Trust me, always have a signed estimate that clearly describes what the bid is based on and what the licensed usage is. Be sure all costs are agreed on before beginning the job.
Bidding Process
Have an Amazing Creative Call
Q:
What is the key to having an amazing creative call? What will make you stand out above other photographers running for that job?
A:
Great question because that Creative Call is the second reason you will get a job, the first being your portfolio. There is this really smart technique in psychotherapy where couples respond to each other by reflecting back what they hear. It makes the other person feel heard.
A creative call is like that.
The creative had this imaginative idea and they want to know which photographer can make it real and bring it to life. They want to know that you grasp their vision and that you understand it. They also want to hear what you will be like to work with. Do you sound like someone who will bring a lot to this “party”? Use technical terms which incorporate the mood of what they want to shoot so you sound like you really know what you’re doing!
The Importance of Treatments
Q:
I would like to hear about the importance of treatments. What is a treatment? Do photographers create their own treatment? What needs to go into it and what should it look like?
A:
A great treatment is one of the 3 keys to getting the photographer the job. 1. Is the portfolio of course 2. Is the creative call and 3. Is the treatment.
A treatment is a pdf full of all the info to show the creative how the photographer will approach the job. It will include samples of images, locations, talent, wardrobe, etc.
Yes, photographers create their own treatment and I have to say, it’s like getting their teeth pulled. They are not writers and normally their portfolio speaks for them So this takes a sales type of showing off that photographers are uncomfortable with in general.
It needs to look slick and put together because the creative will read this to know what the photographer is bringing to the “party,” how they work, how they see this job, and how well they can deliver a packaged expression of their work.