Are you available on my date?
Make sure you contact us so that we can check. There are a few factors:
- There are a handful of photographers and videographers that work with Orphonic LLC, and everyone's availability is a little different.
- Sometimes (but rarely) can we do more than one event per day. If it works out for everyone, we will do it, but we never like to spread ourselves too thin.
- Saturdays with warm weather are POPULAR dates. Sundays are less popular and therefore almost always available. The same thing goes for Friday.
Why ORPHONIC, and not your competitors?
Videographers and photographers are all over the place when it comes to style and price. There is really only ONE main reason to hire us, specifically: We really care about respecting your experience. We are hyperfocused on being unobtrusive. We want you to remember your event, not the camera crew. There is a list of reasons to hire us, but this is the main one. If you want us to block your guests view to make sure we get the perfect shot, we aren't the right fit for you. We feel that NOTHING is more important than you and your guests experiencing your event in the moment. We never turn your day into a movie set. Plenty of other videographer/photographers may list it as one of their qualities, but I think we're the most passionate when it comes to the importance unobtrusiveness.
What are your prices?
Video rates are AROUND $250-$350/hour, give or take. It depends on a lot of factors.
Here are some popular packages and discounts for video!
Photos rates start at $175/hour. Here is how that breaks down: $14 per edited photo, with a 25-photo minimum for every two hours scheduled. We take a ton of pics, and you get to pick out the ones you want touched up. That way, you're not paying us to edit photos you don't want. You can obviously order more than the minimum, if you want to.
Photo price details are here!
Here are some popular packages and discounts for video!
Photos rates start at $175/hour. Here is how that breaks down: $14 per edited photo, with a 25-photo minimum for every two hours scheduled. We take a ton of pics, and you get to pick out the ones you want touched up. That way, you're not paying us to edit photos you don't want. You can obviously order more than the minimum, if you want to.
Photo price details are here!
How does billing work?
We will send you an invoice for the full amount. You only need to make a $250 partial payment (deposit) on that invoice to make things official and secure the date with us. You can pay online with any major debit/credit card. You can also mail a check or money order to ORPHONIC LLC, PO BOX 210454, MILWAUKEE WI 53221-8008.
You are welcome to pay the full balance right away, or break it up however you prefer (like smaller monthly payments or a few larger payments), just so long as the full amount is paid on or before the date of the event. Five business days before the event is ideal.
Additional event or post-event services, such as extra photos or additional time, can be added to the invoice after the event date.
At this time, we do not accept Apple Pay, Samsung Wallet, or basically anything that requires you waving a phone at us. We also don't accept Bitcoin, because we don't fully understand it and so we fear it a little. We don't accept "exposure" as payment, because that's just terrible. I'm not opposed to accepting precious metals, but I think we're getting a little carried away here.
You are welcome to pay the full balance right away, or break it up however you prefer (like smaller monthly payments or a few larger payments), just so long as the full amount is paid on or before the date of the event. Five business days before the event is ideal.
Additional event or post-event services, such as extra photos or additional time, can be added to the invoice after the event date.
At this time, we do not accept Apple Pay, Samsung Wallet, or basically anything that requires you waving a phone at us. We also don't accept Bitcoin, because we don't fully understand it and so we fear it a little. We don't accept "exposure" as payment, because that's just terrible. I'm not opposed to accepting precious metals, but I think we're getting a little carried away here.
Do we feed you? Do we tip you? What are the "rules" for this stuff?
Oh man, do we love a good meal! We really freakin' LOVE food. That's the key to our hearts, right there. It's not in our contract that you feed us, though. We do need to eat, but you don't have to provide it. If we aren't joining you for meals, please let us know ahead of time so we can pack lunches and schedule breaks.
As for tips... We consider dinner a tip. We know they aren't cheap and we appreciate the heck out of it. That said, if you have extra money that is burning a hole in your pockets, we'll gladly accept anything extra and put them in our children's college funds. We NEVER expect a tip. We always appreciate them.
As for tips... We consider dinner a tip. We know they aren't cheap and we appreciate the heck out of it. That said, if you have extra money that is burning a hole in your pockets, we'll gladly accept anything extra and put them in our children's college funds. We NEVER expect a tip. We always appreciate them.
How long have you been doing this?
Professionally, under the Orphonic brand, we've been taking photos and shooting videos since 2011. All of us have been using cameras (for profit and fun) for much longer than that.
DO you offer a discount for _________? Can we haggle?
For video packages, yes. We have discounts for non-saturday events, non-summer events, cash discounts, and military discounts.
We currently don't have photo "packages," so we don't have discounts in place for photography (and it's a pretty good deal as is, if you ask us)... but that said, if there is something very specifically unique about your photo needs that warrants a different perspective on it's cost, we may be able to work something out.
We currently don't have photo "packages," so we don't have discounts in place for photography (and it's a pretty good deal as is, if you ask us)... but that said, if there is something very specifically unique about your photo needs that warrants a different perspective on it's cost, we may be able to work something out.
Are you hiring?
We are always looking to increase the list of amazing independent contractors that we work with. Contact us for more details.
What the heck does "orphonic" mean?
It's a made-up word, made up of two real words: Orphic + Phonic. Back in 2002, I thought having a made up word would be good for SEO. I used it for a symphonic metal band I started, called Orphonic Orchestra. After years of branding that band, I found myself with a lot of social media accounts, emails, and urls, all with the name "orphonic." When I decided to start a "multimedia" small business in 2011, I used the brand name I had already been using for the last 9 years. In retrospect, the name isn't really the best for a visual media company, but you know what? Oh well. I (Johnny) have been Orphonic for almost all of my adult life. It's just my name.
What is your turnaround time?
It's not amazing. When it comes to editing, we like to take our time and do it right. Photography is much faster than videography. Videography takes forever.
Okay, now that i've hopefully lowered the bar for your expectations, I feel comfortable telling you that almost no project has ever taken more than 12 weeks to edit. Most took much less. We don't like to set hard due dates, if we don't have to. It's a creativity-killer.
Okay, now that i've hopefully lowered the bar for your expectations, I feel comfortable telling you that almost no project has ever taken more than 12 weeks to edit. Most took much less. We don't like to set hard due dates, if we don't have to. It's a creativity-killer.
Are you insured?
Orphonic LLC and it's owner (Johnny Marszalkowski) are insured for business liability. Independent contractors that work with Orphonic LLC are encouraged to have insurance, but are not required.
Can I come visit you?
Sure! If you knew us back in 2014, you might remember that we had a pretty awesome office in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. Long story short: we don't currently need an office. So let's meet at a coffee shop, restaurant, or bar that's convenient for you. You can schedule something directly into my calendar here!
What kind of gear do you use?
We're big fans of Canon DSLR cameras. We've also worked with Sony and Panasonic mirrorless cameras, too. We usually edit on Final Cut Pro X and sometimes Adobe Premiere. We mostly use Apple computers. Love our Manfrotto and Benro hardware. Pelican cases, all day!
We currently own all the necessary equipment to shoot great 1080p video, but if you need 4K then we can always rent that gear. When it comes to gear, If we don't own it, we can rent it.
We currently own all the necessary equipment to shoot great 1080p video, but if you need 4K then we can always rent that gear. When it comes to gear, If we don't own it, we can rent it.
How far will you travel?
On your dime, we'll travel to the ends of the earth for you.
On our dime, we'll travel to the ends of the county for you. 😉
Here are the details.
Most of our clients pay nothing, as they don't leave the great county of Milwaukee. Most of our out-of-town clients pay between $50-$100 in travel, because they need us elsewhere in the great state of Wisconsin. We don't do much work in Chicago, because it's the worst place on earth.** We did film a wedding there, once. It was a beautiful wedding and a fun video to make. You can't even tell from their video that Chicago is terrible.**
The band "Chicago" is great, especially the Peter Cetera pop stuff and the 70's rock. A very cool band, much unlike the horrid city from which they are named after.**
So yeah, we are willing to travel. Just please don't make us go back to Chicago.**
** I may or may not have a running joke where I constantly trash-talk Chicago and say how much better Milwaukee is. If this was a running joke, I of course could never admit to it.
On our dime, we'll travel to the ends of the county for you. 😉
Here are the details.
Most of our clients pay nothing, as they don't leave the great county of Milwaukee. Most of our out-of-town clients pay between $50-$100 in travel, because they need us elsewhere in the great state of Wisconsin. We don't do much work in Chicago, because it's the worst place on earth.** We did film a wedding there, once. It was a beautiful wedding and a fun video to make. You can't even tell from their video that Chicago is terrible.**
The band "Chicago" is great, especially the Peter Cetera pop stuff and the 70's rock. A very cool band, much unlike the horrid city from which they are named after.**
So yeah, we are willing to travel. Just please don't make us go back to Chicago.**
** I may or may not have a running joke where I constantly trash-talk Chicago and say how much better Milwaukee is. If this was a running joke, I of course could never admit to it.
What is a horse shoe? What does a horse shoe do? Are there any Horse socks? Is anyone even listening to me?
"Mr. Madison, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."