"In my 21 years of photography experience I have come to the conclusion that many of us have the 'photographer's eye,' and can produce good images with the right equipment. But to make truly exciting and interesting pictures which grab and holds a viewer's attention requires something more," Liesen said.

In the old days, commissioning a photographer was required in large part due to equipment limitations. The advent of digital cameras has leveled that playing field slightly, as just about anyone can take their own images for their webpages and advertising of their business with surprisingly good results. A few years ago, just having a website and a digital camera was somewhat special, but now everyone has at least one digicam and the quality requirement has changed again.

In today's electronic market, quality equipment is important again and the requirement for an exciting and interesting portfolio of images is more important than ever. Uses for digital pictures now includes competitive advertising in the following mediums - newspapers, magazines, web sites (updated constantly), movie trailers, business documents i.e. annual reportage and flyers, and TV.

Jim Liesen's news photography background taught him the philosophy that the best images are high impact, natural/realistic looking, and untouched by computer manipulation. It's important to get great images in camera as opposed to manipulating an average image after the fact with Photoshop. The images you receive from Liesen Communications will be cropped for artistic compostition, and occationally a minor blemish such as redeye, or very slight burning or dodging will be addressed via computer, but that is all. If your post-production provider is heavy into graphic production or has specific compositional needs, please let us know before we shoot, so we can work together to attain your photographic goals.

Liesen Communications uses 35mm professional grade digital and film equipment and can shoot in nearly any environment the desert southwest has to offer. We also have 6x6 film equipment, and audio/video in MPEG4 as well.

When you contact Liesen Communications for more information about a shoot, please be prepared to discuss the following topics:

• Your name and contact information
• What kind of pictures have you used in the past?
• What kind or style do you have in mind for the near and far future?
• How long will you need to use these photographs before we replace them again?
• In what media and size/layout will you use the new portfolio?
• How much time do we have before media deadlines loom?
• Do you have or can you compile a 'shot list' of desired photographs?
• What compositions in ad media will you need? 
• Do you have models or do we need to provide them?
• If for magazine or editorial, what output requirments do you have?

When we meet and go over these details, Liesen Communications will then be able to provide you with a detailed proposal for your project.

Fees***: 

• 2-Hour minimum, CD and online storage  =    $   250.00
• Hourly rate =   $  90.00
• All re-imbursable hard costs, plus expenses as required by client are due at final billing.
• Custom assignments. Whatever and wherever. Negotiated depending on the difficulty, location, and requirements of the assignment.  "I have hung from Coast Guard helicopters, shot from the sidelines of NFL football games, soaked in February Havasu water, been bitten by huge ants in Costa Rican jungles, rapelled granite cliffs, hung outside cars, driven 4 hours round trip for a 30-second flower picture... the list goes on," Liesen said. "I have NEVER let my editor's down - not once."

*** Upon assignment, a deposit of 50% is required, and weekly billings follow, which are due upon receipt. Unpaid accounts will be suspended.