5 Questions to Ask Your Commercial Photographer in London Before the Shoot

There’s a particular kind of optimism that businesses bring to photoshoots - the assumption that, if the brief is emailed and the lights are switched on, everything else will fall into place. But much like assuming you can run a marathon because you once jogged for a bus, that assumption rarely holds up under pressure.

Commercial photography isn’t just about turning up with a camera. It’s about clarity, context, and making sure everyone’s working toward the same goal. A good photographer will ask the right questions before the shoot. A great client knows which questions to ask them.

Here are five you should always ask, especially if you want more than just pictures, and are aiming for powerful, purposeful images that actually serve your business.

1. Have you worked on similar projects before?

London is full of talented photographers, but commercial work is its own beast. A fashion photographer may know light. A wedding photographer may know emotion. But commercial work demands that blend of storytelling, brand sensitivity and strategic usefulness.

Asking about previous projects gives you insight into whether they understand things like product positioning, ad formats, and client expectations. (Bonus points if they can talk about how their photos performed after the shoot.)

2. How do you prepare for a shoot?

A confident answer here tells you more than a whole portfolio. Do they scout locations? Do they create shot lists? Do they liaise with your design team? Commercial photography is often as much about logistics and planning as it is about creativity.

Because you’re not just hiring a camera operator, you’re hiring someone who can translate a business goal into a visual strategy.

3. What’s your process for working with brands or agencies?

Commercial shoots involve multiple moving parts: brand guidelines, creative direction, deadlines, approvals. You want someone who can collaborate smoothly with you, and potentially with graphic designers, art directors, stylists and your in-house team.

Ask how they handle feedback. Ask how they deliver images. Ask how they manage shoots with multiple stakeholders. A professional will have a clear and calm answer rather than just a shrug and a Dropbox link.

4. What usage rights are included in your pricing?

Here lies the trap most brands fall into: assuming they own the images outright. The reality is more nuanced. Commercial photographers license usage - for a certain period, region, or type of media.

Ask what’s included in their fee, and whether you’ll need extended rights for things like paid ads, out-of-home or national campaigns. It’s not just about fairness but about avoiding an awkward phone call six months down the line when a billboard goes up without permission.

5. How can we make the most of the shoot day?

This question does something clever by reframing the shoot as a shared responsibility. It invites the photographer to help you think strategically about timings, shot variety, and content opportunities you may not have considered.

Can you capture behind-the-scenes images for social? Can you shoot different crops for digital use? Can you adapt the setup slightly for LinkedIn headshots while you’ve got the lights on? A good photographer will welcome this thinking. A great one will suggest it before you even ask.

Hiring a commercial photographer in London shouldn’t feel like a gamble

It should feel like bringing the right creative partner on board - someone who sees the big picture (and captures it). I work with brands, agencies and businesses across London to plan and shoot commercial photography that drives results, not just likes.

If you’ve got a project in mind or just want to know what’s possible - get in touch and let’s chat.