Vetting Photographers for hunting trips

[benconfused]

For hiring a professional photographer to document a hunt, I’m trying to understand the typical going rate and what you actually get for the money.

If you’ve done this, can you share:

• Cost structure: day rate vs trip package vs per-image pricing
• Day rate pricing range
• What’s included in the day rate? (hours on-foot, travel days, scouting days, camp days, gear carried, etc.)
• What costs are typically extra?
  • Travel (flights, baggage, bush flights/charters)
  • Lodging/food/tags/insurance
  • Gear/pack weight limits
  • Editing/retouching
  • Proofs / gallery delivery
  • Usage rights (personal vs commercial)
• Delivery expectations: how many final edited images are realistic, and what’s a normal turnaround time?
• Permitting: both US and international based

Vetting: what matters most when choosing someone?

• Portfolio quality (consistency, low-light, action, animals/people, storytelling)
• Ability to hunt/hike and not slow the group down
• Backcountry experience + safety mindset
• Personality/fit in camp

Anything I’m missing that you wish you’d asked before booking one?

****PLEASE DO NOT send me a bunch of DM's if you are a photographer trying to get my business. I am not there yet****

Thanks in advance

 

[ProRoad]

following.

 

[robby denning]

Make sure your videographer understands the permitting process on public lands. It's changed lately so both of you need to be current on the rules. You can spend a lot of money then find out you can't publish, especially if you have a commercial interest in the final product.

on the rest, I don't know on every point you presented, but this is what I've done:

I've only done day rates when I've hired.

rates don't typically cover travel to the area, hotels. those are an extra charge to you

Food is negotiable. When I did backcountry, I paid for the food. It wasn't that much more and if I'm gonna hire the person, I'm happy to take them to dinner. When I did road camp, the videographer brought own camp & food

by viewing their previous work, you should be able to answer the second set of questions.

and personality/fit is a big one. You'll be with this person multiple days in probably less-than-fun conditions. If you don't like each other, big downside.