What is a Retainer Program? How does it work?
The retainer program is a more affordable way to book professional photography services throughout the year for your business's needs. Since the purpose is to 'retain' the professional's time, the retainer fee is paid up front each month before work is ordered. Essentially, you're 'pre-ordering' the photographer's time to photograph your products.
The retainer agreement can last anywhere from 6 months to 1 year. The contract is frequently reviewed, adjusted, and renewed at the 3-month mark to ensure that the client is getting the package best suited for their business's needs.
Payment is on-going and summited each month in advance for services and time committed to the client. Work does not begin until payment is made. Services will depend on the client's needs that particular month.
Unused retainer time does not roll over into the next month, if the client does not communicate their photography needs at the beginning of the month or fails to mail the product in time to do the photoshoot. The monthly retainer is non-refundable and expires at the end of each month, because that time was carved out of the photographer's schedule for the client that month regardless of whether it was used by the client or not.
- It's similar to a gym membership, if that example helps. You might not consistently go every month, but you do still have to pay that monthly fee, right? You can't just skip it or bring it over to the following month just because you didn't go. It's the same concept for the retainer program. However, in this instance, you simply have to make the photographer aware of what kind of photos you need that particular month and that they have the products to photograph for you. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
Check out our Pricing Packages
Featured Package 1
THE ESSENTIAL
1-2 products photographed
1 photoshoot per month
Deliverables: 2-4 high-res JPEG images
Retainer fee $100/month for 6 months
6-month agreement at
$600
Featured Package 2
THE CLASSIC
2-3 products photographed
1 photoshoot per month
Deliverables: 4-6 high-res JPEG images
Retainer fee $150/month for 6 months
6-month agreement at
$900
Featured Package 3
THE PREMIUM
3-4 products photographed
1 photoshoot per month
Deliverables: 6-8 high-res JPEG images
Retainer fee $200/month for 6 months
6-month agreement at
$1,200
PRICING BREAKDOWN:
What all goes into creating those gorgeous images!
I. Pre-Production
This entails planning the photoshoot which includes monthly communication to discuss photography needs, creating a mood board, making a shot list, prop & background sourcing, model search, location scouting, deciding on lighting/studio set-up, possible assistant hire (depending on the shoot needs).
II. Shoot Time
Consists of travel, lighting/studio set-up, model directing, taking the photos, break down of set-up used and packing equipment back up before rental time at location has expired.
III. Post-Production
Post work involves editing & advanced retouching of images by the photographer. Final photos will be delivered as high-resolution JPEG images on a personal online gallery for the client to download.
IV. Possible Additional Costs
Sometimes, clients need a little extra done in order to get the photos they need that month. That's totally normal! Additional costs might look like traveling much farther to a shoot location, hiring a model, rental costs for that location or for a prop item needed to capture the overall theme of the shoot (like the product being used on a kayak out on the water), etc.
Why is the retainer program more affordable than a standard photoshoot?
What's the difference?
Time spent! I price my work based on the amount of time it takes to create the photos you need for your brand. I find that it creates a much more accurate and affordable quote than price per photo or price per product (which tend to cost more for the client).
Instead of paying for one big photoshoot, you're essentially paying for a mini shoot every month with more unique, creative scenes for each one; it creates more variety in your images without you having to book multiple photoshoots or pay extra for multiple locations/scenes in a single photoshoot.
One month could look like a lifestyle shoot of your product being used in a way where your dream customer can picture themselves enjoying it in their own home/environment. Another month, you can schedule an outdoor shoot where the product is being showcased in a cool garden setting filled with moss, flowers, wildlife, etc. Or it could be a lifestyle shoot where the product is being used in an interesting outdoor setting that catches the eye of someone who loves nature and enjoys taking care of themselves via a skincare or health product being used in the scene. I'm getting so excited just listing off all the possibilities!
Interested in the Small Business Retainer Program?
Reach out and let's get started! Please fill out the form and tell me a little about your business.
Please note that we have limited availability for this program as it is an on-going partnership with multiple brands throughout the year.