
此文是福州包裝設計公司關于設計公司如果推廣和營銷企業的分享,福州包裝設計公司旨在想讓更多的設計公司提高設計業務能力!
注:配圖為UCI設計公司作品
在攝影界呆了10多年后,我已經知道了這個簡單明了的事實:
找到合適的攝影師很像找到合適的發型師。你不僅會得到你所付出的,而且還有一系列便宜的、昂貴的、糟糕的和令人敬畏的……這將需要你找到"合適的"
相信我,有人擁有相機并不意味著他們知道如何使用它!
在這個世界上,任何一個傻瓜都會拿起相機自稱為攝影師,如果你雇錯了人,你這個企業主就有可能犯下代價高昂的錯誤。
為了幫助你避免在錯誤的攝影師身上浪費時間和金錢,我會給你一些專業的建議,告訴你如何雇傭最好的攝影師,以及如何一起合作拍攝品牌照片。
通過了解要尋找什么和期待什么,你不僅會收到很棒的攝影內容,而且你會與一個有創意的人建立有意義的關系,這將使你的業務在未來幾年受益匪淺!
尋找合適的攝影師:需要考慮的事情
作為一家企業,很多時候你需要為你的視覺品牌需求雇傭一名攝影師——無論是你的社交媒體內容、網站設計還是其他營銷材料。遺憾的是,在攝影界,與其他行業不同的是,攝影師執業并不需要法律規定或執照。
最糟糕的是。
他們的作品質量沒有保證,更不用說定價標準了!那么,作為一個企業主,你需要知道什么來為你的企業需求雇傭最好的攝影師呢?事實是,你需要自己做一些功課!下面,看看你需要知道的事情,以便你在與潛在攝影師交談時有條不紊:
創建清晰的品牌標準
首先,在你期望別人描繪你的品牌之前,你首先需要對自己有一個清晰的認識。有時我認為攝影師被視為創意奇才,他們能夠通過心靈感應理解客戶的需求,揮動魔杖就能產生完美的效果。
事實并非如此!
他們需要你的指導來正確地捕捉事物,當你做出努力時,他們會感激你,整個過程會順利得多!為了恰當地描述您的業務,您需要對以下內容有一個清晰的輪廓:
你的品牌(調色板、風格、版式、位置意義、聲音等)
買家角色及其偏好和喜歡
您希望目標受眾在與您互動時獲得的體驗
你希望你的目標受眾從你的品牌視覺效果中獲得什么
你希望如何融入商業競爭元素,以及你如何與眾不同
當你能為你的攝影師勾勒出這些時,你很容易就能看出你們兩人之間是否有創造性的協同作用。當雇傭一個商業攝影師時,要注意的一個大的危險信號是如果他們沒有問這些問題,因為這是任何商業攝影成功的關鍵!
最好的商業攝影師會知道你的企業品牌的來龍去脈,顯然是在你的幫助和見解下!
額外提示:創建視覺和書面的品牌輪廓
當和你的攝影師談論你的品牌時,我發現既有書面/口頭的期望,也有你的品牌標準的視覺例子是有幫助的。
為什么?好吧,你對"鄉村"的理解可能和你的攝影師對鄉村的理解不同,所以對一些瑣碎的事物有清晰的視覺會很有幫助。這可以簡單地是一個快速的圖像集合,或者是一個他們可以從視覺上理解的拼趣視覺板。
定義您的項目和攝影需求
作為客戶,你需要對你的攝影需求有清晰的預期。網站需要橫幅圖片嗎?你想要大頭照嗎?要產品照片還是辦公空間照片?
作為一個企業主,每次你雇傭一個攝影師,最好是創建一個你需要的照片的總清單。想出一個簡短但詳細的描述來描述你的項目。包括項目所有重要方面的列表。例如,如果您要為一家烹飪用具企業推出一個新的產品系列,您可能希望創建這樣一個列表:
產品是不銹鋼的,可以反光
特寫微距鏡頭
攝影棚白色背景照片
品牌產品攝影鏡頭
網站主頁上橫幅的廣角、偏心圖像
生活方式品牌照片中拍攝的產品
三種型號(三種不同的女性)
在風格化空間中使用產品的模型
模型細節鏡頭(手和其他姿勢)
網站主頁上橫幅的廣角、偏心圖像
比較競爭對手的照片
必須在干凈、現代的廚房里
必須使用品牌調色板
一些照片必須水平拍攝,以便我們可以在網站上使用橫幅顯示
用于照片墻和臉書賬戶的生活照片
像這樣的列表真的可以幫助你縮小你需要的照片類型,并讓攝影師對你的照片期望和需求有更好的了解。越詳細越好。這樣,就不會有差異了!
要詳細討論如何策劃品牌攝影,請看下面的部分!
了解攝影定價
大多數人只對"零售"攝影有經驗,如婚禮、家庭和人像攝影。在這些情況下,攝影師會拍攝照片,并以數字和打印形式向您提供圖像的副本。大多數時候,一次攝影會是一個網站上列出的特定價格,因為他們知道會發生什么和/或拍攝是"典型的"
商業攝影是一個不同的領域,因為每張照片都有不同的期望和需求。如果你正在為辦公空間照片或員工肖像雇傭一名攝影師,有些會很像零售,因為有一個固定的期望。但是,很多時候,商業攝影的定價會有所不同。
商業攝影的平均費用通常在350-500美元之間,半天(4.5小時)1000美元,全天(8小時)1500美元,全天每小時200美元。
現在,在你驚訝之前,要知道定價涉及很多因素:
攝影師咨詢時間/策劃
攝影師時間
攝影師旅行
攝影師剪輯
攝影師服務(美發、化妝、模特電話)
衣柜規劃
場地租賃或工作室工作
攝影師印刷和版權
由于品牌商業攝影涉及的因素太多,許多攝影師不提供標準的定價菜單。相反,他們與潛在客戶協商,然后根據需求、時間和必要的勞動力提供報價。作為一名企業主,了解攝影師在定價時會考慮的許多因素是有好處的。
例如,我曾與許多服裝公司合作,為社交媒體內容、網站和目錄拍攝/設計他們的品牌照片。
看著每一張照片和它們之間的巨大差異,你可以看到它們背后廣泛的計劃,以及為什么我可能會要價更高。
不要以為攝影師只是出現,拍攝和發送照片給你。成功的商業攝影需要大量的計劃和時間!無論是假日促銷、內容填充還是網站圖片,攝影師都要花費大量時間來制作最佳效果,他們應該為此獲得報酬。
獎金:如何在商業攝影上省錢
如果你在看上面的數字,覺得超出了你的范圍,深呼吸!由于商業攝影的拍攝成本會很高,所以有一些方法可以降低成本。以下是一些有用的提示:
通過準備來節省時間:制作拍攝清單,告訴模特會發生什么,并把事情組織好,這樣可以節省你拍攝的時間。做好準備很重要,因為你可以減少拍攝時間,尤其是當工作室按小時收費的時候。
拍攝前溝通期望:在照片拍攝的前一天,與你的攝影師溝通,確保你們意見一致。這樣做,你可以避免因溝通不暢而不得不購買重拍。
提供自己的服務:如果攝影師不得不自己找模特、發型師和化妝師,有時他們會向你收取更多的費用。如果你對這些服務感興趣,雇傭你自己的人來降低生產成本可能會很容易。尋找模特或者你認識的可以做模特的人。認識一個會做頭發和化妝的朋友嗎?為他們提供你的產品和服務的交易,幫助你脫穎而出!
在當地拍攝:為了避免額外的旅行費用或被收取外景拍攝費用,自己去找外景。提前尋找可以工作的地點真的可以降低你的攝影成本,這只是需要一些時間,但是如果是免費的,為什么不呢?
了解攝影權利和版權
雇傭攝影師最令人困惑的一個方面是弄清楚照片的所有權。
要明確的是,除非你有一份書面的和簽署的雇傭協議,攝影師將保留他們拍攝的圖像的所有權。1976年的聯邦版權法明確規定,圖像的所有權由創建它的人保留。因此,您不擁有這些圖像。您實際上是在授權使用這些圖像。
請記住,攝影師的工作不僅僅是簡單地按下按鈕。他們正在創造照明、定位和后期處理的平衡,讓你的愿景成為現實。創造產生所有權!
另一件要考慮的事情是數字版權費,如果你的攝影師需要額外的費用,基于你如何使用這些圖像。如果它們是你網站上員工頭像的照片,你可能沒有許可費,但是如果你雇傭了一個攝影師來做廣告攝影,你會用它來"銷售產品",你可能會看到一些額外的費用!
雖然這可能會讓一些人有點困惑,但請記住,如果你雇用一名攝影師來拍攝為你"銷售"產品的圖像,他們會為你創造額外的利益,因此攝影師可能想要分一杯羹!
提前了解這些信息將有助于與潛在攝影師進行使用和所有權對話。一定要把這些協議寫成書面協議并簽字,這樣拍照后就不會有"震驚"了。
尋找合適的攝影師:需要尋找的東西
既然你已經做好了功課,知道了在與攝影師見面之前應該知道什么,那么下一步就是找到成為一名優秀攝影師的條件。在這一部分,我將分享你在雇用專業人士時應該尋找的東西,而不是成為浪費時間和金錢的攝影師的獵物。
讓我們從一些危險信號比較開始:
業余與專業
業余的通常便宜很多。如上所述,一分錢一分貨
業余愛好者缺乏快速適應不斷變化的攝影環境的經驗
業余愛好者缺乏備用設備,因為他們"剛剛起步",不知道他們需要什么
業余愛好者通常仍然會給他們的圖像加水?。ㄟ@是2000年的事了)
業余愛好者在他們的投資組合中缺乏出版物特征和突出的客戶
專業人士有時更習慣于自己的方式,因為他們經驗豐富,知道該怎么做
專業人士通過有意義的談話來了解客戶
專業人士會問很多問題
專業人士有一套周轉時間和攝影程序
為了更多地討論您應該尋找的東西,讓我們深入一些細節:
查詢攝影師知識
這很容易被忽視,因為作為一個客戶,你可能不太了解攝影,因此你正在雇人,但不要假設他們知道他們在做什么,因為他們是一個"攝影師"
成為一名積極的消費者,提問以了解他們在回答以下問題時的舒適度、專業知識和信心:
他們如何管理室內和室外的照明環境?弱光情況怎么辦?
他們以什么模式拍攝,拍攝的圖像質量如何?(希望他們以手動模式和原始質量拍攝)
他們是如何為照片擺好姿勢并設計出造型的?
他們拍了多少張照片?他們是否與其他企業合作過,如果有,是誰?
他們通常如何會見客戶?他們有重復出現的客戶嗎?
他們是怎么編輯照片的?他們有某種風格化的編輯濾鏡/風格嗎?
一個關鍵提示:聽聽他們的回答,對你有教育意義嗎?如果是這樣,他們可能知道他們的東西,這是一個好跡象!
如今,許多攝影師知道基本知識,并通過用計算機修改(圖片或照片)動作來掩蓋他們缺乏技能。確保你雇傭了真正了解攝影過程的人。
看看他們是多么足智多謀和商業頭腦
最好的商業攝影需要時間。一個高質量的攝影師愿意花時間來確保你的生意達到最佳效果。這包括就你的業務、品牌、照片的使用以及你希望從中獲得的結果提出正確的問題。
除了從里到外了解你的業務,他們還必須在項目的技術方面投入時間。他們應該表現出愿意投入時間和資源來建立一個注重細節的拍攝。
你的目標觀眾將會發現低質量的照片。他們可能無法確定為什么會有這種感覺,但如果事情進展得太快,他們會感到厭煩!
通過找到像你一樣致力于你的品牌的人來避免他們的失望!
跟蹤你的攝影師,做一些調查
通過查看他們的社交媒體、閱讀評論和當地列表來開始你的搜索。
客戶的反饋是積極的嗎?攝影師如何回應?他們如何與他們的照片墻粉絲互動,他們看起來是否反應靈敏、風度翩翩?
仔細查看潛在攝影師的網站和博客,查看他們拍攝的其他項目的照片,這將讓你了解他們的風格。網站的設計也可能暗示了攝影師的個性和感受力。他們的內容是最新的還是看起來像是2000年代在寫日志(部落格)的人上做的很差?
他們的風格是否符合你的品牌標準,以及你在尋找什么?如果沒有,他們可能不是最適合你的需求,所以繼續尋找其他人描繪你想要的攝影風格!
投資組合檢查,深入挖掘
除了看到你的攝影師如何在網上描繪自己,你還想更深入地挖掘他們的作品,因為這是你付錢給他們的目的!
一定要看看他們在網站和社交平臺上列出的前幾張照片。不要害怕真正深入了解他們是如何做事的!
可以理解的是,攝影師首先展示他們最好的作品來吸引人們。但是,如果你稍微仔細看看,發現照片的質量和一致性很差,或者最好的照片只來自少數客戶,你可能想找一個更有經驗的攝影師。
雇用一個擁有多樣化、高質量和一致的投資組合的人很可能是比缺乏這些特征的人更好的選擇。
他們的協商怎么樣?
最好的商業攝影師很像自由職業的藝術總監。真正的藝術家和僅僅是攝影師的人有很大的區別。
避免"僅僅是攝影師"的類型。
藝術指導攝影師是一個專門了解品牌和圍繞廣告的一切,包括產生新的想法,創造設計和品牌信息,管理項目等。
如果你雇傭了一個不是真正藝術家的人,你會有很大的壓力去想出創造性的方法來描繪你的品牌,這是你通過雇傭一個攝影師想要避免的。
你不希望有人出現并希望被指導。如果有人能想出創造性的方法來表達和描繪你的品牌,這超出了你的想象,那么這個攝影師就是你想要雇傭的。他們是那些真正把你的品牌放在心上,沉浸在用最好的方式宣傳你的品牌的藝術中的人!
確保你們的個性和諧
不要低估喜歡你的攝影師并與他建立感情的重要性!
就像任何商業伙伴關系一樣,為了一個共同的目標,能夠相互聯系、相互理解將是你成功的關鍵。如果攝影進展順利,你的攝影師可能會是一個持續多年的創造性關系,所以如果你們的個性不能很好地融合,你可能不會有長期的好處。
他們提供化妝、發型和服裝咨詢嗎?
大多數攝影師會有他們推薦的化妝師、發型師和/或服裝設計師。如果他們沒有推薦,他們很可能已經有一段時間沒有進入這個行業了,這是一個危險信號。
優秀的攝影師在創意社區中人脈很廣,如果你需要他們的推薦,他們會隨時為你提供幫助。
獲取后期制作細節
他們的后期制作流程是怎樣的?
他們有堅實的流程和周轉時間嗎?他們有沒有跟你談過編輯濾鏡,以及他們會用什么類型的風格來設計照片?
這里有一個你想問的照片問題的列表,這樣你就能知道拍攝后會發生什么:
有多少照片會被編輯?你有權查看原始文件嗎?
照片將以什么分辨率返回?
有哪些照片權?
編輯和接收照片需要多長時間?
圖像會是高分辨率的嗎?
他們在多大程度上修飾了圖像?(范圍從簡單的白平衡到美顏修飾和風格化藝術效果)
如果他們沒有一個堅實的過程來編輯照片,并能傳達什么期望,你可能要考慮另一個攝影師。
他們會備份照片嗎?
這是沒有借口的,專業人士總是在兩個地方備份照片,一個在異地。
作為客戶,你絕不會希望聽到攝影師沒有設備支持,更不用說后期制作過程中保護你的照片了。
我經常聽到一些人講述恐怖故事,他們把作品放在一起,他們的攝影師的設備出了故障,他們沒有備份。我也聽說過一些恐怖的故事,有人因為攝影師沒有在其他地方備份照片而在后期制作時丟失了照片。
不要成為另一個恐怖故事!
要知道,由于水漬、硬盤燒毀或其他技術問題,你的照片很容易消失,所以請確保你的攝影師有一個保護你的圖像的游戲計劃。
如果他們沒有流程來保護您的圖像,您可能會想找其他人。
他們對細節有眼光嗎?
很多時候,這是從"工作"中剔除專業人員的一個重要因素。
一個好的攝影師必須對細節有敏銳的眼光,以確保照片中的所有元素——燈光、com
position, the subject, hair/makeup and everything else in between—work together harmoniously to convey the right vision or message for a brand,Too often, I see photographers who let background clutter, flyaway hairs, and other details go during a photo shoot and this can really take away quality. Be sure to ask them if they will look for cars, signs, flyaway hairs and other details during a shoot, especially if they are outside.
Your photographer should be aware and be your “eyes” for what works best. If you have to point out problems during a shoot, they might not be the best fit.
Schedule a Test RunIf you are a bit wary of photographers, you can never go wrong with having them do a smaller scale shoot to test drive their skillset!
This is a great opportunity to get to know your photographer and begin to feel comfortable having them take control of your visual branding experience! If they do not do a great job, you know not to hire them for the bigger projects!
You Found The Photographer: How to Plan a Shoot Together!Wherever you are in business, at some point, inevitably, you’ll want to produce a photoshoot to showcase products, services or announcement.
This might seem like a daunting task, but it really doesn’t need to be that complicated at all!
Successful, high quality, branded photography is a huge part of running a successful business these days, so to make your job easy, I want to share the steps you need to take with your photographer in planning detailed shoots for your business or brand.
Come Up With Your ProjectThe first step of every shoot should be to come up with a concept.
You need to have a clear vision of your desired outcome and know your goals for the shoot. ?Not only will this give you the framework you need to plan a successful brand photo shoot, it will also help you to communicate your vision and goals with your collaborators, including your photographer.
So, to help you work through that process ask yourself the following questions:
How and Where are Your Photos Being Used?
Identifying where your brand photos will show up will help you plan out the shots you need, provide you with a range of content that is cohesive within your brand style and ensures that you end up with content that fits the needs of your project.
For example, there is nothing worse than realizing your photographer shot a lot of verticals when you needed photos for banners!
It’s important to ask yourself what the intention of this photoshoot is so you can make sure your photos achieve that desired result. Are these photos going to be used for storytelling social media posts? Are they going to be used in banner images on your website? Are they going to be used for campaign images?
By thinking out the purpose of your images and how you will be using them will?dictate what type of shots you need to produce (ie. horizontal, vertical, or square crop? Detail or wide shot? Colored backdrops or white?), what size they’ll need to be and guarantee that your photoshoot produces the right photos for your needs.
What Design Elements Do I Need to Include?
To help create a visual concept, it’s helpful to create a “mood board” or inspiration page.
This is where you can have fun on Pinterest creating “secret boards” or creating a Google Drive folder of images! Creating an inspiration board that captures the aesthetic side of what we’re trying to achieve will also serve as a stimulus for starting to brainstorm specific shot ideas.
Things included in the inspirational project should be:
Wardrobe styling Color scheme Locations Styling Mood experience Lighting Brand implementation Themes Products/services to be usedFor example, I created this below mood board on Pinterest to inspire a valentines day shoot with Wisconsin Influencer Tiffany Tomiko.
The end result was this urban valentines day inspired shoot including valentines day balloons, details and even a braided heart hairstyle!:
Generally, your inspiration board should be made up of a variety of content that can be used as a visual reference as to what you’re trying to achieve with your brand photo shoot and to define the creative direction of the project.
To help you further,?PetaPixel created a fantastic video above that can help inspire some of the steps you need to take to conceptualize a photoshoot that can brand your business and give people the “feel” or “connections” you want!
BONUS TIP: Be Fearless!?I know it’s cliche to say “think outside the box,” but in many cases the more “out there” the concept is, the better! People love fresh and new content ideas so really dig into your brand and products and see how you can visualize it in a fun way!
(This is coming from someone who has photographed photoshoots based off of: Great Gatsby, Skateboarding, Maleficent, to even romantic France!)
Create Details That Matter to Your Target AudienceDo industry research to see what types of photos have typically become popular, well-engaged with and successful. Try to break down the elements of why it’s successful and replicate it in your own branded way.
For example, if you are a business selling beanie hats, you can look up hashtags #beanie #beaniehats on Instagram and other platforms as well as searching in Google for Beanie Hats and see what images pop up. For the top search results, analyze the pages images and see what they did. For social media, look for common trends that made beanie images popular.
This was the results for #beanie on Instagram:
This was the results for #beanie on Facebook:
From social media results for “top photos” of #beanies you can see the general common trends that matter to target audiences:
Lifestyle photography Clean and minimal studio product photography Detail macro shots of weave details Stylization Influencer recognitionIf you look at Google results and top websites selling beanies you will see things like below:
From search results of beanies you can see the general common trends that matter to your target audience:
Lifestyle photography Photography showing product use like snowboarding, tubing, hot chocolate, bonfires etc Clean and minimal product photography (with model variations) Detail macro shots of weave details StylizationLike these examples, you can do some research as to what kind of photographs are popular and what people like to see. With that information, you can plan photo poses and content that will be relevant to your industry!
As anything in marketing, it’s important to always shoot with your target audience in mind!
Assemble Your Needs and TeamAn obvious step, but an important one is to see what you need to accomplish the photos you have set out in both purpose and aesthetic. Will your photos require a hairstylist, makeup artist, an artist to create backdrops, influencers, etc?
When thinking about who to hire, along with costs, you will want to find people who work in your similar markets. For example, if you are looking for influencers to sell your beanies in the example above, you will want to look at relevant:
Snowboarding influencers Fashion influencers Skiing influencers Extreme sports influencers Cold weather country influencers (like Iceland)Looking for collaborators for items to be included in your photoshoot can also create meaningful content buzz that can cross promote and be helpful to your business! Reach out to your dream team vendors and ask!
When you find someone who works with similar people or has a similar aesthetic to you, get in touch with them!
Nail Down DetailsOnce you have the photography concept, project details and team decided, you will need to nail down some details. As you want to make the most out of every shoot you do, you might want to consider the following to make sure everything runs smoothly:
Plan Location Requirements
It’s important to take the time to think about where you’d like to photograph your shoot. If you have a venue in mind, think about visiting it to make sure it will fit your theme and your brand.
If you’re shooting on location, check that the land is public and not privately owned; you don’t want to get in trouble! Do you need a permit? Does it cost money to use the location and can you pass that cost on to your photographer?
For example, when I shot for Krista Salmon jewelry she wanted to recreate the styling of Anthropologie where fashion met with nature and bohemian vibes for her summer seasonal catalog.
We decided on shooting at the botanically dynamic Meadowlark Gardens which required you to reserve a photography day and to pay a photography fee.
As they are a location that thrives on exclusivity for brides and photoshoots alike, it was good we planned with the location ahead of time instead of arriving and being turned away, leaving us scrambling for a location.
Overall, their botanicals gave us a lot of different locations from flower beds, lily pads, palms and more!
In this example, thinking about locations, securing location details and planning out wardrobes to match each botanical location led to catalog design success!
Check out the final catalog I created here that features the lifestyle photos and product photography we planned.
How to Choose Models
If you are working on a specific project, you might need models to make your concept come to life. If you’re new to working with models, you might be puzzled on how to find them. Depending on your needs, here are a few suggestions:
If you need an experienced model, try looking at local modeling or talent agencies Connect with models in model and photographer meetup groups on social media Choose to use your friends for models! Just make sure they are made aware of the terms of the shoot. Will they be okay with their likeness being published online or in print? If you are doing a specific shoot like selling ballet apparel, you can go to local ballet studios and see if they could volunteer as models in exchange for free apparel etc.When looking for models, make sure you think of your target audience and think about what they would like to see! Common enough, people want to see themselves reflected in the content they consume, so if you are a women’s apparel company think about the types of models your customers will want to see. For example, Aerie heard the voice of women in America that were tired of of “Victoria Secret Angels” and see more “realistic” beauty in women’s underwear content.
Like Aerie, you too can use market research to choose your models and ambassadors carefully and thoughtfully!
When working with models, also make sure you always get a signed model release. There are many free templates online but this allows you and protects you in using the photos the way they were intended to be used.
Consider Prop Usage
Props can be an essential to photos as they can add another element and depth to photos.
If you have things that make sense to include in your branded photoshoot, be sure to bring them! Props are meant to add to your photo, not take away from your photo, so make sure you use them sparingly and thoughtfully.
So, if you are a business consultant looking for great content photos think about things you commonly use. They could be props like:
Laptops, notebooks, books, desk materials Your office space Photographically pretty food items (cupcakes, donuts, alcoholic drinks, etc) Flowers Mugs you love Jewelry and other fun accessories CandlesBy using some of these items in your photos—especially if you are creating content around specifics—it is best to incorporate relevant props into your photoshoot! They can add some diversity, creativity and interest to your content!
BONUS TIP: Texture is Awesome For Photos!?Texture brings a lot of visual interest to photos and can really help you creatively stand out amongst your competitors! Bring in textured linens, layer textured outfits, put products in textured situations that will make your audience want to touch and feel everything in your images!
Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and prints. The ability to mix patterns and prints is definitely a gift, but if you can do it well, then you can create something truly unique.
Choosing Clothing and WardrobeAs silly and superficial as this sounds, you miss out when you do not plan wardrobes out thoughtfully!
Think about branded color palettes, matching products together for complimentary color choices and how your wardrobe will work within your location. For example, if you are planning a shoot to introduce leadership on a “ABOUT ME” page you will want to make sure your leadership’s clothing is complimentary to your brand colors and style, since your photos will be used on your website and throughout your social media accounts. If your brand is ultra high end and sophisticated, don’t wear something super casual and vice versa!
For example, Lila Rose is a Republican blogger who for many photoshoots wears conservative red, black and white outfits. She is the epitome of Washington DC female fashion in all of her photography branding. She knows how she needs to appeal to her DC political audience through not only message but visuals!
Another example to contrast that is my dear friend Annabel Wrigley of?LittlePinCushionStudio.?Annabel is a designer, author and owner of a modern sewing and crafting studio for children in the small town of Warrenton, Virginia.
In her photo shoots, she is commonly wearing lots of textured, playful and creative outfits that reflect her brand. She is branding herself visually to be recognized as creative, whimsical and bright.
Like these examples, you have to think about wardrobe purpose and branding. Since I have worked with many businesses on wardrobe planning I suggest a lot of wardrobe rules here in my styling guide for clients. (Typically focused on headshots and personal photography)
Ultimately, you want to dress for your brand and your audience! Ask yourself, what will the outfits project to viewers?
Have Staff on Hand or a Second PhotographerA lot of the time, you might plan so much around the actual shoot that you miss out on some low hanging content opportunities along the way!
Take advantage of other content you can create throughout your photography planning process like producing:
“Behind-the-Scenes” looks into your shoot “Sneak Peeks” of products used in shoots Personalities of employees involved Interviews or reviews of models and people involved during the processEven though they aren’t going to be “final looks” or production, people enjoy feeling like they are part of a process so seeing sneak peeks gives them a feeling of being connected with your brand.
For example, Utah Valley Bride frequently shares “behind the scene” content that helps people see how shoots are created and get’s them excited for new publications! Not only that, but it introduces potential brides to quality vendors they can contact through social media!
Take advantage of these opportunities and plan out for someone to be there to create valuable, engaging and helpful content to your viewers! (Yes, beyond the final products)
Put Together a Shot ListSince there are a lot of moving pieces to a photoshoot, it can be easy to rush through photos and forget some poses or meaningful shots you planned for, but just forgot due to the madness of the day!
To not miss out on content you need and to take some pressure off, create a shot list ahead of time.
By going into a photoshoot with specific ideas for shots you want to create, you’re able to control the outcome and ensure that you’re walking away with images you need and that each one incorporates your brand color palette, style and personality.
Try to be as specific as possible when writing down ideas for each shot, and if you have ideas for specific props styling or photo crops, include those details! To create a shot list, you can either create a written list or spreadsheet with the following information:
Shot # Shot Description Framing Props/Styling NotesThis is your chance to get really specific with each shot and talk to your photographer about how everything all works together. Make sure you’re including a variety of shots all while allowing the photographer some creative room.
BONUS: Posing Tip
For many people, when they get in front of a camera they do not know what to do with themselves.
So, to make things easier for the photographer and models, look for poses you like online and map out how you can incorporate props and other elements you have planned using those poses. Pinterest is full of posing guides that can help you come up with visually stunning poses to use in your photography sessions!
By printing off poses or including them in your shot lists, it can be really helpful in directing what you exactly want during the shoot! Some photographers have poses in mind and have done their research and others really depend upon the models to work up ideas.
Be prepared to step in and give suggestions if things seem stagnant!
Have Back Up PlansMany styled shoots take place outdoors, so it’s wise to have a back up plan if the weather is bad.
Can you postpone if it rains? Can you go indoors somewhere? Do you have studio space available somewhere?
Always be sure to make the most out of your planned shoot because there was a lot of time, effort and individuals involved! Having a back up plan can really help everyone involved stay in the creative and happy space.
Stress hurts creativity so if you can keep everyone in a good headspace, you will produce better results having to make quick changes!
Awesome Business Brand Photos, Here We Come!Although many people do not feel creative—especially when it comes to visual business branding—photographers and other creatives will be crucial and important relationships to build for your business growth.
Finding the right photographer is a big deal and I hope that this article helps you find someone amazing to work with. Using your good sense, branding and a few pointers from yours truly, I hope you get the photographer you want, and deserve, for your business needs!
I am an open book and if you are looking for a photographer to talk to, you can contact me any time.
I specialize in lifestyle and business branding photography with Afton Photography (to help grow your business by sharing your personality and story with your audience). But I can also help you with many tips on personal branding, social media and visual content! Do not be shy and reach out for any questions!
What is your biggest struggle when it comes to visual branding? Does photography stress you out? Share some pain points and maybe we can start a fun chain of Q&A! ?Comment and share your thoughts below!
Cydney HatchAuthor
Cydney is a polka dot wearing business owner, photographer, cupcake enthusiast and writer, who through her work, shares her personal passions about visual marketing, branding and business strategy.
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