On brand Lifestyle photos you can create today
Most of my clients now request lifestyle images as an addition to their product photos. These images showcase your products in context. They are also great for reinforcing your brand. If you are stuck for ideas, I have you covered. You can work on these today.
Ideal for social media, blog posts, banners, general marketing, Facebook adds and magazine features.
Example of recent work of Bath Salts for Josies Botanicals.
Where to start?
The temptation is to start by picking up the camera but I’d encourage you to put the kettle on instead. Make yourself tea or coffee and head over to Pinterest for some research and inspiration. Create a new board, use the search bar and save any images related to your products that you like and note why.
Pay attention to backdrops, textures, colour schemes, props, objects, light, composition. Whatever speaks to you.
Please remember, inspiration and research does not mean copy!
Checklist of must have brand images
Now that your are bursting with ideas, I’d like to suggest a couple of themes that are useful for every trade/business. I have also added hashtags for each that you can explore and use for better results on your posts. Double win!
FROM WHERE I STAND
#fromwhereistand #workspace
I personally love this theme. This is why. when I do branding sessions on location I am always fascinated by your workspaces .Your every day view of where you work may sound messy, boring, not special, even not worth showing TO YOU, but trust me, people love the opportunity to be invited into your world.
Check Artist Emma Higgins’ incredibly colourful workspace!
Tip: You don’t have to show everything if you don’t want to. Choose or curate a little corner you can use for photos or simply take a photo of what’s in front of you on your desk.
How stunning is this…!!! Taken at Textile Artist Violet Shirran’s studio.
EVERY DAY TOOLS
#everydaytools
I believe that a massive aspect of our work as artists and creatives is to educate our clients about the intricacy of our crafts and trades. One way of showcasing this is to shine some light, literally, on our every day tools. Your working hands, how certain machinery you use works, inherited or handmade tools, your workbench, painting aprons, brushes, perhaps that latest piece of equipment you just acquired. Educate your audience, show them how things are made. This adds tremendous value to your brand.
I LOVE these textures!
Image from an At Work Session with Award winning Artist Breda Marron
If you can, combine tools with working hands. This is my ultimate favourite thing to photograph.
Image from an At Work Session with ceramicist Chloe Dowds
THE HUMAN BEHIND THE BRAND
#meetthemaker
Behind the Scene image of Artist Lorna Watkins
I get it. Most of us are camera shy and we are happy out hiding behind our products, but here’s the thing: your brand visibility starts with YOU. As you grow your audience and new people join you on your journey, it is a good idea to show up and reveal the human behind the brand. Introduce and re-introduce yourself some now and again in whatever way it feels comfortable and right for you. Images of you at work, taking a break, in your favourite place…your call.
Danielle Doody from Naturally at the Wrens Nest in her beautiful garden, picking ingredients for her products.
I hope you enjoyed this piece and that you are feeling inspired to give some of these idea a go.
If you do, PLEASE, tag me or share it with me so I don’t miss it! @anadorado
THANK YOU
Before I sign off, I wanted to say GRACIAS for your continued support and trust. I hope we can see each other and work together soon. Big virtual hugs. Ana.
PS. If you need some help styling your photos, have a look at this short blog post. It may help!
Check out this shortcut for product styling
