General Art Documentation Terms & Services
Object Photography
Object photography refers to the documentation of a single artwork, such as a painting, sculpture, or smaller three-dimensional piece.
• May be photographed with ambient light or strobe lighting depending on the artwork and project needs.
• Includes multiple views of each object when appropriate.
• Final images are processed with care to reflect the artwork’s color, detail, and presence as closely as possible..
Installation Photography
Installation photography documents an artwork (or group of works) as it exists in a space, whether in a gallery, museum, or other setting. This service is focused on capturing the experience of the installation as a visitor might encounter it.
• Photographed using ambient light to reflect the atmosphere of the space.
• May include wide shots, details, and multiple vantage points to convey the installation fully.
• Designed to serve as both archival documentation and promotional imagery.
PRICING STRUCTURE
• Per-Image / Per-Piece Rates – Object photography is generally billed per artwork, with pricing scaled by complexity.
• Installation photography is often billed by project or by a tiered day/half-day rate.
• Minimum Charge – A baseline fee applies to all projects.
• Post-Production – All extraordinary or non-standard Photoshop requests are billed at the hourly editing rate.
• Estimates – Estimates are provided upon request.
LICENSING & USAGE
All photography services are licensed, not sold. By default, the photographer retains copyright to all images.
• Internal Use – Museums and galleries are granted usage rights for documentation, research, and archives.
• External Use – Covers press, website, social media, and institutional promotion.
• Third-Party Licensing – Artists, galleries, publishers, or other outside parties must obtain a separate license unless otherwise arranged.
• Portfolio Rights – Photographer retains the right to use all commissioned images for self-promotion and portfolio purposes.
PRODUCTION & EQUIPMENT
Professional equipment and workflows are used to ensure the highest quality:
• Camera & Lenses – Medium format and high-resolution digital systems.
• Lighting – Strobes, scrims, polarizers, and modifiers for reflection control when needed.
• Workflow – Tethered capture, calibrated monitors, and color targets are used to support consistent and reliable results.
• Deliverables – High-resolution TIFFs (archival) and JPEGs (general use), delivered via secure online folder.
WORKFLOW & DELIVERY
• Culling & Editing – Multiple exposures and views are captured, but only final selected images are delivered.
• Turnaround – Delivery schedules vary by project scope; Expedited delivery may be available and requested when booking.
• File Organization – Images are clearly labeled and organized into folders for ease of use.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
• Travel, specialized equipment, and extended production needs may incur additional fees.
• All projects are subject to licensing terms outlined above.
• Custom agreements can be arranged for publishers, institutions, or work-for-hire projects.