Marketing with photography

This blog has been transferred to Rosh.comI will remove the sub domain July 1, 2008 thank you,Rosh 

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

Keep your eyes open. It should not be hard to spot bad photography representing business products and services.  I’m collecting my own and will start posting soon, but if you have images that show a poor use of photography in the commercial business world.  Please email. info@rosh.com

Just like testing words, it’s important to test images.  A change in mood of the photograph can change the conversion by many times.  Don’t get stuck on one look, let the market place tell you what is the best image.  Below is one of my test images.

 

 Test your images [10:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

One, this blog is not about my work.  Two,yes,  it would be better with photographs.  Three, asking why no photographs is a great question and that question wouldn’t be asked if I had photographs.

Please note: I do use sample photographs in the posts.

Rosh

Today we talk about copyright and usage.  It’s important to have usage conversation with the creative people you hire to help build your business.

If a photographer doesn’t seem interested in the conversation you might have to question their professionalism.

As a photo buyer you don’t want a photographer coming back to you demanding more money because your campaign was a hit and you have nothing in writing on how the images can be used.

 

 copyright and usage [10:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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. The 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 the 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.

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?

Welcome to the first marketing with photography show.

 We have far past the tipping point from film to digital on both the commercial and consumer levels.  But, in the last 18 months the tipping point for digital photography for business, especially web sites, has taken place.

My clients request and require fresh photography for the web more then print.

I ask the question why would you spend thousands on a web site, brochure, billboard and use bad photography.

I’m looking forward to an exciting podcast and blog with quality information on using photographic images to help sell your products, services and tell your story.

 

 Digital tipping point [10:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is the Marketing with photography blog.