Frequently Asked Questions
How we work, what to expect, and how we bring your photographic brief to life.The Basics & What we do
Where is Paul Sutherland Photography based?
Auckland and Waikato are our main working areas, and we travel throughout New Zealand for commercial photography assignments.
What does Paul specialise in?
Paul specialises in commercial people, agricultural, rural, horticultural, industrial, corporate and advertising photography, with more than 25 years of commercial experience.
Why should I hire a professional commercial photographer instead of using phone images or stock photography?
Professional commercial photography gives your business original, brand-specific imagery created for your products, people, services and audience. It helps your brand look credible, consistent and distinctive, rather than generic or improvised.
What is the difference between a commercial photographer and other kinds of photographers?
A commercial photographer creates images for business use, including advertising, branding, websites, campaigns, marketing and communications. The focus is not just on making images look attractive, but on making them work strategically for your brand and your audience.
Working with Agencies & Creative Teams
Does Paul work with Auckland advertising and design agencies?
Absolutely. Auckland is a regular part of our working territory. We work with agencies, creative teams, marketing departments and businesses in Auckland, Waikato and throughout New Zealand.
Can you work within an existing campaign concept or visual system?
Yes. Shoots can align with established campaign thinking, layouts, brand systems and art direction.
Can you develop a workable shoot approach from a loose or developing brief?
Yes. An evolving brief can be shaped into a practical photographic approach that aligns with the creative objective and production realities.
What makes your approach valuable to agencies?
A combination of photographic experience, strong people direction, flexibility with talent, access to studio options, and the ability to support projects creatively when additional art direction is needed. And Marnie’s ability to pick apart a budget.
How we run a shoot
Do you travel for shoots?
Absolutely. Travel is a normal part of the job. We work across Auckland and Waikato and throughout New Zealand.
Can you manage production as well as photography?
Yes. Marnie handles production including people, locations, logistics, schedules and budgets, and can become involved early in the planning process.
Is Paul comfortable photographing non-professional talent?
Very. It’s one of his strengths. He works with professional talent and everyday people and knows how to make people feel comfortable without making the images feel forced.
Do you work with both professional talent and street-cast talent?
Yes. Both approaches can be used depending on the concept, audience and campaign tone.
Can you source and direct talent for a shoot?
Yes. Shoots can include both professional talent and street-cast talent, with a calm and confident approach that helps people feel comfortable and look natural on camera.
Do you have access to studio facilities?
Yes. Studio facilities can be arranged when the brief requires a controlled shooting environment.
Can you provide art direction?
Yes. Art direction can be provided as an additional service if a dedicated art director is not already involved in the project.
Quotes, Costs & Image Usage
What do you need from us before quoting a job?
Usually the key information includes the type of shoot, the intended use of the images, the number of final images required, location or studio preferences, whether talent is needed, timing, and any special production requirements.
What affects the cost of a commercial photography shoot?
Pricing can be affected by shoot time, creative complexity, pre-production, studio hire, talent, art direction, styling, retouching, post-production and image usage.
Can you scale production to suit different budgets?
Yes. Productions can be structured to match the scale and ambition of the brief, from leaner shoots through to more developed commercial productions.
What usage rights come with the images?
Usage rights define how and where the images may be used. This can include media type, duration, region and campaign scope.
What Happens After the Shoot
Can you help if we have never hired a professional photographer before?
Yes. The process can be guided from the initial brief through to final delivery, making it clear what is needed, what to expect, and how to get the best value from the shoot.
How quickly will we receive the images?
Turnaround depends on the size and complexity of the project, including image selection, retouching and delivery requirements.
How do you handle post-production and retouching?
Post-production is tailored to the needs of the project, from basic finishing through to more refined retouching depending on campaign expectations and final usage.