HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudio West - Bid OnCall PhotoVideo 1
March 9, 2022
City of San Luis Obispo
On-Call Video Production and Photography
Letter of Interest
We are respectfully submitting a response to city’s RFQ for on-call video production and/or
photography services. We are submitting primarily for the photography services portion of the
RFQ although we also have video producing capabilities.
We are:
Studio 101 West Photography
8793 Plata Lane, Suite D
Atascadero, CA 93422
805-460-6300
dennis@studio101west.com
Studio 101 West is a full-service photography and graphic design firm in San Luis Obispo
County, since 1988. We are a small, reliable, quality-driven studio that has stood the test of
time. We specialize in commercial photography, business portraits, as well as drone
photography and video.
While we do have busy seasons, with enough notice, we have the availability to meet most on-
call request.
Our studio has served San Luis Obispo County for over 30 years providing studio and location
photography.
We have produced videos for a variety of commercial clients and do have that capability,
however, we are most interested in providing the city with photography services including
ground-based still photography, drone photography, and drone video. We are a real brick-and-
mortar photography studio and are fully equipped for just about any studio or location work
that comes our way.
If selected, we understand that we will be expected to be on contract with the city for on-call
services.
The contact for this submittal is:
Dennis Swanson, Owner/Photographer
Studio 101 West Photography
8793 Plata Lane, Suite D
Atascadero, CA 93422
805-460-6300
dennis@studio101west.com
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Relevant Experience of Key Personnel and the Firm
Dennis Swanson, Photographer
Dennis Swanson is our lead photographer and drone pilot. Besides his 30 years of full-time
experience running a photography studio, he holds a BA degree in commercial photography
from Brooks Institute and is certified by the FAA to be a commercial drone pilot.
Relevant Work Experience Includes:
• Photographing the mayors of both Atascadero and Paso Robles. Required professional
and personable communication skills, expert understanding of lighting and composition,
and on-time delivery of high-resolution images.
• Photographing events and creating headshots for the city of Atascadero, the Atascadero
Chamber of Commerce, and Templeton Chamber of Commerce
• Annually photograph the entire senior high class for Templeton High School (on going
job since 2010). Requires working with lead teacher and administrators, organizing and
directing students, and on-time delivery for yearbook production schedule.
• Organized and photographed a group portrait of over 500 people for the City of
Atascadero. Required large scale organization and direction of community participants
and civic leaders for the city’s centennial celebration.
• Decades of creating business and group portraits of city, business, and community
leaders. Requires location and studio work, creative and fresh photography style,
personable communication skills for posing subjects and making them feel comfortable,
expert knowledge of lighting and photography equipment, and skilled understanding of
composition principles.
• Photographed business leaders, school administrators, board members, campus classes,
students, teachers, and college employees for ads, brochures, and catalogs for Cuesta
College’s Capital Campaign for the North County Campus, ongoing marketing, and
community newspaper. Required working with art director’s specifications, stylizing and
posing subjects, as well as scheduling and communicating with school leaders and
personnel.
• Photographed the construction of the Hotel San Luis Obispo, the Cal Poly Justin & Lohr
Center, and Halter Ranch Winery, Wine Caves, and Tasting Room. Required ongoing,
multi-session shoots encompassing months and years of construction progress.
• Photographed hundreds of commercial buildings throughout San Luis Obispo country
and Santa Barbara County for architects and builders. Requires scheduling and clear
communication with onsite managers and owners, construction site safety knowledge,
and safety clearance.
• Created video and still photography of grand opening of the Emerald Ridge Apartments,
which included speeches by Mayor Moreno and many north county business and civic
leaders. Required clear communication with building contractor, site visitations,
acquiring drone flight clearance, and postproduction video editing with audio.
Samples of our photography work can be found at: https://studio101westphotography.com
Past and Current Clients Include:
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• The City of Atascadero
• The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
• The Templeton Chamber of Commerce
• Cal Poly Foundation
• French Hospital
• Arroyo Grande Hospital
• Cuesta College
• Atascadero Bible Church
• Transitions Mental Health Association
• The Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo
• Atascadero Main Street Association
• Jenike & Johansen, Inc.
• J.W. Design & Construction
• Studio Design Group Architects
• Garcia Architecture + Design
• Mitsubishi Elevators, Los Angeles
• 2020 Creative Group
• 16Six Architects
• Sunset Magazine
• Sports Illustrated
General Firm Information:
Studio 101 West is owned and operated by Dennis and Deborah Swanson. We currently have
no employees but hire independent contractors as needed.
We opened our studio in 1988 in San Luis Obispo. In 2010 we decided to work closer to home
and relocated to Atascadero. We carry insurance for our business and vehicles, as well as health
coverage. We also carry an additional 1-million-dollar general liability policy. We have a
business license for the City of Atascadero and can acquire one for the city of San Luis Obispo if
needed.
Members Of:
• Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
• Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
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Fee Structure
Photography and Video:
• Hourly rate for photography and videography is $175 per hour with a 2-hour minimum
• Image and video editing is $89 per hour
• Travel is 75¢ per mile
Aerial/Drone Photography and Video:
• Hourly rate for drone photography and video is $175 per hour with a 2-hour minimum
• Image and video editing is $89 per hour
• Acquiring FAA clearance for flights inside controlled airspace is $45 per day
Many projects can be shot within the 2-hour minimum with 1-2 hours of editing time.
Longer, more involved video projects can range from $500-$900 per minute of finished video.
Client References:
Tom O’Malley (2008-2020)
Former Mayor of Atascadero and owner of Portola Inn
805-440-7557
Portola Inn
6650 Portola Road
Atascadero CA 93422
tomomalley@charter.net
Services included photographing various city events, group portraits and headshots
Steve Martin (2010-present)
Current Mayor City of Paso Robles
Former CEO of the Atascadero Main Street Association
(805) 296-2487
1015 Samantha Way
Paso Robles CA 93446
smartincenter@gmail.com
Services included photographing various city events, group portraits and headshots
JW Design & Construction (1990 to present)
Chris Waterbury, CFO
(805) 544-3130
3563 Sueldo Unit 1
San Luis Obispo CA 93401
cdw@jwdci.com
Services include photographing and video production of building projects throughout San Luis
Obispo and northern Santa Barbara Counties
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Templeton High School (2010-present)
Krys Chivens, Teacher
(805) 440-0255
Templeton High School
1200 Main St.
Templeton CA 93465
kchivens@templetonusd.org
Services include submitting of individual high school senior portraits and the class group
portrait for the school yearbook.
Jenike & Johansen, Inc. (2000-present)
Carrie Hartford, Senior Project Engineer
(805) 541-0901 x304
3485 Empresa Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
chartford@jenike.com
Services include location and studio product photography and business portraits.
Additional Services
Graphic Design and Web Development
Studio 101 West’s Graphic Design department is directed by Deborah Swanson who has been a
full-time graphic designer in San Luis Obispo County for over 30 years. She holds a BFA in
Communication Design and Illustration from Otis College of Art and Design. Deborah is a
Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) and the American Advertising Federation national award-winner
and specializes in web design and development, and print design.
Samples of our design work can be found at: https://studio101westdesign.com