The Ins and Outs of Hiring A Commercial Photographer in Austin
As a commercial photographer in Austin, TX, it's such a passion of mine to help brands and companies grow their presence in the city and beyond. From product photography to corporate headshots, it's always such a blast to be creative through collaboration.
There also seems to be some confusion on what exactly constitutes a commercial photographer. A lot of people wonder what's the difference between a commercial photographer and a lifestyle photographer.
And on that note, what is commercial photography, anyway?
Don't worry, we're going to go over everything, so when it comes to picking a commercial photographer, you can do so with all of the information you need!
What Are The Different Kinds of Commercial Photography?
Food Photography
You know those delicious photos from restaurants or chefs? Yep, that's commercial photography! These are some of my favorite kinds, even though it makes me hungry sometimes. But a great photographer knows that looks can be deceiving—food photography is about evoking all of the senses through one photo.
A great food photographer will know some of the tricks to really make the food look mouthwatering, like emphasizing texture or how to bring psychology into a single image.
Real Estate Photography
Whether you're renting out an Airbnb or trying to sell a house, a great real estate photographer in Austin can be quite tricky to find. They need to know how to light a room so it looks inviting and have the right equipment to capture the whole room at once.
This also includes capturing the architectural features of both the inside and the outside of a building. The photographer needs to know how to do it all.
Headshot Photography
If you're looking to put your best professional foot forward, a great headshot is where it's at! Commercial photographers know how to really bring out the best in their clients. Great headshots use natural-looking lighting, give advice on what to wear, and touch up the images so the subject looks the absolute best.
Product Photography
Similar to food photography, it takes experience working with different kinds of products to become one of the best branding images for a company. It can be tricky to get the shot, but great photographers know how to bring out colors, texture, and light of products.
But when you need to showcase your products, hiring a professional product photographer is the way to do it!
Portrait Photography
Similar to headshot photography, getting portraits for a family, company, or brand is a unique way to sell your services or products. This could include showing your employees hard at work or showcasing projects in a creative way.
Commercial photographers in Austin know exactly how to get this done because they'll also know the best spots in the city for backgrounds and moods.
6 Tips On How to Pick a Commercial Photographer
Since we both know it isn't wise to pick any random photographer off the street, you'll need to create a process on how to pick the right one. Branding should always be done with intention. I'm sure you can think of branding gone awry for more than a few companies, which makes it more vital than ever to do the research.
So here are some tips for picking the right Austin commercial photographers.
Figure Out Exactly Who Your Audience Is
If you've already crafted a brand, I'm sure you already know exactly who your audience is. But if you haven't decided, before you contact any professional photographer about commercial photography, you need to know exactly who will appreciate your brand message.
Create a Marketing Strategy
Since commercial photography is about marketing, you'll need to start with developing or nailing down exactly how you need to market your brand. Are you looking to be straightforward with your message, or is your branding more about being unique or eye-catching?
You'll also want to figure out where you'll feature the images. Will they go on your website? Are they going to be there to showcase a brand, or do you just want to capture a business event?
If you can settle on some of the photos you want ahead of time, it can cut down confusion in the future.
Choose a Style
Does your product need to be on a blank, white background? Are you aiming for a more moody or masculine feel? Great branding is all about finding a niche and developing the brand around that. Will you want a blank slate for items going on Amazon? Or are you requiring images that have a scene to them?
Settle On a Budget
The biggest mistake companies make when it comes to photography is the undervaluation of the services. They often want to invest in photography, but sticker shock can be common.
But you have to remember that you're looking for quality, and that takes experience. Experience takes years. And that time spent comes with monetary investment on your part.
View Their Portfolio
You'd be surprised how often potential clients don't ask for a portfolio! While I'm grateful for the trust, it's important to really evaluate the highlights of their experience. As for similar shots of what you're looking for before you purchase services.
This can be especially true if you're looking for someone with experience in architectural or corporate photography. If you have a team that needs to approve the investment, it's important to do your research.
Ask About Editing Techniques and Final Delivery
A part of your research should be asking exactly what you'll be receiving in the end. Some photographers offer only a certain amount of pictures. Every business is run differently, especially in a saturated market like Austin, so you need to ask just what you'll receive in the end.
Figure Out a Location
Some commercial photographers will have a studio you can come to, but some photographers don't have access to space for taking pictures.
But a lot of commercial photography doesn't require a studio, even headshots or portraits. Oftentimes, companies will benefit from using one of their location or locations that fit into their exact marketing needs.
You wouldn't have a team of chefs pretend to work in a bland studio. No, you'd want them in your kitchens, showcasing exactly what it is they do.
5 Traits a Commercial Photographer in Austin Needs
Commercial photography is more than just taking pretty pictures. No, it's definitely more than that. Especially when it comes to headshots or portraits, a photographer needs to know how to create a connection with their subject.
But they also need to be dedicated to delivering the kinds of photos you need. Here are some traits to look for.
Ability to Work in Different Lighting
Believe it or not, some photography companies aren't able to shoot in dynamic situations. Quality images will showcase the details of a product, but it isn't always in the best location. A good photographer won't shy away from a location just because it doesn't have "easy" light.
Has The Right Equipment
Speaking of light, the right photographer will own some of the best equipment in the industry. They're passionate about learning and growing as a company, and that means making sure you can bring off-camera flashes to craft the light you need at that moment.
Comfortable Asking Questions
Some people, even those that run a business, are afraid of looking stupid or upsetting people. For the best portraits and images, a photographer is willing to ask a lot of questions to make sure everyone is on the same page.
They understand it can take a lot for a company to invest in photography, so they're going to be willing to put themselves out there for the best service.
Willing To Take Charge
Just between you and me, there are clients out there eager to take charge, even if they hired a professional to provide their expertise. While a photographer should always be willing to learn your brand for the best shots, they should also be willing to take charge when it comes down to crafting what a business needs.
But I will say photography is a teamwork kind of thing—you also need to be willing to trust the professional to take the reins and let them use their incredible eye to bring your branding story to life.
Understands the Concept of Branding
Branding is more than just a pretty logo or font. It's about the way marketing focuses on each person taking in the brand story. A brand should be enjoyable to viewers and help influence them to choose your product or services.
But if a photographer doesn't understand the psychological aspects of branding, the images might very well be more lackluster than you'll want.
So make sure to find someone who understands how business is closely tied to branding and how that branding shows off a story.
Ask About Licensing
You absolutely must ask about the licensing limitations of your images. The majority of photography companies will not allow clients to outright own the copyright to the shots they've taken, but if you don't want your images used elsewhere, you'll want to budget for this expenditure.
If the photography company is professional, they're going to outline this in a contract, just like any smart business. Just make sure you're aware if you can use the images in perpetuity or if they're limited in use.
Final Thoughts
I've been doing photography in Austin, Texas, for over a decade and have made some wonderful professional connections during this time.
After all of this experience, I know how to feature the best details and marketing goals for any kind of commercial or corporate business. To me, it's incredibly fun!
While I've aimed to educate you about commercial photography so you can make the best choice for you and your company, please feel free to reach out, and I'd be delighted to help plan the right kind of photography you need. Plus, I know all of the best locations in Austin for your images!
