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Using the Science of Color to Attract Your Audience in Photography

Using the Science of Color to Attract Your Audience in Photography

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Using the Science of Color to Attract Your Audience in Photography

Social media is one of the best marketing resources you can use as a business owner.

T

here is actual science to colors and what attracts your audience. So it is time to stop being a skeptic and start getting on the branding bandwagon as we dive into how you can use the science of color to attract your audience in photography. It goes as deep as using colors and contrast to focus your audience’s attention to one place. 

 

You can use brighter colors to attract and energize or use muted and neutral tones to show calmness and cleanliness. The message you want to share with your audience will depend on the colors you choose that also represent your brand. Here are a few tips on using the science of color to attract your audience in photography.

 

Know Your Brand Values

 

Before you decide which colors best fit your company’s brand message, you need to know your company values. What is it about your product or your company that makes you stand out from the next business owner creating similar products? Who is the audience you want to attract? Understand your customer’s journey before anything else. When you know your ideal audience, likes, and dislikes, it’s much easier to market your products.

 

Classify Your Colors

 

Once you are clear with your brand values and who your ideal client avatar is, you can choose which colors best fit your message. Classifying your colors helps your audience understand your brand and can dictate their behavior and decision-making. 

 

Choosing the right colors can also evoke emotion with your ideal customers. What is it that you want them to feel or experience when they see your products for the first time? Both colors and product photography are among the first impressions people will get from your business, so being mindful of both is extremely important. Your choice of colors can influence customers to buy your product if done correctly.

 

Color Psychology

 

If you’re not familiar with the science of color or what each color might mean, let’s break it down. According to Small Biz Trends, each color has its meaning. For example, red associates with excitement, green is health and nature, purple is wisdom, blue is tranquil, orange and yellow are cheerful, and so on.

 

Each color can affect a person’s mood in many ways, so it’s important to consider these associations before choosing which colors you want to incorporate into your business. 

 

Incorporating Colors into Your Business

 

Decide which colors represent your brand and resonate most with your ICA. You’ll then want to incorporate these colors into your business, on your website, in your packaging, in your advertisements, etc. The key is to stay consistent across all platforms to create brand recognition. Use the colors often to grab your customer’s attention and improve your brand’s visibility.

 

Conclusion

 

This is why I find beauty products, skincare, and clothing companies to gravitate toward my style. I value things like clarity, organization, and creativity and have created my brand to focus on concepts like structure and innovation. 

 

There are no right colors to choose from. Consider your brand message and which colors best serve that. If you need help understanding how to incorporate colors into your business, I’d be happy to connect with you! I also share some of my best tips and tricks on Instagram!

 

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About Crystal

 

Crystal is the Creative Director, Photo Stylist, and Commercial Photographer behind Crystal Clear Creative Studios. From increased sales, visibility, and trends to conversions and full production, Crystal and her team, experts on the subject matter, provide clients with confidence to take your photography and videography needs off your plate. We support you in your growth with the creation and implementation of transformative ideas.

Common Photography Terms You Should Know

Common Photography Terms You Should Know

The Blog

Common Photography Terms You Should Know

You’ve made the big jump and outsourced your product photography to a professional photographer.

N

ow, it’s time to communicate everything to them – what they need to know about you, your business, and your brand. Afterall you have to know the photography terms so everyone is on the same page.

 

This will help ensure your photographer will capture the perfect shots that fit exactly what you and your business need. So, before your next photoshoot – take a look at these commonly used terms to familiarize yourself with the lingo your photographer may use. You’ll be able to walk into the studio with confidence.

 

Brand Shots

 

Brand shots are what introduces your brand to potential customers. Think of how you want your first impression to be as a business owner – this is what your brand shots need to illustrate. Use these photos to build your know, like, and trust factor with your audience. They should be customized to you and your brand. This is the time where you show your audience what it is that sets you apart from the competition.

 

Product Shots

 

These are the photos of the products you are selling. Explain to your photographer what you want your customers to take away from the photo when they’re looking at it for the first time. What is the story you’re trying to tell and, ultimately, sell to them? 

 

Some examples include strategically placing products in a natural environment, having models use your products, or you placing the products in a way that shows off the little details. Whatever it is, your product shots are a major part of your business and should be planned out accordingly.

 

Catalog Shots

 

These are the images on your storefront. The ones required by Amazon and wholesalers to have that crisp white background that blends flawlessly with the website.

 

Catalog shots are one way to help display your product and all of its features. This type of photography is designed to make it clear what your product looks like, what ingredients it has, and other label warnings and specifications. It’s the guarantee that your customers know what they’re getting, how to use it and what’s in it. It also steps up your product game and gives your brand a professional look!

 

Flat Lay

 

A flat lay is a type of photo taken from an aerial point of view. Many photographers prefer this method to help showcase the product(s) you’re selling in a “natural” state. Your product and props are strategically placed to help convey the story you’re trying to tell. This helps to give your customers a better visual of your product in its entirety. The flat lay theme can be different every time and can range anywhere from a behind-the-scenes set up to a staged environment.

 

DSLR

 

This is the type of camera your photographer will most likely be using during the photoshoot. DSLR stands for Digital Single-Lens Reflex and can capture high-quality photos. DSLR cameras are usually the cameras of choice for many photographers because of their many features and the ability to switch out the lenses.

 

SD Card

 

This is the camera’s memory where every photo your photographer takes is kept safely. The camera records the image or image file onto the SD card in different formats – RAW, JPG, PNG. RAW files usually contain more information and take up more space on the SD card. However, this also makes them more suitable for editing.

 

Every SD card has its storage capacity. The higher the gigs, the more storage space you have for more images. 

 

Conclusion

 

Knowing the photography terms that could come up in your next photoshoot will give you the little boost of confidence you need for the next time you outsource. If you’re struggling to make the leap and let a professional take over your product photography, check out my top tips to help overcome outsourcing anxiety and fear. If you’d like to learn more about what it’s like to work with a product photographer, let’s connect! I can answer any questions or concerns you may have. You can also connect with me on Instagram!

 

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About Crystal

 

Crystal is the Creative Director, Photo Stylist, and Commercial Photographer behind Crystal Clear Creative Studios. From increased sales, visibility, and trends to conversions and full production, Crystal and her team, experts on the subject matter, provide clients with confidence to take your photography and videography needs off your plate. We support you in your growth with the creation and implementation of transformative ideas.

Why You Need to Refresh Your Images Regularly

Why You Need to Refresh Your Images Regularly

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Why You Need to Refresh Your Images Regularly

The online world is constantly changing – adjusting to new trends, new technology, and new content regularly is a must in your business.

A

s a business owner, you must be focused on staying relevant to your audience. 

Adding and Refreshing

Repurposing old image concepts or replacing old images with brand new ones keeps things fresh and current, right?

 

Doing this also keeps potential customers on their toes, looking out for your latest products and trends. If your images stay the same, your customers may struggle to know if you’re still in business, creating the products they love.

 

So how do you know when its time to refresh your images? You know it’s time for a refresh if you notice your website or storefront is out of date, sales have slowed down or maybe you’re running out of images for new Ads. So, here are a few reasons why you should change up your images regularly so you can move forward confidently!

 

Trends and Styles Are Ever-Evolving

 

Most of us know that trends and styles are always evolving and as a business owner you need to stay up to date for your audience. Many consumers want the latest and greatest of products and they look to you to bring it to them. Keeping your images fresh and up to date can affect what your customers buy from you. It also helps them to determine if your product is something they can benefit from at that time.

 

As you stay up-to-date on the latest trends, you keep your customers engaged and you develop long term loyalty. They can trust that you will inform them of your new products every time you launch. This also drives traffic back to your website each time you update your images. It’s your loyal customers that will keep coming back to see what products you’re launching next.

 

Large Amounts of Marketing and Testing What Works

 

If you’re in the middle of launching a new product, the best thing to do is market as much as you can to see what works. As an online business owner, your customer’s first interaction with you, your brand, and your product are your photos. Utilize as many different images as you can but continue to tell your brand’s visual story. Show your audience every angle of the product you’re selling and be as transparent as possible. When you are clear with your message, visuals, and brand, your customers have a better idea of what to expect before they submit an order – especially since they cannot physically see your product for themselves. When you’re constantly updating your images and putting out fresh content, you continue to place yourself as an authority. This is also a popular marketing tactic if Facebook and Instagram Ads are a focus for quicker growth. You will find that you will test out certain images and copy to see what your audience responds best to for quick growth.

 

You Have a Seasonal Product

 

Every year when the holidays come around, any store you walk into has already been decorated to fit the occasion. The same should go for your business. If you’re running a campaign with a specific theme or you are selling seasonal products, then you need the photos to fit those items.

 

Display your visual theme using props and relatable elements to add to the story. Your audience needs to relate to you or your brand before they ever decide to purchase from you. Something as simple as switching out your images to fit the campaign theme or seasonal product can make a huge difference in whether or not a customer will buy your product.

 

It’s Time for a New Look

 

The day you decide to change up your brand or give it a complete makeover, you will need fresh photos to fit your new style. It’s easy to get into a brand change. We have all been there. So, when you start changing your brand colors, style, and even your products – it’s time for an update. Maintaining consistency across the board is an essential way to build brand recognition. If you’re giving your business the complete makeover, then you need to make sure you do the same across your entire brand. Consistency is key.

 

Conclusion

 

Constantly keeping up with your photos can take a lot of work if you’re not prepared. This is why you should always plan to have enough content to cover you for a few months. Life happens and you never know when you’ll need the extra time to do something else in your business. I get it! You’re busy as it is trying to juggle ALL the things. This is why I’d love to help with your next photography project. From catalog, business lifestyle, to styled photography – I can provide you with fresh new imagery for your brand consistently. Feel free to contact me to schedule a consultation call. We can also connect on Instagram!

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About Crystal

 

Crystal is the Creative Director, Photo Stylist, and Commercial Photographer behind Crystal Clear Creative Studios. From increased sales, visibility, and trends to conversions and full production, Crystal and her team, experts on the subject matter, provide clients with confidence to take your photography and videography needs off your plate. We support you in your growth with the creation and implementation of transformative ideas.

5 Steps to Take a Good Picture on the Fly

5 Steps to Take a Good Picture on the Fly

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5 Steps to Take a Good Picture on the Fly

A photo op comes up, but you don’t feel prepared. What should you do?

S

hould you not take the photo in case it turns out bad? Of course not! Assess the situation, make a few crucial photography decisions, and then take your shot. Taking a great picture on the fly doesn’t have to be so tough.

 

Practice in your free time to prepare yourself for the moment you have to take a good picture on the fly. When you know the problems that could come up, it will be easier for you to readjust and make it work. In the meantime, here are 5 steps to help you take great pictures confidently!

 

Evaluate Your Lighting

 

Face the light source closest to you – that’s the most powerful. When you have a broader light source, it creates a softer light in your image. This is because you have more light hitting your subject from multiple directions, which helps get rid of unwanted shadows.

 

Do focus on what it is you’re selling and use the lighting to highlight that. You can utilize your light sources in different ways, but always remember that your product is the main focus. Consider the mood and tone of your photo that you want to convey and make any lighting changes accordingly.

 

Don’t Stand in Front of the Window

 

Natural light is the best light, but just because the view outside is great doesn’t mean your photo will turn out great. When you stand in front of a window, you’re sure to darken your product or setup entirely, you can even cause a grainy photo from the auto-light adjustments your phone will make. (Same goes for your camera!) Instead, rearrange your subject so that the light from the window highlights it. You can still use the natural light, but have the window behind you.

 

Don’t be afraid to move your subject or product around to see the results you end up with. As you go along, make some adjustments and keep snapping. Sometimes, you’d be surprised at what you end up with.

 

Check Quick Details

 

Nothing is more annoying than when you take a photo you love, only to realize later that the background was a mess with junk on the table, or the model carrying your product had dirty glasses. Check for little things that can take the attention away from your product. Do a quick sweep of the background to identify any items that you will need to move, rearrange, or take out completely.

 

Some things to look out for are dust, lint, scratches or other imperfections. This is where you might also see the wear and tear in items you might use often (if you can’t touch it up the best advice is, don’t use it). You might even notice weird wrinkles or finger prints on clear items. That just means it is important to take note and clean things up really well before you shoot. Less editing is better for your time!

 

Take Several Photos

 

It’s always better to have options to choose from, so take several photos of your product. No one wants to set up another photoshoot to capture a shot that could have easily be taken the first time.

 

Take more photos than you think you’ll need, but have a variety. Don’t keep taking the same one, from the same angle – change up the composition and exposure, get different angles, and capture different product details.

 

Sometimes a photo that you thought looked good when you shot it looks completely different when uploaded onto your computer. Other times, a photo you may not have liked when you took it can turn out to be your favorite one. The point is to take several photos of your product to leave yourself with options!

 

NOTE – Your camera’s focus can adjust mid-snap and cause you to miss an opportunity. Take multiple photos and give yourself options if you’re not a pro or as comfortable with your equipment.

 

Get Closer

 

The lenses on the phones are meant to be wide-angle, but if you’re doing a flat lay, you are better off getting in closer. Zooming in can diminish the photo’s quality. As you get closer to the product, fill the frame of the photo. Watch the outer corners to make sure you can’t see the end of the table that you’re shooting on.

 

When you physically get closer to your product, there are fewer distractions to draw the eye away.  It’s easier to capture the moment, the story, and the message you’re trying to send when you fill the frame. Don’t give your customers a second to question what exactly it is that you’re selling. You can still include other elements but focus in on your subject.

 

Conclusion

 

Next time you’re asked to take some photos on the fly, you’ll know what to do with these 5 tweaks. Be patient with yourself and keep making small changes each time you shoot new photos for your products.

 

You can learn more about how to fix your images with a freebie I’ve created for you here. You can also check out my blog post on the 3 ways to get the best lighting for your product photography. And if you ever need help planning your ideal product photoshoot or have any questions, we can schedule a consultation call to discuss your photoshoot needs. Otherwise, you can connect with me on Instagram for more photo fun!

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About Crystal

 

Crystal is the Creative Director, Photo Stylist, and Commercial Photographer behind Crystal Clear Creative Studios. From increased sales, visibility, and trends to conversions and full production, Crystal and her team, experts on the subject matter, provide clients with confidence to take your photography and videography needs off your plate. We support you in your growth with the creation and implementation of transformative ideas.

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