Commercial photography

Commercial photography in Detroit

RAW started as a photography community in 2015. Today our photographers shoot food, interiors, architecture, product and people for brands across Metro Detroit, with the aerials to match.

Lost WoodsA 160-acre eco resort in Boyne Falls: glamping dome, sauna and trails
2015RAW began as photo walks for Detroit creatives
Air + groundAerial and ground photography from one team
48 hrsTypical turnaround for edited selects
LicensedClear usage rights in every quote

What we do

What’s included

Every project is scoped to what you need. These are the pieces we deliver most often.

Food and restaurant

Menu, drinks, process and dining room photography. See food photography.

Interiors and architecture

Hotels, venues, offices and residential properties, shot for listings, press and awards.

Product and ecommerce

Clean catalog shots and styled lifestyle images for web stores, marketplaces and ads.

Brand and lifestyle

Your team, customers and space, shot to feel like your brand instead of a stock library.

Headshots and team photos

Consistent, well-lit portraits for websites, LinkedIn and press kits, on location or in your office.

Aerial stills

Drone photography of buildings, properties and sites. See drone and aerial.

Photography is where RAW began

Our company started as a photo walk. Shawn Mangenje moved to Detroit from the UK in 2015 and started gathering the city’s creatives to shoot it in a better light. That eye for how Detroit looks at its best is still the foundation of every shoot we do, from a plate of food to a 20-story tower.

Images that look like your business

Customers can tell stock photography from the real thing. The images that sell a restaurant, a hotel or a brand are the ones that show the actual room, the actual food and the actual people. We plan every shoot around where the images will run, from your website and Google Business Profile to menus, ads and press, so each frame has a job.

Light is the craft

The difference between a snapshot and a commercial photograph is mostly light. Dining rooms need warmth without muddy shadows. Glass towers need the right hour. Product needs clean, controlled light that shows texture and color accurately. We bring lighting matched to the space and shoot tethered when you want to approve images on set.

Keep your listings fresh

Photos age fast: menus change, spaces get remodeled and seasons turn. We recommend a refresh at least once or twice a year for most businesses, and more often for restaurants and hospitality. Our Google Business Profile photo playbook explains why that matters for local search. Book a shoot.

Selected work

Recent projects

A few of the projects behind this service. See all work

Lost WoodsA 160-acre eco resort in Boyne Falls: glamping dome, sauna and trails
The Residences at Water SquareAerial and interior tour of a new Detroit riverfront tower

Process

How a project runs

No surprises. You know who is on your project, what it costs and when you get files.

Brief and shot list

What the images are for, where they will run and the list of shots we need to deliver.

Prep

Styling, props, location scouting and a prep checklist for your team.

Shoot

Lighting matched to the space and the brand. You see images on set and approve as we go.

Edit and deliver

Color-corrected, retouched selects in the sizes and formats you need.

Pricing

What it costs

Starting prices for common photography projects.

Half-day shoot

From $750

Up to four hours on site, 25 to 40 edited images.

Full-day shoot

From $1,400

Up to eight hours, multiple setups or locations.

Headshot session

From $450

On-location setup for up to eight people.

Styling, props, studio rental and extended usage are quoted separately.

FAQ

Questions we get asked

How much does a commercial photographer cost in Detroit?
Our half-day shoots start at $750 and full days at $1,400, with headshot sessions from $450. Styling, props, studio rental and extended licensing are quoted separately when a project needs them.
How many photos will we get?
A half-day shoot typically delivers 25 to 40 edited images and a full day more, depending on setups and locations. We agree on a shot list before the shoot so you know exactly what is coming.
Can we use the photos in ads and print?
Yes. Usage rights are listed in every quote. Standard commercial use covers your website, social media, ads and print marketing.
Do you have a studio?
Most of our work happens on location, in your restaurant, store, office or property, because that is what customers want to see. We can arrange studio space for product and portrait work when needed.
How fast are photos delivered?
Edited selects are usually delivered within two business days. Larger shoots or heavy retouching can take longer; the timeline is in your quote.

Have a project in mind?

Tell us what you are working on. We reply within one business day with next steps, a rough budget range and the right people for the job.

Start a project