What is Cost-Sharing?

Cost-Sharing is a technique for multiple Clients to share the cost and images from an architectural photoshoot.

Why is Cost-Sharing helpful with Architectural Photography?

Unlike most other kinds of session photography (weddings, headshots, etc.), architectural photography captures the end result of all the many groups of people who’ve contributed their craft and expertise to the project. And all too often, after the photoshoot is done & delivered, these various parties come forward asking if they can use the photos. Along with predictable questions like “Do you have something that shows more of the flooring?”

I’m always happy to hear other people like the photos so much they want to use them for themselves. But it does put the Client and myself in the awkward position of explaining that the images have expressly been paid for and licensed to just the Client, who cannot just share them away with friends and colleagues. This is then followed up by conversations about things like “additional license fees,” “copyright law,” and “usage rights.” And then finally, “no, we did not take a picture with more of the floor.”

Cost-Sharing is an efficient, transparent and equitable way of allowing other interested parties to use the photos and be involved from the beginning as collaborative partners.

How Does Cost-Sharing Work?

After the initial client sets up the scope, vision and budget for the job, that client has the option to invite additional parties to the project.

With each additional Client added, 20% is added to the project's overall cost. 

For example, if the initial quote for the project is $1500, and a 2nd Client is added, the price would become $1800. If a 3rd Client is added, then it becomes $2100.

The final price is then divided among the Clients. 

Using the example of 3 Clients (the initial client plus 2 invitees) the grand total goes from $1500 to $2100, but the cost per Client drops to only $700.

The price is less than half. But the scope, vision and delivery of photos are exactly the same.

What kind of Clients participate in Cost-Sharing?

Architectural projects invariably involve a large group of people working together. These include Architects, Builders, Subcontractors, Designers, Decorators and Stagers, along with supply vendors. Looking beyond those who worked physically on the project, it also can include Owners, Investors, Real Estate Agents, Building Managers, Finance Officers or anyone else who would want to market their involvement.

Who benefits from Cost-Sharing?

I hate to use the cliche “win-win.” But in this case, it applies. 

As the Photographer, the additional revenue allows me to operate a more profitable business. I like that!

For the Clients, it can significantly reduce the cost without sacrificing the quality or quantity of the final product. 

Also, Copyright laws and usage agreements can be complicated concepts. Cost-Sharing creates a transparent process that allows additional parties to legally and equitably use the images.

How exactly does Cost-Sharing work?

The job starts with the originating Client. This person is the Primary Client and will be the sole contact with the Photographer. 

All shoot scheduling, negotiations and organization will occur between the Photographer and the Primary Client. This can include scheduling the scout and shoot days, creating the shot list and providing notes for post-production edits.

The Primary Client is also responsible for preparing the location for shooting and all other contractual obligations.

Most importantly, the Primary Client decides who is invited to join the Cost-Sharing. As the Photographer, I would never include an outside party without the Primary Client’s approval. 

How does the billing work?

While preparing for the project, the Primary Client will decide between two billing options.

Option 1: One Invoice

In this scenario, the Primary Client is billed for the entirety of the job, including all Cost-Sharing additions. The Primary Client then uses their discretion to bill the additional Clients. 

Option 2: Individual Invoices

In this scenario, the total cost is divided among all the Clients, based upon the Primary Client’s instructions, and each Client is billed directly by me. 

In either scenario, the Cost-Sharing rates and usage rights are identical.

To accurately record and track the proper usage of the images, the Primary Client must provide each Client's contact information for their Usage Agreements. There are no “blank” agreements. Each client will then receive their specific agreement and invoice, even if the invoice is $0.

What are Usage Rights? And who gets to use which images?

Usage Rights are the permission given by the Photographer, who owns the images, to a Client to use the photos.

In the Cost-Sharing agreement, each Client is given the same service agreement with the included “Client Publications” usage rights for all the images. This is an industry-standard agreement for self-published marketing and promotion. It does not include “Outside Publications,” like print ads, which would be handled individually.

However, as the copyright holder, I retain the right to license individual images to other parties outside the Cost-Sharing agreement after completing the project.

Can each Client request specific photos be taken?

During pre-production, the Photographer and Primary Client will discuss the scope of the entire project, including each Client's expected needs and any specific requests. 

If the shoot has a tech scout with location photos, the Primary Client can share a proof sheet of the scout photos and/or the shot list with the additional Clients to see if everyone’s needs are being met.

Additionally, all the participating Clients will be allowed to attend the photoshoot. I would encourage no more than 2 Clients at a time to keep the shoot on schedule. And I cannot precisely schedule when a particular scene will be photographed.

Is there a limit to the number of Clients allowed?

While technically no, there are some practical considerations regarding how many Clients should be involved. 

The first is the problem of “too many cooks in the kitchen.” The Primary Client should consider how many other interests and expectations they want to manage when organizing the shoot.

The second is the limits of the shooting schedule. For example, if there is only time to shoot eight scenes but there are ten Clients with distinctly different requests, something will either have to be dropped or an additional shoot day may need to be added, which could incur additional expenses.

What if a Client does not get the specific image they requested?

Things happen. And sometimes you don’t get everything you planned for.

If a specific request is missed, for whatever reason, I will do everything I can to make up the photo as guaranteed in the service agreement. But if a reshoot or other options are not possible, I would expect all Clients to respect their partner and allow the original contract to be adjusted to accommodate their removal from the agreement. But this is a worst-case scenario and one I would make every effort to avoid.

What if someone only wants one photo?

It makes sense that someone only needs one image from a shoot, especially someone like a subcontractor who only requires a specific image. 

All images are available for individual licensing for $100 per photo.