FAQ · 48 questions
Photography, studio and shoots: frequently asked questions
What business owners ask before a shoot in Sri Lanka: photographers, locations, models and how a shoot comes together.
12 questions
Finding a photographer
Hiring a photographer for your business is not like hiring one for a wedding. These are the questions owners ask before they book.
Start with the kind of photos you need. Product, people, food, property and brand shots call for different skills. Look at portfolios of that exact kind of work, then speak to the photographer. GrowthChord has a Colombo studio and an in-house photographer, so you can see the space and the work before you book.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
You can, but treat it like any other hire. Ask for a full portfolio, written terms and a list of what is included. Ask for a past client you can contact. A low quote with no written scope often costs more later, in re-shoots and editing.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Look for consistency, not just a few great images. Check the light, the colour and the focus. Check how well they handle your type of subject. Ask to see one complete job from start to finish, not only the best five frames.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Ask what is included, how many finished images you get and who edits them. Ask when you get the files, what the usage rights are and what happens if it rains or someone is ill. Ask how much you pay up front and how cancellations work.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
A studio gives you controlled light, a clean backdrop and no interruptions. It suits products, portraits and reels with a set. Your own premises suit work where the place matters, such as a restaurant, a salon or a workshop. Many brands do both.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Commercial photography is planned around a business goal, such as a website, a catalogue or an ad. Event photography is fast and candid. The skills overlap, but the planning, the lighting and the usage rights are different.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Count the places they will go. List the page slots, the profile and cover images, the product listings and a month of posts. Plan the shoot from that list so you do not pay for pictures you never use. We build the shot list from your pages and profiles.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
In most places the photographer owns the copyright unless the agreement says otherwise. You receive a licence to use the images. Agree in writing where you can use them, for how long and whether you can edit them. Ask this before you book, not after.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Retouching is editing beyond basic colour and exposure. It covers things like cleaning backgrounds and fixing small flaws. Some photographers include a set number of retouched images and others charge for each one. Ask which applies and what counts as retouched.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Ask for past clients you can speak to. Ask how they back up files. Look for a written agreement and a clear deposit policy. See how quickly and clearly they answer your messages before the job. How they behave before you book is how they will behave on the day.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Yes, and it usually saves money. The same crew, lights and set can shoot stills and short video in one session, and the two match. GrowthChord shoots photography and reels together.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Each can work. Hourly suits short jobs. A day rate suits shoots with many set-ups. Per-image pricing suits catalogues with many similar shots. What matters is that the quote says exactly what you get. We quote by enquiry, because every shoot is different.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
12 questions
Shoot locations in Sri Lanka
A good location saves money and makes better pictures. A wrong one can stop the shoot. Here is what owners ask before they pick a place.
Start with your story. Pick a place that fits what you sell and who buys it. Then check the light, the space, the noise, the power, the parking and the toilets. Last, check that the place allows commercial shoots.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
It depends on the place. Streets, beaches, parks and heritage sites belong to different owners and authorities, and the rules can change with crew size and equipment. Ask the owner or the authority first and get anything important in writing. This is general information, not legal advice.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
These sites are managed by the Central Cultural Fund, and commercial shoots need its written permission. At the time of writing, its published guidelines ask for documents 15 working days ahead and list a fee per site per week for commercial use. They also set filming hours and do not allow filming in its museums. Check the Fund for current rules and rates.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
The Galle Heritage Foundation grants permission for commercial filming and photography in the fort. At the time of writing, its published process asks for an application form and the fees, with notice of at least three days. Drones need separate approval. Check with the Foundation for the current steps.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Drone use needs permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, and some sites add their own rules on top. Ask early. Do not assume that a place that allows cameras also allows drones.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Yes, with the owner’s agreement. Many venues charge a location fee or ask you to shoot in a quiet slot. Agree the hours, whether guests may appear in frame, where the power is and whether you can move furniture. Put it in writing.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
A studio is the easiest, with controlled light and no weather. Other options are cafés, offices, galleries, homes and shops, if the owner agrees. GrowthChord has its own studio in Colombo, so you can shoot indoors without hiring a venue.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Rain and harsh midday sun are the usual problems. Plan for early morning or late afternoon light and keep an indoor or rain-date backup. The monsoon seasons differ between the coasts, so check the season for your area before you book.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
As soon as you know the date. Places that need written permission can take weeks, and heritage sites state their notice periods in working days. Secure the place and the permission first, then book the people.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Shoot before opening, after closing or in a quiet slot. If customers do appear in a recognisable way, get their consent or leave those frames out. Tell your regulars about the shoot day so nobody is surprised.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
For anything complex, yes. A short visit shows you where the light falls, what clutter is in the background, where the power is and how the crew gets in. Your photographer can do it with you. A phone walk-through video is a good start.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
For catalogue and listing photos, usually a studio. You get repeatable light and clean backgrounds that match across products. Locations add context and feeling, which suits brand stories. Many shoots use both.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
12 questions
Finding and working with models
The right face makes a brand feel real. The wrong agreement can cause trouble later. These are the questions owners ask about models.
Start with your customer. The model should look like the people you want to reach, suit your product and fit your tone. Check portfolios, ask for recent test shots and have a call or meeting before you book.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Common routes are modelling agencies, casting calls on social media, referrals from photographers and stylists, and your own staff or customers. Whichever route you use, ask for a portfolio and agree the terms in writing.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Professionals take direction fast and save time on set. Real staff or customers feel honest, which suits service and local brands. Many businesses use both. Choose by the story you want to tell, not only by budget.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
It is a signed agreement in which a person allows you to use their image. It says where, for how long and for what purpose. Get one from everyone who can be recognised in your photos or reels.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
They set where and how you may use the images: website, social media, print or ads, in one country or many, for months or years. Wider rights usually cost more. Decide your uses before you book, and do not use the images beyond the signed terms.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Only if the agreement says so. Many agreements set a time limit. If you want to keep using the images, agree a longer period up front or renew the rights before the term ends.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Rates depend on experience, time and usage rights, and are agreed between you and the model or the agency. Put the fee, the hours, overtime and the payment date in writing. Be careful with offers of “exposure” in place of payment for commercial work.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
For most brand shoots, yes. Good styling keeps the look consistent from the first frame to the last and makes editing easier. Decide who books it and who pays before the day.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Send a short brief. Cover the brand, the audience, the mood, the outfits, some reference images, the schedule and the location. Say what to bring. Ask the model to avoid big changes to hair or skin in the days before.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Only with a parent’s or guardian’s written consent, and with that adult present. Keep hours short and follow any rules that apply to children’s work. If you are unsure, ask a lawyer before you book.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Share the plan beforehand and keep the crew small and professional. Give a private place to change. Agree boundaries on clothing and poses in advance, and let the model bring a friend or chaperone. If someone says no, the answer is no.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
Use as few as the story needs. One model in several outfits and settings can cover a lot. Add more for group scenes or to show a wider range of customers. Each extra person adds fees, releases, styling and time.More on this: Photography, studio and reels
12 questions
Planning a shoot, from brief to delivery
Most shoot problems are planning problems. This is what to sort out before the day, and what to ask for after it.
Set the goal and list the shots. Choose the place and the people. Book the day and prepare the products or outfits. After the shoot, pick the best frames, edit them, deliver the files and decide where each one goes.More on this: The studio
It is a list of the exact images and clips you need, with where each will be used. It keeps the day short and stops you from forgetting the shots you need most.More on this: The studio
It depends on the number of looks, set-ups and people. A simple product set can take a few hours. A shoot with several looks or locations can take a full day or more. We estimate once we see your shot list.More on this: The studio
Have your brief and shot list ready. Clean and check every product or outfit. Confirm permissions, pay the deposit and name one contact for the day. Plan for bad weather and keep water and food for the crew.More on this: The studio
Photos suit websites, listings and profiles. Short video suits social feeds, where movement catches the eye. Ordering both from one shoot is usually cheaper than two sessions, and the two will match.More on this: The studio
It books the date and covers early costs. Ask what is refundable if you cancel or the weather turns, and make sure the terms are in writing before you pay.More on this: The studio
Prevent it with a clear brief, reference images and a test shot at the start of the day. Agree before the shoot how many rounds of changes are included. Most disappointments come from unclear expectations, not bad photography.More on this: The studio
Agree the number up front. A selection is the best frames chosen from the shoot and then edited. “All the raw frames” is a different offer from “edited finals”, so ask which one the quote means.More on this: The studio
Web images need small files that load fast. Print needs high resolution. Ask for both, and for versions already sized for your website and social profiles. We hand back files sized for where they will be used.More on this: The studio
Put them on your key service pages with plain file names and alt text. Add them to your Google Business Profile. Real, recent images of your premises and team help people decide to contact you, and that is what local search is for.More on this: The studio
They should feel like one brand, with the same colours, light and style. Shoot once for both, then crop and edit for each place.More on this: The studio
Refresh them when your products, team, premises or style change. Many businesses review once a year. Photos that no longer match what a customer sees in person can cost you trust.More on this: The studio
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