1 - GENERAL FAQ :
WILL THE PHOTOS SHOW UP ON YOUR WEBSITE?
As a photographer, it’s important for me to be able to show my work to new clients and illustrate what I can do. So perhaps, you’ll see highlights from my shoots with you appearing on my website, portfolio, blog and social media.
My photos are the only way that I have to promote myself; we can talk to people, and others can recommend me, but a photo is the best and only presentation card that I can have for my clients.
DO YOU DO VIDEOS AS WELL?
Yes, I actually do interviews and B-roll videos, although it’s not my speciality.
However, doing video and photo at the same time is something I don’t offer.
My priority is to offer the best quality to my clients, and that’s why I prefer to focus on just one of the fields, photography, where I shine.
But I am privileged to be friends with and have worked with some of the best videographers, and I am always happy to recommend them and call on them when a client needs both video and photography.
This ensures that the client receives the best possible package in the shortest possible time. The results speak for themselves, and my clients have always been delighted to have a full-time photographer and videographer covering their events.
DO I GET THE COPYRIGHTS TO THE PHOTOGRAPHS?
No, you DON’T.
Copyright simply means that I’m the creator of the photographs, and I ” own” the copyright. Just as a musician owns their unique song, or an artist owns the rights to their paintings, a photographer’s work are copyright protected.
Selling or transferring ” the copyright” is NOT an alternative I provide with any of my contracts or services.
MAY I USE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS FOR MERCHANDISING?
Merchandising means using the photographs on products for distribution or sale. This can include physical items such as books, calendars, prints and cards, as well as online content such as websites and social media posts.
To obtain a merchandising license you will need to sign a separate contract and pay a fee. It is important to note that this is an optional process and licensing greatly increases the quotation.
SHOULD I MAKE A SHOT LIST?
Ideally, the clients should plan ahead and tell me the essential photographs they are looking for. This allows me to set specific goals that help define the duration of the photo session, and what people and locations will be best for their photography needs.
Once I know what I am going to photograph, I also like to discuss how the photographs will be used. The intended use can help define aspects of the composition and be clear about what the client needs.
Of course, being a professional photographer with many years of experience offers the facility to study scenery, faces, situations, and spaces and create the best compositions in seconds; to visualize perfectly what is happening in front of the camera and capture it in a photograph.
So yes, ideally, the client should send me a list of the photographs they need or the people they need to be in the photo, but it’s perfectly fine if the client doesn’t. In that case, I’ll be the one to analyze, visualize and capture the images that will represent to the perfection your event.
DO YOU HAVE A PHOTO STUDIO?
At the moment I prefer not to have my own photo studio for several reasons:
-I am more adaptable and can rent the studio that best suits each job.
-I can save the time it would take to maintain a studio, allowing me to better care for my clients and my personal photography work.
-I enjoy working on location and being a photographer doesn’t require you to shoot every day.
So, if you have a project in mind, tell me about it and send me some mood photos of your vision, so I can find the ideal place for you, where we can make it happen.
2 - BOOKING, CANCELATION, RE-SCHEDULING AND PAYMENT FAQ:
HOW DO I BOOK YOUR SERVICES?
Booking my services is very simple – Find the “contact” or pricing page at the top and fill out the request form at the end of the pricing page.
You can also email me directly at omarhavana@omarhavanaphotography.com. Once I receive your signed contract and deposit, I will reserve your dates. I cannot guarantee to cover your event without signing the contract and if necessary, the payment of the deposit.
WHAT IS YOUR RE-SCHEDULING POLICY?
Upon signature of the contract, I will reserve the dates and times agreed upon, and will not make other reservations for those dates and times.
In the event that the client must reschedule, a 50.00 Euros fee will be charged if rescheduling is requested for the same date, and a 100 Euros fee will be charged if rescheduling is requested for any other day.
Days of rescheduling are to be agreed upon with me, depending on the days available on my agenda. If notice is given less than 24 hours in advance and/or if I am not available on the requested rescheduled days, cancellation fees will apply.
Due to the unpredictability of outdoor conditions, rain, snow or heavy winds, ONLY related rescheduling is an exception. If your session is outside and we have to reschedule due to these factors, I will coordinate a new date for your session, and your date reservation fee will roll over to the new date.
I DON'T HAVE A BUDGET; CAN YOU DO THE PHOTOS FOR FREE?
A professional photographer is one whose PROFESSION IS PHOTOGRAPHY. A profession is defined as “a paid occupation.”
Would you expect to be able to shop at a clothing boutique for free? Or to get a free car from a car dealership, free jewellery from a jeweller, free meals from a chef, or free airline tickets from a pilot. No. So why are you expecting to have my photography for free?
The following are three major reasons why photographers cannot work for free:
- WE MUST PAY FOR PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT AND EDITING SOFTWARE.
Photography equipment is expensive to buy (and maintain), and most (if not all) of these items are required to run a successful business:
-Cameras: EUR 2000 to EUR 5000/each. Normally I always use two cameras, but I have 5.
-Lenses: EUR 2000-EUR 5000 per lens. I usually have at least 4 lenses at all times.
-Lighting equipment: EUR 2000-4000.
-Tripods: EUR 100 to EUR 500.
-Camera Bags – EUR 500 – EUR1000 Memory Cards – EUR 20-EUR 1000/each
-Desktop and Laptop Computer with sufficient memory – EUR 3000 – Calibrated Screen: EUR 800
-Subscription to Lightroom and Photoshop editing software – EUR120-240/year
-External Hard Drive(s) for image backup – EUR100/drive. I use at least 2 to 6 per year.
- WE MUST PAY OUR START-UP COSTS.
Photography is my business, and as with any business, start-up costs are high and must be offset by ongoing business income. In addition to the above-mentioned photography equipment, the following are some additional start-up costs:
-Creation and hosting of business websites
-Business name and logo
-Business cards and advertising expenses
-Proofing and stock Gallery online
-Contract(s)
-Photography Workshops & Classes
-Business License
-Accountant
-Business Insurance
- WE VALUE OUR TIME
Most significantly, photography requires a lot of time, and time equals money.
As a photographer, I put in a lot of time, more than most clients know, between shooting, editing, company growth, workshops, etc.
To please my clients and deliver photographs they adore, I go above and beyond. I naturally hope that they will adore them so much that they would hire me again and even recommend me to their friends and family.
Why then am I asked to work for nothing despite the time and money I invest in my profession?
But what if someone offers me “great exposure” instead of paying me for my work? This may sound tempting. But forget about it. I’m here to let you know that there is essentially no possibility that whatever exposure I receive from a free photoshoot will result in several other legitimate paid sessions.
I might even receive requests for more free photo shoots that claim to offer me visibility. And the credit on a photo won’t pay the rent, the food and the clothes and the education of my kids.
I am a professional photographer and like everyone else in the world, my time is valuable. So the short answer is no, I cannot do the photos for free.
YOUR RATES ARE HIGHER THAN THOSE OF OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS, WHY?
I could answer this question in many ways, but I prefer to answer it with a quote from the English writer John Ruskin.
“It’s unwise to pay too much but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, all you lose is a little money. That’s all! But when you pay too little you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing that it was bought to do.”
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET SICK OR INJURED?
I have never missed an assignment in my two decades as a photographer, and I intend to keep it that way, but it is still important to have a plan in place in case the unexpected occurs.
To cover for this possibility, I am privileged to be friends with and work with a large network of photographers I know personally in almost every country around the world who I would feel confident calling in an emergency and who could provide coverage and services identical to what was guaranteed in your contract.
I am also a member of several professional organizations that have emergency request systems for situations like this, so if none of the hundreds of quality photographers I know are available, I could contact one of my professional organizations.
I will never leave one of my clients without a photographer.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
Upon signature of the contract, I will reserve the dates and times agreed upon, and will not make other reservations for those dates and times.
In the case of cancellation of the shooting by the Client at any time for any reason, including acts of God, fire, strike, and extreme weather, or any other reason independent of me after the Client has signed the agreement, the Client shall pay 100% of expenses already incurred by me (upon submission of appropriate invoices) as well as the following percentages of the total amount agreed upon in the contract (including TVA when applicable)
-15 to 30 days before the agreed assignment start date: 20% of the total agreed price.
– 7 to 15 days before the agreed assignment start date: 30% of the total agreed price.
– Within 7 days of the agreed assignment start date: 50% of the total agreed price.
– Within 48 hours of the agreed assignment start date: 100% of the total agreed price.
Due to the unpredictability of outdoor conditions, rain, snow or heavy winds, ONLY related cancellations are an exception. If your session is outside and we have to reschedule due to these factors, I will coordinate a new date for your session, and your date reservation fee will roll over to the new date.
DO YOU TRAVEL AND HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE FOR TRAVEL?
Of course, I travel.
Trips of several days will receive a personalised quotation which will include the cost of food, communication and accommodation.
For trips where a flight ticket is required, the client will be charged in advance for the cost of the flight ticket. In the case of using public transport such as taxis, trains or buses, the client will always pay the cost of the ticket.
For single-day road trips by car, I charge 0,40 Euros per kilometre and 80 Euros per hour of travel; furthermore, the client will be responsible for the petrol bill upon presentation of the corresponding refuelling invoices.
3 - POST-PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY FAQ:
HOW MUCH POST-PRODUCTION DO YOU DO?
Each photograph you receive has undergone specific colour, contrast, exposure, and style editing.
Some images may require a little more finessing for temporary things like blemishes and pimples, but things like heavy facial retouching, wrinkle removal, or body reshaping are not part of my editing. But if you need this type of retouching, I work with an amazing lab specialised in photography post-production that can do it for an extra fee. This will also make the delivery period of these photos longer than normal.
DO YOU DELIVER EVERY IMAGE YOU MADE?
No, I do not.
I do eliminate duplicate images, test shots, missed focused shots, shots with bad expressions or other images that may reduce the overall product delivery. For example, because I shoot with lower apertures sometimes, I take a few extra shots to make sure my image has perfect focus and composition. I don’t expect you to have the expertise or time to zoom into each image to select one with the sharpest focus- so I spend hours doing this on my end!
Some of the best images from a day can be candid laughter and tears, but they also produce some unflattering facial expressions. To make sure I get the perfect shot with an expression that captures the moment, I use my experience processing millions of images during my career. So, I eliminate any duplicates to produce only the best shot possible.
So, you will end up with a clean, focused and amazing final selection of photos that will meet your requests and needs.
WHAT IF I LOSE MY IMAGES?
After the event has been archived, there is a 100 Euro replacement fee for subsequent downloads. When you get the file from me, I strongly advise you to create at least one copy of it.
HOW MANY PHOTOS WILL YOU DELIVER?
Every event is unique, and the answer to this question is somewhat arbitrary because it is based on how much activity there is during the event.
So, I don’t set a cap on how many images I can capture at one event. There will be restrictions on the variety of photographs I may deliver if there is only one speaker giving a speech; on the other hand, a networking event with plenty of interactions will result in more images.
All the photos that are considered good and that are not repeated will be delivered, guaranteeing always a good number of photos delivered to each client.
WHAT POST-PRODUCTION SERVICES ARE INCLUDED VS. REQUIRING AN ADDITIONAL FEE?
I always include specific colour, contrast, exposure and style editing in the price. Some images may require more temporary retouching, such as removing spots or blemishes, softening face shadows, and removing background wrinkles. All this is included in the editing price.
Cropping a subject to make the background transparent, removing entire objects from the scene, changing the size and shape of body parts or other objects in the scene, and adding objects to a scene are examples of advanced retouching. Excessive acne, dental braces and sunburn are other good examples.
Advanced retouching is billed by the hour and requires a custom quote because the time required varies depending on the complexity of the project. This type of retouching is performed by a specialised laboratory with which I collaborate. Please contact me on this form or via email at omarhavana@omarhavanaphotography.com for a personalised quote.
DO YOU PROVIDE THE RAW FILES TO THE CLIENT?
Each of my packages comes with a full-resolution JPEG or TIFF image delivery.
However, I do NOT provide RAW (unprocessed) files from my shoots because I believe in delivering only the finished product.
In fact, I am often shooting with the end (post-produced) product in mind.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY PHOTOS?
It all depends on the duration of the assignment; for 1-day assignments, it usually takes a maximum of 4 working days to deliver the photos; for 2-day assignments, 7 working days and so on.
But I offer options for a faster delivery time by paying an additional fee on top of the editing fee. If you have any questions about this fee, please send me the details in this form or an email at omarhavana@omarhavanaphotography.com
DO YOU DELIVER BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTOS?
The post-production of the photos is always done in colour or black and white, but never in both.
If the client requires certain photographs to be edited in black and white, he/she must always send me a specific request before editing has begun. Once the photos have been delivered, any additional editing services, including black-and-white editing of some of the delivered photos, will be charged on an hourly basis.
DO YOU BACK UP THE PHOTOGRAPHY FILES?
Backups of photo projects are kept in the cloud and on external hard drives. Your pictures are backed up twice before you even access your proofing gallery.
HOW DO I GET MY PHOTOS AFTER?
You’ll receive your images via WeTransfer, Dropbox, or via an online gallery on my website, from which you can print, examine, and download both high- and low-resolution files at your convenience. Also, you may choose to password-restrict your gallery or leave it open for public viewing. If you have paid for this service, they can also be sent on a USB Key.
4. CAREER FAQ:
WHAT TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPHY DO YOU USUALLY FOCUS ON?
Most of my career has been inside photojournalism, working for the most important media outlets in the world and having the immense privilege of travelling and being based in many countries around the world.
But I do not think photography can be reduced to a tag name such as photojournalism. You can be a wedding photographer or specialize in corporate headshots and tell a story. And that is what my speciality is and what makes me different from other photographers out there: being able to always look to every client as they have a story to tell with their projects, events, and portrait session and to go beyond a great visual photo, to the essence of what is professional photography: to freeze a moment that will stay forever.
But to summarize and being more direct and simpler, these are the fields that I work in:
-Photojournalism and editorial assignments.
-Humanitarian Photography.
-Portrait (editorial, corporate and personal, including studio portraits).
-Product & Catalog Photography.
-Events, conferences, institutional photography.
-Travel Photography.
-Entertainment, sports and music photography.
-B-roll video and video interviews.
I do not photograph weddings or infants but will happily refer you to other talented colleagues whom I trust.
WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
I have a variety of Canon mirrorless and full-frame DLSR cameras, including Canon R6, Canon 5D Mark III and also Leica Q.
I have a range of Canon Prime Lenses including 28-70mm, 16-35mm, 35mm, 24-105mm, 70-200mm, and 50mm.
For transporting equipment, I used the incredible Think Tank Airport 3.0.
I use Godox equipment for extra lighting. For post-production,
I use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop software and Benq monitors connected to a PC I assembled myself.
And for travel, I rely on HQ laptops and Toshiba and WD hard drives.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS?
I covered my first event in 2010 and have been making my living as a photographer since 2011. But being a photographer since 2002.
ARE YOU SPONSORED?
I don’t like to be tied to one brand with my equipment, and that’s why so far, I have turned down several offers to represent a particular brand of camera that didn’t suit my style of photography.
I always say that a camera is like driving a car: a Ferrari is not always better than a Twingo, it all depends on the circumstances, (of course, I would still rather have the Ferrari and the Twingo).
But I am fortunate that ThinkTank helps me with photography equipment and I always proudly carry with me the superb Airport International™ V3.0.
If you are interested in sponsoring me, please contact me and we can talk.
DO YOU TEACH PHOTOGRAPHY?
YES.
I have given workshops for international organizations in basic photography concepts for their employees, for corporate clients to improve the image of the company, at international photography festivals, marketing and photography classes, but above all and something I love to do is to give courses to children, something I have done many times and which always gives me the best of rewards.
WHAT SETS YOUR WORK APART FROM OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS IN BELGIUM ?
One of the most important things for clients who work with me is that, unlike most corporate or event photographers, I come from an editorial background. For me, photography is all about telling the story behind the person or the event. The images behind these stories have to engage and nearly seduce the spectator.
A common comment among my clients is that conventional photographers don’t give much direction. Without good guidance, the client will feel stiff and uncomfortable in front of the camera, or the lighting in a venue will not be right for the event, and of course, this will be reflected in the end result. Correct direction can be the difference between a passport photo and a magazine cover.
5 - OTHER FAQ:
WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY?
I work hard to make you and your event look your best. Everything I do is designed to improve the image of your project or brand. Photography can help enhance a company’s reputation and engage customers more effectively. A catalogue of high-quality photographs will pay for itself quickly, with returns lasting over time.
Anyone can take a picture these days. Just about everyone has a decent camera phone and some have even better cameras- which is why I wanted to tell you about it. When words can’t do the job, someone with artistic talent can create an image that’s intentional, well-balanced, and designed with a purpose in mind. When the conditions are challenging, a professional has the technical ability to light and time their compositions.
To create excellent photos, professionals know where to go for great backgrounds and what time of day is best for flattering lighting. Professionals understand complicated camera functions and how to use exposure settings as well as camera accessories in order to get the shot they want.
And when the light is just right and an expression or pose is angled perfectly, pros must have amazing composition skills along with quick reflexes to guarantee that they can capture this moment. Professional photo editing software enhances photographs by professional photographers to create a finished product with greater detail.
Often, overlooked aspects of photography are the details that make a great photo – such as planning and preparation, shooting during different stages and post-processing.
DO YOU GIVE POSING INSTRUCTIONS? I AM A LITTLE UNPHOTOGENIC
If there’s one question I’ve always heard since I started photography, it’s this one. And I always answer in the same way, “Relax, I don’t like myself in any photography”.
It’s human nature to always look for flaws in ourselves when we look in a mirror, and in the end, photography is nothing more than a mirror to look in.
Most of us aren’t models, so it’s no surprise that the vast majority of people tell me when we first meet that they’re awkward on camera or that they never look good in photos. These are the same people who now fill the galleries on my website with my favourite images.
The most common piece of input I’ve received over the years is that I was able to put everyone in comfort and make them feel relaxed. Part of this is due to my flexible, no-stress, and occasionally silly approach to speaking to the people that are in front of my camera.
Yes, I provide instructions whenever necessary, but that doesn’t mean your photos will feel forced or posed; sometimes giving an instruction means letting you know where to look, getting you to do something silly, and capturing a REAL moment showing the real YOU amidst the pre-visualized composition I came up with.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING OUR BRAND AMBASSADOR?
I am willing to accept your offer if you think I am a positive role model for your clientele and that my social media content would fit well with your products.
I will gladly do my best to photograph or include your products in my self-portraits or photo shoots. And thank you very much if you offer to keep your products.
However, renting my house, buying cameras, lenses, hard drives, food and my children’s education cannot be paid for with gifts or large discounts, so I hope you will express your sincere gratitude for my efforts by making a corresponding payment in exchange for representing your firm. Please contact me so that we can discuss this.
