Jay Watson Photography

Serves Alameda, CA

35244

Hired 1 time

2 employees

24 years in business

Not yet available

5.0

This pro accepts payments via Check, Credit card, PayPal, Square cash app, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Credentials

Background Check

James Watson
Completed on 5/18/2024

Introduction

💼 As a commercial photographer, I have worked with over 200 brands and over 70 magazines/publications. I specialize in shooting apparel, lifestyle, automotive, sports, headshots, and corporate culture. 👍 I bring all the necessary equipment to each location and can build a studio set up on-site. With an office in San Carlos, CA I cover subjects throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. 📸 Please take a look at my website for examples of my work. _______ 🤟🏼 Clients (partial list) 🤟🏼 Audi Sportscar Experience • Bicycling Magazine • Cisco • Gap • Hawaiian Airlines Magazine • Jaguar Land Rover (North America) • LifeAid Beverage Company • Linkedin • Mercedes-Benz • New Era Hats Inc • Nikon USA • Oracle • Porsche • Sapphire Ventures • Signature Aviation • Socksmith • Whole Foods Market • Wired (UK) _______ ⭑ PORTRAITS ⭑ LIFESTYLE ⭑ CORPORATE ⭑ COMMERCIAL ⭑ SPORTS ⭑ AUTOMOTIVE ⭑ INDUSTRIAL ⭑ TECH ⭑ APPAREL ⭑ ECOMM ⭑ _______ ⭑⭑⭑ FAQ: Do you have a studio? ⭑⭑⭑ I specialize in on-location photography, both indoors and outdoors. However, I can easily set up a basic studio at your office location for your convenience. Please allocate a few extra hours in your budget for setup and breakdown. If a dedicated studio is preferred, studios can be rented at varying rates depending on the time and location. For budgeting purposes, please allow approximately $120-$150 per hour with a 4-hour minimum to cover studio rental fees if needed. ___________________________________

Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

Every shoot is different, so standard day rates don't apply well to photo shoots. The locations, subjects, shot lists, expenses, art direction, deliverables, and usage are unique to each job. I’ll work with you on our budget and suggest ways to save money if needed. Be honest with your assessment of the project. A “quick shoot” can still take a full day, including travel, setup, photographing subjects, equipment breakdown, culling, sending a proof gallery, retouching, and final image delivery.

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

After receiving the client's brief, I follow up with important questions to help build a rough estimate. After we agree on the rate and scope of the project, I will follow up with a formal version along with a schedule for deliverables.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

• BA in photography from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. • 20 years of professional commercial experience. • Former cardboard box buster at Palo Alto Bicycles.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

I was a fan of magazines and art while growing up. After studying photography in college, I became a full-time freelance commercial photographer.

What types of customers have you worked with?

I shoot for Bay Area corporate companies, Fortune 500 companies, regional to global brands, and editorial publishers. ⭑ PORTRAITS ⭑ LIFESTYLE ⭑ CORPORATE ⭑ COMMERCIAL ⭑ SPORTS ⭑ AUTOMOTIVE ⭑ INDUSTRIAL ⭑ TECH ⭑ APPAREL ⭑ ECOMM ⭑ Clients (partial list): Audi Sportscar Experience • Bicycling Magazine • Cisco • Gap • Hawaiian Airlines Magazine • Jaguar Land Rover (North America) • LifeAid Beverage Company • Linkedin • Mercedes-Benz • New Era Hats Inc • Nikon USA • Oracle • Porsche • Sapphire Ventures • Signature Aviation • Socksmith • Whole Foods Market • Wired (UK)

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

On a recent favorite shoot, I provided photography coverage for a cycling team for three days as they trained in the Bay Area. Each day involved 2-3 hours of driving, 4 hours of shooting, 2 hours of editing, and delivery of 135 high-res processed finals. They now have an extensive library of images that can be utilized for social media posts.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

The cheapest offer could be from someone cutting corners. Each job requires a certain amount of production to do a good job. Your photographer should be willing to work with you and to help you avoid risks. Provide as much info as you can to avoid confusion. See my list of questions below.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

What is the subject? What will they be doing in front of the camera? When/Where. Location(s) of shoot? What type of background is needed? Indoor and/or outdoor environment? Or studio background (white, grey, or color background)? Shot list? Roughly how many unique scenes/looks are needed? Example images of style or look needed? Do you need retouching? Usage. Where will the images be used? Any placement in purchased print or purchased online advertising media? If so - Where? How long in duration? Rough deadline for deliverables? Ballpark budget?