About Your Shoot | Si Ranshaw Photography

About your Photoshoot

Hello,

Many thanks for contacting me for a quotation to photograph your holiday accommodation.

You've worked really hard to make your holiday property amazing for your guests - and now you need to tell the world how great it really is. Pretty average photography will make your property look pretty average too. In the same spirit, poor photography will make your property look poor too!

Professional photography is probably going to be your most important investments that you've made so far - and it needn't be that expensive - normally just one extra booking will more than pay for the cost of your photoshoot. And you can use the images for years to come.

The standard of your photography will in most cases decide on how many bookings you take, how much you can charge, and reduce those empty weeks.

Preparing the property for your photoshoot.

The best way to prepare your property for a photoshoot is to make it guest ready, plus a little extra attention to detail - beds neatly and evenly, cushions plumped, and most importantly, clean windows! The latter is very important.

If you are on site for the photoshoot day then the following would help me concentrate more on your images - If you're not going to be there (don't worry as 80% of properties I shoot the clients are not on site)

Set the dining room table with crockery, cutlery, and wine glasses - I'll bring the wine! Also, if you can then please ...

Hide all cleaning materials from the kitchen and bathroom.
Hide all kitchen and bedrooms bins

Access to the property.

I shoot most properties alone as it's not always convenient for the owner to travel to the property for the day. If this is the case then please send me the address, any special directions and the access code to a key safe if needed a day or two before. What3Words is amazing for complex directions - if you don't use What3Words then please tell me and I'll send you a screenshot with your What3Wrods address so you can share it with your clients.

I always send a text message to my clients to let them know I’ve arrived and accessed the property. When I leave, I send another message to confirm I’ve locked the property and that the keys have been replaced in the key safe before I leave.

Arrival and Finish Times.

Depending on the location of the property, I normally aim to arrive at the property between 9am and 10am.

It's almost impossible to say how long a shoot takes but on average but a typical two to three-bedroom cottage can take between four and six hours. Saying that, I have shot a 5 bed property in 3.5 hours and a 2 bedroom property in 8 - I never "clock watch" and the more I can get from a property then the better, and if it means extra time on site (and photoshopping) then that's what I do. The size, set-up and character of the property determine how long a shoot can take. To be on the safe side then please be prepared for the shoot to last all day long as I don't like to cut corners.

Props

As mentioned in my email - food props are optional but highly recommended. If you prefer you can save the £25 cost by proving them yourself then please let me know in advance?

Here are a list of items I normally pick up from a supermarket on the way, or the day before. Like me, please keep it open and if you see something different that you fancy then please go ahead.

Flowers (smallish and not too overwhelming)
Croissants/pastries for kitchen/breakfast tray
Eggs
Strawberries
Biscuits / cookies / or cake - cup cakes. Small lemon drizzle or Victoria sponge work well as do colourful French Fancies.
Loaf of bread (artisan or cottage loaf uncut)
Apples, pears.
2 Grapefruits

Please note that I may not use everything on the list. I leave these products on site at the end of the day unless there are guests arriving - or if no-one is due then I can take and dispose of the items myself.

I also normally carry the following non-food props

Wine & Prosecco
Books - paperbacks and coffee table books
Small artifice flowers
Tray
Egg cups
Vase
Hats
Magazines

How long is my quote valid for?

Your quotation is valid for shoots taking place within 60 days from the day the quote is generated.

Prices may increase for shoots taking place after the initial 60 days.

Please always check with me before booking after 60 days.

Cancellation Policy

I don't normally have any cancellation charges but this cannot always be guaranteed. If the weather is going to be really terrible - and I feel it'll affect the outcome of the photoshoot then we can mutually postpone the shoot until another, better, day and there will be no charge.

Please block off bookings for the photoshoot day - whilst I appreciate that you may need the bookings - it means that I am loosing a days works too. If I can fill the day with another booking then I will and won't be too worries about the cancellation.

Cancellation fees start at £100 and can go up to the fulls shoot cost but please be assured I always try to avoid any charges if I possibly can.

Photoshop work

Photoshopping a property normally takes an extra day but this is included in the price I have quoted. There are no hidden extras in my quotation

Car travel etc.

All travel costs are included in the price quoted - very occasionally during city shoots there may be congestions charges, parking etc. These will be added to the invoice. My car is ULEZ compliant for most, if not all, cities in the UK. I always check before a shoot so will notify you if there any extra charges that may apply.

Delivery of images

I always use WeTransfer to send you your new images. You will receive an email with a download link to download all your photos.

How many images will I receive?

This is also a very difficult question for me to answer as it really depends on the property, layout and style. In fact I never really know until I've finished photoshopping your images when I get home (One image can consist of many composite images, all layered and combined together by eye.

I can never guarantee the amount of images but 50 plus seems to be a good figure. I do concentrate on quality rather than quantity.

What are the file sizes?

I provide two sets of images - 8000's are around 8.5k pixels wide and can be cropped significantly for your social media, websites and listings, and with any loss of quality.

2000's are smaller images (2000 pixels wide but still high resolution). Ideal for day to day use or if the 8000's are too big to upload.

How files sizes can vary, and often do... Imagine two carrier bags, both the same size. One is full of bottled water and the other meringues. Both bags are the same size but the one containing bottles water weighs in much more. This works in a similar way with images but instead of water and sugary stuff, they work with colour and detail. A dark image with lots of colours and detail will be a much larger file size than a pure white image.

UK law states that copyright is retained by the photographer. However, you are licensed to use the images, without any restriction, for whatever purpose you choose to promote your property.

The only restriction is the re-sale of the images. For example, if you sold the business/property, then the new owners would need to contact me to license the images for their own use.

Additionally, these restrictions apply if the images were sold to the media for publication in print or online.

I often use images on my website and social media accounts and I tag and mention the client wherever possible. This can sometimes result in a booking and is great publicity for you and your brand.

Please tag me on social media when you use the images - it works out better for you too and more people will see your post.

Drone Photography

Some properties work well with drone photography but some don't. Isolated properties tend to work better than ones in built up areas with other housing around. Some might be in flight restricted areas - if this is the case then pleas let me know. Most airfields and restricted areas will allow you to fly a drone given the right paperwork and communication in advance.

Please also note that drones cannot be flown in winds exceeding 25mph or in wet weather.

Matterport 3D Virtual Tours

3D Tours are a great tool to show off your property's layout and can sometimes be the decision make for some bookings. They are also not too expensive and can be added onto your shoot. Pricing will be shown in your quote along with a link to a sample 3D tour. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Photoshoot GuideUseful Links and Resources

I occasionally come across a product or services that I think is amazing, and I feel that it might really benefit an holiday rental owner.

So, I'm starting this list and will add to it in the next few weeks and months.

I do not accept any form of commission or reward for recommendations here - I just prefer to just recommend because I think they are a great product.

Very rarely things can go wrong so I accept no responsibility - any business conducted is between you and the supplier.

PASC

The Professional Association of Self-Caterers (PASC UK) supports the self- catering, short-term lets and holiday lets sector in England and Wales. PASC UK is the largest sector association with 1500+ Members, of which 100+ are agency Members. PASC provides businesses in this key sector of the tourism economy with briefings and webinars on policy issues aﬀecting the sector and is a key conduit to Government on legislation, policy and regulatory issues. Joining PASC UK is easy, a single property is just £70 per annum. Membership gives a range of benefits including email and phone support and numerous sector specific papers.

(Text copied from the PASC Website)

Amori Guest Books

Ever wondered where you can get your hands on a lovely Guest Book for your Holiday Rental?

Elevate your property's appeal and stand out from the crowd, with our exciting range of eye-catching personalised guest books.

From coastal retreats to cozy cabins, our guest books will add a distinctive touch to your unique space.

www.amorigiftstudio.co.uk

Touch Stay

The chances are that you have most probably heard of Touch Stay.

If not then, it's used by Holiday Rental Owners all over the world and I think it's great. If you're unfamiliar with it, then it's a digital guidebook that can replace your old Guest Information Book - saves you loads of time having to replace those grubby pages, and you can update from anywhere, live . And the cost is less than £100 inches VAT.

Check out their website at www.touchstay.com for further details.

It's mainly designed for holiday rentals so by using their templates you can be

up and running in no time.

The App works perfectly on computers, smart tablets and phones too and can

be downloaded. You can add whatever information you like from how to use the heating to

directions to T&C's, local attractions, eateries, and lots more.

Something Missing? Please let me know?

If I have missed anything, please call me, drop me an email and I'll answer

you as soon as possible.

Thank you.