All Squareshot services are prepaid. The exact moment when payment is requested depends on the project type and how production is set up.
Below is how payment works across different projects.
General rule
Payment is requested after the brief is confirmed and once all required pre-production steps for your project type are completed. Production starts only after payment is received.
Payment timing by project type
Below is a breakdown of when payment is requested, based on how each project type is produced.
Product — per-image projects
Item delivery is always required.
Payment is requested after all of the following steps are completed:
The brief is submitted and confirmed
Items arrive at our studio
We review the items and confirm they match the brief
Once everything is aligned, we request payment and move the project into production.
Product — per-hour projects
Item delivery may be required or optional, depending on how the shoot is set up.
If item delivery to our studio is required, payment is requested after:
Brief confirmation
Items arrive at the studio
Item review and final alignment
If item delivery is not required (items are brought directly to the studio), payment is requested after:
Brief confirmation
Soft hold date is set
All required pre-production steps are finalized
Model projects — per-image and per-hour
Model projects follow the same logic as product per-hour projects, depending on whether item delivery is required.
If item delivery is required
Payment is requested after items arrive and are reviewed.
If item delivery is not required
Payment is requested after brief confirmation, soft hold date, and required pre-production steps (such as fittings, if applicable).
AI projects
Payment timing depends on whether the input—product photos—needs to be captured by us in the studio.
If existing product images are used:
Payment is requested right after brief confirmation.
If product images need to be shot by Squareshot:
Payment is requested after items arrive at the studio and are reviewed.
Visual Concept
Visual Concept projects do not require item delivery or production logistics.
Payment is requested immediately after the brief is confirmed.
Work starts after payment.
If you’re unsure whether your project requires item delivery or additional pre-production steps, your Account Manager will confirm this before payment is requested.