We here at BrickStreet Marketing know that having professional photographs taken to build your brand is not always in the budget. With this in mind, the following “How To” will help in guiding you through the photography basics.
1. Check the settings on your phone if you are using one for photography. Don’t get me wrong, today’s phones have great resolutions, so it is suggested that you use the best setting you have available for the best looking final product. The Apple iPhones have many options to choose from. You can record video at 720p at 30 fps (frames per second), up to 4k at 60 fps.
2. Make sure you have space to store your photos/videos. Depending on the option you select for your resolution, this will decide what space will be required on your phone’s memory. Make sure you clear your photos and videos before you start any project where you need all the space you can afford. It’s common for people to run out of space if using a phone to record videos and take photographs, so be conscious of this.
3. When holding your phone, be sure to flip it into the horizontal position before taking photos and videos. This will allow for more to be done with the asset as well as will look more professional. Holding the phone vertically will give you a vertical photo/video and these types of photos and videos will likely be rejected by your marketing company due to aspect ratio constraints. Also, a good tip, clean the lenses before you take a photo. Typically, your shirt or soft cloth will be sufficient.
4. Stability. If you have a tripod use it. Most box stores sell these along with a cell phone “clamp” adapter that simply screws into the top of most tripods.
Shaky video will be rejected because it is nearly impossible to correct shaky footage even with the best post-editing software. This goes for photos too but you’re more likely to be able to take a photo without a tripod and have it turn out usable.
5. Lighting. In order to have good shots, it’s pivotal that you have great lighting. Natural light works best as it limits the shadows you create. Try to set up your shot next to a large window or door to let in the most amount of light possible. There are things that can be done to color correct and lighting correct in post-production. This editing does take time, which equates to spending more money. If you do it right the first time, you’ll thank yourself for it afterward. 
6. Framing your shot. When you are photographing let’s say, food, for instance, think of the angle you are shooting at before you start shooting. If you are shooting top down, ensure all of the food is visible and sharp in the frame.
For side shots, position the food so the dark parts of the food are getting the most light, and focus on the front of the dish. The rest of the frame should be balanced in the back of the frame, with the food as the focus.
Also, make sure to leave space around your subject if your photos are going to be used as graphic ads. We’ve seen this time and time again: A photo of ONLY a specific product with no space around it for the graphic designer to use.
7. The most important tip is to have fun on ALL shoots. Play with the shots and change the scene often. Photography is about life, color, and showcasing your brand. If something’s not working, change it up.
If all else fails, call BrickStreet Marketing at 517-680-7957 or email us at info@brickstreetmarketing.com
