Browsing the www.epiroc.com website I came across a few information brochures that featured my images on the covers. Epiroc has some amazing photographers creating their content so it’s an honor to have my images showcased in their marketing materials.
It takes a select few images to showcase quality on a website. We sometimes laugh while on location about how long it takes to setup lighting for a specific scenario but the actual “capture” of the scenario takes a minute or two. I sound like a broken record preaching about having high impact images to showcase your company and product as well as solidifying your branding in your industry.
I came across an image I created for www.epiroc.com that is now featured on their global website. It never get’s old seeing your clients showcase their work using your work.
They are easy to create and for most it’s as basic as pressing one button and voila, you have an image of the scene you wanted to capture. We scroll through hundreds of images on our social media feeds and only stop on the ones that catch our eye or our interests. Sometimes, that is all that is needed to grab someones attention. Sure it could be the title or even some of the copy associated with the image, but mostly it’s because of the picture. Eye catching images compliment content. It’s as simple as that. Yes, sometimes the images is used once and only once and then it is forgotten, but that is what all social media is comprised of so it is important in your marketing, branding, and social media to have images that stand out, catch your customers eyes and intrigue them to take the next step and read what you have to say about your company. Does it work? Yes it does. How do I know? Because I have built a career creating images for your industry.
Technology is at the forefront of everything these days, making things faster and more efficient as well as simplifying the process. In photography we often hear the comment “your photos are amazing, you must have a good camera.” Yes, I do have a good camera, in fact I have 2. I have also heard people mention that eventually photographers might be out of work since everyone will be able to take high quality images with their phones. I agree everyone will be able to capture high quality images, but a high quality image of crap is still crap. We used to have saying in photography “garbage in, garbage out” which roughly translates to if you have a crappy scene, you are going to capture a crappy scene. Just because someone uses a good tool doesn’t mean they are going to get great results.
The tools are only as good as the users and in photography there is a lot more going on than just snapping the shutter. I need to know where to place my subjects for composition, I need to know how the images will be used for marketing, I need to know where to put negative space for copy and graphics as well as I need to know how to properly light the scenario so specific elements in the image are brought to the viewers attention. I also need to know how to direct my subjects in a situation that is constantly changing all the while keeping track of time for maximum efficiency. The only way you will get the same image with a cellphone is if you manage all of the fore mentioned elements or shoot over my shoulder lol. Photography technology has been advancing since the pinhole camera and will continue to advance but the fundamentals of good photography have not changed.
It was a chilly day on the frozen lake but when you dress for the occasion it’s just another day at work. We hammered out this photo/video shoot with Epiroc in 1 day and even though the sun was high, the temperature was far below the freezing mark. Just like having the proper tools for the job when you are prepared, you work more efficiently as well as being safe from the environment you are surrounded in.
They are the faces you know and you hope you never have to see in action. ~ Mine Rescue
Sometimes you need a higher vantage point in the mechanics shop to show just how large some of the equipment they maintain really is in comparison to them.
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.
