The poster for a film is often decided long after the shoot. If nobody took the right photograph on the day, the cast is gone, the set is torn down and the only option is an expensive extra photo shoot. The unit stills photographer makes sure that photograph exists. They are the person on set who shoots still images for marketing and press.

What a unit stills photographer does

The stills photographer is hired by the production, usually on the advice of the unit publicist, who plans the publicity for the film. They work on selected days during production, often the big scenes and the days with the main cast, rather than every day.

During the shoot they take images of scenes as they happen, using a silent camera or a sound blimp (a housing that muffles the shutter) so they do not spoil the sound. They also shoot the director and crew at work for behind-the-scenes material, and sometimes set up special portraits of the cast in a quiet moment. The images go to the producers, the distributor and later to the press at release.

Responsibilities

  • Photograph scenes during rehearsals and takes without disturbing sound or camera
  • Take behind-the-scenes images of the director, cast and crew
  • Set up portraits or special shots for posters and key art
  • Work with the first assistant director on when and where they can stand
  • Respect the approvals actors have over images of themselves
  • Edit, caption and deliver images to the publicist and distributor
  • Keep the images confidential until the release campaign starts

How the role touches the budget

Lightly. The stills photographer is a line in the publicity budget, usually a day rate for a set number of days, plus kit. Producers sometimes cut those days to save money, and later pay more for a separate shoot when the distributor asks for images.

How people get into the role

Most stills photographers come from photography, often press, portrait or event work. They build a portfolio on short films and smaller features, and get further through publicists and producers who know their work. Knowing set etiquette, when to move and when to stay out of the way, is as important as the photography itself.

In TV and commercials

On TV series the stills photographer often covers several episodes in a block and supplies images for the broadcaster's press office. In commercials, the brand often hires its own photographer for a separate photo shoot, which may run on the same set.