Photography for Florists - Taking Back Control Over Your Imagery with Kim Branagan
THE IMPORTANCE OF PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR OWN WORK
Have you ever designed flowers for a beautiful wedding and ended up with no pictures from that big day? There are several important reasons why you should begin taking your own photos, today! No longer will you have to wait for a photographer to get back to you, or even worse, never hear from the photographer at all. Kim Branagan, a professional photographer for weddings and events, shared that it is vital to take your own pictures.
No one knows your branding like you do. The photos of your work serve as the face of your website, social media, email campaigns, flyers and more. These photos are the ones that will catch the attention of a potential client, and will be shared via text message or direct messages online. This means, the way your floral designs are framed, lit and photographed matter. They represent your business before clients get a chance to chat with you.
COMMON ISSUES FLORISTS RUN INTO WITH IMAGES
There are a few issues florists can face when it comes to images of their hard work. One of the main ones is not getting images back from photographers. Kim shared that although photographers have the precious photos in their grasp, they can get busy and ultimately forget to share the goods.
Another issue that happens is not getting images in your personal brand style. We discussed how every photographer has their signature style. This style may not match up with how you would like your flowers to be seen. For example, an all white floral design could be photographer in a dark, moodier way than you are used to. This is not accurately representing your work to potential clients and could impact the kind of clients you attract.
HOW CAN FLORISTS WORK BEST WITH PHOTOGRAPHERS?
There are three main points that can assist when it comes to discussing photos with an event photographer.
1: Communication
Communication from the florist to photographer can help clear up expectations regarding images. Figuring out how the images will be delivered to you before the day gets hectic can be a life saver.
2: Help point out “wish list” of photos or designs to capture
Kim notes that you can also let photographers know which side of your floral installations and arrangements are the “best” to assist with capturing your work.
3: Build relationship
Building relationships with other vendors takes time, but will pay off endlessly as you become familiar with photographers and how they work.
BENEFITS OF PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR WORK (PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL)
With all the various tasks a busy florist has on their plate, how can you manage taking your own photos? All you need to do is have the right mindset and the right equipment. The equipment you need is as simple as your smartphone! Kim shares that the latest smart phones have powerful cameras, capable of capturing the beauty of your floral installations.
But should you just point and shoot? Not exactly. Kim stresses that the most important factor in good photos is lighting the subject properly. Find the best lighting in your home or office space by taking pictures from different angles around your space. Use a floral arrangement and practice until you find the best staging area. You can put up a simple backdrop or use a plain wall.
Once you have this spot, take time the day before big events to capture a few images of your designs. This way, during a bust event you won’t have to hunt for lighting or deal with the lighting of the venue.
PHOTOGRAPHY FOR FLORISTS ONLINE COURSE
This course is designed for the florist who wants to improve their photography skills and take control of their photos. It is a must have for florists who want more creative control in their business. It includes all Kim’s hard earned lessons on the importance of lighting and framing. It will also have tips for the new photo editor, to brighten and enhance your images with ease.
PEEK INSIDE THE EPISODE
[11:46] Photographs of your work serve as the face of your business. Does the idea of controlling this aspect of your business sound like it could work for you? Kim speaks on how important it is to have your own beautiful photos of your flowers.
[17:20] Relationships between florists and photographers. Florists often face the issue of not getting photos back of their floral designs. It is okay to reach out and ask for the professional photos of your flowers. Be sure to credit them on every post!
[23:34] Good photos turn into good marketing. You should be able to capitalize on the amazing work you already did.
[30:05] Communication between photographer and florist is the key to creating a solid relationship and obtaining photos. Find a time to exchange information because wedding days are extremely busy.
[37:50] Lighting is key! It will make your pieces look good or dull their shine. Kim suggests taking a few photos the day before your event in a preset spot in your home or office. And you can do this all from your phone!
GET TO KNOW KIM
Kim’s self care includes morning quiet time, journaling, prayer and meditation.
The non negotiable in Kim’s business is taking projects that inspire her and get her excited.
Kim’s favorite vacation this past year was Iceland (the trip also included Barcelona and New Zealand)
RESOURCES
Photography for Florists Course
Course is open for our Fleursociety community until June 30th!
CONNECT
Website: www.kimbranagan.com
Instagram: @kimbranaganphoto
