It all comes down to time, the one thing creates the most complication when creating a portfolio of images for my clients. Some days it’s a run & gun session with only a limited amount of time to get to several locations to photograph each operation. There are scenarios where I would LOVE to spend a few hours just to create a few amazing images but the clock is ticking and I need to get the money shot the best I can and then set off to the next spot.
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They are eye-catching bright orange and look like a safety glove for Robocop. My new MSS gloves from www.minesafetysolutions.ca came in handy at the www.rahnment.com industrial shop this week while I was there creating images for www.shout-media.ca. After I was finished the shoot Thomas asked if he could try out the gloves so I created a few product images to showcase the durability of these digit protectors while he was working. It was a win-win scenario. I get to create an image to say thank you to MSS, Rahnment has another image to use in their marketing material.
When I was photographing weddings I quickly learned to constantly be on the lookout for the next photo opportunity. Looking for scenarios that could play out into some interesting images I would also try to foresee the next moment. Years later I still find myself doing the same thing while on site photographing my mining and industrial clients. Sometimes a photo opportunity happens right behind you while you are photographing the main event like this image I captured while underground in Val-d’Or Quebec with MacLean Engineering.
Are you a Jr. mining industrial company just coming on board to show the industry your companies potential? You have heard a variation of the saying “you only get 1 chance to make that first impression so make it count” and it still applies today, even more now with increased traffic to social media feeds. One of the fastest way to spread word of mouth is now at your fingertips with your keyboards and smartphones. Like any business the goal is to grow your brand, clientele and income and it’s important to showcase your standards from the beginning and this is especially true with your marketing materials and the photography you use. Of course there are hundreds of thousands of stock images you can choose from but I will be honest, as a Jr. company those stock images stick out immediately to everyone. Why? Because often the images used are not associated with the actual company. As a Jr. company, you want people to invest in your vision, your name, your product and most of all in you. For these reasons alone you should be showcasing your people, facilities and shops using custom photography. You might think it is expensive but I assure you the ROI will pay for itself over and over and the amount of high impact images you receive can be used throughout the year(s) on all your marketing materials across all social media platforms. If you want to get noticed and stand out, if you want people to look at your data and financial content then getting their attention is important. Think of it as curb appeal. You are more likely to open something for more information, walk through a door or click on a link if the curb appeal is there. Of course I am not stating that photography is more important than the copy/content but why wouldn’t you want that extra element to ensure you have done everything you can to get noticed?
It’s like fishing (hear me out on this lol). Anyone can fish, you simply get some bait and drop the line in the water and wait for a fish to bite. The more experienced anglers know that there are far more elements that can increase your chances of catching fish. You try to cover all the senses. The type of bait, the color, the action of the lure and even the scent/smell of the lure. When you provide all those elements your chances of catching fish are increased. Same applies to getting your content noticed in your marketing materials and social media feeds.
So what should you look for in photography? Here are a few things to cover:
Images for marketing are everywhere and are easily available for just about anything. This is nothing new. Years ago it was readily available stock images and now it’s easily available cellphone images but like the stock images, “cellsnaps” although quick and easy usually have no visual impact not to mention the perceived value in using cellphone images says that your company might not be at the level for Professional Photography.
Let’s look at it from a different scenario. Your company is now getting some recognition and opportunities for magazine articles (maybe even the cover) or news coverage are becoming more frequent. What type of photography do you want to send the publishers to showcase your company that you worked so hard to create? A cellphone image?
Below is one example of custom professional photography I created for Manroc Developement Inc www.manroc.com at one of their industrial shops recently. Although they are a well established company in just a few days we created hundreds of custom images for them to showcase their amazing people and products across all marketing platforms.
Start thinking long term and invest in professional photography so that you have an archive of images to be used throughout the year in your marketing materials. Message me if you would like a FREE assessment of your current photography used on your website and marketing materials. I wont’ BS you and I’ll make some recommendations if needed.
This is a recent image I created for www.manroc.com in their industrial shop where I couldn’t position myself behind the camera due obstacles like walls. I try not to photograph my subjects in front of them as its hard to get any depth of field in the image. This is where a remote trigger comes in handy and in this instance I used my wifi connection from the camera to the phone and live view which allowed me to get the camera angle I desired as well as trip the shutter to capture the image.
I positioned the boom specifically to block the light. I liked how the ceiling light backlit the Rockbreaker and background but I still needed a bit of light to highlight the front of the arm as well. Overall your attention is drawn into my subject, the ScaleBOSS..
Just few samples of Industry Magazines where my clients were showcased using the images I created for their company. Having high impact photography on hand for your marketing branding is essential in today’s social and print media.
Switching gears a bit in my social media feed to share with you an image I created recently for Health Sciences North Foundation here in Sudbury, Ontario to raise awareness. You can see it parked on a billboard at the corner of Walford and Paris St and each time I pick my Grandmother up for ice cream and we are at the corner lights she looks over and mentions it and thus our conversation starts on how the image was created. Sudbury has been great to me and my photography business and volunteering to create images like these for the foundation is a personal way I can give back and say thank you as well as show my support.
Thanks to Debra Dawe, Sally Dunton, Mary Lou Hussak and to all the staff that were involved and continue to work hard for our benefits.
Note: did you know that minerals that are mined such as copper are used in MRI Technology?
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Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Manitouwadge Ontario to create images for Manroc Developments. We covered their undreground operations including their Alimak Raise Climber at Barrick Gold’s Williams Mine as well as some fabrication processes at their multiple industrial shops in the town of Manitouwadge. The Alimak is an interesting piece of equipment (from Manroc’s Site) The Alimak method raises between levels in a safe and effective manner. Drilling, loading and blasting are all performed from the platform of the Raise Climber, which is adapted to fit the precise dimensions and shape of the raise. Furthermore, the Alimak Raise Climber implements a rack and pinion rail, designed to carry air and water for increased ventilation.
I always enjoy photographing the Alimak and this time was no different. It can be a challenge in some locations especially if it’s over an open area but this time I got to get up close and personal at ground level.
Here is a different image from past shoot of the Alimak
Alimak Raise Climber 1
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