We are so excited that you are investing in your brand and your photography plays a key role. It gives your audience an opportunity to put a face to someone they are learning that they can trust.
There are three sources of photography
Existing photography
Candids
Hiring a photographer to get new portraits
It is often best to get new images — to align with new brand colors and capture how you look currently. The photo shoot also provides a means of capturing some fresh images to use for social media posts.
Three levels of website photography
What does the STRING portrait mood board include?
STRING will outline the key images that are needed for the website. This document is helpful to inform the conversation with
your photographer for planning your shot.Size and proportions of the final image needed
Focus and what we need each image to “communicate”
Examples of “facial expressions” we feel will support the brand message
Types of locations needed — actual locations to be determined by you and your photographer
We will pull from existing images on the internet to demonstrate or reflect the type of image that will successfully accomplish the
rebranding goals.We will advise about colors for clothing and a very general direction of the style, but does not specify the exact wardrobe or
accessories recommendations
EXAMPLE
Frequently asked questions
WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT?
More than anything, the right expression is the key. Your outfit may look great, the light perfect, but if the expression is not
captured, the photo is not doing what we need it to do. Photographers have mastered the art of getting a beautiful expression
of you. Trust their direction!WHY DO I NEED SO MANY OUTFITS?
While we want your website to feel very coordinated, portraits that have ALL the same outfit seem to miss the opportunity of
connecting with prospects at different levels. NOTE if you doing a site that moderately presents you, fewer outfits are needed.
If you are a thought leader or influencer, different expressions are an important asset to building your brand.WHAT ABOUT TOUCHUPS?
If you are concerned about wrinkles or skin spots, talk with your photographer. They will have solutions for you to get your
portraits where you want them to be. If you would like STRING to do the edits, we can supply an estimate for those
services — editing is not included in the contract.
HOW EXPENSIVE IS PHOTOGRAPHY?
Of course, it depends on many variables but you can expect to pay anywhere from $800-1,800, or even up to $9,000
if you are investing in an influencer brand, need an extensive number of images, are leveraging advanced services such as
wardrobe stylists and makeup artists, have multiple locations or live in a larger metro area.HOW ARE IMAGES PICKED?
Typically photographers supply a link to the full gallery of images. The functionality allows you to place a heart on the
images you love and a means to share the access with others. Ask your photographer how they do it since there is a variety
of ways photographers can share your full shoot.Once you have selected those you LOVE LOVE. STRING will make recommendations and place the specific images in
the website page designs.Upon approval, STRING will supply you with the list of images so your photographer can edit the images.
The edited images then will come back to STRING and we will swap them out in the design in preparation for the
development of your website.
- WHAT SIZE SIMGE SHOULD I REQUEST FROM MY PHOTOGRAPHER
Ideally we like to get standard vertical photos at a minimum of 4000 pixels at 300 dpi (pixels / inch).
- Print requires a final resolution of 300 dpi or ppi (pixels/inch)
- Web requires a final resolution of 72 dpi or ppi (pixels/inch)
I AM NERVOUS…DO YOU HAVE SAMPLES?
We recommend you jump on our website and view some of the amazing clients we have posted in OUR WORK to see how
their photographer maximized their brand engagement.
What to expect from a photographer
Photographers bill for their services in many different ways. It is important to understand their pricing model and usage rights to ensure you get what you need from the photoshoot.
Factors that can influence the cost and may or may not be included:
Time length of the photo shoot — ½ day rate or full day rate
# of locations — example: in kitchen, living room and outside, auditorium (speaking)
# of wardrobe changes — variety is helpful so that all your photos on the site do not all match
# of models — example: people posing as clients, team members, group interactions
Royalty or royalty-free — some photographers bill per # of images selected others release the full library of images for your use.
Image editing — for overall tone vs editing specific items. Example: photoshopping out something on the way, wrinkles, changing
colors of items in the image.
Other considerations
Personal color analysis specialist
Based on your skin and hair tones, certain colors look better than others. There are moderately priced resources that can do a
color analysis that can inform not only your photoshoot but also your overall brand.
Wardrobe stylists
They can help you plan and even shop for your wardrobe.
Makeup and hair stylists
This can be accomplished by
Attending a salon
Hiring someone who will be at your photoshoot to do your hair and makeup and monitor it as you are moved around for the
shoot in various poses (this can be referred by a photographer or requires approval from your photographer).
Location rental
- Public or commercial locations at the time will want to be alerted or will charge a fee. Places that may be affected by this are mall
or store locations, parks or sports facilities, and office or business lobbies.
