theatre services guide
on what we do
Hot L Baltimore. Gilbert Theatre. Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to DARKER THAN THE SUN, Theatre Photography. We pride ourselves on capturing the heart of your production while providing professional, reliable service every step of the way. We look forward to collaborating with you.
Our theatre photography covers a full production. We photograph a full run during a dress or tech rehearsal. Never in front of a paying audience.
Professional, high-quality images are essential for promoting your production, whether for press releases, social media campaigns, or playbills. With more than 15 years of experience in the theatre space, we know how to capture the spirit of each performance.
It’s important for performers to be aware that the photographer will be moving around, including in front of and occasionally on stage, in close proximity to the action.
We respect the blocking and the performers' space, ensuring minimal disruption while capturing images that best represent the play and its performance.
booking a session
A Bright Room Called Day. Larsen Theatre. Los Angeles, CA
THE BOOKING PROCESS IS SIMPLE
Select the package and add-ons that best suits your needs and budget.
Complete the Client Intake Form.
Sign Contract and pay the deposit to secure your session’s date.
Enjoy the session—photographer will handle everything on the day.
Receive your images via Google Drive within 5 business days.
Our sessions are carefully organized to respect both your production’s schedule and our photographer’s creative process. You can expect timely communication and a smooth booking experience.
Clients receive images via a private, password protected Google Drive folder within 5 business days—up to two weeks during festival season. We recommend downloading and backing up files immediately, as links expire after 21 days. Please note that files will be archived after two months and may not be easily accessible afterward. If you want a quicker turnaround, check out the A La Carte menu.
session policies
Noises Off !. Larsen Theatre. Los Angeles, CA
DEPOSIT
A non-refundable 50% Deposit and a signed Contract are required to secure your booking.† This deposit guarantees your booking, day and time, and allows us to prepare effectively for your session. After submitting your Client Intake Form and agreeing to the contract, you'll receive an invoice for the deposit via email which will guide you to our payment center, ensuring convenience and security for you our client.
LAST INSTALLEMENT
Final payment is expected no later than the morning of the scheduled session, an invoice will be emailed to you 5-business days prior to start of your session.
ON LOCATIONS
Parking and/or travel fees for locations outside the Los Angeles County Area, if any, will be in addition to stated session packages.
CANCELATIONS
Session fees are non-refundable. In the event that you need to reschedule your session, please let us know as soon as possible. We require at least 5-business days prior to the start of your session to reschedule or all fees paid will be forfeited. Cancelled sessions must be rescheduled within 30 days.
† Last minute bookings will require a signed contract and payment in full to secure date and time.
production packages
Titus Andronicus. Studio C Theatre. Los Angeles, CA
ESSENTIAL PRODUCTION COVERAGE — $450
2-hour session, 60 images, full run-through during dress/tech rehearsal.
COMPLETE PERFORMANCE CAPTURE — $600
3-hour session, 80 images, full run-through during dress/tech rehearsal.
DIRECTED SCENE SESSION — $525
2.5-hour session, tailored photography based on director’s scene selection.
CHARACTER PORTRAITS — $450
2-hour session, professional portrait session on-set with the characters. Up to 8 characters.
THE SKY IS THE LIMIT — $1750 $1650
5-hour session split into 2 days, 100 images, full run-through during dress/tech rehearsal.
2-Instagram carrousels 6-8 image each,
Tailored photography of director’s choice of two scenes for cinematic coverage.
1 Stage Panorama.
Character Portraits.
5 Black & White images.
Staggered deliveries between 5-business days and 2 weeks. Possibly longer during festival week.
A LA CARTE ADD-ONS
STAGE PANORAMA: A tailored and posed panoramic shot of the set, composed of 5-6 images. An additional 30 minutes must be set aside. — $150
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS: Add 20 extra edited images. Perfect for those needing more coverage without extra time. — $75
EXTENDED SESION TIME: Add 30 minutes, ideal for productions that may run over the planned session time. — $75
SOCIAL MEDIA PACKAGE: An 8-10 image carrousel optimized for social platforms like Instagram and Facebook. — $100
BLACK & WHITE SET: 10 black-and-white versions of selected images, adding a timeless and dramatic touch. — $50
PRIORITY DELIVERY: For delivery of main set within 48 hours instead of the usual 5 business days—great for urgent needs—Some A LA CARTE items may not qualify. — $50
† Lighting Tech must be present for all Production Packages.
important things to know
Red Poppies. Gilbert Theatre. Los Angeles, CA
Actors/performers should be informed of photography session prior to session start, it is recommended at least 24hrs prior to performance.
Actors/performers must be aware of photographer’s freedom to move about on and off stage as described in this guide.
Our photographer will move around the stage and performance area with respect and professionalism, ensuring that performers feel comfortable and supported throughout the session
All areas adjacent to stage/performance area shall be clean and devoid of any obstruction that may interfere with the process and not intended as part of performance.
Depending on theatre, at least first three rows are to be unoccupied by anyone or anything during session.†
Per contract, photographer shall retain copyright of all images for posterity, actor should be made aware that production releases all performers likenesses to photographer.
See contract for full details on services.
† Photographer may instruct for more areas to be cleared depending on layout of theatre
closing thoughts
La Noche Roja. Ancon Guild Theatre. Panama City, Panamá
At DARKER THAN THE SUN, we are dedicated to capturing the heart and spirit of your production through our professional theatre photography. Our experience in the theatre space allows us to understand the unique dynamics of each performance, ensuring that we document the artistry and emotion that bring your vision to life.
We believe that high-quality images are essential for promoting your production, whether for social media campaigns, press releases, or playbills. Our photography also serves as vital documentation of the performance, contributing to the historical record and preserving those unique moments for future generations to appreciate. With our commitment to professionalism and collaboration, you can trust us to deliver stunning visuals that resonate with your audience and enhance the overall impact of your work.
We look forward to working with you to create a memorable visual representation of your production, helping it shine both on and off the stage.