Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there really absolutely no commitment involved for me when I send a non-binding booking via your shoot calculator©?

2. How can you charge such competitive rates at such high standards of quality?

3. May I use part of my team (i.e. the photographer or the model) whilst the shoot will be organised and run by Shoot Train?

4. Additional to the shoot can you also handle further work i.e. for our catalogue like layout, design and print, even if our company residence is not - like yours - in Germany?

5. What is the absolute booking deadline?

6. We are an advertising agency. How do we benefit from shoot-train.com?

7. How does the model selection work before a shoot?

8. Which quality of models will I get?

9. I cannot estimate how many pictures will need to go into your »image processing and retouching«  after the shoot. What shall I select in the shoot calculator©? 

10. Do I have a free choice of photographer?

11. What happens if my shoot cannot take place because of bad weather?

12. Under which circumstances will you guarantee me 15 pictures a day?

13. Which ways of payment can I use?

14. As a client must I attend my photo shoot?

1. Is there really no commitment involved for me when I send a non-binding booking via your shoot calculator©?
No, there is guaranteed no commitment or risk involved for you. The shoot calculator© simply gives you an overview of the details and costs for your shoot. Only after the brief when you are fully convinced that we will realise your shoot with heart and soul you can expressly agree to work with us via E-Mail or Fax. Then we will send you a job confirmation.

2. How can you charge such competitive rates at such high standards of quality?
Firstly, we stand for a fair price policy. Secondly, we are photo shoot specialists and have already built a worldwide network of well attuned, trustworthy co-workers over the years. Consequently, a part of the job is already done. And thirdly, we get very good conditions from our complete professional network through high booking frequency.

3. May I use part of my team (i.e. the photographer or the model) whilst the shoot will be organised and run by Shoot Train?
You can replace components of your shoot with your own staff i.e. your testimonial or your usual photographer whilst we organise the whole shoot around them. Please just send us your individual request with all necessary details. You will promptly receive our fixed price quote.

4. Additional to the shoot can you also handle further work i.e. for our catalogue like layout, design and print, even if our company residence is not - like yours - in Germany?  
Yes, we are able to realize your project from A to Z, from shoot via graphic design to print including delivery to your doorstep, no matter if for your catalogue, brochure or magazine. We guarantee best and fixed price condictions in highest possible quality. Please send us your individual request with all necessary details and you will promptly receive our fixed price quote.

5. What is the absolute booking deadline?
Your booking should not be with us any later than 3 weeks prior to shoot departure. The brief, receipt of payment, shoot and travel preparations must still be reasonably practicable. Should you have less than 3 weeks until start of your shoot, you will be handled as express case at a premium. Also in this case of »emergency« we will give our best to realize your shoot.

6. We are an advertising agency. How do we benefit from shoot-train.com?
Very easy: If your job assignments overstrain your staff, if a deadline is too tight, the budget does not compensate efforts or simply your core competence is not exactly photo shoots but you don´t want to send your client away, then we are happy to help you with our infrastructure and our already well-negotiated rates. We will gladly accept your booking and brief and, if you wish, will work under your creative guidance. This way we can support you with our complete shoot organisation, and - if you wish - you send your art director to the set.

7. How does the model selection work before a shoot?
In the brief you give us your preferred details for all your models i.e. age group, type (sporty, elegant), hair (blonde, dark, short, long) etc. We will then cast the models accordingly and send you our best choices via PDF for your information. After naming us your favorites, we will try and option them. We will finally book the models based on our impression during a live casting at the shoot destination and on their availability on the shoot date.

8. Which quality of models will I get?
We cast our models at the highest level of quality and work with international, renowned model agencies. Due to our longstanding relationship to the agencies as well as our regular booking quantity we achieve good rates. More about this topic as well as examples of models you will find on the page »Models«. 

9. I cannot estimate how many pictures will need to go into your »image processing and retouching« after the shoot. What shall I select in the shoot calculator©?
In this case it is best to choose »no retouching« in the shoot calculator©. It is sufficient to tell us in the brief that we should also handle the image processing and retouching. We will put it down in the order confirmation and invoice you at the end of the project according to the amount of pictures retouched.

10. Do I have a free choice of photographer?
The choice of photographer is dependant on the individual job brief, the destination and the date of the shoot. We always book in agreement with you the most suitable photographer for a certain assignment, subject to his vicinity to the shoot location and his availability. If you wish to work with your own photographer, it is of course possible. We will then adapt our service and price package accordingly.

11. What happens if my shoot cannot take place because of bad weather?
In such a case we always have a plan B, i.e. technical devices, change of angles or even complete locations. If however there is no other option but delay the shoot because of bad weather you will not have to bare any extra costs. The only disadvantage for you is the time delay.

12. Under which circumstances will you guarantee me 15 pictures a day?
First of all the local conditions have to be right. Here a lot of factors matter: When shooting outdoor there has to be enough time between sunset and sunrise. The season has to be well chosen for good weather. The location should rather be quiet and not publicly accessible in order to avoid disturbing passers-by. Secondly, your brief should not be too exceptional. Which means anything remotely to do with stunts, i.e. jumping on a trampolin, sitting in fast vehicles, envolving fire or animals etc. Or anything in a very specific composition consisting of a lot of models, props and other requirements. A „normal“ catalogue brief for instance with attention to the clothes in a weatherproof indoor location would receive our 15 picture guarantee. And a lot of other jobs as well. Just ask us.

13. Which ways of payment can I use?
There is only one way of payment which is comfortably by transfer after you have received our invoice. 80% of the overall shoot cost you pay on receipt of our shoot confirmation. The remaining 20% you pay after the shoot. This is a usual procedure within this industry as shoot expenses are incurred instantly and have to be settled by us on the spot.

14. As a client must I attend my photo shoot?
It is not necessary for the client to be on the set of his studio or location shoot. The shoot brief will be followed in detail, most times a shot list (document with pictures of all products to be shot including accessories) will be created. At your wish we will of course be happy to welcome you on set and will assist you with your stay in the team hotel. Any travel costs (accommodation, flights etc.) will have to be borne by yourself.