Creative entrepreneurs need inspiring photographs that tell the story of who they are, and what they create.
With the worth of a thousand words, great imagery = great marketing. Great marketing engages new and existing customers and communities resulting in connections that lead to bookings, purchases, collaborations, opportunity and creative expansion.
From print product to packaging, sneak peeks to process and headshots, social media storytelling to web banners, BTS and details…(phew) your site and socials deserve cohesive images that deepen trust, document processes and enrich online presence across platforms.
Emily Fox King is a soulful oil painter, teacher, and devoted social media storyteller.
Emily and I have been working together for 6+ years. In that time we’ve learned a lot about the planning and prep that results in a successful shoot and useable images.
Spoiler: The better your shot list the more useable your outcomes.
#1- MAKE A SHOTLIST
Begin by visiting each and every site and marketing platform you currently use: think website, social media platforms, store-fronts, and newsletter.
PRO TIP: Use a pen and paper! Sure your Notes app is great for when inspiration strikes but taking the time to translate that to good ole analogue forms is better for thinking and learning AND it keeps digital distractions quiet.
Consider which products, processes, spaces, and classes need better visual representation?
Which images aren’t communicating effectively? What images would tell this story better?
Check banners, profile images, headshots, product listings, detail shots, and event pages.
Write it all down and be specific:
I need 4 horizontal images for my newsletters announcing my 4 annual original painting releases- inspired by the seasons.
I need a headshot for art fair feature.
I need 2-3 options for square thumbnail images for my product sub categories: original paintings, giclee prints, post & greeting cards.
Need new calendar images: hanging, with full sized paintings, packaged.
PRO TIP: Turning attention to your business incites a flood of inspiration and shoulds but right now: that’s probably a distraction.
Keep focus on improving the platforms and sites you and your clients are already familiar with and tell the inspiration to come back a bit later.
What stories can be told by image alone?
Iterations of your work, unified by light, place, color, and texture is how a “brand” is built and style communicated.
This image is simple, real, and offers a lot of storytelling value. Showing Emily’s space, process, and subjects gives us a behind-the-scene look and instant connection to her work and real life (spot the phone in the lower left).
Start with the big picture:
Like the above image of an in-progress painting either in a studio scene or hung on a wall.
Then zoom in to the small details:
Image of canvas edge, brush bristles, paint strokes.
By giving multiple iterations of the same scene we layer perspective and create a cohesive story that communicates the product and process.
Images like the 3 above are evergreen heavy lifters that can be used over and over again for all kinds of marketing uses like:
Newsletter Banners
Category/Collection Headers
Reel Covers
Class Listings
Product Listings
Instagram Stories
What questions can be answered by image alone?
Consider commonly asked client questions like,
“How big is a 5x7 compared to an 8x10?”
“How thick is that?”
Most questions aren’t asked directly but are constantly driving a client through the purchasing process. Putting yourself in the client, customer, collector, and student’s shoes anticipates buyer questions directing a thorough shot list and photos that show and don’t always need to “tell”.
Considering the client’s perspective keeps things fresh. When clients add a product to their cart they may wonder,
“How is that packaged? Does it come wrapped?”
Becomes an item of your shot list: SHOW SHIP-READY, GIFT WRAPPED PRODUCT.
This process of “What does my client need to know/what might they ask?” has value that extends beyond the “show” part of marketing that drives the shot list by highlighting the areas that need more thoughtful written detail, too.
As the photographer it’s my job to creatively tell stories, answer common questions while creating layers of emotion, style, and visual interest.As the client it’s your job to make clear what you offer.
As I work I imagine myself as the client/student/collector and lend that fresh perspective to my clients throughout the process via images, questions, and general curiosity.
PRO TIP: Keep your list fresh by recording every time you think, “Oh, I’d love to have a photo of that” or “I need to update this listing.”
Just because it seems obvious to you doesn’t mean you’ll remember it on the day of your photo session: so write it all down. Especially the obvious stuff.
What photographs do you need for where your work is heading?
Now that you’ve prioritized the stories you’re already telling and products you’re already making- it’s time to let the future have some say.
Consider publications and collaborations coming up, new products and classes.
Where will you advertize and what orientation would you like the images to be?
Get specific. That might look like:
I plan to plug my new painting class at least 12 times:
2x per day (can use repeat images, morning and evening 7 days a week until sold- up to 15 images- doesn’t need to be of finished product. Highlight tools, paint, place, etc.
1 collaboration post with host
1 email reminding students of supplies to bring and sharing address
1 email soliciting a review
1 wrap up post on social media
Last but not least:Your people want to see your face.
Yes, your face. Your face, exactly as it is. We’re face-finding folk and your portrait is a highly-valuable asset to your business. Fans, followers, clients and collaborators want to know who they’re buying from, hiring, and commissioning- they want to see the face of the person who makes the work they love.
What that looks like depends on you.
Contrary to popular belief there is no one-sized-fits-all way to show up and be photographed. From dressed up, performative, and playful to everyday, in-process and casual it’s all good so long as the images tell your story.
My pre-session consulting conversations center around the question of who you are, what you do, how you present online and how we can expand, deepen and enrich that story.
I believe a session should be connective, collaborative, productive and playful, creative and directed. We need to be productive and focused while allowing lots of space for day-of, minute-by-minute inspiration within a well-planned shot list serving as guide.
If you’re nodding your head, recognizing again the way a branding session will elevate and support you in your work here’s a peek into what my sessions are, and what they offer:
How much time does a Content Session require?
Whether you need a process shots + a few updated headshots or full collection, team and product documentation my pre-session consultation will make all of this clear. And, if you need 2+ sessions to accomplish the job we’ll do just that.
Sessions end naturally between 2.5-3.5 hours
Creative work takes the time it takes and photo session are no different requiring acquainting, iterating, trying, discovery, set up, moving, finding the light. These processes are necessities, not niceties.
PLUS!
These sessions are a lot!
You’ll need prep and gathering time before and recovery, clean-up, post session inspiration creative time after, so block out that part of the day with no obligations before or after. You’re be glad you did.
I see you shoot film…are all sessions shot on film or?
I offer both digital and film+digital sessions.
How do I book a session?
Simple! Look at my calendar and choose a day we’re both available!
What does the session fee include?
My session includes all pre-session consultation/communication, my time and talent during the session, post production (editing), + all web-ready low resolution files delivered 1-3 weeks after your session.
Optional Add-Ons include:
Hand painted backdrop rental ($150+tax)
Polaroid Film Images (beginning at $20)
Consider booking sessions every 6-24 months to keep your story and content fresh.
A final word…
Being documented and seen in your work is deeply validating and carries intrinsic and extrinsic values for expansion and creativity in your business and in the experience of being human.
As a founder, solopreneur or small business owner you often work alone and a lot of your work is unrecognized and unwitnessed- no matter how deep or broad the terms of your success. I understand this. I’ve run both Ashley Thalman Photography as well as e-commerce art brand Ultraviolet Backdrops for more than 20 years combined and there’s something so grounding about being photographed in and with your work.
Your long hours, flow, inspiration and devotion mean something to you, and to the world. Investing in the work of a fellow creative to document, notice, and empower your unique creative vision is an experience your work deserves. So if it’s not me- make sure it’s someone. Even if that someone is you.
Reach out- I’d love to connect!
Film Notes & Vendor Credits:
Backdrop: Ultraviolet Backdrops “Seamless White”
Film & Developing Notes: Kodak Gold 200 box rated
Scanner: Frontier with borders
Camera: Pentax 645n with a 75 mm lens.
Film Lab, The Find Lab in Salt Lake City