# How to Brief a Photographer for Business Photos

Source: https://dijitulmedia.co.uk/guides/how-to-brief-a-photographer/
Updated: 2026-10-12

> Brief a photographer with the purpose of the shoot, a shot list, where the images will be used and at what sizes, location and access, who is in shot, style examples and the deadline. dijitul shoots on location across the UK, from £295 + VAT for a half day or £495 + VAT for a full day.

## Key facts

- A shot list is the single most useful part of a photography brief
- State every use: website, social, print, Amazon, advertising
- Say which aspect ratios you need: landscape, portrait, square, 9:16
- Give the location, parking, access and a contact on the day
- Get consent from anyone identifiable in shot
- dijitul photography: half day from £295 + VAT, full day from £495 + VAT

## Start with the purpose

Before listing shots, write one or two sentences on why you need the photos and what they must do. "New website launching in March; we need images that show real staff and our workshop so we look established to trade buyers" gives a photographer far more to work with than "some photos of the business". The purpose shapes the style, the lighting, how much space is left for text, and which shots matter most if time runs short.

## Write a shot list

A shot list is a numbered list of every image you need, in order of priority. For each shot include:

- **What or who** is in it
- **Where** it is taken
- **Orientation**: landscape for website banners, portrait for social feeds, square for marketplaces, 9:16 for Stories and Reels
- **Space for text**, if a designer will add headlines over the image
- **Must-have or nice-to-have**

Example: "1. Team of six outside the front entrance with sign visible, landscape, space on the left for a headline, must-have." Ten clear lines like this make a shoot run on time.

Put the must-haves first. Weather, late staff or a delivery blocking the entrance can eat into the time available, and a prioritised list means the important shots are done before anything goes wrong. If you need the same shot in two orientations, list it twice so it is not forgotten.

## Tell the photographer where images will be used

Usage changes how a photographer shoots. A website hero banner needs a wide landscape frame with room for text. Instagram needs portrait or square. A printed brochure needs high resolution. An Amazon main image needs a pure white background with the product filling about 85% of the frame (see Amazon image requirements). Social sizes are in our social media image sizes guide.

Also confirm the licence. Under UK law the photographer normally owns the copyright in the images and grants you a licence, so make sure it covers every use you plan, including advertising, packaging and use by partners or resellers.

## Practical details for the day

- **Location**: full address, parking, access times and who to ask for on arrival.
- **Schedule**: when each person or area is available. Staff headshots, for example, need a slot per person.
- **Preparation**: clean and tidy areas, remove clutter and old signage, and charge any equipment that will appear in shot.
- **People**: tell staff what to wear (plain colours work best, avoid small checks and logos of other brands) and get their consent. Anyone identifiable should agree to appear, ideally on a signed release.
- **Products**: cleaned, unboxed and labelled, with spares if items might be damaged.
- **Safety**: any site rules, PPE, or areas the photographer must not enter.

## Style references and deliverables

Share three to five example images you like and say what you like about them: bright and airy, moody, natural light, close-up detail. Mention anything to avoid. Agree the deliverables up front: number of edited images, file formats (high-resolution JPEG for print, web-sized versions for site and social), whether you want a selection gallery to choose from, and the delivery date. If retouching is needed, such as removing blemishes or background clutter, say so. See photo editing and retouching.

Finally, name one person who will choose and approve the images. Selections made by committee take weeks; one decision maker with a clear brief can usually pick the final set in a single sitting.

## When to call dijitul

dijitul shoots commercial, headshot, product and event photography on location. Half days start from £295 + VAT, full days from £495 + VAT and product images from £25 + VAT each, with any travel outside Mansfield and Nottinghamshire shown in the quote. Send your brief and we will help fill any gaps. Request a quote.

## FAQs

### What should a photography brief include?

The purpose of the shoot, a prioritised shot list, where the images will be used, the location and access details, who will be in shot, style examples, deliverables and the deadline. dijitul will help turn a rough list into a workable brief before quoting.

### How many photos can be taken in a half-day shoot?

It depends on the subject. Simple product packshots move quickly, while styled lifestyle shots or staff headshots with set-up changes take longer. Share your shot list and dijitul will tell you whether a half day from £295 + VAT or a full day from £495 + VAT fits.

### Do I need model releases for staff photos?

It is good practice to get written consent from anyone identifiable in business photos, especially for advertising. It protects you if someone later objects, and helps meet data protection expectations. Keep the consent with the image files.

### Who owns the copyright in commercial photos?

Under UK law the photographer normally owns the copyright and grants you a licence to use the images. Make sure the licence covers all your intended uses, such as advertising or packaging, or ask for an assignment in writing if you need full ownership.

### Should I be at the photo shoot?

Ideally yes, or send someone who can make decisions. They can approve shots on the spot, move people and products, and answer questions. It avoids reshoots caused by small issues nobody spotted until the images were delivered.

### Does dijitul have a studio?

No. dijitul shoots on location, at your premises or another suitable venue. That suits staff, workplace, property, food and event photography, and product shots can be set up on site. Travel outside the Mansfield and Nottinghamshire area is included in your quote.

## Prices and contact

Prices (all from, + VAT): Logo design £150; Brand identity pack £395; Business cards or letterhead £75; Flyer or leaflet £95; Brochure £295; Social media graphics pack £99; Photography, half day £295; Photography, full day £495; Product photography £25 per image; Video £695; 2D/3D CAD and design time £45 an hour. All prices are "from" and exclude VAT. Every job gets a fixed price before work starts. Printing, and travel for shoots beyond the Mansfield and Nottinghamshire area, are quoted separately. Contact: https://dijitulmedia.co.uk/contact/ · 01623 650333 · info@dijitul.uk