Small Product Studio Photography

Create a shot list with very specific guidelines for each photo. Because you will not be on set for the photoshoot, clear written direction is of utmost importance. Reference images are strongly encouraged. Send a photo taken with your smartphone, or a screenshot from a website that has an image you want to replicate. If no example or reference images are provided, then the Client loses the right to a refund, revision, or approval.

Please specify exactly how you want each product photographed, making sure to address each of the following:

Shot number:
Individual or group shot (choose one):
Number of items in group shot:
Individual product ID (unique name or SKU):
List items in group shots by unique name or SKU:
Rotation: front, right side, left side, ¾ view left, ¾ view right, back, top, bottom, other (specify)
Camera height: centered, slightly above, 45 degrees above, overhead, other (specify)
Lighting style: strong or soft shadows; or send reference photo to match lighting (specify)
Reference files: filename or link
File Format (if different from standard):
Post production alterations (i.e. clipping path, drop shadow), if needed:
Notes:

Soluna Studio will send an estimate based on your shot list and detailed instructions. When the estimate is approved by the Client, the work can begin.

All products for each order must be delivered at the same time. Payment for the entire order must be received prior to shooting.

Product quality and resulting image

• Soluna Studio will photograph the item as it arrives at the studio. If the item has flaws, mis-labels, “waves” in the labels, nicks in the package or products, inherent damage, it will be photographed as such.
• If the item arrives unacceptably damaged, you will be contacted and given a chance to send a new item to be photographed.
• Soluna Studio may retouch certain minor flaws inherent in the product but it is not required to.
• Client must provide all props. Clear direction is required, preferably in the form of a reference photograph of the setup.

Payment

• The Client must pay 100% of the costs up front.
• No full value refunds will be issued for large volume discount based orders, but will reflect a prorated refund for the actual volume completed. For example, if a volume of 50 shots at a price of $50 per shot is agreed upon and the client provides only 25 shots, a higher per shot price will apply and the refund issued will reflect the new per shot price.

After your products are photographed, you’ll receive a link to a Dropbox folder of proofs for your review. Keep in mind that the more time you take to review, the more time it will take to deliver your final photos. Post production work will proceed upon your written approval via email of all of the proofs.

Pre-Approval of Guide Photo

• When shooting a large quantity of products or complex items, sometimes Soluna Studio will send a pre-approval proof of a Guide Photo. Aspects of this pre-approval proof, such as overall lighting quality & product position will determine how other similar products will be photographed. If the Guide Photo is approved, reshoots and post production retouching cannot be requested for these specific aspects.
• If the client requests a reshoot or post production corrections of an aspect of a photograph that was defined by the Guide Photo, additional charges will be incurred at the standard Soluna Studio rate for a reshoot or at a rate of $100 an hour for additional post production retouching.

Reasonable Reshoot Policy

If any proofs are rejected, the objection must be expressed in detail via email with very specific instructions. If Soluna Studio finds, at its sole discretion, that reshoot requests are reasonable and appropriate, we will reshoot at no cost and deliver new images. The product in the rejected photo may be reshot up to 2 times or the client may choose to receive a 100% refund.

If a reshoot is requested because, for example, Client changes their mind; Client wants a different “look” or object position; of insufficient instructions, Client error or omission; or for artistic or editorial reasons, or if no reference image was supplied by the Client, then Soluna Studio retains the option to either refund the money for that single photo, or quote the cost of an additional shot to the Client at the time of the change request.

Reshoot/Post Production Revision Policy Details

• The client will have the opportunity to approve or reject photos when proofs are posted to Dropbox.
• Once all proofs are approved, post production work on all photos can begin.
• Objections to rejected photos must be expressed in detail via email with very specific instructions. If Soluna Studio finds, at its sole discretion, that reshoot requests are reasonable and appropriate, we will reshoot at no cost and deliver up to 2 new images.
• If a reshoot is requested because, for example, Client changes their mind; Client wants a different “look” or object position; of insufficient instructions, Client error or omission; or for artistic or editorial reasons, or if no reference image was supplied by the Client, then Soluna Studio retains the option to either refund the money for that single photo, or quote the cost of an additional shot to the Client at the time of the change request.
• Using the photos after a refund is a violation of copyright law and such violations will be pursued.
• Usage of the photos constitutes approval of the photos.
• The client may not request a refund, changes or reshoots after the client has approved the final images.
• Proofs not reviewed by the Client after 30 days will be considered orphaned, the product forfeited and job closed.
• Photos that are rejected are no longer liable to the 7 business day turnaround time or 3 day rush time.
• Rejected images will be redone in 5 business days or less from the time detailed directions are received.
• All refunds are issued to their original form of payment. For example, if the original order was paid with a credit card via Paypal, your credit card will receive the refund via Paypal.
• Balances on any order or individual account will remain for the life of the business, but can only be refund if requested within 270 days of receipt of payment. After 270 days, balances will not be refunded, but will remain as a credit for any future orders.

Post Production Revisions to Files

Upon receipt of proofs you may submit up to two post production revision requests. You must provide a sufficiently detailed explanation of the alleged defects to allow the revisions to be made. If Soluna Studio finds, at its sole discretion, that the corrections requests are reasonable and appropriate, it will make the corrections at no cost to you and deliver revised images. Examples of reasonable corrections include: change saturation, sharpness, or contrast levels, lighten or crop while maintaining aspect ratio.

The photo may be revised up to 2 times or the client may choose to receive a 100% refund.

• The shipping of products to and from Soluna Studio is the sole financial and physical responsibility of the Client.
• Soluna Studio will not be held responsible for damaged goods in the shipping process.
• The Client must place a copy of Soluna Studio’s Client-approved Estimate in the box prior to shipping. If no estimate is included, then Soluna Studio will not be responsible for delays of photography due to insufficient information.
• Pre-paid return shipping is highly recommended.
• If the Client needs product returned quickly or in a special manner, please provide a return shipping label or account number.
• Soluna Studio sends 3 emails requesting how to proceed with return shipping and the Client has 30 days to respond. If there is no response after 30 days, Soluna Studio shall become the owner of such products and items and maybe disposed of, sold or donated.
• The Client assumes full risk of loss or damage to or arising from materials furnished by the Client hereunder and warrants that said materials are adequately insured against loss, damage or liability. The Client shall indemnify Soluna Studio against all claims, liability, damages, and expenses incurred by Soluna Studio in connection with any claim arising out of the use of said materials hereunder.

• Most projects are delivered in 1-2 weeks, excluding holidays, after receipt of products and payment and the project is scheduled. If your project involves a large number of photos, this may add to the production time. During particularly busy periods lead times may increase slightly, so please feel free to contact me to confirm expected turnaround time.
• Rush turnaround time is 3 business days after receipt of products and payment, the project is scheduled, and costs an additional $20 per photo up to 20 photos.
• Turnaround times begin upon the delivery of the products to Soluna Studio Studio and the project is scheduled for a shoot date.
  Soluna Studio will make every reasonable attempt to deliver the proofs within a reasonable amount of time, however, Soluna Studio will not be held responsible for delays due to act of god or terrorism.
• Turnaround time refers to business days, specifically Monday – Friday.
• If the rush turnaround time is not met, then the order will change to a 7 day order and a refund for the additional rush fees will be refunded.
• If the turnaround time is not met, then the client may ask for a full refund.
• Standard and Rush turnaround times are only applicable on orders under 20 items. On orders where there are 20 or more items to photograph the turnaround time will vary and is based on the total number of items to photograph and the difficulty. In this case, specific turnaround times are available upon request but are otherwise open and without a specified time frame.

• All photographs and rights remain the exclusive property of Soluna Studio.
• Ownership is different from usage and the Client is granted royalty-free usage: which is world-wide, unlimited usage rights for an unlimited amount of time, in an unlimited number of media.
• The client may not re-license or sell ownership of the photos to third parties as their own. This includes reselling the photos or placing them in stock for profit and it is a violation of the copyright agreement. The Client may allow other retailers such as Amazon or selling sites to use the photos to promote the sale of their products.  
• The Client’s competitors are not allowed to use the photos captured for the Client on their marketing or on any retailer’s site to promote an exact same product and Soluna Studio will not provide the exact images to the Client’s competitors. This is a violation of copyright and Soluna Studio can issue a cease & desist order on behalf of the Client in this case.
• If a competitor hires Soluna Studio to photograph the exact same product, the product will be re-photographed and new images will be provided to the competitor even if it is styled in a similar manner.
• If the Client wants to purchase the copyright, it is available for sale at the end of the photoshoot for an additional $100 per photo.

• Image delivery formats are specified by the Client when creating shot list.
• Soluna Studio will not be held responsible resizing or reformatting images to fit the clients wide range of possible uses. The image sizes are delivered in large format to enable the majority of these standard uses, for example on a website, in a standard sized catalog or printed in a magazine.
• Soluna Studio will not deliver a RAW file.

The Client may not assign or transfer this agreement or any rights granted hereunder. This agreement binds and inures to the benefit of Soluna Studio, Client, Client’s principals, employees, agents, and affiliates are jointly and severally liable for the performance of all payments and other obligations hereunder. No amendment or waiver of any terms is binding unless set forth in writing and signed by the parties. However, the invoice may reflect, and the Client is bound by, oral authorizations for fees or expenses, which could not be confirmed in writing because of insufficient time. This agreement incorporates, by reference, Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code and the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended.

Any dispute regarding this agreement shall be, at Soluna Studio’s sole discretion, either (1) arbitrated in San Francisco under the rules of the American Arbitration Association and the laws of California. Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Any dispute involving $2,500 or less may be submitted without arbitration to any court having jurisdiction thereof. The client shall pay all arbitration and court costs, Soluna Studio’s reasonable legal fees, and expenses, and legal interest of any award or judgment in the event of any award or judgment in favor of Soluna Studio, or (2) adjudicated in San Francisco under the laws of California. The Client shall pay all court costs, Soluna Studio’s legal fees, and expenses, and legal interest on any award or judgment in the event of any award or judgment in favor for Soluna Studio. Client hereby expressly consents to the jurisdiction of the Federal courts with respect to claims by Soluna Studio under the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended.