Lights, Camera and Say Cheeeese!!

Promo photos and shots are becoming all that more popular and necessary now. Gone are the days where the bathroom selfy cuts it for the business world and beyond. While a duck face pucker up or a photo filtered image of you looking you’re best makes a perfect facebook profile photo, unfortunately in the real world those photos don’t. From a business and professional perspective with the work I do, whether it’s for a DJ or singer, author or small business owner, high quality, high resolution professional photos are now as necessary as a business card and a website.

Let’s be honest, business and society are fickle and in the word of publicity and marketing, you need a great package to promote your product. Why, how superficial you’re saying as you read this, unfortunately so. Let’s be real here though, how many of us get sucked into late night TV commercials for a burger or a block of chocolate? We want it, it looks amazing and gets the mind and mouth-watering. How many late night Maccas or servo runs have you made because of a perfectly timed commercial?

When we actually do purchase the advertised product, it’s rarely in any shape, form or size, nor anywhere near as good as the commercial led us to believe. We’re feeling disappointed, annoyed that we let ourselves get sucked in, but we’ve paid the money and oh well. We’ll know better next time right? Or will we? Will we get sucked in again? Probably, but that proves my point, in that clever, glamorised and good quality advertising and images appeal to us as the consumer.

We’re visual souls and while not everyone is highly visual, we like to look at things. We like to see what we’re going to purchase and invest in, put a face to a name and also see an area or are where going to have our function or an event. We wouldn’t rent a house without first inspecting it or buy a car blind folded would we? I rest my case.
If you’re in business (most industry’s this will apply to you), then you’re going to need to invest in some good quality images.

While the below is generic, if you’re in a specific industry and would like further personalised advice and information on what type of shots to get for promotional usage (this will differ from web, print, social media and more). Send me a message and I can provide you with some ideas and maybe point you in the right direction of some good photographers I know.

Research
Look around for photographers who can provide you with what you’re looking for. Cheapest isn’t always best. A photographer who specialises in portraits mightn’t have the slightest idea about food photography. Looks around, read reviews and also look at their portfolios from previous jobs they’ve done. Ask your friends, other businesses or artists you know who they used if you like their photos.

Don’t Be Cheap
Yes anyone can have a camera and take photos but if you really want something that will be of the best and highest quality, then pay the money. See it as an investment and remember you can always claim it as a business related expense. If you’re going to require images on a regular basis say for a product range, different seasons or for different stages or projects, my recommendation would to find a photographer who you can discuss and negotiate a reduced and regular fee. Not only will this work for you but also the photographer. You’ll become a regular return client and regular income for them, rather than one big job. They’ll be more likely to discuss with you and you can probably work something out.

Remember to be respectful too. They’re making a living too, so while you have a budget in mind remember they’re in the business of making money too for offering you their skills and service.

Have images on a plain background
While it’s all well and good to have a photo taken against a brick wall or a graffiti background, have some images taken on a solid and white background. A good photographer will know this anyway and will suggest it. Why, you ask? From a design perspective if the images are going to be added into a document, on an advertisement or put onto another background, then it’s easier for the graphic artist to have clean images. Rather than having to take the time to cut out and around items, remove colours or a pattern. This too will save you time and money in the long run too.

Discuss the shots you’d like taken
If you’ve something in your head of what you’d like, then make sure you tell the photographer beforehand. Come up with a list of the type of shots, locations, props or style you’d like. This will mean as a consumer and client you’re getting the photos you require and need. The photographer isn’t a mind reader and it means you both have clear expectations and a brief to work with. You’ll be able to get it all done in one shoot which means you and you’re not paying additional time/ money for another shoot or extended time and you’re both happy at the end product. You’ll also eliminate running around looking for props and can be relaxed and not stressed. Ask for their input and feedback, suggestions, recommendations too.

Have your hair and make-up done professionally
Ladies, the makeup we do day to day is different in what’s required for shoots. Dramatic make up can make a real statement, making sure the light doesn’t reflect off a certain product and also that blemish we might have, while it can be photo edited out afterwards we want to make sure we’re giving the photographer the best canvas to work with, ourselves. Look around and even ask the photographer if they know someone. Chances are they have a professional they work with or can suggest.

Another bonus, we get pampered! When we look good, we feel good and that’s a win right there. For me it’s always the fake eye lashes for the win. Just make sure you do something afterwards to maximise the feeling and looking amazing. Remember too to communicate with the stylist to get a look you’re happy with.

Make sure you get high res images
Any good photographer will provide you with the best shots from the day both raw and touched up. Make sure that you are provided these files in high res. I can guarantee you that anyone who will be working with these will need the images at the highest and largest quality to work with. You can size and scale down but you cannot increase the quality or size if the initial file you have is not high resolution

Store them in a safe place
Be sure to back up and have a copy of the images you invested in as a back-up. Whether it’s keeping the CD in a safe place, USB given to another person or uploading and keeping them on a cloud or drop box. The last thing you want is having your photos you paid and invested in on your computer. Computer’s don’t live forever and the tears which come with losing things like that and stress associated really aren’t worth the hassle either

Keep your photos up to date
Like our license and passport photos we keep them up to date and change them when we look different or are either happy or unhappy with them. If a product or range change, then the images will need to be reflective of this. From a venue’s perspective it’s always a breath of fresh air when DJ’s have good quality and a variety of photos for us to use. It keeps things fresh, people will recognise you and you want to keep the promoters happy too.

One of the most common recommendations I make for my clients is that they need to have photos taken or new images taken and they always completely agree. Be a step ahead your competitors and have these ready and at your fingertips for use when necessary. Have fun with it too. It doesn’t have to be all posed and gazing off into the distance. Add your own flair, uniqueness and stamp to it. Don’t be afraid to be edgy, risky or fun and don’t forget to enjoy yourself too.

Say Cheeeeeeeeeeeese!!!
Chrissy