Frequently Asked Questions
Straight
Answers to
Real Questions.
Everything you need to know about working with HRZN Media — how we work, what things cost, how long projects take, and what to expect from start to finish. If it is not here, reach out and we will tell you directly.
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Working
With Us
With Us
How the relationship works, what to expect from the first conversation, and how we operate day to day.
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What does the process look like from first contact to finished project?
You reach out with a brief description of what you need. We respond within one business day, ask a few questions, and schedule a short discovery call. From there we scope the project, send a proposal, and once approved we schedule the shoot. After production we handle editing and deliver via a secure cloud folder. The whole process from first contact to delivery depends on scope — a headshot session can turn around in days, a brand film typically takes two to four weeks from shoot to delivery.
Who will I actually be working with?
Andrew handles all client communication, strategy, and project management. James leads all production — every shoot, every edit, every deliverable. There are no account managers, no subcontractors, and no outsourcing. You work directly with the people who built this company, from the first call to the final file. That is not a feature — it is the whole point.
How fast do you respond to inquiries?
Within one business day — always. For time-sensitive projects, call or text us directly at (205) 253-7329 and we will respond same day. We do not leave inquiries sitting in a queue.
Do you require a contract?
Yes. Every project is documented with a clear scope of work that outlines deliverables, timeline, revision terms, and payment schedule. This protects both sides and eliminates ambiguity about what is included. It is not complicated — it is just clear.
How many revisions are included?
Unlimited revisions until you are 100% satisfied with the agreed scope of work. If you want to add a new scene, change locations, request additional deliverables, or substantially change the direction after production — that is a change order and scoped separately. But adjustments to what we agreed to? Those are unlimited. We do not bill you into approval.
Who owns the content after the project?
You own all final deliverables. Full commercial usage rights transfer to you at project completion. Use the content on your website, social media, ads, print, and anywhere else without restriction. HRZN Media retains the right to include the work in our portfolio — if your project requires confidentiality, let us know and we will accommodate that.
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Pricing &
Payment
Payment
How we scope and price projects, what payment looks like, and what government clients need to know.
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Why do you not publish pricing?
Because every project is different. A two-minute brand film and a one-minute social clip require completely different amounts of planning, shoot time, and post-production. Publishing a flat rate would mean overcharging some clients and undercharging others. We scope each project based on your actual needs and give you a clear number before you commit to anything.
What determines the price of a project?
Primarily: number of shoot days, number of locations, number of final deliverables, and post-production complexity. Secondary factors include travel outside the Birmingham metro, motion graphics or animation, voiceover, rush turnaround, and additional formats (vertical cuts, thumbnails, captions). We walk through all of this in the scoping conversation before any numbers are put on paper.
What are your payment terms?
Standard payment is cash or check. For larger projects, we typically structure a deposit at signing and the remainder at delivery. Government and municipal clients can be accommodated via purchase order and Net-30. W-9 and Certificate of Insurance are available upon request for vendor registration.
Do retainer clients get any benefits?
Yes. Retainer clients — typically social media management clients on a 3-month minimum agreement — receive 20% off all à la carte services, priority scheduling across all services, and faster turnaround on time-sensitive deliverables. Retainer clients receive most videos within one week and time-sensitive pieces in under 24 hours when needed.
Can government agencies work with you on a PO?
Yes. We accept purchase orders and Net-30 payment terms for government agencies, municipalities, and law enforcement departments. We provide W-9, Certificate of Insurance, and any documentation required for vendor registration. We have worked with government procurement processes before and know how to move through them efficiently.
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Video
Production
Production
How our video production process works, what we deliver, and what to expect on shoot day.
Video production page →
What types of video do you produce?
Brand films, recruitment videos, testimonial videos, social content, event coverage, podcast video, product videos, community and nonprofit impact films, law enforcement media, real estate walkthroughs, and church and nonprofit content. If you need video that communicates something clearly and persuasively, we can produce it.
How long does a video project take from shoot to delivery?
Standard turnaround for most video projects is one to two weeks from shoot day to first cut delivery. Simple social videos can be faster. Complex brand films with multiple locations, interviews, and motion graphics take longer. Retainer clients receive priority turnaround — most videos within one week, time-sensitive pieces possible in under 24 hours.
Do you handle scripting and creative direction?
Yes. Strategy and creative direction are part of every project — we do not show up with a camera and ask you what to shoot. Before any production begins, we work with you to define what the video needs to accomplish, who it is for, what it needs to say, and how it should feel. A script or shot list is prepared in advance of every shoot day.
What do you deliver at the end of a project?
Final edited video files optimized for your intended use — website, YouTube, social media, broadcast — in the formats you need. For most projects this includes a primary cut plus short-form versions for Reels, Shorts, and TikTok. Everything is delivered via a secure cloud folder organized by deliverable type. We archive your footage for six months by default, with extended retention available.
Can you handle voiceover or music licensing?
Yes. Professional voiceover and licensed music are available as add-ons to any video project. All music used in our deliverables is licensed for commercial use — we do not use unlicensed tracks that will get your YouTube or social content flagged or taken down.
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Photography &
Headshots
Headshots
What photography sessions look like, what is delivered, and how fast you get your images.
Photography page →
How quickly do we receive our photos?
Most photography sessions deliver within 48 hours via a private online gallery. Real estate listings deliver under 48 hours because we understand your timeline is driven by the market. Larger events and multi-day shoots deliver within 48–72 hours. Rush delivery is available — ask us when you book.
Do you come to us or do we come to you?
We come to you. We shoot on location at your office, business, home, or any location that fits the project. We bring all necessary lighting and equipment. If you need a specific studio-style backdrop setup, let us know when you book and we will make it happen.
How many images do we receive?
Deliverable counts are scoped per session. A standard individual headshot session typically delivers 10–20 final edited images. Team sessions, brand shoots, and events are scoped by duration and coverage requirements. We tell you exactly what you will receive before you book — no surprises at delivery.
What should I wear for a headshot session?
We send a prep guide with every headshot booking. The short version: solid colors, business or business casual attire, minimal patterns. Bring two or three options and we will tell you what works best on the day. We guide you through the session — you do not need to know how to pose. That is our job.
Can you photograph a large team in one session?
Yes. We coordinate team sessions for businesses of any size — from a two-person partnership to a full department. We schedule the session efficiently so it does not pull your entire team away from work for longer than necessary. Large team sessions are scoped and priced per the number of individuals and the formats needed.
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Drone &
Aerial
Aerial
Certification, legal compliance, airspace, and what you need to know before booking drone coverage.
Drone page →
Is your drone work legal for commercial use?
Yes. Our operator holds FAA Part 107 certification — the federal requirement for commercial drone operations. All aircraft are FAA-registered and Remote ID compliant. We are fully insured for commercial aerial work. You will never have a compliance problem with our drone operations.
Can you fly near Birmingham International Airport?
Yes. Much of the Birmingham metro falls within controlled airspace. We obtain LAANC authorization to operate legally in Class B, C, D, and E airspace — which means we can fly in areas where uncertified or improperly credentialed operators cannot. If you are unsure whether your location is in controlled airspace, ask us and we will look it up before you book.
What happens if weather is bad on shoot day?
We monitor conditions before every flight. If wind, precipitation, or ceiling make operations unsafe or produce unusable footage — we reschedule. We do not fly in marginal conditions to check a box. Rescheduling is built into our process and never costs you extra.
Do you deliver raw footage or edited content?
Edited, color-graded, format-optimized content — not raw files. Raw drone footage needs significant post-production before it is usable. That work is included in every aerial deliverable. What you receive is ready to publish or hand to your editor as a polished sequence.
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Law
Enforcement
Enforcement
What makes HRZN uniquely qualified to work with police departments and government agencies.
Law enforcement page →
Why are you different from other agencies for law enforcement work?
James McCool is an active sworn law enforcement officer — not a former officer, not someone with a relative in law enforcement. He currently manages his department's official social media presence and FAA UAS drone program. He has worked patrol, narcotics, and SWAT. When he walks onto a law enforcement shoot, he already understands OPSEC, chain-of-command approvals, PII exposure, CJIS constraints, and what cannot be shown. No other production company in the Birmingham market can say this.
How do you handle content approval for law enforcement clients?
Every law enforcement project follows a structured approval workflow: Draft → internal PIO and Command review → revisions → final sign-off → controlled release. Nothing goes public before your chain of command has cleared it. We hold content under embargo for as long as legal and operational requirements dictate — with no pressure from our side to release early.
Can you work with our department's PO and billing process?
Yes. We accept purchase orders and Net-30 terms for all law enforcement and government clients. W-9 and Certificate of Insurance are available immediately. We can complete your department or city's vendor registration process — we have done it before and know how to move through it efficiently.
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Logistics &
Delivery
Delivery
Where we work, how far we travel, and how final files are delivered and stored.
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Where are you based and how far do you travel?
We are based in Trussville, Alabama, and serve the entire greater Birmingham metro as our primary market — including Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Pelham, Chelsea, Alabaster, and surrounding areas. We travel statewide for the right projects, including Huntsville, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. For government, law enforcement, corporate, and high-value productions, we travel nationally.
How are final files delivered?
Via a secure private cloud folder — organized by deliverable type, labeled clearly, and ready to download in the formats you need. No USB drives, no file transfer services with download limits, no emailing large files. You get a link, you download what you need, and you can access it for the duration of the archive period.
How long do you archive our footage?
Six months by default — raw and edited files both. Extended retention is available for ongoing clients and projects where you might need to revisit footage for future deliverables. If you know at the start of a project that you will want footage retained longer, let us know and we will document that in the scope.
Can you post content directly to our social channels?
Yes — as part of a social media management retainer or as a standalone managed posting add-on. Managed posting includes captions, sizing, scheduling, thumbnails, tags, and basic analytics for TikTok, Instagram and Reels, Facebook, and YouTube and Shorts. This is available as an à la carte service for clients who want delivery plus distribution without a full management retainer.
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If something is not covered here, reach out. We respond within one business day and give you straight answers — not a sales pitch designed to avoid your question.
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Media
How our social media management retainers work, what is included, and what to expect month to month.
Social media page →