By: Milca E.
As a photographer your work is important and can enhance a client or brand’s identity. What a photographer does before, during and after working with a brand is crucial to achieving successful work and a satisfied client. Like the famous quote says, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” therefore, the power of good quality photography will convey the desired message that your client wants and that their consumers need.
- Be prepared & research
Do extensive research on your client beforehand and get to know their brand. Study their current work and visuals. This way, you will be able to better understand their aesthetics, values and reflect their identity through your photos. While researching, prepare yourself before a photoshoot by creating a mood board. A mood board is a visual collage where different elements follow a specific style or theme. Incorporate the brand’s colors, style, logo and similar aesthetics onto the mood board. This will give you direction, guidance and a plan to work with before a photoshoot. In addition, being and showing that you are prepared before collaborating with a client will showcase professionalism and great work ethic.
- Communication
After doing your own research on the client, make sure to maintain good communication. Communication will allow you to understand their goals and to clarify any expectations or changes the client wants to make with proposed projects. Many times your ideas won’t always align with what your client has in mind. Therefore, making sure that both of you are on the same page about the brand’s visual direction is crucial. Good communication will also lead to an open and trustful client to photographer relationship.
- Post-production work
While communication during and before a photoshoot is crucial, post-production work is just as important. After finishing a photoshoot, make sure your client is satisfied with your work and get their feedback. Ask if their vision is clear through your photos and if any changes need to be made. Unless the client wants something different, ensuring the visuals are cohesive and consistent with the rest of the brand’s visuals is equally important. Having consistent visuals will help increase brand awareness, professionalism and trust between a brand and their consumers.
- Be creative
Don’t be afraid to be creative, bring new ideas to the table and try something new. Many times your ideas may be something your client will end up loving and incorporating into a project. Use the tools available to you and play around with them. Play with different types of shots, angles and lighting all while making sure your client’s goals are being met. If you have the opportunity to capture people or the brand’s team or consumers, use it to your advantage and play with the idea of candid shots. This can lead to visual, creative and unique storytelling. Overall, creativity within your photos will ensure that your client’s brand stands out against competitors and will enhance client engagement.
Examples
- For instance, I recently worked with Chico State’s student run PR agency Tehama Group Communication. I was assigned to take staff headshots for their social media accounts. By communicating with the team, we were able to establish that the shots had to showcase the faces behind TGC and their professionalism. Through these photos I used the setting, lighting and my subjects to enhance the photo quality.
Photos by: Milca Elvira Chacon
