The Best Light of the Day

So I’m going to be honest. I wrote this blog almost a week ago, and it was GOOD. Like really good. Then I never saved it (though it was still there, it wasn’t saved) so when my computer restarted…well lets say I was not happy this morning when I went to post my super great blog I thoughtfully wrote!

So…here we go. I’m going to attempt to put my words to paper, erm, internet; again!

Learning to Play with Light in Florida

Last fall, we moved from South Dakota, to the central eastern coast of Florida. This area is quite aptly called, The Treasure Coast; and it IS a treasure. Filled with a beautiful inlet/waterway/river right on the coast of the land, and a barrier island called Hutchinson Island, with oceanic beaches and beautiful dunes of beach grass and foliage.

Previously in the midwest, my favorite time of day to photograph families and seniors was hands down sunset. Sunset in the midwest means I got to shoot into the sun, so the warm light wrapped around my clients. This gave a soft look, due to the sun lowering at the horizon, creating a natural soft box; and a look of warmth that fit my style of photojournalistic style photography.

This magical time of the day is called the “Golden Hour” and most professional photographers prefer it over any other time of day. As I described above the Golden Hour allows for some bright yet soft light, and wraps your clients in warm “golden” light. Its PERFECT!

To achieve this look, place my clients with the sun behind them. This might sound counter intuitive to most people, because of course if you are having trouble with something being too dark, the first thing you do is point the light AT them, not behind them.

This is where my challenge began once we moved, and a lot of people started requesting beach photos. You see, because we are on the east coast of Florida, obviously the sun sets in the west; meaning for me to take Golden Hour photos of my clients on the beach, the sun would be in a direction I was not accustomed to.

This gave me some new challenges, but I’m very much someone who believes a challenge is really just an opportunity to try something new! I’ve had so much fun playing with the light of the beach, the evening light as front light, side light, and sometimes even back light using the dunes of the beach. Below is my most recent family beach shoot, I would love for you to check it out!

So what IS Branding Photography?

Often there is a huge misconception about what it means to get Branding Photos or Videos done for your business or endeavor. Many photographers advertise branding, but in reality they are offering an extended (or sometimes just plain regular) headshot appointment.

Do NOT misunderstad me. I adore a great headshot. They are an amazing way to showcase your smile, your confidence, and help clients put a face to a name. Branding though, goes far beyond a headshot.

Do you ever go to put a post up on social media, or add something to your website, and you begin the process of digging and digging through images you’ve saved from online, or generic images you’ve taken yourself with your cell phone? Do you find yourself using images that represent what you do, but they aren’t images of actually WHAT you do? Then personal branding is for YOU.

So…Who would benefit from a Personal Branding Session? Easy answer : Everyone! Your brand can be what you offer, a product you offer, or even YOU. Lets talk through a few scanarios

Realtors

For your branding, we can approach from a variety of ways. We can show the ways you help your clients, like searching online for the perfect home, walking through a home, or even images of a closing with your VERY happy clients! Photo and video can be a really fun combination for your chosen career, because we can utilize every situation for both stagnant posts and video posts for social media, and even a Hilight video of who you are and what you do for your website and more!

Personal Services

As someone in the healthcare, mental health, massage therapy, or other personal services; you work one on one with your clients in a very personal way. Because of this, it’s so important to showcase that you are personable, kind, thoughtful, and someone they feel comfortable and confident working with. Helping you to showcase your heart, through your business and images showcasing your "why” is so important to me.

Branding photo and video can also be used to hi-light your products you make or sell, in a very unique way. Often, as the person who makes or sells the item, you see the utility of it, the benefits of it, and even the reasons people should purchase it. Unfortunately, not everyone has an eye for design, and sometimes self taken photos do not showcase your product in the way you think it does, to your customers (this is especially important in the food and beverage world!). By hiring a professional who understands product photography, your images will not only be useful, beneficial, and needed by your clients; they will present well on social media, your website, and other printed materials needed to market your brand.

I hope that this helped answer some questions regarding what exactly Personal Branding Photography and Videography IS. If you have any questions, as always, feel free to send me a message! allana@wildandwonderphotography.com

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