Frequently Asked Questions

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Things you may want to know before booking a session / jargon buster

Packshot Factory//

Frequently Asked Questions

What information do you need to provide an estimate?: Photography briefs typically include either a comprehensive creative deck including a style guide for each shot or a shot list for less complex assignments. A typical brief would include the number of products, number of shots (or angles) required per each product, the total number of deliverables required, and references images for any stylised shots as well as the image resolution required (i.e. image dimension/size).
What resolution and format are the final images provided in?: At our studios we shoot on Hasselblad H5D-50c, medium-format cameras that use a back fitted with a 50MP (Megapixels) sensor. The resolution that our cameras produce is 7216 x 5412 pixels by pixels. Depending on the DPI required our photographs can be scaled up to sizes including T-side bus advertisements or even 96 sheet billboards. We can generate virtually any format and sizing that you require. As a default, we provide the images in three different formats: high-resolution jpegs, tiffs as well as small previews that can be easily e-mailed.
What is the turnaround time?: Turnaround times highly depend on the brief, and the number of deliverables required. On average we provide finished, edited, colour corrected images within maximum a week of the products being in the studio. If retouching is not part of the service, the images are provided the next day after the session. We are also more than happy to work with you to cater for urgent or same day requirements when deadlines are tight.
Can I attend the shoot?: Yes, absolutely. We encourage our clients to attend the shoot to oversee the process and approve all shots as we go along. We are also happy to shoot to brief without an on-site art direction, and provide remote approval of the shots on the day if preferred.
How do you deliver the images?: All images are provided via a secure downloadable link. The link expires after 7 days. We keep an archive of the images for 3 months.
What does the retouching include?: Depending on the requirements we provide the following types of retouching:
- Standard Retouching includes basic clean up, which means removal of minor imperfections such us minor dents, scratches or creases on the products, spotting which means removal of dust marks and colour adjustment.
- High-end Retouching involves exposure and/or focus compositions (most applicable for watches, jewellery, bottles to ensure every intricate detail is sharp), thorough clean up and spotting, and may involve artwork change, beautifying including reconstructing or constructing various elements as well as changing the product’s form factor i.e. re-shaping, adding missing elements and colour grade.
- Creative Retouching, which may include all of the above as well as work on complex compositions including combining and blending of various elements such as water splashes, powder explosions, or any other special effects for creative compositions.

Can you provide unretouched assets?: Yes of course. If retouching isn’t required the images are provided the next day after the session.
Do you provide set building / set design?: Yes. We can transfer our studios to pretty much any set imaginable. We work with a number of talented specialists including prop masters, set decorators, set builders and art directors who can create any look or style for your shoot!
Do you provide props, surfaces and backgrounds?: We offer a selection of plinths, cubes, rocks, and a variety of backgrounds. Please see the selection here.
If you require a specific background colour, or set of props, we offer prop sourcing services and can source any prop or background required.
Do you provide stylists?: Yes. We work with experienced stylists from a variety of fields including: food stylists, prop stylists, drink specialists, mixologists, hair and make up artists, fashion stylists - all at the top of their game who work collaboratively with our crew, and are passionate and incredibly committed to their crafts.
Can you shoot large items such as bikes, furniture, wall art or sculptures?: Yes. Our facilities in Covent Garden comprise of smaller table-top sets as well as a purpose built, ground floor 94m² (1011 sq. ft) large studio with infinity cove (infinity cyclorama) that is accessed via wide 3.25m street-level bi-folding door, offering ample space to accommodate large productions. The studio boasts a 3.65m ceiling and large floor-to-ceiling windows offering plenty of natural light. The studio also features vast skylight, black out electric blinds, windows with tripled layered noise reducing glass, client area, demo luxury kitchen with Miele appliances, and even a fire place.
What usage rights are included?: We grant an unlimited, worldwide and in perpetuity online usage licence, as well as print and TV for 2 years in any single country. Packshot Factory retain the copyright to all images and retain the right to use them for our own promotional purposes. For alternative usage options including full buy out please enquire at the time of booking.
Do you provide models and hand models?: Yes , we can provide casting services too to your specific brief.