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Could We Talk about Product Shots?

No matter what you sell, you need Images to use in your Marketing. Just as we ‘eat with our eyes’ first, we also are drawn in and ‘buy with our eyes’ as well. To be unforgettable, the Props you use taking your own photography or the Images you find, it’s generally best to use Natural light and surroundings, a bit of Nostalgia, which you’ll learn to arrange in a New and Different way.

Your Images actually begin to tell the Story before you even write a word. For instance, I think Eggs are so photogenic. For the Coach, an image of Eggs starts the story with- Hope, Possibilities or Potential. For the gardener, a twining Vine might signal Growth, Reaching for Light or Support.

So! Let’s talk about Product Shots!

Product shots are different for websites, e-commerce, Etsy shops and more! Are Product Shots boring? They don’t have to be, just remember: The whole purpose of product shots is to show off your products! The photos draw folks in and the body of the description can be short. A few things never change:

  • Product Shots should always align with your Brand. Check out brands you love and are similar to yours for reference.
  • Product Shots should have simple backgrounds- white, gray and black are typical, depending on the colors of your products.
  • Always use Simple Props that convey the use, season or to add color, even nostalgia.
  • The lighting you use for Product shots is generally brighter. *there is lots of information out there about how to do this.
  • Try to use a simple but interesting arrangement for your Product Shots.
  • What you add matters. Is the photograph Relevant? Does it Show off the to its Best Advantage?
  • inspiration.

Pro Tips: Product Shots are and should be different. That doesn’t have to be boring or just the product on a piece of foam core board. The background needs to be simple enough not to overwhelm the product. It’s Okay to do different Angles. Don’t just use flatlay photography for product shots. And remember this: It’s Not Okay for your product to look wrinkled or messy, or just flat without a bit of sprucing up. If the product needs a bit of sprucing up? Think about adding Color- a few flowers or natural materials usually work. Just make sure whatever you do gives clues, is on brand and is relevant to the product. Keep your website and shopping sites easy to navigate, lots of white space, easy to read description and Pricing. Product shots really do sell your products! It’s a big part of Visual Marketing! And don’t forget: Product Shots might not always ‘work’ on your social media sites, so take multiple types of photos, some for social media and some more for product shots! All the best!

*PS If you are already going through my course- an expanded version of Product Shots has been added to the course!

Love y’all, Brenda

‘Creator – ‘Be Unforgettable’ online marketing course https://camellia-s-cottage-blog.mykajabi.com/about-course-copy-1-ed7ee1ac-4438-4133-968b-ffee43106f2b

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Write using Scent…

The Scent of Fall. Think about it, what do Autumn Scents evoke? In the South, we plant Pansies, we collect hydrangeas on the wane…drying. The Zinnias are making one last effort. Full Blown Roses may take center stage on the fall floral scents. Yet. And this is Important- Fall Scent is really the decay of leaves and moss or fungi breaking down, this creates the musky sugary scent of a leaf pile. Yes, Mums have a distinct spicy scent and as fruit ripens- well you know the scent of ripe fruit, right?

Scents are closely associated with Memories. For instance, I worked for the Fragrance Division of Oscar de la Renta- the Classic Oscar fragrance was born from his stroll through his mother’s garden in the Dominican Republic. He picked a bouquet and the scent was born. With floral scents of Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Rose and Gardenia- Oscar brilliantly added herbs- Basil, Lavender and Rosemary. There is also a hint of Coconut and Cloves. So! Why all of this talk of Scent? Well..

When we show off our photos or even videos, we appeal to sight, maybe sound- using only 2 of our 5 senses. There are 3 more senses we need to appeal to our audiences. Scent is one of them- if you show Fall Food- write about the scent as the Food is prepared. Let us know the aroma is irresistible. If you show Fall Gardens, please know that it’s not the scent of a Pumpkin or an Apple- you want to evoke in your audience. It’s the Warm Spices of a Pie, hot from an oven. Create a Memory using Scent. That’s the biggest lesson of Writing in this post. Yes, we enjoy the photos, yet it’s the combination of images and words which form the greatest attraction. Writing which uses the Unseen Senses of Photography and is one of the best ways to draw us in. What keeps us there? is Writing about it!

A cosy blanket? Help me ‘Feel’ the Texture. Tell me what I taste and smell when I read your post- Warm Bread? Oh my, yes! Caramel? Did you know Caramel is one of the Burnt Sugar Scents of Autumn- the distinct burning of the sugary scent of Fall Leaves. It’s a scientific fact- when leaves fall and turn brown, part of the process is releasing sugars to feed the plants and trees through the winter.

Try on the Scents of Fall as you write, create more than Beauty- Create a Memory. Just like Oscar created a Memory of Home in his mother’s flower garden.

Love y’all, Brenda

PS. Sorry it’s been a while since I’ve written a post! I’m about halfway through creating an online course- A Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing. Stay tuned.

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Stairs as an Allegory…

Possibilities, that’s what Stairs mean to me. Stairs are associated with a journey, progress, growth. And, depending on which way you’re going? Down? Stairs could represent the Fear of Failure or Fear of Falling. Ok, that’s what I’ve experienced, after a knee surgery more than a decade ago- I had fallen on a small run of steps and after surgery I found out that it’s easier to go upstairs than to come down. What a revelation to me.

Stairs are a strong symbol of transistion, change, transformation and growing wiser- leading our minds to a new, different and hopefully higher level. Stairs have been used, even in ancient cultures, as a symbol of going from one level of being to the next level- one step at a time. Ok. Rocky might have taken it more than one step at a time- yet who can forget the image of Stallone standing triumphant? And yess, I’ve gone up those stairs myself! The Thrill of Victory. Really. Out of Breath.

I love beautiful stairways, ornate or humble. And yes, there’s the romance of a spiral staircase, an architectural marvel- symbolic of oh so many things…to me, it’s pure genius. A Black and White Staircase? Coco Chanel would’ve loved it. My personal favorites are a beautiful shade of blue at Independence Hall, the Village Steps with Terra Cotta Pots and the Tropical Green and White- so cool and fresh. Still. All of them have been speaking to me lately.

I’ve been impatient with a project I’ve been working on- I thought I’d be finished..there are more steps than I planned and more to go. Some are new challenges, I’ve been facing or even avoiding. ‘When you start something new, even if you don’t have all the answers, trust your instincts and believe that you’ll rise to the occasion.’ One of my favorite quotes even if I made it up myself! So!

It’s back to basics week. One Step at a Time. A New Perspective- each of the steps or even obstacles are really Possibilities in disguise. *I’m just hoping it’s less than ‘a journey of 1000 miles.’

Love y’all, Brenda

*Okay, an allegory is a narrative in which something like stairs, a place or object is used to express a bigger, more important message to illustrate or explain ideas. Allegories are really an easy way to express a meaningful, even complex idea. In this writing lesson, you’ve seen an allegory express more than just an architectural element- it’s about going higher or further than you thought you could or would.

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A Touch of the Unexpected…

Gray and White… my prediction for transitioning from Summer to Fall. Practical, solid colors that have stood the test of time- yet still find a way to feel fresh and new. In these continuing uncertain times, I think we’re all looking for the promise of stability, calm and dependability. Gray and White do just that.

I was thinking about this while I was scrubbing clothes in that galvanized washtub. Okay, that’s a lie. I just wanted to make sure you were paying attention. My favorite Grays are Oyster Shells, Galvanized anything, Old Linen, Silver with the Patina of age, even Old Wooden Spoons washed to a pleasing gray- these things have stood the test of time.

Gray and White Inspiration

Yes, I love those colors, and while they’ve been around a long time- somehow Gray and White is fresh, cool, calm and collected- perfect for summer into fall. Whether cool and crisp or warm and cuddly as balls of yarn- my forecast is that Gray will give us what we need as the seasons change. As Pantone says of it’s Color of the Year- ‘Ultimate Gray quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.’ White give us clarity and light while the ever practical Gray is timeless, strong, hardworking and wise. I don’t know about you, yet I think that’s just what I need.

So, what’s the touch of the unexpected? Well, it’s that Video and Music- that’s certainly unexpected from me! And, it’s a touch of Humor. You know where I tell you I was thinking about Gray while I was scrubbing clothes in that washtub? Right. And then, there’s building a story around an ordinary color like Gray… And yet, it’s truly the Fashion Industry’s standard of which colors will be ‘new’ in 2021. Ultimate Gray. You can build a story around even the simplest of things… add a touch of the unexpected and your story just might be unforgettable! Love y’all, Brenda

Find the Colors for Fall and Winter 2021 at http://www.pantone.com