Questions people ask me.
Short answers first, and where there's more to say, there's a Field Note to read.
Photo day and pricing
How should we prepare?
You don't have to. Do the work you'd do on any other day, and here's why.
Why $4,000 for one day?
Because one day on site is two days of work, plus the gear and the experience. Here's the breakdown.
Do you do half days?
Rarely, because a full day is how the good photos happen.
Where do you travel?
Anywhere, one price. Within 200 miles of Greenville, SC, the day rate covers it. Farther adds a $2,000 travel day before and after the shoot, and that covers flights, hotel and everything else. Booked inside 21 days and need to fly? Only the airfare is extra.
Can we use the photos anywhere?
Yes. They're yours to use on your website, social media, print and ads.
Do you shoot video?
Video isn't my skill set, but I work with friends who are the best at it. Ask and I'll set it up. See their work.
Websites
Do I own the website?
Yes. The files, the photos and the domain are yours, with no monthly fees to me.
How do I update it?
You tell Claude what to change, and I'll show you how before we're done. Here's what that looks like.
Can I use photos I already have?
Yes. If they're good, I'll build from them for $5,500.
From the Ground
Will you follow our site safety rules?
Yes. I'll wear the PPE your site requires and stay where I'm told.
Can you get aerials of the site?
Yes. I fly with helicopter pilots I trust, and it runs about $1,500 an hour on top of the day rate.
On the Water
Can you shoot boats running offshore?
Yes, from a chase boat or a helicopter. Helicopter time is about $1,500 an hour.
Do you do video?
Video isn't my skill set, but I bring friends who are the best at it. Ask and I'll set it up. See their work.
In the Air
Why a helicopter?
It puts me exactly where I need to be, at the angle I need, and it can keep up with a boat running wide open.
How much is helicopter time?
About $1,500 an hour on top of the day rate. Most jobs need one to two hours.
Where can you fly?
Wherever the pilot and the airspace allow, and we plan it together before the day.
Around the Firehouse
How do you work on a scene?
Relationships come first. I stay out of the way and never put the photo ahead of the work. More here.
Do you photograph departments?
Yes. Brands and manufacturers book the day rate, and through Honor Supply Co., I've also shared photos with departments for free.
Can you show our gear in real conditions?
That's the whole point: real firefighters, real training and real scenes.
Active Emergency
Who decides what gets posted?
The agency. I share what I'm allowed to share, when I'm allowed to share it.
How do I reach you during an emergency?
Call or text 864.395.6951. If I don't pick up, text and I'll call you back.
What does it cost?
It's the same day rate and all-in travel as any other day. If it's short notice and I need to fly, the only extra is airfare at cost.
From the Field Notes
How do I make my AI website stand out?
Use real photos of your real people doing the real work. AI can build a clean website in an afternoon, but it can't show who you are. Your photos are the one thing nobody else can copy. Read the full note.
Can I build my business website with Claude?
Yes. If you have good photos, a clear idea of what you sell and a simple style guide, Claude can build a fast, clean website with you in a few hours. This website was built that way. Read the full note.
How do I update my website by telling Claude what to change?
Keep your website's files and your style guide in one folder, open Claude, and describe the change in plain words. Claude edits the files, you look at the result, and you publish it. Read the full note.
What's a style guide, and why does Claude need one?
A style guide is a short document with your colors, fonts, voice and rules. Claude follows it every time it touches your website, so everything stays consistent without you repeating yourself. Read the full note.
What does a commercial photographer cost in Greenville, SC?
My day rate is $4,000. That's 6 to 8 hours on site, 80 to 100 hand-edited photos and full usage rights, with your gallery delivered within 72 hours. Read the full note.
What photos does a contractor's website need?
Your crew working, your equipment, finished projects and the work in progress, plus one honest photo of the owner. Skip stock photos completely. Read the full note.
How much does helicopter photography cost?
Helicopter time runs about $1,500 an hour through partners I trust, on top of the photography day rate. Most aerial jobs need one to two hours in the air. Read the full note.
How should my crew prepare for a photo day?
You don't have to. Do the work you'd do on any other day, because the best photos come from real work, not a show for the camera. Read the full note.
How do you photograph firefighters without getting in the way?
Earn trust first, stay out of the way, and never put the photo ahead of the work. The scene belongs to the firefighters, and I'm a guest. Read the full note.
Why does a 72-hour gallery matter?
Because photos lose value every day they sit in a folder. Your gallery is ready within 72 hours, so you can use it while the work, the event or the news is still fresh. Read the full note.
Why does a photo day cost $4,000?
You book one day, but you're paying for two: 6 to 8 hours on site and another 6 to 8 hours editing. Plus thousands of dollars in gear and more than a decade of knowing where to stand. Read the full note.
What's the value of a documentary photographer?
Documentary photos show what happens, so people trust them. Your crew keeps working, you lose no time posing, and you get the moments nobody could have planned. Read the full note.
How do I ask for business without sounding salesy?
Tell the truth about what you do, say who it's for, and ask plainly. Salesy comes from pretending, and clear comes from being honest about what you need. Read the full note.
What do good photos make better?
Almost everything your business puts in front of people. One photo day covers your website, your social media, recruiting, ads, print, trade shows and more. Read the full note.
Do you need video?
Maybe. I don't shoot long-form video, but I work with incredibly talented people who do. If you don't have the time to interview and research videographers and storytellers, I can help with that. Read the full note.