Product: Silver Antelope's 2022 Foodies Calendar

Problem

Many small businesses struggle with taking photos for variations of products. They may not have the time or capacity to photograph every colourway or option for each product.

Solution

Create a set of photo templates for the product so that clients can add in variations on their own.

Client

Silver Antelope is Toronto-based shop for ethical and sustainable gifts. The brand is the extension of Gotamago, whose products I’ve had the pleasure of photographing.

For this calendar, I photographed the cover first, which has a sleeve. Then, I took photos of the same setup but with a blank page of the calendar, which will allow the team to edit the rest of the calendar’s pages in.

This saves a lot of time because we don’t have to set up each page over and over. It also keeps the photos consistent because the position of the product will be the same across every image.

Swipe to see how Silver Antelope used this template:

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Silver Antelope’s 2022 Foodies Calendar

Blank template

Blank template allows the brand to add in different pages of the product.

Silver Antelope’s 2022 Foodies Calendar

Silver Antelope’s 2022 Foodies Calendar

Silver Antelope’s 2022 Foodies Calendar

Artificial lights: Where to start?

First, stop hoping for good light

Creating morning light like this at anytime of the day (or night!) has been a game changer for me. I no longer hope for a bright, sunny day to shoot. I don’t dread the short hours of daylight in the winter anymore.

If you’re a business owner or content creator who struggles with this, I totally get you and encourage you to give artificial lighting a try, specifically constant lights (also called video lights).

The advantage of constant lights is that you’ll see what the photo looks like as you’re setting up the shot and you’ll have a better idea of what the shot will look like before you take it. This is different from using a flash or strobe where you don’t see what the light will look like until you take the photo.

There are different types of constant lights out there at difference price points. Note that there are more out there, but here are a few referral links to help you get started:

1. Ring light

I’ve only used a ring light once or twice so I can’t recommend a specific one. While I need more control for what I do, it’s a good option if you’re just starting out.

Pros:

• Adjustable brightness

• Many ring lights come with a stand and are pretty much ready to use with little setup

• The colour of the light can be adjusted to the warmth/coolness you prefer

• LED so they are more energy efficient and don’t heat up as much as other bulbs

• Portable

Cons:

• Limited in controlling the harshness of shadows

• You may not like or want the reflection of the ring light in their products or on their face

2. LED bulbs

Bright LED bulbs called corn/cob bulbs, named so because the shape is similar to a corn on the cob, are another option.

Pros:

• Bright LED bulbs that you can scale up if you want more light or want to place them in different places

• Easy to start using. Just plug and play

• Provides consistent lighting

• Portable

Cons:

• Depending on the size and brightness of the bulb you choose, some bulbs may require a separate socket. Otherwise, you may be able to attach them to an existing lamp.

• Light bulbs usually aren’t dimmable so the brightness can’t be adjusted

• Can’t adjust warmth/coolness of the light

3. Video lights

Video lights like the Godox SL-60W are a great way to learn and practice using artificial lighting. There are brands and models and even an entry-level one can help you do a lot.

Pros:

• Brightness can be fine-tuned

• More powerful than the other options

• Some models can change colours to any colour you want

Cons:

• A bit more of an investment to start (but the range of price points is wide so you can find one under $200)

• Requires a stand that must be purchased separately

• Large and heavy (not a big issue if you only use it one place)

I hope that helps! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or if you’d like one-on-one coaching on how to get use artificial lights, you can book a session with me.

Minimalist Freelancer's Work-from-Home Setup

With many people working from home now, I thought I’d share how I created a more ergonomic workspace. When I first became a full-time photographer, I sat on a folding chair at a small IKEA desk. It was very uncomfortable and not ergonomic at all. If you have back pain or neck pain from your desk, you know what I mean.

So what was the best workspace solution that worked for me?

Main Workspace

1. Ergonomic, Adjustable Chair

Steelcase Leap v2 chair in White Alpine Fabric and platinum base with a headrest: After years of working on an uncomfortable chair (a folding chair, to be exact), I finally invested in a Steelcase Leap v2 chair where I could fine-tune the ergonomic features to someone of my height and needs (adjustable armrests were very important for me).

I added the headrest, but note that even though it’s adjustable, the lowest setting wouldn’t be at the right height for someone shorter than 165cm/5”5.

This desk chair was an investment, but it’s where I spend many hours working so it was needed and I’ll probably be keeping this chair for a long time.

2. Height-Adjustable Desk

THYGE desk: When I worked in a corporate office, the standard cubicle desks weren’t adjustable at all. They seemed to be made for people taller than 165cm/5’5” and the only solution was to give you a height-adjustable chair and footrest. Those options didn’t help me.

The THYGE desk from IKEA works well for me because it can be lowered to suit someone my height. While standing desks have gotten a lot of attention the past few years, it’s just as important to find a desk that lowers to the right height, specifically for people who are shorter.

I first measured how low I needed a desk to be and researched different options that would lower to that height. It has made a HUGE difference. While this desk can’t be adjusted while using it (you’d have to take everything off of if first), I prefer to be seated when I’m working and just take breaks regularly.

Two things to keep in mind:

1. If you’re working from home, you’re unlikely going to have your shoes on, so the desk will need to be a bit lower than you think when you try it out at the store.

2. You’ll also need to account for an extra bit of height from the keyboard/laptop so again, the desk will need to be a few centimetres lower than you think.

3. Desk Drawer Storage Unit

IKEA’s ALEX drawer (White): I needed a simple drawer unit that could hold stationery, papers, cables and other small office accessories and IKEA’s ALEX drawer did the job. It has 2 drawers for small items and 3 larger drawers which helps to keep my desk clear of clutter.

It doesn’t come with caster wheels so I created my own IKEA hack by adding a set of 2-inch swivel caster wheels with brakes that I bought on Amazon. Both the brakes and swivel features were important so that it can be moved around easily and anchored in place. The screws that it came with were too long for the drawer so I found shorter ones from the hardware store.

Optional Everyday Items

1. Thermal Carafe

Hastings Collective thermal carafe: I boil a kettle of water in the morning and fill my Hastings Collective thermal carafe to keep water hot for the day. It can also be used to keep your water, coffee or tea cold. I prefer to do this rather than to keep a kettle/water boiler plugged in all day to save on energy.

2. Small Catch-All Tray

Kinto Nonslip Slim Tray (left): There are a few things I use every day so I keep it on my desk. A catch-all tray is great for keeping those items together. The tray I have is discontinued at IKEA Canada but there are other options out there like EQ3’s Fika Tray. You don’t even have to use a tray. It could be a nice plate or a small box, whichever works for you.

I hope this helps! Feel free to share your ergonomic recommendations or leave a comment if you have questions!

Product: Low-Waste Online Shop Luvly Inc.

Luvly is an online shop based in Toronto that provides everyday low-waste options to help people who are looking to make lifestyle changes through reducing one-time use products and reusing everyday items. Some of these items include:

• Swedish Dishcloths

• Produce Bags

• Market Bags

• Beeswax Wraps

Created by sisters Kerri and Lauren, their motto is “Make Small Changes” because small changes are less overwhelming and more accessible to more people.

These reusable bags carry a tag with the tare weight so that store employees can deduct the bag’s weight when checking out.

Beeswax wraps can be used as an alternative to plastic wrap to cover dishes.

These wraps are all natural and can be composted with your organics.

3 Tips For A Successful Business Branding Photoshoot

What Are Business Branding Photos?

Heather came to me because she needed business branding photos to use on her website and social media. Businesses, especially small business owners, have to build their brand from scratch and one of the important steps is to take professional business branding photos. They want professional, genuine photos that represent who they are and what they do. That’s why I love working with them.

What If I’ve Never Had Professional Photos Taken Before?

One of the most common things that business owners tell me is that they’re nervous in front of the camera and I totally get it! Most of the people I work with don’t usually have their photos taken by a professional photographer so I thought I’d share 3 quick tips on how to create a successful business branding photoshoot:

1. Before The Shoot: Preparation Is Key

I can’t emphasize this enough. It’s so important to plan for the shoot. Experienced photographers do not just show up to a set without planning.

Once you’ve signed the contract, create a shoot brief with a mood board, shot list, prop list, shoot schedule, location and contact information, deliverables, etc. This will keep everyone on track and make sure that you get the shots you need.

2. Shoot Day

a) Arrive early. Not on time. But early. At least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time so you can settle in and start setting up. Every minute spent waiting for someone to arrive is time that is not being used productively and when you’re renting a space and hiring a photographer, it’s costing you time and money.

b) Communicate. Make sure to communicate with the team throughout the shoot. Don’t wait until the end to bring it up if you felt that something wasn’t working. Also, be ready for unexpected changes. As much as you prepare ahead, there are some things that may not go as planned and you have to roll with it and find a solution. Trust the team. When you choose a great group of people to work with, let them do what they’re good at.

c) Don’t overthink it. It’s ok to feel nervous, but don’t worry about how you “should” be posing. You’ll end up with stiff and unnatural photos. This goal isn’t to scrutinize every detail about a pose. It should be about showing your personality to attract the clients you want.

3. Post-Shoot Day

Now that you have your photos, use them! Don’t be afraid to post them (and re-post them!). With algorithms, it’s likely that your audience won’t see it the first time, or even the second and third time so get those photos out there :)

Another thing to note: It’s not emphasized enough but a key to creating a solid relationship with the team who’s helping you is to pay them on time. Your photographer, hair and makeup stylists are your team and you want to create a strong relationship of trust for the next time you need their help again.

I hope this helps! There’s a lot on this that we can talk about so if you have any more questions about this or other topics, feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch through Instagram or email.