Tag: #photographytips

The Photographers Guide to Brand Photography.

WHAT IS BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY?

The lowdown on just exactly what brand photography is, what a brand photographer does, what you need to do to make your brand photography work for you, and why just about every business should be hiring a professional brand photographer .

It’s a rubbish phrase isn’t it, we have all heard of branding and brand photography but what exactly is it and why is it so important when running a business?

Branding isn’t just a logo on a fancy business card, it goes so much deeper than that, it includes your company’s values, core beliefs, and reason for existing ( am I getting too deep for the first couple of paragraphs). It is your identity, it’s what separates you from your competition and what makes your clients want to work with you.

Brand photography can be anything linked with your business, from portraits of the people to the products and the places or even props and flat-lays that link together the aspects of your business. 

Having a range of on-brand photographs gives you a visual identity that matches the tone of your company’s identity which can work alongside a great logo and some brand colours that can help to keep your brand consistent such that it is easily identifiable.

That consistency alongside imagery that helps make your business easily recognisable, will help clarify and solidify your place in the market to your followers, customers, and clients.

WHO NEEDS BRAND PHOTOGRAPHS?

Really every business should have some brand photography. Whether you are a sole trader or a massive international. Telling your story to the world visually is so important.

First impressions are formed in just 50 milliseconds, that’s 0.05 seconds be that on your website or social media.
87 per cent of engagement on Facebook includes posts with imagery. Tweets that include images receive 150% more re-shares.

It is particularly useful for start-ups or those who are looking to re-brand, but it is never too late for any business to start taking their brand photos seriously.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t share your own pictures too, combining these with behind-the-scenes images can be very valuable.

SO WHERE DO YOU START?

My advice would be to research your photographer, find someone whose style you like and whose own brand is closely aligned with your own. Not only will that mean that you will end up with the style of photographs you like, but hopefully you will get along and be able to build a rapport.
Remember your photographer will not only make you and your products look good, but they should be an advocate and ambassador for your brand.

Hopefully, they will be someone you will want to build a long-lasting working relationship with.
So don’t be afraid to ask for a meeting beforehand so you can see if you get along.

Think about the story you would like to tell. Do you need photos taken in a studio or are you more of a lifestyle or outdoor brand? If you are not sure, talk to your photographer about your business too. Personally, I love helping my clients find their USP (unique selling point), and it is often easier for someone outside the business to help you identify it. Your photographer will be bursting with ideas and ways to show off your brand.

Think about your clothing, bring at least a couple of different outfits to your shoot, you will not look the same in all your pictures and they can be used more often.  Wear what makes you feel good, comfortable, but also represents the ‘business you’. It might be something in your brand colours, or you may want a corporate look and a casual look so you can use the photos for different clients or occasions.

Build a library of pictures that you like, share these with your photographer, so they can gauge the style of imagery you like. I usually suggest Pinterest to my clients as it’s an easy way to find and make collections of images that you can share.

Think about how you would like to use your pictures, Make a list of the shots you might like. If you have any ideas for certain social media posts, now is a great time to get some unique images to go alongside them.

HOW CAN I USE MY BRAND PHOTOS?

There are so many uses for your brand photos. Your pictures aren’t just for your ‘about me’ page or your LinkedIn profile. Below are just a few ideas:

Use them on, your Instagram/Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn posts and stories
Also as Cover and profile photos
As an email signature
Pop your pictures into graphics which you can make easily using software like Canva,
or into a video using a program like Quik.
They can be used in your PDF documents
Webinars
Podcasts
In your online store.
They can form part of your press and PR package
Help illustrate your online courses
On your business card
Most pages of your website ( or all if you are so inclined)
Your Blog
Brochures and newsletters
On your thank, you cards
And you could even send one to your parents!

WHEN SHOULD YOU GET STARTED?

Sorry but there isn’t a perfect time and no magic wand which will make sure you are a perfect weight or don’t have a spot that day, I know, I’ve wished for it too.

If you are nervous about having your picture taken, you shouldn’t be, your photographer will want to make you look your best, and if you do have a particular hang-up, there is always photoshop! Talk to your photographer about it, they will not judge and will try and avoid certain angles, etc, to make sure you are comfortable. These things are usually only the things we notice in ourselves.
 
Try out a few poses in front of the mirror. Chin up, isn’t always right for everybody, no matter what you’ve been told. And if all else fails remember, no one else has to see the photos if you don’t want them to.

The perfect time is now!

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Photography hints and tips

Using photography as therapy

As April is National Stress Awareness month, and this time around we are all living in this exceptional circumstance I thought I would start my series of tips with you by talking about how we can use photography as a stress buster and tool for a bit of creative relaxation.
Photography is not always about making the prettiest picture, but it is a great way to release some creativity and express yourself. It doesn’t need to be complicated and some of the simplest things can make for the greatest of images.
So how to find your inspiration? Don’t force it, If you don’t feel like taking pictures then it’s probably not going to work for you. Only take pictures when you WANT to, it needs to be enjoyable and not a chore.
We are somewhat limited at the moment but there are still plenty of photographic opportunities.

Go on that walk

For me, there really is nothing better for the soul than just going for a long walk in natural surrounding especially with the dog. I rarely take my camera ( I know I really should), but I always have a phone camera to hand in case I see something that attracts me. Of course this is something you can do in the garden or around the house just as well if you are in isolation or just don’t fancy going out. A lot of mental illnesses, depression, and other problems arise from inactivity. We’re stuck in our offices, and in particular our homes right now, so any form of exercise can really help lift the spirits. Dance is really good for this as it helps to occupy both body and mind. A ‘Photographic walk’, works in the same way by making you think while you move.

  • TIP 1: If you do have a camera my advice is to take it, pop it over your shoulder as it will add that extra gravitas to your purpose and will help remind you to take those pictures.
  • TIP 2: Try an earlier morning or late evening walk during what is know as the golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset, when the sunlight is at its best and gives everything a golden glow. Weather permitting of course.
  • early morning sky, shooting into the sun
  • Hazy morning sky with side on sun
  • TIP 3: Be mindful of where the sun or that light source is in relation to your subject, if its behind you are you casting a shadow ( and do you want to?) . If its behind the subject is it bleaching it out? Wherever the light is coming from will have a profound effect on what your image looks like, so just remember you are in control of it. You may just have to work around your subject to get it to look how you want.
Back lit vultures create a nice silhouette

TIP 4: Look for the detail, nature is a real marvel, and I love photographing its little details. The shapes and colours that she provides are incredibly up-lifting. I love that photography gives us the opportunity to find beauty in the mundane or everyday.
walk slowly, and look at the ground, or up in the trees. There is a lot that we miss by not looking around us.

Details of nature from a recent walk during lockdown

TIP 5: Think about your composition, try using the rule of thirds. The “Rule of Thirds” can help you create well balanced and interesting shots. This involves dividing your image up into 3 sections, both vertically and horizontally and framing your subject in one or two of the four corners where the divides meet. Most cameras and phones will have guides that you can turn on which will show you the exact position of these.
I will say right up front however that rules are meant to be broken and ignoring this one doesn’t mean your images are necessarily unbalanced or uninteresting. However a wise person once told me that if you intend to break a rule you should always learn it first to make sure your breaking of it is all the more effective!

TIP 6: Take more pictures. So you found something you want to photograph? Don’t just take one photograph from one angle, shoot around your subject, try bending down low or getting up higher ( though let’s not do anything too dangerous now!) shoot it from one side and then the other. Providing you are working on a digital phone or camera you can take as many pictures as you want and can always delete the ones you don’t like, but you very often won’t get the chance to photograph the same thing again, in the same lighting and weather conditions etc , so make the most of it. It might surprise you.

All pictures above were taken on an Iphone SE.

Thanks for taking the time to read this , I hope you have found it useful, please share your results with me on social media and do get in touch if there is a particular subject you would like me to cover. Enjoy your walk.