Why Small Businesses Should Invest in Photography (Part 2)

I wanted to shift the focus a bit from where my last post left off and share a few tips on how to prepare for your business photo session. These photo sessions are all about putting your best foot forward but also being real and true to your brand.

3 tips to keep in mind before your business photo session:

1) What to wear
Choose something that is comfortable and appropriate for the type of work you do. Depending on the idea for the photoshoot, think about what you wear when you are working or if you were meeting a client.

2) Have a plan but be flexible
Having a general idea of the types of shots you need will help to guide the session. Discuss these beforehand with your photographer so that they come prepared with the right equipment. Some shots or angles might not work as you envision - they may not be flattering to you or your work, or maybe the space you are working in has limitations. Trust the photographer to find the best solution for your particular photoshoot.

3) Tidy up your work area before the session
Of course the idea is to showcase your work in a real setting but photos will show everything. Take the time before the session to look at your space, remove any items that don't belong or to place elements in a way that is less distracting to the focus of the shoot. Have on hand all the tools or elements you would like included.

To give you an idea of how each photo session is different. Have a look at two businesses I worked with recently. Each session was tailored to what they needed and to the nature of their businesses.

Maman Chic Boutique 

Maman Chic Boutique is a local shop in Aylmer QC filled with the most thoughtfully selected items for expecting moms, new moms and even beyond the bump. I love this shop and all that it offers from the personalized one on one attention to the convenience of online shopping.

Dulce Couture Cakes

Gabriela is the face behind Dulce Couture Cakes. Having seen many of her creations before we met, I was so excited to meet her and see her at work. Her attention to detail and passion for her work shines through.

3 Must Have Photos for Small Business and Creative Entrepreneurs / 3 photos que les petites entreprises devraient inclure sur leur site web.

(texte en français ci-dessous)

The theme that underlies all of my photography work is the idea of connecting through stories – from children, families, couples to small businesses and creative entrepreneurs. One of the great things about small businesses are the faces behind them because that is where the stories begin. Having people connect to that story is a big part of the reason why clients want to support your business or hire you. One way to tell your story is to use photos to help people to get to know you as a person and to see your process. 

Personally, if a business does not have a photo on their “about” page, it makes me feel less connected to them. I think this is especially true if you have a business that offers a service. People want to know who they are hiring. Small businesses sometimes forget to tell their own story but something as simple as a few photos can make such a difference to your clients. 

3 photos that small business should include on their website. 

1. A headshot - this doesn’t have to be a formal photo, it should be a professional photo that shows a bit about who you are and communicates something about you. The setting and clothing should reflect you and your business.
2. Behind the scenes – show your process and yourself at work. I know I’m always curious to know how people work, tools they use and how things all come together.
3. Where you work - give people a glimpse of your space – it doesn’t have to be a perfectly curated space, it could be a few details of what you keep on your desk or hang on your wall.

Take the time to tell your story and put yourself out there. 

Want to know more about my sessions? Contact me at www.mathieu-photo.com/contact or subscribe to my mailing list at www.mathieu-photo.com


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Le thème qui sous-tend tout mon travail de photographie est l'idée de se connecter à travers des histoires - des enfants, des familles, des couples, et aussi les petites entreprises et des entrepreneurs créatifs. Les visages derrière les petites entrepresises sont très importants car c'est là ou commencent les histoires. Le fait que les gens se connectent à cette histoire est une des raisons pour laquelle ils veulent soutenir votre entreprise ou vous embaucher. Pour raconter votre histoire, pourquoi pas utiliser des photos pour aider les gens à vous connaître et d'en savoir plus sur votre processus?

Personnellement, si une entreprise n'a pas de photo d'eux même sur leur site web, je me sens moins connecté. Je pense que cela est particulièrement vrai si vous avez une entreprise qui offre un service. Les gens veulent savoir qui ils embauchent. Les petites entreprises oublient parfois de raconter leur propre histoire, mais quelque chose d'aussi simple que quelques photos peut faire une telle différence pour vos clients. 

3 photos que les petites entreprises devraient inclure sur leur site Web:

1. Un portrait - cela ne doit pas être une photo formelle, mais une photo professionnelle qui montre un peu de ton charactère. L'endroit pour les photos et les vêtements devraient vous refléter à vous et à votre entreprise.
2. Dans les coulisses - des photos qui montre votre processus et vous-même au travail. Moi je suis toujours curieuse de savoir comment les gens travaillent, les outils qu'il utilisent et comment les choses se rejoignent.
3. Où vous travaillez - Donnez aux gens un aperçu de votre espace - il ne doit pas nécessairement être un espace parfaitement organisé; il pourrait même être quelques détails de ce que vous gardez sur votre bureau ou accrochez sur votre mur.

Prenez le temps de raconter votre histoire!

Avez vous des questions? Contactez moi: www.mathieu-photo.com/contact
ou, inscrivez vous à ma liste d'envoie pour recevoir d'autres articles et informations sur mes sessions photos: http://www.mathieu-photo.com

I Finally Got a Professional Headshot Done!

I recently met up with Myriam of Farah Photography with the plan to take photos of each other. As photographers, we aren't often in front of the camera and realized we hardly had any recent photos of ourselves. We both wanted something natural so we settled on meeting at a coffee shop. We found a corner that had great light and shot each other as we talked. Very simple. Myriam is amazing. She makes you feel comfortable and uses her warm personality to get you to relax, laugh and have fun.

As much as I was a bit worried about a public setting for the photos, it didn’t take long to forget about everyone else. Something as simple as having a cup of tea to hold helps to get past that “what do I do with my hands” feeling. 

Before the session, I think: I hate having my photo taken, I’m more comfortable behind the camera, I’m not photogenic, this is going to be so awkward, maybe I should have worn the other shirt? Sound familiar? Looking at photos of myself is kind of like hearing a recording of your voice for the first time – it can feel a bit strange and you ask yourself, is that really how I sound? However, as a mom, I’m realizing I need to get over it. I need to accept how I look on camera if I want to pass that positive self-image on to my kids and to be more accepting of the things I may not completely love about myself. As a photographer, I need to practice what I preach. Hiring a professional photographer to take your photo is a great step to get passed this. Photographers are trained to capture good angles, to try different poses and compositions to help you see yourself in a different light. 

Typically with photos of myself, I pour over them and find all the things I don’t like instead of focusing on what is good about them - what is good about me. With the photos that Myriam took, I can honestly say that there is nothing I would change. Even my “over smiling” (see this photo right above...this is my "oversmile") which typically makes me cringe when I see myself like that…but this shot actually turned out to be one of my favourites. Her talent for composition and light makes it work. 

What comes to mind when you think of the word “headshot” ? I like to think about redefining the headshot to be less formal. I think people are looking for something that feels real and shows a bit of personality. Choosing a casual setting really helps to create that. Letting some of your character shine through is a good thing. 

It was fun to do something just for me and to come away with photos of just me, being me.  

I highly recommend hiring someone you trust to take photos of just you!