($496) + Estimated 12 Hours of Travel Time ($180) + $500 Half Day Rate = $1,176 TOTAL
Now that is a lot to pay for a “4 Hour Shoot!”
BUT keep in mind, I still have to do your Standard Video Edit and Post on the Photos.
So if you want to guarantee the quality, maybe it does makes sense to pay a little more to hire me rather than some random guy on Craigslist…
Professional Photography (Content Creation) Pricing Explained
Why is there a $250 Deposit Fee?
I require a Deposit Fee because in most cases, my services exceed several hundred dollars so I require a Services Agreement to ensure full payment upon content delivery.
Your deposit validates that contract.
All Deposit Fees will be deducted from your original Custom Estimate.
Basic Pricing Rates
Hourly: $150/hour (2 Hour Minimum | 3 Hours Max)
Half Day: $500 (4 Hours Max)
Full Day: $1,000 (6 Hours Max)
DELIVERABLES: 30-Second Standard Video Edit + 20 Photos
“Standard Video Edit” - includes the best sections of the shots captured then cut together to be viewable on any website/platform.
20 Photos - includes 20 of the best images captured that show the property favorably. (Or per preset Commercial Property Shot List)
Professional Photography (Content Creation) Pricing Explained
Why are all your rates the same?
All my rates are exactly the same so you can decide what you want me to focus on the most.
If you want to focus on really gorgeous high-resolution photos that are HDR (High Dynamic Range) optimized and fully mastered, book a “Just Photos” shoot.
If you want a general package that includes photos, a video tour and aerials, book a “Multimedia Package.”
Please bear in mind that the primary factor to consider with pricing is TIME.
It takes time to create quality images that convert (sell) in any competitive marketplace.
Sure, you could find someone cheaper on Craigslist. By all means, I wish you luck!
But if you want quality content, cheaper is never better…
Professional Photography (Content Creation) Pricing Explained
“Custom Content & Edit” rates?
I don’t charge flat rates for Custom Content Services because every marketing budget is different.
For example, you may require hundreds of photos or a video that is much longer than 60 seconds for investors. You may want special lighting; staged models or scenarios etc.
My goal is to accommodate your unique budget so you get only the content you need to sell your listing.
Based on the budget you propose, I will draft a Custom Estimate that includes only the essentials then deduct your Deposit Fee from the total.
Balance is due prior to content delivery.
Professional Photography (Content Creation) Pricing Explained
What is included in my Custom Estimate?
Your Custom Estimate includes every aspect of production we discuss during your consultation.
Specific variables like custom shot lists, lighting, props, lifestyle scenarios, volume of photo and video content, speed of delivery etc. are all notated.
I do this to ensure every aspect is covered and there are no “mysteries” about what the expectations are.
Once approved, your Custom Service Estimate is annotated in your Service Contract.
Production requires a fully approved and signed Service Contract.
Professional Photography (Content Creation) Pricing Explained
What is stipulated in my Service Contract?
In general, my Service Contract is no different than any other similar contract.
It includes specific services to be rendered, specific volume of content to be licensed (if commercial-use is intended), liability, property and appearance releases etc.
Ultimately this contract is to protect both of us. It’s designed to make sure we are both on the same page with expectations about what Services will be provided.
“Standard vs. Custom Deliverables” Explained
Deliverables vary from one Service to another, but in general, they are outlined within the Product Summary Page.
Every Service is fully customizable.
The primary difference between the “Standard Deliverables | Edit” and the “Custom Content | Edit” is the Editing Style.
Only Custom Content Estimates include “stylized” edits:
STYLE OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN: 15 | 30 | 60 | 90 Second Edits
“Music Video Style” - A fast-paced, hyperbolized and highly commercial sneak peek of your property. Perfect for glossy Website Promos, Investor Decks and Social Media Marketing Posts.
“The Cinematic Cut” - Very simple, slow-paced edit that highlights your property with a really “cinematic” perspective.
“Estimated Delivery Timeline” Explained
Every project has its own “Deadline.”
However, if you require your content to be delivered “ASAP!!!” then you have the option to expedite delivery.
Simply add Rush Services to your cart at checkout any time.
For all other projects, once your content has been captured, post production generally begins within the next few days depending on scheduling.
Priority is placed on a “Per Project Basis” meaning that no Customer is “more important” than any other - unless they request and pay for Rush Servicing.
“RAW Photos & Video Clips” Explained
As a courtesy, all RAW content will be available for review upon request.
If you wish to license/purchase the full-resolution content files for future use, you may ask for the full-resolution files to be uploaded via private FTP link for a Media Processing Fee of $50.
Why do I have to pay a “Processing Fee"?”
RAW multimedia (photos & videos) is by definition “Full Resolution, Uncompressed” digital files.
That data takes a long time to migrate from the media cards onto a computer’s hard-drive, get reformatted into a “read-able” codec and then ultimately uploaded to an FTP (File Transfer Protocol (ie “Dropbox”) server.
The Processing Fee you pay doesn’t come close to covering the amount of time it takes to actually process the multimedia. But it’s a nominal monetary consideration.
Total Content Licensing Costs are determined by your intended use (ie, Commercial versus Personal or Private) and License Agreement term period.
Commercial Licensing Explained
All associated processing and licensing costs will be included in your Custom Estimate.
“UNedited RAW Cost Savings” Explained
Since every marketing budget is unique, I want to provide you with the option of handling your own post production and editing to keep overall costs down.
In some cases, all you need are stills from the RAW footage for a quick checkup on a property or project.
Or maybe you just need a sneak peek by viewing some UNedited footage of specific details.
In this case, you can dramatically reduce the overall cost of your Final Invoice if you choose to just receive the RAW images or video clips.
Simply ask for this option during your consult and you’ll receive access to just the unedited media.
Editing Explained
Post Production often requires 3-4X the time it takes to actually capture the RAW footage because the clips must be ingested, organized, assembled, rendered then properly uploaded to multiple channels for viewing and download.
For this reason, editing is included in your original cost estimate and must be approved prior to content capture. This is an effort to avoid additional “surprise” costs and to establish a very specific shot list that will minimize transcoding and processing times.
STYLE OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN: 15 | 30 | 60 | 90 Second Edits
“Music Video Style” - A fast-paced, hyperbolized and highly commercial sneak peek of your property. Perfect for glossy Website Promos, Investor Decks and Social Media Marketing Posts.
“The Cinematic Cut” - Very simple, slow-paced edit that highlights your property with a really “cinematic” perspective.
TIME ESTIMATES
15 Second Video: 5-10 Hours*
30 Second Video: 10-15 Hours*
60 Second Video: 15-20 Hours*
90 Second Video: 25-30 Hours*
*”Music Video Style” Edits - Generic cuts that don’t involve heavy editing require far less time.
OUTSOURCED EDITING
The most cost-effective option is to have your edit out-sourced.
FINAL CUTS & ADDITIONAL VERSIONS
A draft of the final edit will be submitted prior to final cut.
ONE round of changes may be made. Additional changes to your edit will be billed hourly at $150/hr.
You may order additional versions for a variety of applications and posts at a pro-rated cost of $100/hr.
“Shot Lists” Explained
Prior to your shoot, we will discuss your requirements and determine a very specific Shot List.
In an effort to minimize cost to you as well as time spent on-location, we will establish a specific shot-list that will be captured. This will result in a very specific amount of time that will be used for production.
Once principal photography is captured, any remaining time will be used to capture “bonus” footage for your edit.
“Model Casting” Explained
Professional Models are not required nor are they included in all shoots.
For Luxury Property Lifestyle Shoots, Professional Lifestyle Models will be “sourced” locally.
Many locations have modeling agencies or freelance lifestyle models. We can also work with amateur models of your choice.
Day rates will be determined by agents or individuals.
“Additional Crew” Explained
Not required for all shoots.
To facilitate production, additional crew may be booked to capture more content within a shorter period of time. This saves time and overall costs. Crew day rates vary depending on availability.
Includes, but is not limited to: Second Photographer | Videographer | FAA Part 107 Licensed Drone Pilot | Production Assistants
“Production Insurance” Explained
Dan Smarg Photography is insured for its own protection and that of its equipment / personnel.
All other liability falls to the Property Owner, however, a Liability Waiver is signed by all parties prior to arrival on location. This waiver is included in your Service Agreement.
Supplementary Production Insurance may be required for special activities. However, it will not be necessary for the majority of shoots.
Special Lighting | Gear Rentals Explained
If your production requires special lighting or gear, a quote from a local rental house will be included in your cost estimate for approval.
All equipment rental expenses must be paid in full by the Customer prior to production.
“Content Licensing” Explained
Content licensing is standard industry practice.
Licensing Fees are determined by how you intend to use the photo and video content we create.
Most content licensing is for local listings. Therefore, cost will be nominal based on length of use.