4 Easy Steps to a Stress Free Children’s Photo Shoot
Outfit planning
Coordinate colours and patterns for siblings as if you were choosing one outfit
Make changing easy. Changing a full outfit is sometimes not possible and can upset a child; however, quickly changing a top is usually fine
Avoid logos and busy colourful patterns. Simple is timeless!
Set the mood
Make sure you and your child/children get plenty of rest the night before. A good night’s sleep works wonders
Ensure everyone is fed and hydrated beforehand
Avoid screen time before your session; it can affect your child’s behaviour and mood (and seem like a punishment when it's taken away)
Try to arrive on time (not early) to your session to save little ones from becoming bored and restless
Pack a bag
Arrive with your child/children dressed but pre-pack any changes of clothing and cherished teddies or favourite toys the day before
Don't worry about matching shoes! Bare feet are super cute in mini shoots
If you feel that treats are necessary, we advise white chocolate buttons (which don't make much mess and won't take a lot of chewing)
Relax
Talk to your child/children in a positive way about the shoot in the days beforehand
It can be helpful to discuss a treat that will happen after the session
Even after following these tips you may still experience tantrums, shyness and hiding behind mummy’s legs but we know every trick in the book to get a giggle and a few shots that will make your heart sing. So just sit back and relax!
In summary
Plan outfits in advance
Prep for good moods
Have everything ready
Relax and let us do our thing
It always takes a little time to ‘warm up’ but we have all the tricks of the trade to get your little one happy and confidently smiling within minutes!
Which of These 7 Types of Product Photography is Best for Your Business?
Which of These 7 Types of Product Photography is Best for Your Business?
Have you ever wondered how to better showcase your products? Have you tried taking an artsy angle but the focus was in the wrong place? Well here are 7 different examples of professional photography that have the power to elevate your business's online presence and website.
1. Studio Backdrop
Using a simple, carefully chosen backdrop gives your product personality. It adds another bit of information about the product without being distracting. The highlight is still on the product but it is more interesting than a plain white backdrop like a lot of companies use. However a simple background is effective and common in e-commerce.
2. High Key and Cut Outs
High-key photography is just another term for photos of a product with an entirely white background, giving it a polished and professional look. With online shopping growing more common in everyday life, product photography like this is seen more but can make some products seem boring and lifeless.
Cut out photography is very similar to high key in the way the photo is actually shot but instead of keeping the white background, it is digitally removed to create a cut out shape with a see through or transparent background, otherwise called a png. Photos with a clear background like this are able to fit over any webpage seamlessly without any harsh white border making the website seem unprofessional. It does take more time to create this type of product photography but it may be just what your business needs.
3. Detail Shots
When buying online, one of the things a buyer is looking for are the details that they could find easily if they were buying in person like the inside of a drawer or close ups of a coat zipper. It is important to show potential buyers all the details of the product you are trying to sell.
Other details that you can photograph are things like your bespoke packaging if that is something unique to your business. Sometimes even simple but close up shots are wonderful for helping to showcase your designs. Having a detailed close up will highlight the quality of your product.
Groups of static products photographed together to show the variety of the products your business sells or to show bundle offers is also a good idea.
4. Proportions
Knowing what size something is before buying is essential and being able to do that from proportion shots saves time. Being able to show your product's size through proportions and scale helps a potential buyer visualise your product. There are many ways to show proportions in product photography but the most common way is by using a universal object like a human to show the size compared to them. This is even more vital when your business has multiple product sizes so that a customer can make sure they buy the correct size.
5. Lifestyle
Real life photography brings a warmth to your product and gives it a context. Seeing lit candles on a table or someone sat with a bowl of cereal shows the way a customer is intended to use a product and therefore creates a realistic feeling of what actually is being sold. This type of photography is more common within fashion and home ware industries but it is not limited to them! Creating an environment for your product may generate more interest but it could also be unnecessary for a simple product.
6. Using Models
Professional models can be expensive but anyone can be a model for a business as long as they sign a model release form to say they allow the business to use their photographs for marketing and advertising. Because of this, you or people you know can easily be used as models to show off your products. The struggles with this type of photography however lie in human flaws. Attempting to get a group to pose together at the same time can be difficult and only gets more complicated when pets or children are involved. Despite the struggle, using models in product photography creates a genuine atmosphere and lifestyle look.
7. Composed Sets
Having a carefully arranged set can create a story of the product and make connections between your product and how it was made or what it can be used for. A Flat Lay shot is commonly seen and is a good example of a composed set which is when the shot is taken from directly above the product which has been laid flat hence giving it its name.
It can be easy to overcrowd a set and use many additional props that your product is no longer the focus so be cautious about what is included and make sure everything is relevant. It doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective.
Só Madra
All of the product photography examples used in this blog are from a commercial shoot in the summer commissioned by Gillian. She runs Só Madra, her own small Borders based business, where she lovingly creates luxury dog leads and collars with help from her partner, Keith, and their 3 beautiful spaniels. Gillian has worked hard on her branding so it was important that the images provided by Pictorial Photography aligned with how she visualised her brand and its message.
Gillian used our free commercial photography brief template to communicate her brand’s story and her website goals. We then worked together to capture quality photographs at her home; on two dog walks; and in our studio, where we produced several consistent e-commerce photographs, close ups and packaging examples for her online shop.
Take a look at their range of products at www.somadra.co.uk
The Perfect Blend: Behind the Scenes at Fords the Bakers
The Perfect Blend: Behind the Scenes at Ford’s the Bakers
I visited Jim at Ford’s the Bakers (who, by the way, makes the best morning rolls in the world, hands down), to photograph his baking process when he was testing out 6 new secret blends of artisan bread.
It was fascinating to see what goes on behind the scenes and the work that goes into baking. Jim is working with suppliers to test out the new blends and the photographs will be for the supplier’s wholesale website and agency PR.
The mixing, the proofing, the dough going into the oven, and the bread coming out of the oven were all shot in one day. Then the resulting loaves of bread were brought back and photographed in the studio for product photos which will be useful for things like marketing, illustrating recipes, instructions, and online website descriptions or specifications.
James Ford & Son is a long-standing local family business, established in 1950. Fords have a shop on Hide Hill in Berwick as well as this bakery and shop that are located in the village of Norham, Northumberland, which is only a short drive from Berwick.
I photographed the Berwick Ford’s shop for the ‘Lockdown Workers’ project in 2020. The photograph below has since been used as the cover of a new novel, ‘Reggie’s Pantry’.
What’s your favourite thing to get from Ford’s?
I’d love to get some new lunchtime inspiration so please leave a comment below!
Written by Sarah
Interview with author Sarah Jackman on moving to Berwick and her new Creative Energy
Interview with author Sarah Jackman on moving to Berwick and her new Creative Energy
Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to come live and work in Northumberland?
I am a freelance writer, project facilitator and author. I work with individuals and organisations on their writing needs and creative projects. I am the author of four novels and my short fiction has appeared in a number of anthologies.
I have moved many times in my life but more recently thought, until the pandemic, that I was settled. My plans had to change, but so did my perspective. I came to Berwick-upon-Tweed to be closer to family and to live by the sea again. It has surprised me how quickly I have felt at home - I love it! - and living here has given me a new creative energy too.
Which part of your job do you feel most passionate about?
Writing fiction feels essential to me and I think lockdown really showed that creativity is important for everyone. For our well-being and for connecting to others.
I love working with individuals and organisations on their creative journeys and projects. Supporting them to move forward or helping to bring creative ideas into being is exciting and a privilege.
What tips would you give to someone starting out in fiction writing?
Read as widely as possible and keep writing. There is no right or wrong so just be yourself.
What is the best feedback you have ever had?
When a reader says they have re-read a novel of mine, there is nothing better. For me, fiction has always been a way of navigating the world and if one of my novels helps someone else do that, I couldn’t be happier.
Who do you admire most in the world and why?
I admire anyone who, despite dealing with their own challenges and struggles, still finds the time to be kind and offer hope to others.
Do you have a favourite quote that you turn to for inspiration?
The American poet, Mary Oliver, is always good for a quote. This one helps me get through those moments of self-doubt:
“The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising and gave to it neither power nor time.”
And for those tricky moments in life, writer Haruki Murakami’s:
“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over, but one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”
What is the biggest challenge you face in business and in being an author?
Writing can be a very solitary business. That is why I like working with others; it is inspiring, often fun, and helps restore my creative energies.
How will you use your headshots and how do you feel they have or will benefit your business?
I wanted the images to look approachable so that people would like to work with me! I also wanted them to reflect my creativity and values. Sarah really understood what I was hoping for; the fact that she made the experience enjoyable was a bonus!
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I dedicate a block of time to fiction writing (usually in the morning) and in the afternoon I work on writing and projects for others as well as my research and marketing. If I take a break in the garden at lunchtime and a walk on the beach in the evening, that is a perfect workday!
What are your future plans?
My most immediate plan is to finish my next novel before the end of the year! During 2020, I took a printmaking course and my current passion project is creating an artists’ book using images and text.
The creative sector has been hit hard by the pandemic and I am hoping I can soon be part of some creative and community projects as organisations ‘open up’ again.
Finally, where can people find you online?
My website and LinkedIn are:
www.sarahjackman.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-jackman-writer/
Headshots: Cameron Robertson, Conservation Photographer
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, a compelling website is a gateway to success for professionals across various domains. One crucial element that often goes unnoticed is the power of captivating headshots.
As a headshot photographer, I had the honour of collaborating with Cameron Robertson, an exceptional conservation and research photographer. Through a series of carefully crafted headshots, we aimed to showcase Cameron's unique personality and his love of the history of Berwick upon Tweed.
Cameron’s remarkable work in conservation and research has not only conserved local history but has brought back to life some of the compelling stories of the Berwick people.
These photographs were taken in a space where Cameron had been completing a project documenting the restoration of a group of Georgian properties in Berwick upon Tweed. He worked on this ‘Cockle Cows’ project over a period of 3 years, you can read more about it on his website or by visiting Berwick Archives.
In the digital era, where attention spans are fleeting, headshots play a crucial role in leaving a lasting impact. Through our collaboration, I had the pleasure of capturing Cameron Robertson's true essence and showcasing it to the world through a series of headshots. These images show his passion, professionalism, and expertise, while also enhancing his website's visual appeal and overall user experience. By investing in high-quality photography, Cameron has harnessed the benefits of headshots to forge a deeper connection with his audience, solidify his brand, and amplify the impact of his remarkable conservation and research photography.
Creating Lasting Family Memories: A Day on the Farm with Rachel's Gift Voucher
In the fast-paced world we live in, cherishing family moments and creating lasting memories is so important. When Rachel gifted her mother, Alison, a special voucher for a photo shoot, little did she know that it would lead to a delightful gathering of three generations at their farm.
Rachel wanted to give her mum something truly meaningful for her milestone birthday. After careful consideration, she decided on a gift voucher for a professional photo shoot. Rachel envisioned capturing not just her family, but also the love and joy they share. The voucher would allow Alison to create cherished memories and display wall art of their beautiful family.
The farm provided the perfect setting for the photo shoot, adding a touch of natural beauty and meaning to the occasion. Amidst the rolling hills and greenery, the family came together to celebrate their connections. Alison's two children, along with their partners, their four beautiful grandchildren, their pet dogs, and even their horse all took part.
Rachel's gift voucher turned a simple idea into a treasured family experience. The gift of a photo shoot became a priceless treasure, encapsulating the beauty of family in all its joy.
“Thanks so much for sending these through, they are fantastic! Mum & Dad are so pleased with them, a perfect present. They perfectly capture our family.
Thanks again.”
“We are delighted with the photographs! You have given us a very precious collection of images of our family at this moment in time which we will treasure for years to come.
Particular favourites are some of the individual ones of the children, the 4 children together, the ones on the bridge and Billy and I in the garden.
Thank You and Best Wishes”
A Magical Tipi Wedding in Bamburgh, Northumberland: Celebrating Amy and Campbell's Love Story
Today, I want to share with you the incredible day I had capturing the magical wedding of Amy and Campbell in the picturesque village of Bamburgh, Northumberland. From the breathtaking views of Bamburgh Castle to the vibrant tipi celebrations, this wedding was a true delight for the senses.
Capturing those precious moments before the ceremony is always a treat. Amy and her bridesmaids chose her parents' house as the perfect setting for their preparations. With the talented makeup artist Eren Saygilier working her magic and the Ministry of Design hairdressers creating stunning hairstyles, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation.
Meanwhile, Campbell and his groomsmen were getting ready above Carters the Butchers, a beloved family establishment in the village. It was a special touch to capture a group photo in front of the butchers, paying homage to the bride's family heritage.
The wedding ceremony took place at St. Aiden's Church in Bamburgh, adding a touch of tradition and elegance to the day. Amy and Campbell embraced the rich history of the region by incorporating a Northumbrian tradition, the coin scatter. The guests' children had a blast joining in this activity, creating a lively atmosphere.
Amy and Cam chose a field in Glororum with breathtaking views of Bamburgh Castle as the setting for their tipi wedding reception. The same field now serves as their glamping site, known as Bamburgh Under Canvas, a beautiful testament to their love story. As their wedding photographer, I had the pleasure of capturing the essence of their business for their website too.
Amy and Campbell's wedding was an extraordinary celebration of love, family, and tradition. The stunning views of Bamburgh Castle, the lively Northumbrian traditions, and the warmth shared by all created an unforgettable experience. As a photographer, it was an honour to capture the beauty, joy, and cherished moments throughout the day. I am grateful to have been a part of their journey and to have documented this incredible day.
If you're ever in the area, don't forget to check out Bamburgh Under Canvas, the couple's glamping site, and experience the magic of this remarkable location for yourself. Cheers to a lifetime of joy and adventure!
You can read more about when I photographed Carters the butcher shop for their website here.
Interview with illustrator Lizzie Vaughan-Knight: the Tartan Trailburner
After a personal branding photography session we did at St Abbs back in December I caught up with Lizzie (The Tartan Trailburner) to ask some questions about her new illustration and art print/product business was going.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to set up your business?
I’ve been working as a tour guide around Scotland since 2017 and love showing off the stunning landscapes this country has to offer. When the pandemic hit I was unable to continue my job, so instead began making art inspired by Scotland. I have a passion for colourful landscapes and historic landmarks; and by sharing my artwork and stories through social media, I have been able to reach out to people who can't be here in person. When people began to engage with my work and ask about buying it, I saw an opportunity to grow it into a business. I now have an online shop selling prints, postcards, and original paintings worldwide.
So what does a typical workday look like for you?
There’s no such thing as a typical workday for me! The advantage of running a business from home is that I can fit it around my family life, but I’m still finding the balance. I love a checklist and try to carve out time for creative work and product photography early in the day while leaving admin tasks until the kids are in bed.
Which part of your work do you feel most passionate about?
Connecting with people around the world and helping them feel closer to Scotland is something I’m very passionate about. It’s humbling that people care about my artwork enough to bring it into their lives and put it up on their walls. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that feeling!
What tips would you give to someone starting out?
Ignore the self-doubt and just keep on going, you’ll pick things up as you go. Also, try not to compare yourself to other people's success; you don't know their whole story.
What is the best feedback you have ever had from a customer?
A customer recently left me a glowing 5-star review that ended with “Such an unusual design, I was pleased to find [the Scottish Kelpies], even if they do give me the willies”. It made me laugh out loud!
Who do you admire most in the world and why?
I admire anyone who uses their creative energy to inspire and motivate others. One example is the Good Ship Illustration crew led by Katie Chappell, Helen Stephens, and Tania Willis. They use their combined artistic experience to offer support and encouragement to creatives and I know I wouldn’t be making art every day if it wasn’t for them!
Where do you turn to for inspiration?
I love to get outdoors and draw from real life in my sketchbook, especially when my kids are with me. They never keep still and it forces me to be in the moment and draw without overthinking.
What are your future plans?
To keep creating! I am working on some exciting projects at the moment and can’t wait to see the finished result. The last year has been full of uncertainty yet opportunities have come along, so I’m going to keep going with the flow and see what happens.
Why did you commission the headshots?
One of my favourite things about small businesses is getting to know the person behind them and great photos help to tell that story. Sarah really understood what my brand is about and helped to create a visual narrative for my website and social media. I would absolutely recommend Pictorial Photography to anyone looking to strengthen their brand or to celebrate a landmark moment in their business or life; It’s great fun too!
Check out more of Lizzie’s work @tartan_trailburner on Instagram and on her shiny new website www.tartantrailburner.com
Also, check out our Personal Branding photography service by clicking the button below.
5 Things to Consider before Hiring a Commercial Photographer
Cooperative funeralcare staff, friendly, approachable, professional
1) Insurance
Most professional photographers will have full liability insurance cover for commercial work but it is certainly worth checking with them how much this is for and that it is all up to date before you decide to hire them. Large businesses and most public sector companies require the cover to be at least £5 million for liability.
2) Contracts
A photography contract protects everyone from unexpected surprises as it allows you to understand in detail what you can anticipate from the photographer’s services and exactly what they expect from you. A contract can be provided by either side as long as both sides agree.
A good contract should include:
The anticipated start date of the contract or shoot date
A summary of what each party will deliver: what will be delivered and when by the photographer; the financial total, and payment schedule
A cancellation policy
Copyright ownership and transfer of use rights (permission to use the photographs for a fixed length of time is most common in commercial photography)
Details of property and model releases required
Liability limitations
Post-production, editing, file format, and expected turnaround time
Any extra fees
Co-op Funeralcare Vehicle Range
3) Photography brief
Create a really clear brief. Photographers are amazing in many ways but telepathy is not one of our superpowers. A good creative brief can save everyone a lot of time and ensure you get the very best out of your marketing budget. Outlining and giving as much information to your photographer on the brand, your buyer personas, target audience, project goals, and USP is invaluable. You get bonus points for including visuals (we are photographers after all).
I have created a detailed explanation of what to include in each section and a free photography brief template to help you out and get you started with this.
4) Model releases for commercial publication
A model release is a written form of permission allowing you to publish a person’s image online and in marketing materials without the worry of liability and licensing claims that may arise down the road.
Model releases are not just for ‘models’. Anyone who can be identified in photography used for commercial purposes should be asked for, and give, express written permission by way of filling in a model release form. Yes, that includes happy customers, passers-by in the public domain, your staff, and even your own family members.
Model releases are also needed to use a recognisable part of the person being photographed. (For example a tattoo, a scar, or even a silhouette of someone if they have a recognisable stance or posture.)
Property releases may be required from a property owner if land or property is recognisable in the photography.
Unfortunately, putting a post on social media and sticking signage up to tell people that photography is taking place is not enough; although it is a good idea to make people aware of what is going on on the day.
An impressive fleet
5) Child models
If you are paying professional child models from a modelling agency to be in the photographs, take into consideration that you will need a chaperone to be available and extra time before the shoot to acquire a performance licence approved by the council where the child resides, even if the work is out of school hours.
Every council seems to be different in how they handle these requests but in my experience, the turnaround time is never less than a fortnight and the paperwork and evidence required can be extensive. For more information on child employment permits see here: https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/restrictions-on-child-employment
Funeral home interior
Please be aware that the information provided by this blog is subject to change. We recommend that you do not take any information held within as a definitive guide to the law or the relevant matter being discussed. You are advised to seek legal or professional advice where necessary rather than relying on the content supplied by the author of this blog.
Due to the nature of the matters discussed on this blog, the information contained within it and any pages linked to it are clearly subject to change, without warning. The law, regulations and other forms of legal governance are constantly changing and adapting to meet the needs of the modern world and it is impossible to comprehensively detail the nature of such within the confines of a blog in a concise, up-to-date manner.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about the free photography brief template.
How to Prepare your Holiday Let for Stress Free Interior Photography
The Drawing Office, Berwick
I have worked with hundreds of holiday let owners in Northumberland and The Scottish Borders over the years. Growing up, my mum always had holiday accommodation in Berwick and recently my husband and I renovated the floor above my photography studio so now I even own a holiday apartment. This means that I have a really good understanding of the local tourism business and how I can make life easier for holiday accommodation owners when photographing their holiday lets in a way that fully showcases them.
There’s no need to stress about a photoshoot! The most important thing is to make sure the holiday let looks exactly as it would be when your guests arrive.
Other tips would be:
Turn on all the lights and lamps before the shoot
Have the bed(s) made and ready with clean sheets
Make sure the windows are clean on both the inside and the outside
Close all toilet sets and use fluffy towels on any handrails
If there are any thank you gifts you will regularly be giving to holidaymakers, buy some wine or flowers in advance
Before every shoot, I schedule a consultation call to ensure that we get the best results possible from the session. If like me, you like to be well prepared in advance you can download my property photography prep checklist below for free.
Ideally, you would be there for the photography but if you can't be around I can arrange key collection and get on with your photography with minimum fuss, saving you time away from your busy schedule.
Starting with me taking a short walk around the local area can provide you with a multitude of photos to choose from which will give prospective holidaymakers a feel of the sights and attractions they can expect to enjoy when they visit your place.
So, if you would like to make a huge improvement to your bookings this year my product photography package deal is perfect for holiday cottages, guest houses and hotels.
Or why not book a call?
Written by Sarah
Why You Need a Website for Your Holiday Let
This is The Summerhouse, a newly renovated cottage on a Scottish Borders estate. It has an idyllic lakeside location and is perfect for glorious walks so, of course, I had to take a lovely walk to get some of the photos.
It has a delightful and secluded garden overlooking the lake as well as a private access road and parking immediately outside. A perfect family retreat with total peace and tranquillity!
I photographed the holiday cottage just as it was being finished and I am delighted to see that the accommodation has already had loads of bookings for this year. I think the owners may be putting The Summerhouse on other third-party websites, but they do have their own website https://www.summerhousestays.co.uk.
Having your own website for holiday lets is a great idea because you pay no commission on the bookings you receive. Commission on booking sites can be as high as 22% so it is always worth taking your own bookings where possible.
You would also have more control over what your website says and how it looks so you can include as many pictures or stories about the property as you would like without hitting a character limit.
“Sarah has done photos for us for two holiday cottages and for my professional website.
Sarah is a great photographer and a lovely person to work with. She works to a high standard, always supplying well-crafted, lucid and perceptive photos that work really well. She has an eye for unusual angles and details that give her photos extra character. And she is a very approachable person to work with, always ready to go the extra mile (literally!) and very reliable. She is flexible in arranging appointments and prompt in producing work. Definitely our first choice and I would thoroughly recommend her.”
Thinking about having your holiday let professionally photographed, but still have questions? Book a call to discuss what photography would best help you and your business.
Written by Sarah
How to Write a Brilliant Commercial Photography Brief
How to Write a Brilliant Commercial Photography Brief
I’ve seen loads of photography briefs: good ones, great ones, and some bad ones. Drawing on experience, I’m going to offer some tips and advice for preparing one that will really make the most of your session.
So you might be wondering why do you need to give your photographer a brief? Or what is a creative brief? It might help if I explain what a photography brief is first.
A creative brief is a summary of requirements and agreements between the client and the photographer. It should list facts and other details to give an overall view of the plan and project. A good photography brief will help your photographer understand your brand and target market. It will demonstrate how the photographs are going to be used and set out basics like time, location, budget, and file delivery. A great brief can save a huge amount of time and ensure the success and effectiveness of your shoot, campaign, or project.
Allocating a marketing campaign budget can be stressful but writing a brief will ensure you get the best out of the creative element and maximise your return on investment in terms of your photographer’s time and creativity.
Address and Postcode of Venue/Location of Shoot
If the location is outside, include details of a backup location somewhere undercover or inside. Make sure you include a postcode and attach a google maps link or quick sketch of the location for bonus points!
Date, Time and Schedule
For larger and more complex projects, a schedule or timetable can save a lot of time. For example, if a large team are having portraits taken they can each have their own allotted time to arrive; not only will the team feel happier, but it ensures the photographs will turn out better as they won’t have to stand in line and feel embarrassed in front of others. Everything will run smoothly and you will look super efficient!
Target Audience
Identify who the photographs are aimed at or who the target viewers are. Knowing the kind of audience a project is expected to have will help your photographer come up with creative ideas that suit the interests of those people.
Brand Info
Unless you have used the photographer before, assume that they know nothing about the brand. Include brand colour info, brand guidelines, logos, ethos etc - every detail helps!
Objective / Project Goals
What should the audience see, feel, or do the first time they see the photographs? Do you want them to feel inspired to take action? Identify clear goals for the project. What problem is the overall project trying to solve?
Usage
List what the images are going to be used for. Think about: different social media platforms; whether any will be used for PR, on the company website or in your brochures, or on billboards. Specify which media the photographs are to be used in, and the length of exposure (how long the photos will be on the internet).
Format
Do any of the shots need to be in landscape or portrait orientation? Would square or a mixture of formats be more useful?
Examples
Include previous photo examples of what has worked well in the past. If you don’t have many good existing photographs already, you could send something like a Pinterest board of the style of images you like that would work for your project. Bad examples can be useful (but not as useful as the good examples) - if you are including bad examples, don’t get them mixed up!
Shot List
If this is not clear from the objective/project goals section, think about photographs that will be really useful to have. What is lacking in your portfolio? Look through the company website and think about your scheduled social media posts. Are there any that could do with a better photograph? Check through the printed literature for ideas of what could be improved on or what is lacking or needs to be changed before the next print run.
Models and Roles
List who will be in the photographs. Sometimes it makes sense to combine models and roles with your shot list.
Model releases are always required if using people, paid staff or otherwise. Some companies prefer to design their own model release documentation; here is a very detailed one from The Royal Photographic Society. There are also some really good mobile apps available for model releases. It is a good idea to have your model releases filled in and signed in advance of the shoot, if possible, as it will save a lot of time on the day.
If you are using company staff in the photographs, give them plenty of notice; no one likes to have this sprung on them the morning of a shoot. Make sure uniforms are smart and complete and find out if any safety equipment is required for a job (and therefore needs to be worn by staff in the photographs). If that is the case, make sure the equipment is available for them and let the photographer know it needs to be worn.
Other Useful Info
This section hugely varies from company to company and from shoot to shoot but can include things like available lighting, equipment, props, if rooms have been booked, parking, health and safety, PPE equipment required, the site passes, meal arrangements, location permission, or special rules of the location.
Delivery
If you have deadlines that need to be met, this is the time to say!
List preferred methods of file delivery. If you are unsure, check whether your office firewall will allow services like ‘We Transfer’ or ‘Drop Box’. If not, you will probably require a USB memory stick which can take longer, especially if it needs to be posted out, so take this into consideration with your deadlines.
Jpeg is the industry standard for the file format. Let your photographer know if you or your designer need another file type.
Think about end-use. You could save some time by asking your photographer to deliver high resolution and web resolution (at a specified file size for your website or preferred social media platform). They will have software to quickly and easily batch-process the images ready for you to use. Consider asking for ‘letterbox images’ (wide but not tall) for banners or ads; or some photos specifically in square format for Instagram. Just let them know what you might need. You can find out sizes from your web designer and the help pages on your chosen social media platform.
Payment and Rights
Detail the agreed payment and where the invoice needs to be sent. State any purchase order or other info that needs to be included. This saves a lot of time emailing back and forth after the shoot.
If you have agreed on special rights, release, copyright, or exclusivity this should be noted here to ensure that everybody is on the same page.
Contact Details
It’s important for everyone to have team members’ details in case of unforeseen delays and last-minute changes to the plan.
Call your photographer after sending them the brief to discuss ideas before the commission. They may have experience in similar shoots and could have some really useful knowledge that could save you a lot of time and money.
Template
Download the free sample template below and use the explanations above to build a well-rounded photography brief for your next project or campaign. Remember to keep it as short as possible (2 pages max) but include as much information as you can.
Written by Sarah
I couldn't have done this without you ❤️
In December I photographed a family of 5, aged 20’ something cousins for their beloved granny who hadn’t seen them all year. They wanted to re-create a photograph that sits on her mantlepiece from when they were young children.
I recognised the family name when they booked and through talking to them realised that I took the actual photograph that I was being asked to recreate (how old do I feel?!).
I remember the original photograph I took on the lovely red Laura Ashley sofa in the living room. I remember the children playing on the trampoline in the garden. I remember them giggling, clambering over the sofa, and trying to get them to sit and look (still not easy with 5 young children).
The session stuck in my mind as it was my first commissioned family location session for someone I didn’t know. They didn’t realise but it was a very special session for me - to know that people actually wanted to book and pay for what I was offering.
Pictorial Photography turns 20 years old this month. It has grown and evolved and become even more wonderful, just like those young adults I photographed in December.
I couldn’t have done any of this without you guys so to celebrate the 20th birthday, I’ve decided to pay it forward (or is it backward?) this year with 20 exciting surprises for clients past and present. Watch this space!
6 Unique Ways to Improve your Festive Family Photos, Without Any Tears!
6 Unique Ways to Improve your Festive Family Photos, Without Any Tears!
The festive season is an incredibly important time of year so here are a few quick ideas with tips on taking better festive photos that will give you a set of unique and heart warming family memories for you to treasure.
1) Timing
Whether you are out and about at a fair or at home celebrating with close or extended family, group photos are usually taken at the end of the day when everyone is looking their worst. For a more polished shot, take it earlier in the day, when everyone has arrived and is looking their best! Be sure to make there is enough daylight in the room too.
Think about special family relationships; the bond grandparents have with their grandchildren can be such a special thing but can be quite tricky to photograph. Catch them naturally rather than posing them.
2) Continuous shots
One of the best ways to avoid the problem of everyone moving in a shot is to take multiple photos quickly. If you have an iPhone, use ’burst mode’ when taking photos of people and take short bursts of shots. The first shot is often no good but the one or two directly after it often give a group that looks a little less posed and more relaxed.
To use burst mode on an iPhone:
Launch the camera app from your iPhone or iPad's Home screen.
Hold down the Shutter button or Volume button to take a burst of pictures.
iOS will automatically choose the best photos from the burst. If you don't like the photos it chooses, you can choose your own.
Just keep your finger on the white 'shutter' button
3) Go outdoors
If you don't feel that your house has the space for everyone, take your camera or phone outdoors for a lovely, wrapped-up family walk; but remember the sun goes down before 4pm in December in the UK so make sure you go out before sunset!
4) Smile
Yes, you should smile! There’s nothing worse than a grumpy stressed person taking your photos. Have fun and enjoy the process of getting shots and you’ll find everyone else will too.
5) Be present in photos
Make sure you hand the camera or phone over to someone else and encourage them to take some shots, especially the natural ones, make sure you are in some of the photos with your children too!
6) Celebrate key moments
Celebrate moments like the first time your children help by decorating. Use simple prompts like “How high can you reach?” or “Point me to your favourite decoration?” This will make the photos look much more natural and less ‘posed’ as they have their focus on something new or interesting. Ask them to tell a festive story and capture the joy on their face!
And from Pictorial Photography, have a very Happy Holiday season!
How I Adapted Business to Survive the Lockdown
After a bewildering two-thirds of the days in March when about 95% of my upcoming photography work was cancelled or postponed, I spent a few weeks processing my feelings and figuring out a way forward.
Knowing that I needed to stay creative, I tried photographing local business heroes in a ‘Lockdown Workers’ project; you can see this work here. I loved interacting with the independent shopkeepers and workers but as it was me contacting everyone, explaining the idea, and arranging the shoots it turned out quite tricky. Everyone who was working was just so busy!
One of the things I was most gutted about missing were the family portraits in the summer. I love providing clients with beautiful portraits for their homes and it was breaking my heart to think that this wouldn’t be happening this year. I saw some photographers in the US were offering ‘front porch portraits’ and that it was catching on over here so I decided to put it up as a digital product on my website and see what happened. The doorstep portraits were also a way of raising money to support Paxton House, where I shoot a lot of my summer portraits.
The uptake was overwhelming; families wanted a reminder of this special time together, even though there were no hairdressers available!
What was most remarkable though were all the stories. People had more time to chat so I heard about missed weddings, holidays, brand new babies born, being ‘locked down with gran’, and all the different work situations.
I think the pandemic has made everyone slow down, reflect, and appreciate their loved ones even more.
Also, check it out - so many pets! The rabbits, the cats, the neighbour’s cats, the ferrets, and of course the dogs. (Spot the couple with 7!)
A lot of businesses are still suffering, it’s been a long year and I hope friends and colleagues in weddings, events, and entertainment can make it through. Stay creative, stay positive, and stay healthy x