​ost people who contact me about a commercial shoot haven't commissioned one before. They're not sure what the process looks like, how much to budget, what they need to prepare, or whether they're talking to the right person. These are all completely reasonable things not to know, and this post is an attempt to answer them without the usual marketing fluff.

I'm Dominic. I've run Image and Light Photography from Nottingham for over 20 years, working with businesses across the Midlands on product, food, property, and commercial shoots.

​A pretty wide range, in my experience. I've worked with independent food producers who needed packaging and website images, estate agents wanting consistent photography across their listings, ecommerce businesses shooting product catalogues, restaurants updating their menus, manufacturers documenting products and facilities, and small service businesses who just needed decent images of their team and workplace.

There's no minimum size. I work with sole traders and larger businesses alike. The common thread is that they need images that look professional and actually represent what they do.

​It starts with a conversation. I need to understand what the images are for, where they'll be used, what kind of look and feel suits the brand, and what you need to prepare before the shoot. This can be a quick phone call or a longer email exchange depending on how complex the job is. Once I know the scope, I'll give you a written quote covering what's included: how many images, how long the shoot will take, editing, and delivery format.

On the day, I handle the technical side. You don't need to know anything about photography. I'll work through the shots methodically and show you the results as we go, so if something isn't quite right we can adjust it there and then rather than discovering it afterwards. After the shoot, I'll edit the images and deliver them in whatever format you need, ready to use.

​A portfolio that matches what you need. Look at their existing work and ask whether it feels right for your business. Style and specialism matter more than people sometimes realise. Someone who mostly shoots editorial portraits will bring a very different eye to product photography.

Transparency about pricing. You should know exactly what's included before anything gets booked. If a quote is vague about deliverables, that's worth pushing on.

How they communicate from the start. How quickly do they respond? Do they ask sensible questions? Do they explain things clearly? A photographer who communicates well before the shoot will communicate well throughout the whole project.

Experience in your sector helps, though it's not always essential. Someone who has photographed products, food, or property regularly will have established ways of working that make the shoot more efficient and the results more predictable.

​I'm based at Oldknows Factory in Nottingham, which has a well-equipped studio space for product, food, and smaller commercial shoots. For property work and anything location-based, I travel across the Midlands including Derby, Leicester, and further when the job calls for it.

It varies considerably depending on the type and scale of the work. A small product shoot is very different in cost to a full-day location shoot with styling and multiple setups. I'm happy to talk through your project and give you an accurate quote with no obligation. You can reach me on 07884 488 692 or via the enquiry form on this site.