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
posted by admin at 11:18 am
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.
posted by admin at 11:15 am
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?
posted by admin at 11:11 am
