styling

How Props tell the Story

August 5, 2021 by Silke Dietz Leave a Comment

A story can be told in different ways but it only makes a lasting impression once you bring it to life with graphic details. Exactly the same works for visual storytelling, brand photography. Imagine a woman sitting on a sofa, a cup of tea in her hand. What emotions do you associate with that cup of tea in her hand? Now imagine the same composition but a laptop instead of a cup of tea in the scene? How does this change the vibe of the image?

The question now is, according to the story you want to tell, what props would you want to include to set the right vibe? What do the different props stand for? Let’s have a look.

Work

Next to the obvious choice like your laptop you could include accessories like office supplies, planner, glasses, pretend handouts, phone, pens, sticky notes, fancy briefcase.

Energy

Since feeling energetic is non-visible, this can be different for everyone. But common props are coffee/espresso cup, muesli bars, chocolate, nuts.

Fitness/Health

Fitness and health are an essential part of our daily life and easy to showcase with a water bottle, running shoes, dumbbells, smartwatch, yoga mat, smoothie, all sorts of fruits like an apple or blueberries, or even a salad if you want to make an effort.

Relax

Life is not only about work but also about the balance. Show how you unwind with props like a cup of tea, glass of wine, some chocolate, aromatic oil, candle, journaling, sketching or simply reading a book.

Education

Many of my clients are educators or coaches and need to showcase expertise in their images. A great way to do this is including laptop, microphone, headphones, books and notebooks.

Fun

Including fun props like donuts, macarons, confetti, champagne, balloons or anything you can relate with adds authenticity to your brand. At the end of the day we are all just humans, aren’t we?

If you want to read more about props, check out this article “Creative Prop Ideas for your Branding Photoshoot” or if you would like to know “What to expect at a Branding Photoshoot”, I’ve got you covered, too.

How to get premium brand-on imagery for FREE

April 13, 2021 by Silke Dietz Leave a Comment

A branded image library is crucial to your business and makes you not only look professional but also speaks to your ideal clients. It’s no secret that in our visual world of social media high-end photography plays a big role in customer decisions and converting sales in the end. And to make sure your individual image library lasts the longest you can stretch it with beautifully curated stock photography.

And here is where this powerful collaboration comes in. You know how much I love collabs, for me it is women empowerment at it’s finest. “Rise by lifting others”, is my motto.

It all started with an idea. The idea of creating an irresistible gallery for Haute Stock, a stock photography membership-based platform. The theme: Sustainable Living & Zero Waste. All I needed was models and props. But instead of staging the entire shoot, I decided to search for real businesses to help me out. I was looking for businesses at the beginning of their journey and found those lovely three ladies who were thrilled to help me. How did this help them? Professional images tailored to their brand.

And here the ladies who made this stunning gallery happen.

Please meet Gayathri from Professional Maku-up and Styling

“I have been working with Silke on a few projects as a make up artist already and know her work. So when she did a shout out in search for models to create a gallery for Haute Stock I did not hesitate. And what can I say? Not only do I love the outcome, it was so much fun too!”

Esther from Your Tidy Half

“Working with Silke was amazing! Her eye for detail and perspective really helps to bring the brand story to life. I was really comfortable during the shoot which is important in natural-looking photos. Silke made it a breeze and went the extra mile by helping me navigate through style, photos, colours even before the actual session – looking forward to using all the beautiful photos!”

Kiran from Urja

“I did not realize when the nervousness of being in front of the camera turned into PURE FUN with Silke at Zebra&Jojo Photography. I was excited and at the same time hesitant at the thought of putting my face not only on my brand, but also in most likelihood, for stock photography as well. Silke, however assured me that we will work within our comfort levels but at the same time encouraged me to take the leap. We love the results and are excited the beautiful imagery will help further our brand objectives.”

Are you hooked? If so and you are the face and force of an inspiring brand yourself then get in touch and let’s have a chat.

How to choose Effective Website Images

March 15, 2021 by Patricia Alix Leave a Comment

The images you choose to represent your business conveys not just your brand personality, they also help your audience learn about your business, and whether they want to work with you. Visuals are a compelling way to communicate, which is why your visual branding is an essential element of your marketing strategy. We’re not just talking about your logo or business cards here, but also the photos that you use any where that you have a brand presence – and especially on your website.

Photos used on your website set strong connections and associations for your site visitors. They evoke emotion, support the text, enhance your brand message. They are not just decorative, or at least, they shouldn’t be merely decorative, but rather also serve to convey a message and amplify a point. Think about whether it will help a visitor understand more about who you are and what you do.

Invest in Original Brand Photos for your Website

Remember that your website does more than sell your products, services and your business — it also sells people on the reasons why they should do business with you. Using original, high quality images builds this trust in a way stock photos cannot.

If you have the budget, it’s worth hiring a professional brand photographer to come up with a unique set of photos tailored to your brand. Your images must tell your target audience that you are different and why you are different. For example, by representing your brand through high-end visuals and custom photography, you’re hinting that they should expect a higher level of customer experience, and therefore higher prices too.

“A pretty picture will do NOTHING for your brand if it doesn’t make sense. Be intentional and thoughtful when you are creating scenes and planning your brand photoshoot.”

What specific images do you need?

Your website needs more than just pretty headshots. Your images should tell your story, and help your ideal clients experience and appreciate the heart of your brand, so they will want to work with you, or buy your products. Whether you are using all custom imagery, or supplementing them with stock photos, these are what you will need in order to build a website that converts:

header/hero banner images – Using photos as backgrounds can add emotional and visual appeal to website pages, but makes it a challenge for readability, so make sure to have a high contrast in the colours of the text overlaid, or include white space in the background image where the text will be positioned
who you are/headshots – front facing, with warm smiles
where you work – your office, store, studio, work environment
your process – action shots of your process, behind the scenes
products and services – for your portfolio or shop; styled product shots are also great for banner images; if you are a designer, show your work; if you are a coach, show yourself in action or show the results of your coaching sessions
nice to have – show your personality & interests, it makes you more relatable

Best practices for choosing Website Images

Use images that direct attention (e.g. a face turned toward a call to action)
Above everything else, QUALITY. Use clear, sharp images (but compress for web use)
Each photo should have a clear purpose, not just decoration
Show not tell (especially for process and portfolio)
Choose images that convey emotion in order to elicit emotion
Convey your culture in your photos to connect to your audience on a deeper level
Show your process, but portray it in the best light (we don’t need to see literal dirty laundry)
Brand relevance. Think of color and tone, and how those represent your brand. Stay consistent
Choose engaging and actionable images

Ultimately, your website images should communicate your message to the right people. Plan them carefully, and with intention.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

* Patricia Alix is a brand and website designer based in Singapore who loves helping creatives and small business owners build an elevated and effective visual branding. You can find out more about Patricia on her website.

How to make glamorous flat lays with your iPhone

November 3, 2020 by Silke Dietz Leave a Comment

Flat lays are wonderful images that you can use to showcase products, portray themes or tell stories. Creating irresistible imagery with flat lays for your IG feed isn’t as hard as you think.

1. Use natural light

Nothing beats natural light! It is honestly the most crucial element of any photo and flat lays are no exception. If you shoot indoor, wait for the sun to be at its brightest, around noon, when the room is bright and airy. Outdoor, early morning light is perfect for shooting, as it is soft, yet bright.

2.Background

A clean, simple background is best to make your flat lay pop. I use my kitchen counter, but any tabletops, paper, concrete, floorboards, bed sheets, tiles will do. Anything that doesn’t draw attention away from your lay!

3. Tell a story

Since you plan to use it for your Instagram, think of a story before you shoot. What is your intention? What would you like to talk about? Keep the story, the caption in mind, when you compose the scene. Choose your props wisely, aligned with your IG feed, according to your brand.

4. Composition

Composing a flat lay is like writing a script for Netflix. You have one main character and everyone else complements. That is to keep the emotions balanced and the eye at ease. For flat lays I always like to go with the rule of odds, an uneven number of objects in a composition is perceived as more interesting and aesthetically pleasing. And for story-telling: the more, the better. But make sure the objects are balanced. If you have a big bouquet of flowers in one corner, put something visually heavy on the opposite side to create balance. This also means if you have a bunch of small objects, add a few larger ones to make the flat lay more dynamic.

5. Editing

You are almost there! Most of the pictures you probably don’t need to edit, as the iPhone camera does a fabulous job already. Nonetheless, Apple makes it really easy to edit any picture from dull to glam. If your IG feed has a certain look, try out all the filters, the easiest way of all!

Creative Prop Ideas for your Branding Photoshoot

November 3, 2020 by Silke Dietz Leave a Comment

A branding photoshoot with bespoke lifestyle imagery can take your business to the next level and help you stand out from the crowd. Including props that are authentic to you are the best way to show off your unique personality. The key is brand on styling!

They can be as simple as the tools of your trade or fun personal items that you love having in your life. Adding these elements into your photos can give your audience an idea of what it’s like to work with you. Review your brand story when brainstorming props so that you can be sure the items assist in communicating your message.

Tools of your Trade

No matter if you are a coach, fashionista, florist, baker or else, including the tools of your trade into your pictures shows off your expertise and gives an instant hint about your profession. And since we are living in the digital age, that includes your laptop and phone as well.

Creative Else

Think office supplies, books, magazines, planners, notebooks, postcards with quotes, gift boxes and ribbons, sun/glasses, art work, candles, even confetti. You have a lucky charm? Bring it along! Anything that gives insight to your personality. But most importantly: flowers and leaves.

Food and Beverage

These are my favourite elements. Don’t you agree that a lovely cup of coffee implies energy and busyness? Include donuts or macarons to add a sweet pop of colour to your pictures. Have a glass of wine or even champagne for the more relaxed side of you. Anything works!

As you can see, there is no limit to your imagination, as long as all of your props are brand on and reflect your personality. You don’t even have to be into the picture yourself. Try to do a flat lay for your next Facebook post showcasing a special vibe. You don’t know how to do that? The stay a little longer and read on here.

Why you should hire a Make up artist for your Professional Photoshoot

November 2, 2020 by Silke Dietz Leave a Comment

How makeup appears in photos is very different than how makeup appears when you wear it every day

written by Gayathri Menon of Gayathri Menon Makeup and Styling

Having a professional makeup artist will make you feel more confident about the photoshoot and more at ease in general. In any photoshoot, you want to be as relaxed as possible, as your demeanor will have an impact on the way your images turn out. The makeup colours you choose for photoshoots, will directly impact how your photographs turn out.

You want the makeup, clothing, hair style and wardrobe to work with your face, and not against it.

A makeup artist’s job is helping you make sure all these factors come together to make the best photographs and portray you in the best possible light.

Makeup artists can do wonders very quickly, and can also change things in an instant if you want to try a few different options for the shoot.

A makeup artist is the specialist that can really help diagnose and fix any makeup issue or potential issue very quickly. Especially with so many different factors that go into the photoshoot, you don’t want makeup to get in the way or be an area of concern.

Make sure you have a professional photoshoot makeup artist that can provide their opinion as to the best way to coordinate your makeup selection.

A professional photo shoot has so many benefits and is one of the most important factors in how you present yourself aside from physically being there, so make sure you ensure the photography session has the best outcome by hiring a professional makeup artist to be as certain as possible it turns out great!

Hiring a great photoshoot makeup artist will save time and expense in terms of the photo retouching that will need to be done after the shoot. Whatever it costs to hire a makeup artist, you will generally get back in the time it will save in retouching the photos. Make sure your photographer knows you’ll have a makeup artist on hand for the photoshoot .

Ensure that your makeup artist also does hair, if not be prepared to plan hair at your end before you reach the shoot.

Discussing basic looks, wardrobe and other aspects helps make the process of the photoshoot simple and flowing.

Makeup artists have the experience needed to make sure you present yourself in the very best way, will add to your confidence level during the shoot, and will eliminate you having to choose makeup that may not look as great in the photos as it does in everyday wear. In many cases, your photo is the first impression people have of you, and first impressions count!

So book your photoshoot makeup artist now, be it personal branding, glamour, boudoir or just a headshot.