What will you do to promote yourself this new year?

Posted on January 10, 2012 by jan s

The beginning of the year is a great time to plan the year’s marketing efforts. What are your plans to promote your business or yourself?

Here’s a couple of ideas I will be working on for myself that might work for you too.

  1. Update my website: when was the last time new photos were up there? Even if you change out your copy frequently, when the photos stay the same, viewers get the impression the site hasn’t changed.
  2. Update my photo on Facebook: now that Facebook has this great cover image space, you should take advantage of it by making it meaningful to you and to your audience. My photo now is from China, and if you know me, you know that my trip there last year was quite the experience.
  3. Update my avatar image: how old is that photo you are using now anyway? Do you still look like that? Only my hair is different, but it’s time for a new photo anyway.
  4. The big trend for websites is video – do you have one? Even if you don’t want to do a traditional interview style you can still have a video. Create a slideshow that showcases your work and save it as a movie.
  5. Update my enewsletter, printed materials, business card: Have you started offering new services? Removed old products that didn’t sell? Do your clients know that from your marketing materials? I offer more than just photography, so my materials need to reflect that too.

Do you need help with any of these items? Give me a call at 770.931.8170 and let’s talk. I can help you will all of the above, creating new photos, slideshows, printed and web marketing materials. And stay tuned to my website to see changes coming.

 

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Why professional architectural photographers are needed

Posted on December 21, 2011 by jan s

Sometimes things are written so well I can’t say it any better. So I’ll just link to this excellent article on why professional architectural photographers are still a necessary expense for designers, architects and remodelers. Bilyana Dimitrova wrote The Inside Picture for the International Interior Design Association.
master bathroom sink with large lighted mirror
This photo for John Rogers Renovations shows not only the bathroom, but also the relationship of the bedroom. We are seeing at least 3 light sources: the outside light, the bedroom light and the lights over the sinks. But to get this shot, I needed to add additional lighting, to balance the two different rooms.

Post processing of the image is required, to sharpen the image, remove minor scratches from the wood work, and color correct for the different light sources.

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Winning clients and winning photos

Posted on December 15, 2011 by jan s
a remodeled kitchen by Raymac Remodeling

great entertaining center with this large island by Raymac Remodeling

I gotta brag on two of my clients who won big at the National  Association of the Remodeling Industry Contractor of the Year awards this year. Raymac Remodeling won in both a kitchen and bath division, top two photos,

large bathroom with tub and walk-in shower

An elegant bathroom by Raymac Remodeling

and John Rogers Renovations won in 3 divisions, third photo.

a very open floorplan between kitchen and living room

open floor plan by John Rogers Renovations

Plus, Trudy McGinnis won at National Kitchen & Bath Association for this wonderful kitchen at the bottom.

Give them all a big round of applause! Woohoo!

So what makes them winners? Part of it is the story they have to tell when they enter the competition, what challenges they had, what they needed to do to please the client and still make the project work. But part is also in the photography. Clear images, well lit, straight walls, with a modest amount of decor on the countertops, all of these elements help make a professional photo stand out from the amateurs.

Since my clients have had winners in the NARI competition every year I’ve been in business, I guess I’m doing something right. I work with the right clients who appreciate the effort I put in to each and every shot. And I appreciate their work too, without such beautiful projects to photograph, none of us would be winners.

a lot of counterspace in this kitchen designed by Trudy McGinnis

a lot of counterspace in this kitchen designed by Trudy McGinnis

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