A typical day

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I recently got asked a series of questions from start up photog, Nick Murway.  Here is the third and final blog featuring his Q and my A.

 NM: What does a typical day look like at the studio/office?

This is a tough one, partly because it’s not very exciting to answer (what percentage of you will make it all the way through this post?) and partly because there is no such thing as a typical day at the office for me. The only way I know how to answer this question is by listing out some of the things I do with guesstimates of amounts of time PER WEEK that either myself or Robert spend doing them:

Actually shooting, prelighting or scouting (2.25 days) – (this is the only one I can actually calculate!) Estimating new projects (1 day) Industry or technology research (0.25 days) Networking with clients or peers (0.25 days) Responding to calls or emails (0.5 days) Delivering files to clients (1.5 days)

  • Editing
  • Optimizing files (per job specification)
  • Proofing
  • Delivery (FTP or sending hard copies)

Producing projects that don’t have outside producers (.75 days)

  • Communicating with clients and subjects
  • Arranging insurance documents
  • Setting up travel arrangements
  • Booking crew
  • Handing any other production needs based a job may call for (talent, locations, catering, production documents, etc.)

Marketing efforts (1.5 days)

  • Planning/shooting for portfolio
  • Managing database lists
  • Planning and executing electronic and direct mail pieces
  • Editing/printing/showing portfolio
  • Blogging/social media updates
  • Event planning

Bookkeeping & financial (.5 days)

  • Paying bills
  • Invoicing
  • Depositing funds
  • Recording and filing expenses
  • Budgeting and planning

Studio maintenance/rental (0.75 days)

  • Managing requests and rentals of our space
  • Cleaning and maintaining the space

Archiving/copyright (0.5 days)

  • Data entry and organization
  • Converting file formats
  • Maintaining supply of hard drives
  • Purchasing/backing up hard drives
  • Submitting new images for copyright protection

The biggest challenge is that both my shooting schedule and file delivery schedule can vary wildly.  One week I may shoot 5 days out of town (or more) and have absolutely no time in the office.  Another week I may not shoot at all.  Some projects will take a whole week of file management after they are shot where others may only take a few hours of post.  Some projects require multiple days of estimating.  Its up to me to manage all the other things we do here around the elements that are constantly changing.  The upside?  Constant changes in my daily schedule keep me from ever getting bored.  Congratulations – you read this whole post!