When digital railroad shutdown a couple months ago we had to start over.  We are attempting to offer a better stock photography system though Photoshelter.com.  We’ve uploaded a large number of images and are gradually releasing them as we key word the images.  

We have three searchable gallery areas.  Royalty free, managed rights and art for framing.  You can order the Royalty free and art for framing online. You will need to contact us for a quote for the managed rights images.

The stock site is Rosh Stock

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Rosh

I had a construction client come up to me today and say he wanted to take more photographs next year.  The reason floored me and is excellent.  He wants to make his clients feel special.  

He understands that good photography helps to sell his work, but he also realized that clients who feel special like to tell others. Hiring a photographer to take pictures, make them feel important. 

“Oh yes, I’m busy today because they are doing a photo shoot of my home” is something most clients would love to say.  They feel important and that the service provider architect, contractor or designer felt that it was a quality job worth photographing. 

Yes, my client may have a few extra unneeded photos at the end of the year, but I have a feeling he’ll also have a few extra referrals too.

Rosh

I was talking with a car salesman at a networking event.  He asked me what type of work I was looking for and if I photographed for auto (used) dealerships. 

I said, no, honestly sometimes snap shots are the best avenue. It really would be too expensive to hire a professional photographer to create higher quality images.  Inventory changes on a regular basis, the cars usually need to be shot at higher volume rate and anything more then basic photography would really eat into the profits of a dealership.

There are photographers that do specialize in photography for dealerships, real estate and grocery stores.  But, they work on a high volume platform ensuring their customers that they will receive properly exposed and composed images. All that is needed in most cases.

But, I did explain, when it comes to photographing the building, special promotions and the employees it would be a good idea to upgrade.  Especially for the employees. The dealership has to remember the images they place in public view represents the dealership and mug-shots against a wall don’t represent the people nor the dealership very well. 

Sometimes snapshots are ok.  But, the key is to understand when to call in a professional before hurting business opportunities with bad imagery. 

I must concede I’ve seen worse photos on the back of local trucks, but I still wonder what business owners are thinking using a point and shoot snap-shot in their important advertising.

I snapped this photo on my way to a shoot the other day.  I think I’m going to have my camera ready for a few others that have caught my eye.

Photography can be an important part of advertising campaigns.  Unfortunately, many advertisers spend a ton of money on the media and go cheap on the photography. The actual item potential customers will see first.   

I guess my point is that it’s not the media, it’s the message.  What does a poor photograph say about the company?

Rosh

Rosh

Good photography will add perceived value to products and services.

If  an inferior image is used,  it distorts the value of  a companies offerings. A prospects first impression is often created by the first photograph they see.  When a poor quality image is used, prospects often consider the construction of  the product or the value of the service at the same level of quality as it’s presentation.

How do you convince your boss or client.  Show them your competition.

Rosh

Originally published on Roshsillars.com March 2008

In todays social media world you need to have a good portrait at the ready. A big empty square with a question mark next to your name is not acceptable

If you are going to get involved in social media you need to represent yourself well. A good photo will do just that. It seems every time you sign up for a new group or service they have an opportunity to upload a photo, icon or avatar.

If you don’t have a good photo, have one taken. Show yourself at your best, in positive light or in a way that represents your sparkling personality.

Keep the photo in an easily located folder, permanently. You don’t want find it necessary to skip the photo step in a directory or social registration because you don’t want to take the time to search. Chances are for many of the sites you will never go back and add an image.

Make your portrait submissions easy and let your long tail of smiling faces represent you well through-out the net.

Rosh

 Orginally published on RoshSillars.com Feb 2008

I was at a networking meeting early this morning.  A gentleman came up to me and asked me to give an example of marketing with photography.  

My first thought was to pull something from the past.  But, then my schedule for the day popped into my head as a fine example.

This afternoon I’m going to a new community market opening in Ann Arbor Michigan. They have hired me, as a professional photographer, to help tell the story of their new pharmacist.

They could have easily placed him again the wall and said look into the camera and be done with it.  But, this company gets it. 

If a company is going to spend a lot of money on design, advertising, web development etc. why would they not spend money for a professional image of what they are selling.  The people, products and services under their roof.

An average photo usually doesn’t tell the story very well.  All photographs tell a story, but is it the right story?.  A mug shot against the back wall doesn’t say I’m a friendly person you can trust. 

Why do companies spend a lot of money on their campaigns to bring a valuable new customer through the door and then offer a poor quality representation of their people, product and services with a point and shot digital camera from the back room?

Money shouldn’t be the issue.  If a company has the money and vision to hire other professional services, photography should also be high on the priority list.  The first impression of a company’s people, products and services shouldn’t be an afterthought.  The images should be exciting, dynamic and alive.

 Originally published on Roshsillars.com Feb 2008

Number one is always view a photographer’s portfolio. Next interview potential  photographers by phone or in person. Each photographer will offer different styles, personality, solutions and pricing for your project. It is up to you to find the right match for your project or company. Below are some questions to consider.

Ten questions (no order) to ask a commercial photographer

1) What is your photographic specialty?

2) How might you approach our project?

3) What experience to you have with similar projects?

4) How do you address photographic usage and copyrights?

5) Do you offer per image or day rates?

6) What addition fees might we expect?

 7) Do you have cancellation or weather fees?

8 ) Do you archive your images, how?

9) How long before we see our first image and receive final images?

10) What would you need from us to complete this project?

Experience and reputation are important. But how long a photographer has been in business is not so important. I’ve been in business twenty years, but the last thing I want is my work to look like it.  Also, consider additional questions relevant to your project. What other questions can you think of?