Makers generally have a hard time photographing their own products, and I am no exception. I know that the background in those product photos has to be pure white, but I have a hard time getting it that way. Don't even get me started on lifestyle photos! I have no models, and I don't have time to take a photography course. Besides, even if I did, most of the widely available ones focus (no pun intended) on portraits and landscapes, and not on product photography. So, what's a good solution for this Catch 22 type of situation? Hiring a professional photographer.
I finally broke down right around the holidays, and decided to find a way to get some of my jewelry photographed by a professional. Budget constraints aside, I was not sure how to find a photographer whose style would fit well with my products, let alone one who would want to traipse through the countryside, on ranches and byways, to get the photo shoot done in locations that fit my brand image. Thankfully, a friend and mentor of sorts referred me to a collaboration group of artists and photographers where work could be done with no money exchanging hands. I would send my products to a photographer in exchange for images of the said products. Since I already had some inventory on hand, that sounded like a good idea.
Long story short, I worked with three different photographers in the group, and although each interpreted the style of my jewelry in her own way, all three did a great job. One of them even opened my eyes to the possibility of my designs appealing to an additional audience, apart from the one I was set on.
The most successful of the three collaborations by far was working with Linda of Mann Made Imagery in Lubbock, TX. Yes, I had to ship my jewelry all the way from Montana to Texas, but it was more than worth it. This talented lady absolutely overdelivered on our initial agreement, and I could not be happier with the final result. I will be updating my shop listings with her images, so check back frequently, and also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to see more of her work. Even if I have to mail all of my future products to Texas to be photographed, it's well worth it. I'm sure Linda will now be my go-to photographer for as long as she wants to be.
Have you ever worked with a professional photographer? How was your experience? Share in the comments below... and don't forget to stop by the Buckaroo Bling shop for some sassy western jewelry.
