The Project Prescription (for photographers)

The photographer's cure for client work.

From start to finish of any client project, you’ve got to provide documents to clients that help you stand out, get paid, and keep every job on track.

With almost 40 years of combined photography and design experience, we’ve got your back — because we’re freelancers, too.

The Project Prescription is a set of digital documents that enable you to bypass the trial and error of developing a process for working with clients.

This isn’t theory about what might work — it’s hard data from the trenches on what does work. And now we’re sharing exactly what you need to do the same in a gorgeous collection of documents, checklists, and processes.

Project Prescription for Photographers is broken into four sets of InDesign files (in 8.5 x 11 and A4 sizing) + Office documents:

1 / Onboarding

Taking a client from interested to signed off on doesn’t need to be complicated, stressful or even a lot of work. We’ve created documents to guide you through an automated process.

• Getting Started Guide - Showcase your brand, skills, and client success stories while automating how you take clients from interested to hired.
  
• Project Questionnaire - What you need to know about a client and project before you agree to the work.
  
• Rate Sheet - Make it easy for clients to hire you for simple and repeatable services.
  
• Bookkeeping - A basic bookkeeping spreadsheet you can use to track your income and expenses.
  
• Potential/Signed Leads - A simple spreadsheet to help you keep track of project estimates you’ve created and won.
  
• Client Evaluation - Use your gut and data to figure out if they’re a good fit.
  
• Project Checklist - Know exactly what you’ve done and what comes next for each project.
  
• Estimate - An overview of deliverables, pricing, timing, terms, and more. Based on this.
  
• Creative Treatment - Go above and beyond your competitors. A great treatment can make a good estimate an amazing one while showing clients how aligned your vision is with theirs.
  

2 / Pre-Production

Once you’re hired, you need to make sure the project stays on track and running smoothly. Use these documents to get paid, present work and gather feedback.

• Pre-Shoot Prep Guide - Everything you need your subjects to know and do prior to their shoot, from prepping their wardrobe to pre-shoot grooming habits.
  
• Feedback Guide - Teach clients how to give you the feedback you want and need.
  
• Production Guide - The ultimate guide to your project — contains all the scheduling, location, contact, and other information you and your clients need for each project.
  

3 / The Shoot

All the documents you need to keep on hand during a shoot to make sure your ass is covered.

• Change Order Forms - Make sure you’re covered when clients make changes or additions at the last minute.
  
• Model Release - Use this to ensure you have all the rights and clearances you need from your subjects and protect yourself against potential liabilities.
  
• Minor Model Release - Like above, but for working with kids and teens.
  
• Property Release - Use this for for non-human subjects like locations, animals, works of art, or anything else of note in your images that isn’t a real live human being.
  

4 / Post-Production & Delivery

Even after you’ve shot the job, you need to make sure the project stays on track and running smoothly. Use these documents to get paid, gather feedback. and stay in touch about future work.

• Invoice - What to include to get paid quickly and easily.
  
• Delivery Memo - For when you absolutely need to confirm that you client received those files.
  
• Post-launch Questionnaire - See what went right (and didn’t) and mine for testimonials.
  
• Follow Up - Set a schedule for staying in touch.