Creating photography content...

Where do I start?

Content photography is essentially photographs that can be used to help tell the story of your business. They can be used as content for your social media, your blog, your website or in print. I work with clients to create content that they can use over time to share their story, promote a product or service and create lifestyle shots that their clients can relate to. However at the moment this is just not possible so here are some tips to get you started if you would like to have a go at photographing more content for your online presence.

• Tell your story

What is it that you want to tell your audience about? It might be a particular product or a service or it may be the story of you and your business. Whatever it is, take time to really think about what you want to share and why you want to share it. You could always be creative and think not just about your service or product but also about your client- what would they like to see and hear about from you? It is also a good time to share more about yourself too. If you think of it as a story it can help you to plan your photographs with a beginning middle and end. I would suggest writing a shot list to help organise your photo session.

• Plan your photos

Once you have thought about the story for your images plan how you are going to photograph them. Where are you going to take them? Do you need to set up a scene for a product? If you are using a particular room in your house, when does it get the best light? Are there any props that would help tell the story? Lifestyle shots are a good way of helping your client connect to your product or service. You could also think about colours that compliment each other so that when the images are shown together there is a connection between them.

•  Batch your photographs

I would recommend setting aside some time and creating a batch of photographs together. That way they will be more consistent and you can make a bank of images to use. To start with you might decide just to create content for the week ahead but as you get more efficient at a photography session you can create more in one go. 

The bright thread shows the materials used and the background gives the context of a creative works space.

Lucy is in her studio and the green from the table and the colours of webbing for her bags a connected to the thread photograph.

•  Key shots

As you are taking your photographs keep your story in mind. Try to include a variety of images. Wide/ landscape images will set the scene, I’m a real believer in environmental portraits as I know the location can add so much to the story of the person. If you have a workspace this might be a good place to start. You can follow this by moving in to a mid range image, this gives more detail but there is still distance between the photographer and the subject, and then add the detail shots. Don’t forget to move your feet and try different perspectives too. You can also think about what you are using them for- landscape for a Facebook banner or square for Instagram. You might want to leave some space in the image for text.

This sample from Lucy’s studio shoot included a range of shots that she could use to share more about her creative process. The colours were from the range that season so tied in with her product shots too.

•  Selecting your shots

Hopefully when you look at your images you see a good variety but they are consistent and connected. You might start by putting them in an order to link them together. Select the strongest ones and think about how you are going to share them on your social media, you might use some for your instagram grid and others for your stories content. 

•  Editing

Your edits might depend on what camera you have used and how confident you feel with editing. The key thing is to be consistent. Although it might be tempting to use a filter or a magic wand it looks much stronger if they are all edited in the same way and it will look much more consistent to your audience. Editing can really help to make your photographs pop but the look of your images starts when you take the photo and by using good light and composition you will spend less time editing and more time sharing your original story. 

So hopefully that gives you an idea of how to get started. The images used here were taken on my DSLR but you really can use your phone to take good photographs. It really is worth investing time and energy creating the images that you think represent you and your brand to create a connection with your clients. In the future you might want to work with a photographer but it just is not possible at the moment. If you would like any other tips or advice on taking photographs at home please let me know. I’d love to help.  

Photographs from Lucy’s Studio Shoot

How can I take better photos for my business? {Buckinghamshire photographer)

In this challenging time for small businesses and creative people photography can fall down the ‘to do’ list and easily be put off for another day. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to start so I thought I’d share a few ideas to get you thinking about photography content for your small business and share a few tips on how to take better photos on your iPhone (while you might have time to practise).

Give it some thought…

What is it that you want to achieve with your photos? Are you trying to increase your visibility on social media? Are you promoting a new product? Are you aiming for more consistency in your look? Have you planned your content marketing but need photographs to support it?

What is the story that you are trying to tell? Remember that you don’t have to tell the story in one go, it is made up of lots of chapters and may develop in to a trilogy! I would start by breaking it down and thinking of it in small parts. Once you have decided on the focus think of this as a short story that needs to be told and then plan your photographs around that. For example, you might have a workshop that you want to promote so you can take photographs of the activity, of you, of the materials, of the end result, of the location and so on. Write a shot list to make sure you have included everything you think you might want. If you think about this beforehand you can take photographs during a workshop to help promote the next one. The more thought that you give to your photographs the more you are likely to get what you want. Whenever I am working with someone on their business photography the most successful shoots are always the most well planned ones. This will also be true even if it is just you and your iPhone.

As you can imagine I would recommend working with a photographer that you trust and can share your ideas with to create your content but that is not always possible (especially right now as we are housebound for a while). So if it is you and your iPhone be reassured that you can take great insta-worthy pictures on your iPhone by spending a little time thinking about the light and the composition in your photograph even if it is a ‘retro’ iPhone as mine was called recently!

These iPhone pictures are both unedited:

View fullsize

View fullsize

So the first photograph was taken in direct sunshine from the window to the left. This does create a warmth and depth to the photograph with the contrast between light and shadow which is good for this shot but if it is your face that’s the subject it’s better not to have the strong side light as it creates shadows across your face, or if you’re shooting products, your product.

In the second image I pulled the curtain across a little so there was still plenty of natural light but it creates a much more even look. This is really something to think about when you are taking photographs. It is often better to find some open shade so that it is still light but there is no direct harsh light on your subject. You can then create more depth by adding contrast to your image when you edit.

iPhone tip*

Did you know that you can change the exposure of your photo by clicking on the screen to tell the camera what your subject is and that you want that part of the picture exposed correctly? It’s really simple but super helpful in creating a well exposed shot.

The yellow square above the flowers means that the camera is trying to expose for that area. You can also move the sunshine up or down to make it darker or lighter as you like it.

In the images above look at the square to see the difference. The first one is where I wanted it as the diffs are the subject I wanted them to be at the right exposure. Then when I click on a darker part of the photograph it lightens up the darker parts of the image but look at the daffs, they are totally over exposed and have lost detail. In the third image the camera is confused as its trying to expose for the sunshine and shade on the table and not quite getting it right.

A really simple but effective way to have a little control over your images.

Anyway hope that helps to get you started. I’ll add more tips in the coming days and weeks, here and on Instagram. If you have any questions please let me know.

What is a personal branding photography session?

So you are at the stage when you think you need to have some headshot photos done for your business and as you begin to research headshot photographers you see that there is so much more on offer than the traditional portrait headshots that are typical of the corporate world. If you are keen to create a headshot which is a bit different to that plain background formal look then keep reading. Photographers often call headshot photography ‘personal branding sessions’ as they are photographs which reflect the personality of the brand and are tailored to you and your business. In an online world where visibility is everything a good set of photographs can make all the difference .

So if you’re thinking about it here’s how it works…

It starts with making a connection and we will talk about your business story. This is important because every photo tells a story and you want to be able to communicate you and your brand with your images. We’ll talk about what you would like to achieve with your photoshoot, your colours, style and possible locations. You will also want to make sure you think we will get on! - This is a big factor in deciding who you ask to take your photographs.

Tommy Ludgate is a life coach at Brightly Imagine and I knew from the first time we spoke that we would get on well. Tommy was looking for some portrait shots for her new website and wanted her personality to come through.

Once we have decided on the ideas and details of the shoot we will book in a date. These images were all taken in Tommy’s home which was perfect for the shoot as we could use different backgrounds and she was able to change outfits easily, all while her son was having a nap. We created a few different looks in our hour and half together. Being in a familiar environment also meant that the session was pretty relaxed and we could chat too. As the subject of the photograph you may feel a bit self conscious, most people do to start with, but my job is to help you to be yourself and for that to come across in your pictures.

“Vicki is calm, warm and gentle in her nature. This is just what I needed in a photographer for my headshots for my coaching business. I felt nervous and self-conscious about having my photo taken (having had a baby not long before) and she made me feel at ease, confident and relaxed. I absolutely LOVE the headshots we got and am proud to use them all over my online presence. She has a natural style that brought out my personality, which is just what I needed! Thank you Vicki :)”

— Tommy, Brightly Imagine

After the shoot you will receive a fully downloadable digital gallery with your images. They can be downloaded for both web and screen resolution. If you have any particular sizing requirements you can also let me know. Then you can use your photographs to share your story and increase your visibility. So what are you waiting for? Get in touch to talk through your ideas.

Meet Caroline, Lucy and Andrea... {Portrait photography in Leighton Buzzard}

As a former teacher, September is like new year for me; time to make a fresh start, be productive and start actioning the plans that have been swirling around my head all summer. Obviously on the list is to blog more regularly (!) so here goes…

In the Spring I embarked on a personal project to photograph women in my local area who were nominated by other women who thought they were pretty amazing humans. And I was fascinated by the stories that were told and how much is going on in our local community.

Meet Caroline…

Room 9 is a total delight on Leighton Buzzard High Street. It was established by Caroline who saw the opportunity for a small business and created a welcoming shop and cafe which has become a key feature on the high street. Everything is carefully selected and curated by Caroline who has a keen eye for design and seems to know just what her customers are after. But it is not ‘just’ a shop, it has become a thriving part of the community. Caroline and her team offer a friendly face and a chat to the customers. The cafe is a regular meeting spot and always serves up a treat from the fresh menu.

When I spoke to Caroline she recognised that the shop means a lot to people but also that it just part of her full and busy life. Friends and family are so important to Caroline and she has dedicated much time to raising money for charity though big events, as well as supporting others to do the same. No wonder her colleagues nominated her for this project.

Meet Lucy and Andrea…

This mother/daughter team are the brilliant duo who run Creighton’s Chocolaterie. It is a unique chocolate company selling the tastiest chocolate bars in creative packaging. The flavour combinations are immense and they are always developing new products. Their bars are sold across the UK and Europe and offer a refreshing alternative to your average chocolate bar. Not only do Lucy and Andrea make a fab team, they support local businesses and run their chocolate factory employing a team of women in the local area. Their ethical approach to running their business includes the connections they have made with charity. On International Women’s Day 2019 the You Can bar was launched in partnership with the Young Women’s Trust to support their work. They were nominated by fellow local entrepreneur Adeline Vining. I’m not sure how they get much work done as they spent much of their time laughing when we were together!

I have been photographing more and more for local businesses recently and I am always inspired by the passion that people have for what they do.

Meet Leanne, Helen and Vivianne... {Portrait photographer in Tring}

If you are lucky enough to live in a place where you feel a real sense of community you will have an idea of what it might be like to live in Tring. It can be hard to define ’sense of community’ as it’s more than about the services and people in your area. It’s about the feeling that you get from being part of a community. These ladies were all introduced to me through the wonderful local network that is Tring Buzz. In a Facebook group I shared the idea of the project and these ladies were nominated straight away. ..

Meet Leanne…

Leanne welcomed me in to her home where she teaches her hypo-birthing courses for parents-to-be. For her, it is not about telling mothers how to give birth but enabling them to have options, to make their own decisions and to feel confident in the decisions that they make along their birth journey. I wish I had know Leanne when I had my children! She is so well thought of in the local community and has established an excellent reputation. She also works with other practitioners offering workshops around birth. For Leanne one of the best moments is meeting the mothers and babies and hearing about their experiences. Nominated by Katy from Tring Buzz who described her as awesome because she has helped so many parents in the local community.

www.brighterbirthing.com

Meet Vivianne…

To many Vivianne epitomises the community of Tring. She is responsible for coordinating the Spring fayre, Summer carnival and Christmas festival in the town and brings together people from all areas of the community. Vivianne has lived in Tring for many years and has also developed Tring Together; a networking group encouraging businesses in the area to work together.

Vivianne was nominated by Georgie who says:

Vivianne runs Tring Together, a local networking group, and numerous things within the church. She is from Tring and is all about promoting Tring and building a community here. She is also tirelessly enthusiastic, kind and thoughtful and has become a great friend over the years.

We met at the war memorial by the church on which Vivianne’s grandfather is named. Her passion for the local made me realise how lucky we are to have people like Vivianne in our local community.

Meet Helen…

Helen was nominated by Kim who says

I met Helen when she joined our sole practitioner network Tring Wellbeing Community. She has been a loyal supporter, always giving of herself, is passionate about her homeopathy and in treating and helping those in need. She is warm loving and kind and has great integrity but modest and always positive. A true unsung hero!

When I met Helen at Ashridge on an unseasonably warm February day she had come straight from nordic walking with friends. She loves the outdoors and had no doubt about where she would like to be photographed as she spends time most days at Ashridge. As soon as I met Helen I felt her warmth and she soon explained the impact that her reiki practice had on others. She was so passionate about it and the power of natural healing. Towards the end of our time together Helen dropped in to the conversation that she loves to fire walk! Seriously! It is good for her soul. There’s no denying that Helen’s generosity of spirit is one of the many reasons why she has such an impact on the lives of others. And just like that she was off to tai chi.