Why hiring a unit stills photographer is important

Unit stills photography is a captivating and essential aspect of the filmmaking industry that often goes unnoticed by the casual viewer. Behind the scenes of every movie or television production, there exists a dedicated individual or team of photographers whose primary mission is to capture the essence, emotion, and drama of the on-set action. These talented professionals are known as unit stills photographers, and they play a crucial role in documenting the filmmaking process.

In the world of entertainment, where storytelling takes center stage, unit stills photographers serve as the visual historians of a production. Their artistry and keen eye for detail enable them to freeze moments in time, preserving the magic and intensity of a scene, while also showcasing the hard work and dedication of the cast and crew. Through their lenses, they transform the chaotic and ever-evolving set into a series of captivating images that can become iconic in their own right.

Unit stills photographers are not just documentarians; they are storytellers in their own right. They must possess a deep understanding of the narrative, characters, and the director's vision to capture those pivotal moments that will later be used for promotional materials, posters, and behind-the-scenes documentaries. Their images provide audiences with a glimpse into the creative process, helping to build anticipation and excitement for the final product.

"The still photographer on set is one of the most under-appreciated members of a movie crew that captures something no one else does: reality. They document the actor in a private moment, the moment just before the action—the nerves, the preparation; everything the public doesn't see in the movie, the soul of the set." — Billy Bob Thornton, Actor/Filmmaker

"He or she works alone; has only the shoot to get what is needed and does so while doing a constant dance of non-obstruction with what everyone else is doing...which is actually filming the movie. So the job is to disappear in a way, while at the same time figuring out how to get not just a shot, but the single frame that will capture the essence of the character, a scene, or even the entire movie...without slowing things down or breaking the mood. To accomplish this takes an incredible talent; balances what a set photographer has to have—brains, heart and technique, all in balance; get great shots and all the while remain invisible—no small feat. Photographers have been on film sets almost from the beginning, originally sent to capture images that can be used solely for publicity. They soon demonstrated that they could let the public see much more: the bonds that form among cast and crew, the human side of the stars, the daring of the stunt people; the tricks of the trade behind movie-making. — Wes Craven, Writer/Director/Producer

"The importance of still photography in films cannot be overstated. Many times it is the first image the audience sees. It has to capture the audience's attention and it has to represent the tone and character of the story we're telling. Sounds simple, right? It's not." — Tom Cruise, Actor/Producer