What brand moodboards are actually used for and why you should have one for your business!
Creating a moodboard is always the first step in the project. This is becoming a standard design practice, but moodboards aren’t just useful for designers like me – they’re also helpful for:
Business Owners
I’ll explain in a moment how the businesses I work with can use the moodboards we create during our project, but it’s not just for my benefit!
Bloggers
Having a moodboard for your blog can help you get clear about your design and content/photography theming – very useful!
Photographers
Many photographers use moodboards as a guide for their own style and for theming photoshoots.
Artists & Creatives
Again, moodboards can be used as a style guide for a number of projects!
Wedding/Event Planners
For theming events and getting an idea of a style & atmosphere, moodboards are super useful!
WHAT IS A ‘BRAND MOODBOARD’?
A moodboard is a collection of images (photos, graphics, textures) that together display a distinctive, cohesive theme. It is a visual tool for designers & business owners to put across their ideas for a brand’s personality.
And what do I mean by a theme? Here are some elements that might make up the theme of a moodboard by having common threads throughout the images:
Colour palettes
Font choice
Textures & patterns
Photography style
Feeling/emotion
WHAT DO YOU USE IT FOR?
Moodboards in branding projects because it gives me a clear sense of what overall theme their brand’s personality is going for, and I use it as a guide when creating logos and branded collateral such as business cards, to keep me on track and ensure everything is consistent.
This is a key word here – consistency.
A moodboard is essentially a guiding light for all visual elements of your brand.
If what you are creating matches with the style of the moodboard, then you are on-brand. If it doesn’t, then you need to re-evaluate whether it is right for your brand.
This is useful and having a moodboard helps everyone stay consistent in everything they create.
Business owners/bloggers/creatives/events planners etc. can also use moodboards to show third parties (ie. designers, suppliers) so that everyone is on the right track, working towards the same goal – the same moodboard.
HOW DO YOU CREATE ONE?
Below is how the process works :
Fill in a brand questionnaire
Questionnaire gets the thinking deeply about brand & business, providing them a focus of the visual side of things. It also helps get a deeper idea of their ‘brand personality’.
Set up a shared Pinterest board to collect imagery
Pinterest is a great bookmarking tool that can use to ‘pin’ (aka. save) things from around the web and on Pinterest that they feel portrays their brand.
Curate the images into an overarching ‘theme’ (+ add more if needed)
Using Pinterest board and questionnaire, refine the images into a definite theme and add more of my own selection if it needs elaborating.
Arrange the images in a moodboard collage template
I’ll take these ‘themed’ images and arrange them into a collage that puts across the concept as clearly as possible.
Select a colour palette from the images & add to the moodboard
From the images in the moodboard, take key colours and create a palette of complimentary colours to use for the rest of the project.
But this isn’t the only way to create a moodboard! In my process, we usually only work digitally, using imagery my clients find around Pinterest and the web and arranging them in a virtual moodboard; this is to keep things simple and quick for the client.
You could also collect physical things from the world around you and take photos of brands & things that you want to add to your moodboard. Or you could create a tangible moodboard in a large sketchbook or on canvas; this would allow you to add physical textures & materials to the mix. Interior designers & artists often do this!
As for actually creating the moodboard?
While it is relatively easy to create collage templates in Photoshop or InDesign, I’ve found Canva is the the simplest way. Canva is a free online tool that you can use for all kinds of graphics and templates, but it makes moodboards particularl simple!
STEP ONE – CREATE A DESIGN
Go into Canva and select a design shape and size (I usually go for a ‘Pinterest’ template as I want to be able to share my moodboards on Pinterest once they’re created).
You’ll then be given a blank slate to start your design!
STEP 2 – ADD A COLLAGE ‘GRID’
Use the sidebar on the left-hand side to select ‘Elements’ and then go into the ‘Grids’ section. Then you can choose a collage layout to suit you and just click on it to add it to your design!
STEP 3 – UPLOAD YOUR MOODBOARD IMAGES
In the left sidebar click the ‘uploads’ button and start uploading the images you want to add to your collage. Once they’ve uploaded, can simply click and drag them into the box you want them to appear in (play around with the placement until you’re happy!).
STEP 4 – FINISH AND DOWNLOAD
You can always add other elements like coloured circles or blocks to show the colour palette you’ve chosen, and then once you’re done, simply click the ‘Download’ button in the top bar on the right, and download it as a png!
The Philippine scops owl (Otus megalotis ) is a common owl, endemic to the Philippines, belonging to the family of the typical owls Strigidae. Other common names include “Otus Whitehead”, “Whitehead scops owl” and “Luzon lowland scops owl”. Everett’s scops owl (Otus megalotis everetti) and Negros scops owls (Otus megalotis nigrorum) were formerly considered conspecific but are now classified as subspecies of Otus megalotis.
Appearance
The Philippine scops owl is a fairly small-to-mid-sized species of owl, but is arguably the largest true species of scops owl. Adults measure from measuring around 23 to 28 cm (9.1 to 11.0 in). Body mass can range variously from 125 to 310 g (4.4 to 10.9 oz), with females often considerably larger than males. A distinguishing feature of this owl is its large ears that are standing upright on its head. They also have big eyes that are dark in the center with a red/orange edge. In general, these owls are covered in dark brown feathers with dark streaks on them. Their ear tuffs also follow a similar pattern. Their forehead is whitish and they have a dark line around their facial disk. There are three subspecies of Philippine scops owl which show three variations in morphology. The smallest morph, Otus megalotis nigrorum, has a reddish brown color, no scapular line, and no feathers on its upper feet. The medium-sized morph, Otus megalotis everetti, also lacks a scapular line and feathers on its upper feet but it has a more greyish brown color. Finally, Otus megalotis megalotis, is the largest of all three varieties and also has a grey brown color but it shows a scapular line and feathers on its upper feet. Other morphological differences between the subspecies can be seen in the length of the tail, the wings, the culmen and the tarsus. These traits are longer in O. m. megalotis and are shorter in O. m. nigrorum.
There are no significant difference in morphology between male and female Philippine scops owls although female scops owls tend to be larger in general. The owlets however, present some contrast as they have fluffy rufous feathers. Once they reach the sub-adult age, they are black and greyish-white until they finally reach adulthood and turn brownish.
Habits and Lifestyle
Philippine scops owls are sedentary birds with a limited home range. The fact that different subspecies are found on different islands limits intraspecific competition and allows these birds to have a smaller distribution where all the necessary resources are available.
Diet and Nutrition
These carnivorous owls prey upon animals such as insects and small mammals. During nighttime, they perch in trees where the land is relatively open, which offers them a better view of the surrounding preys. They are ferocious feeders and specialize in tearing flesh. Their raptorial claws, curved bill and excellent hearing and sighting skill make them powerful predators. They have been observed to kill their victim by crushing its head, then breaking every other bone of the body to finally swallow the animal whole. This method has cost the lives of many juveniles who suffocate because the prey is too large to swallow. Philippine scops owls were also noticed to feed on spider species such as Heteropoda venatoria.
Mating Habits
Otus megalotis are often spotted alone but have also been seen in monogamous pairs. Not a lot of information is known about their reproduction but they are thought to breed throughout the year where females will lay 1 to 2 eggs annually. Sexual maturity is reached around the age of 2 but their lifespan is unknown. One juvenile with two adults have been witnessed multiple times which supports the theory that they are monogamous birds who display parental care from both the father and the mother.
They construct their nests in tree cavities but also among the roots of dead trees on the ground.
Just because you know a great photographer who has offered you a deal doesn’t mean it’s the right time. The best time to get professional photography is after a clear branding strategy session. Ensure you have the look, feel and content ready to support your vision. Without the supporting framework, you won’t be able to communicate exactly what you need to your photographer (which means ending up with images that don’t quite fit your brand).
FIND THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER
Finding an experienced photographer – not your cousin who’s great at iPhone photos – will prepare you to have the best experience possible. Scroll through hashtags on Instagram (such as #orlandophotographers and pop in your city) and look for a similar aesthetic to your brand that you’ve outlined during your branding strategy session.
Once you’ve got your photographer, check out their reviews on Facebook and Google. Look for things such as:
The photographer makes you feel comfortable/not awkward
The photographer helps pose you
The photographer has been booked multiple times
I look at these key phrases so that I know I will feel comfortable with the photographer and that I won’t have to worry about posing or anything like that day of the shoot. As well, make sure you have someone who is behind the brand vision and passionate about documenting and creating content that is unique to your brand. You can learn a lot through just communicating them after sending a lead form or just sending them a quick IG message. You want to find someone you connect with so that you can build a relationship – communication is everything!
SET UP INSPIRATION BOARD
I like to set up a Pinterest board for each photoshoot to get ideas for posing, props and styling. Share this Pinterest board with your photographer so that they know what you are looking for during your shoot! I will also drop in photos from the locations that we are visiting so that the photographer can get some ideas as well. Keep in mind that the photographer is the expert, so be open to their input and unique perspective.
SCOUT LOCATIONS
Just like in real estate, choosing your location matters. Decide if you want a clean studio look, vibrant outdoor areas or perhaps a coffee house setting. Choose spots that are YOU! And check each option out beforehand to ensure you’ll be able to get the photos you like. For example, your favorite coffee house may make for great photos but it won’t work if there happens to be a large crowd on the day you go. With outdoor photos, weather is a factor so choose your primary location but have an alternative in mind, just in case.
Your photographer may also have some ideas for locations – but I still like to have 3-4 locations on deck. Usually my sessions are 2 hours and we spend about 30-45 minutes at each location. Keep in mind that your first photoshoot may take a little bit longer. I’ve luckily been able to have some photoshoots in my pocket, so we can get in and out quickly because I know exactly what I need.
Be open to communicating your location ideas with your photographer so they can not only think about the best lighting but make sure your location matches what you are wanting to achieve with your brand.
NOTE! Make sure to see that the locations you are looking for are open. Or you’ll be like me and get to a location that is closed on a Monday… Still mad at myself about that!
Scheduling Note: I like to schedule my shoots early in the week to avoid crowds. It’s quieter and I find that we are not as much as a disturbance.
PLAN OUT YOUR PROPS
Here’s a quick list for the props that I like to bring with me. With Be Bold Design Studio, it’s important for me to have some flatlay options and more working photos so keep in mind your industry for the appropriate props.
SHOT LIST
This may get a little Type A, but it helps me feel as calm and confident going into the photoshoot. You don’t want to show up to the shoot and then just be standing there unsure of what to do, so having an idea of what you need helps prevent. Often, I’ll write down a quick list of shots that I need and if during the shoot I have trouble thinking of what to next, I’ll check that list. Often it includes flat lays, me using my phone or computer, etc.
SLOWLY RELEASE YOUR PHOTOS
This relates to Instagram. Slowly release these photos and make your purchase last – mix them up so that you are not posting photos of you in the same place and same outfit. You don’t need to share these new photos with your audience all at once. I recommend using a scheduling tool, to plan the overall aesthetic of your feed and make sure no outfits look are too overdone. Also, remember, don’t just post photos of yourself. Share your work, fun quotes, real life happenings, and other content to mix things up!
The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala ) is a large wader in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in the Indian Subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes. They immerse their half open beaks in water and sweep them from side to side and snap up their prey of small fish that are sensed by touch. As they wade along they also stir the water with their feet to flush hiding fish. They nest colonially in trees, often along with other waterbirds. The only sounds they produce are weak moans or bill clattering at the nest. They are not migratory and only make short distance movements in some parts of their range in response to changes in weather or food availability or for breeding. Like other storks, they are often seen soaring on thermals.
Appearance
Painted storks are large waders found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia. Their distinctive pink flight feathers of the adults give them their name. These beautifully colored birds have a heavy yellow beak with a down-curved tip that gives them a resemblance to an ibis. Males and females appear alike but the males of a pair are usually larger than the female.
Distribution
Painted storks are widely distributed over the plains of Asia. They are found south of the Himalayan ranges and are bounded on the west by the Indus River system where they are rare and extend eastwards into Southeast Asia. Painted storks are absent from very dry or desert regions, dense forests, and the higher hill regions. They prefer freshwater wetlands in all seasons, but also use irrigation canals and crop fields, particularly flooded rice fields during the monsoon.
Habits and Lifestyle
Painted storks are not migratory and only make short-distance movements in some parts of their range in response to changes in weather or food availability or for breeding. These birds are highly gregarious and feed in groups in shallow wetlands, crop fields, and irrigation canals. Painted storks feed mainly on small fish which they sense by touch while slowly sweeping their half-open bill from side to side while it held submerged. They walk slowly and also disturb the water with their feet to flush hiding fish. They forage mainly in the day but may forage late or even at night under exceptional conditions. After they are fed Painted storks may stand still on the shore for long durations. Like other storks, they are mostly silent but clatter their bills at the nest and may make some harsh croaking or low moaning sounds at the nest.
Diet and Nutrition
Painted storks are carnivores (piscivores). Their diet consists mainly of small fish, but also crustaceans, amphibians, insects, and reptiles. They also take frogs and occasionally snakes.
Mating Habits
Painted storks are monogamous and form pairs. They breed on trees either in mixed colonies along with other water birds or by themselves. The breeding season begins in the winter months shortly after the monsoons. In northern India, the breeding season begins in mid-August while in southern India the nest initiation begins around October and continues till February and or even until April. The female lays 1 to 5 eggs and incubates them for about a month. The chicks are altricial; they are born naked and with closed eyes. To feed nestlings, parents regurgitate fish that they have caught and these are typically smaller than 20 cm long. The fledging period is nearly two months and reproductive maturity is generally reached at about 4 years of age.
Population
Population threats
The main threats to Painted storks include habitat loss and agricultural pollution, disturbance from human activities, hunting of adult birds, and collection of eggs and newly hatched chicks.
Population number
According to the IUCN Red List, the total Painted stork population size is around 25,000-35,000 individuals or 16,000-24,000 mature individuals. This includes 25,000 individuals in South Asia and 1-10,000 individuals in South-East Asia. Currently, this species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.
The comb duck or American comb duck (Sarkidiornis sylvicola ), is an unusual duck, found in tropical wetlands in continental South America south to the Paraguay River region in eastern Paraguay, southeastern Brazil and extreme northeastern Argentina, and as a vagrant on Trinidad.
Most taxonomic authorities split this species and the knob-billed duck from each other. The comb duck is generally smaller in size when compared to the knob-billed duck, and flanks are darker (black in males, medium grey in females).
Appearance
This common species is unmistakable. It is one of the largest species of duck. Length can range from 56 to 76 cm (22 to 30 in), wingspan ranges from 116 to 145 cm (46 to 57 in) and weight from 1.03 to 2.9 kg (2.3 to 6.4 lb). Adults have a white head freckled with dark spots, and a pure white neck and underparts. The upperparts are glossy blue-black upperparts, with bluish and greenish iridescence especially prominent on the secondary (lower arm feathers). The male is much larger than the female, and has a large black knob on the bill.
If seen at a distance, immature comb ducks can also be mistaken for a fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor ). However, knob-billed ducks in immature plumage are rarely seen without adults nearby and thus they are usually easily identified, too.
Uncertainty surrounds the correct systematic placement of this species. Initially, it was placed in the dabbling duck subfamily Anatinae. Later, it was assigned to the “perching ducks”, a paraphyletic assemblage of waterfowl most of which are intermediate between dabbling ducks and shelducks. As the “perching ducks” were split up, the comb duck was moved to the Tadorninae or shelduck subfamily.
Analysis of mtDNA sequences of the cytochrome b and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 genes, however, suggests that it is a quite basal member of the Anatidae, vindicating the earliest placement, but its closest living relatives cannot be resolved to satisfaction without further study.
Mating Habits
Comb ducks nest mainly in tree holes, also in tall grass. They line their nests with reeds, grass, or feathers, but not down.
Males may have two mates at once or up to five in succession. They defend the females and young, but not the nest sites. Unmated males perch in trees and wait for opportunities to mate.
Females lay seven to 15 yellowish-white eggs. Several females may lay in a single “dump nest” containing up to 50 eggs.
Habits and Lifestyle
It breeds in still freshwater swamps and lakes in the tropics. It is largely resident, apart from dispersion in the wet season.
This duck feeds on vegetation by grazing or dabbling and to a lesser extent on small fish, invertebrates, and seeds. It can become a problem to rice farmers. Knob-billed ducks often perch in trees. They are typically seen in flocks, small in the wet season, up to 100 in the dry season. Sometimes they separate according to sex.
To understand the importance of your Amazon product images, stop and imagine a world where they don’t exist. No matter how well you wax poetic about your product, customers still wouldn’t truly know what to expect and would understandably be apprehensive about buying. Convincing people to purchase something that they can’t see for themselves is awfully difficult — and the reason why product photos thankfully do exist.
Clear, high-quality product photos show potential customers exactly what they’ll be receiving so they can purchase with confidence. And not only are your images instrumental in driving sales, they’re also a key component in improving your click-through rate, reducing returns, and curbing negative reviews.
However, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that certain rules will apply. Here are the Amazon image requirements you need to know plus some best practice tips to help your photos convert.
Amazon began making images viewable from the search results page in early 2022. Shoppers can now scroll through your product photos without clicking into your listing.
Amazon also started beta testing shareable product images on desktop browsers, making it absolutely imperative that you have helpful, high-quality images that will appeal to shoppers.
Amazon Image Requirements for Product Photos
According to the Amazon product image guidelines, every detail page on the Amazon marketplace is required to include at least one product image.
Depending on your product category, you may upload up to nine images to your Amazon listing, but reserving one of those spots for a product video is highly recommended.
In June 2023, Amazon made product videos available to brand-registered and non-brand-registered sellers, with the caveat that you must have been selling on the platform for at least three months.
Also, note that only the first seven images will be shown on the live listing; shoppers will have to click into the gallery to see the rest.
To create a consistent—and attractive—shopping experience and make it easier for customers to evaluate products, all of the photos that appear on the site must follow specific Amazon image requirements.
Amazon Photo Requirements
The following are Amazon’s site standards for all product images:
Images must accurately represent the item listed for sale and match the product title provided.
The product must fill at least 85% of the image.
Images must be in focus, professionally lit and photographed or scanned with realistic color; no pixelation or jagged edges should be visible.
Images can’t contain nudity or be considered sexually suggestive; leotards, underwear, and swimwear for kids and babies shouldn’t be shown on human models.
Images can’t display Amazon logos or trademarks or something that can be confused as one; this includes words and logos with the terms “Amazon,” “Prime,” “Alexa,” or the Amazon Smile design.
Images must not include any badges used on Amazon or anything that can be confused as one; this includes the terms “Amazon’s Choice,” “Premium Choice,” “Amazon Alexa,” “Works with Amazon Alexa,” “Best Seller,” or “Top Seller.”
A key rule to highlight involves your Amazon image size. The smallest your file can be for the site is 500px, but if you want customers to be able to zoom in on your images, they must be at least 1000px, with the optimal size being 1600px or larger on the longest side, not to exceed 10,000px. Zoom has been shown to increase conversions, so enabling this feature is highly recommended.
Amazon Main Image Requirements
Your main image, or hero image, is the first image that appears on your product detail page and the one shown to customers in search. It can also appear in Google’s search results. Getting this one right can be a huge boost to your bottom line.
Amazon shoppers have no shortage of products to choose from, so you want your main image to stand out by looking professional and making it abundantly clear what is being offered. If there’s any question on this, or if the image quality is poor, people will simply continue scrolling and go to other pages instead.
Since the main image is so important to the shopping experience, there are certain Amazon photo standards to follow for main images as well.
Amazon Main Image Requirements
The following are Amazon’s site standards for all main product images:
Main images must have a pure white background with RGB color values of 255, 255, 255.
Main images must be professional photographs of the product being sold; no graphics, drawings, illustrations, mockups, or placeholders are allowed.
Props or accessories that aren’t included with the item shouldn’t be used.
Text, logos, borders, color blocks, watermarks, or other graphics placed over the product or in the background may not be used.
Multiple views of the same product are not allowed.
The entire product must be shown in the frame; images shouldn’t touch or be cut off by the edge of the frame, with the exception of jewelry.
Books, music, and video/DVD main images should be displayed as the front cover art and fill 100% of the frame.
Products must be shown outside of their packaging; boxes, bags, and cases shouldn’t appear in the main image unless they’re considered an important product feature.
No human models who are sitting, kneeling, leaning, or lying down can appear in the main image; however, models expressing various physical mobilities with assistive technology (wheelchairs, prosthetics, etc.) are permitted.
Multi-pack apparel items and accessories must be photographed flat and off of the model.
Clothing accessories shouldn’t show any part of a mannequin, regardless of whether it’s clear, flesh-toned, etc.
Men’s and women’s clothing must show the product on a human model, not a mannequin.
Kids and baby clothing must be photographed flat and off of the model.
Shoes need to be photographed facing left at a 45-degree angle; only a single shoe should be shown.
As you can see, some categories (like clothing in particular) have extra image standards, so be sure to consult your category style guide as well.
Lifestyles, Infographics, and Other Secondary Images
Your remaining images should continue to help sell your product by highlighting its top features and benefits. Show the product in use or in a relevant environment, and incorporate different angles of view so customers can virtually pick up the item and inspect it like they would in an actual store. Props, backgrounds, text, graphics, logos, and close-ups are all permitted in your additional “other view” images, so this is your chance to get creative and build your branding.
Lifestyle images are photographs that show the product in action. These styled shots can involve sets, models, and/or props and allow shoppers to visualize the product in their own lives and form more of an emotional connection to it.
Infographics combine text and images to give more information about the product while also visually representing what is written. Infographics are great for educating your customers in a more engaging way.
But good secondary images shouldn’t be all glitz and glamour — you also want them to relay the practical information shoppers are looking for, such as the product’s size, material, and color (this is where close-ups of product features and enabling for zoom can really be helpful!). Size charts and comparison photos can also be very effective for increasing conversions, as are graphics demonstrating proper usage and/or assembly instructions.
What if Amazon is Not Showing All of My Images?
When you add product images on Amazon, they must also meet certain technical specifications:
JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg), TIFF (.tif or .tiff), PNG (.png), or GIF (.gif) file formats. JPEG is preferred.
Image pixel dimensions of at least 1000 or larger in either height or width preferred.
sRGB or CMYK color mode.
File names must consist of the product identifier (Amazon ASIN, 13-digit ISBN, EAN, JAN, or UPC) followed by a period and the appropriate file extension. No spaces, dashes, or additional characters are allowed in the file name.
Files that don’t meet these technical specifications and the Amazon image requirements either won’t be uploaded or may be removed after upload.
Product listings can also be removed from search until a compliant image is provided. If you’re not seeing all of your images, chances are something is in violation. The Image Issues page in Seller Central is a great resource if you run into any trouble.
5 Amazon Product Photography Tips
Keep these five Amazon product photography tips in mind when creating your images.
1) Show Your Product in the Best Light
While this is also true figuratively speaking, we mean this quite literally here. Professional lighting makes all the difference in your product photos. The sharpness it provides creates intrigue and makes it easier for customers to examine the finer details of the item. Dark, shadowy photos look dull and give your product a low-quality feel, even if that isn’t the case.
2) Try Split Testing
When your product photos have the power to make or break a sale, you want to make sure they’re the best they can possibly be. But choosing the ones that resonate the most with consumers doesn’t have to come down to the luck of the draw — split testing, or A/B testing, different versions of your images with your intended target market can help make sure your photos are set up to succeed.
Amazon has split testing tools available, and you can also turn to external polling platforms like PickFu to get key feedback from real people in a matter of hours instead of days.
3) Optimize Your Images for Mobile
In 2021, Amazon’s shopping app averaged 98 million mobile users per month. That’s a massive audience that you may be failing to reach if your images (and listing content) aren’t optimized for mobile.
When shoppers visit your listing on a mobile device, the only content immediately visible is your product title and images. The bullet points and description are located a lot farther down the page, so most people are relying on your images for this information instead of scrolling down to find those sections.
Including key product details in your images can help increase conversion for mobile users. Something else to think about is your image size. Images should be clear on all devices, but since they’re naturally smaller on a mobile screen, you’ll want to make sure your product can still be viewed properly. This is especially true for your main image which serves as the biggest attention grabber when shoppers are scrolling.
4) Make Adjustments as Needed
Your images really aren’t meant to last forever. That doesn’t mean you should swap them out every single week, but you should keep them updated with the times (especially if you have lifestyle photos) and use them to react to customer reviews that could be impacting sales.
For example, maybe you received several negative reviews claiming that your product doesn’t work when, upon further investigation, it actually came down to user error. In this case, you may want to devote more than one image to proper usage and assembly to stem the flow of negative reviews and better educate potential customers about your product.
5) Invest in Your Images
When it comes to your product photos, you can hire a professional photographer or take them yourself. If you’re just starting out or are on a tight budget, it’s entirely possible to shoot and edit professional-quality photos with a DSLR camera or even your cell phone, but you’ll still need some extra props to get them up to standards. Check your local camera store (or Amazon!) for a tripod, white backdrop, light kits, and more.
However, an investment into professional Amazon product photography will almost certainly pay for itself over time. Great product photography takes a significant amount of time and effort, not to mention skill. Most people don’t have the knowledge (the innumerable Photoshop fails on Amazon are proof of this fact) or resources to get it done the right way. And as an Amazon seller, you want your brand and products held to a higher standard so you can enjoy the sales that go along with it.
Turn Browsers into Buyers with Better Amazon Photos Today
The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” is an old adage that’s used time (and time) again because it still remains true—maybe even more so in today’s technology-driven world. We’re very visual creatures, and our attention spans have only gotten shorter. Use this to your advantage and create quality images that not only support your listing content but have the ability to convert the large number of shoppers who most likely won’t be reading your listing text.
Images that are informative, eye-catching, and in line with Amazon photo standards will contribute to the success of your product and Amazon business as a whole.
As you create more and more videos, you’ll likely find yourself choosing to use visual elements with common characteristics. It could be something subtle, like a color palette or font that represents you or your brand. Or something more obvious, like a motion graphic or a transition effect between shots. If used consistently, these elements will become familiar touchstones for your audience. Over time, your unique creative decisions will start to establish themselves as hallmarks of your signature visual aesthetic. And that will help your audience connect more deeply with your videos.
Defining and refining a unique visual aesthetic for your videos is super important for cementing your channel or brand in audiences’ minds. But did you know it also helps you create content more efficiently?
Tip 1: Visual aesthetics and efficiency go hand-in-hand
You have endless creative and stylistic choices when it comes to making videos. Different combinations of lighting, effects, and camera movements can all result in a completely different finished product. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by so many options. To combat this, Chrys suggests focusing on the things you like, and allowing your unique style to emerge organically.
Identifying the visual elements you’re naturally drawn to is your first step on the path to establishing your signature visual aesthetic. Then, using those elements consistently across your videos is a surefire way to ensure your unique style will shine through. But that’s not the only benefit. Favoring certain aesthetic choices can also streamline your production process.
If you find yourself using specific lenses, lighting setups, or camera angles, take note of them for next time. This will reduce the number of production decisions you need to make every time. And that makes it a lot easier (and faster) to plan how and where you’ll set up your equipment.
Keep your lighting consistent for a recognizable visual aesthetic
Pay attention to how every shot is lit in your videos. This includes lighting color, intensity, and warmth. Different types of videos tend to favor different lighting setups, and each will create a distinct ambiance that the viewer will feel.
Softer light, for instance, bathes the subject in a gentler, more flattering glow. You might use this more diffused lighting style if you make interview or testimonial videos with a lot of “talking head” shots. Hard light, on the other hand, is meant to stand out. It’s generally reserved for scenes where you want to heighten the mood, such as a harsh, concentrated ray of sunlight beaming through a window. Whatever kind of lighting you use, be sure it looks the same throughout your videos.
A pro tip on how to use natural light: Windows are great, free light sources. You can easily alter the light from windows with sheer, textured, or patterned curtains to create different lighting effects.
Use the same camera and lens combinations throughout
You can use various cameras and lenses to give your videos dramatically different looks. Narrowing down your go-to camera/lens combos will not only give your videos a more recognizable aesthetic, it can also streamline your production process.
When you go into a shoot knowing which angles, equipment, and lighting sources you’ll use, it reduces the number of production decisions you’ll have to make on the spot. That can save you precious time and mental energy (as well as some weight in your camera bag).
Tip 2: Watch your assets
Creating videos requires a ton of decision-making, particularly around which assets to use. This can include everything from fonts and lower thirds to motion graphics and transition overlays. Chrys says it’s important to avoid getting bogged down by the avalanche of choices you have.
We likes to keep his visual aesthetic simple. He only uses a single font and a handful of motion graphics and transition overlays in his videos. Some people incorrectly consider this a lazy approach. The truth is, these touches help make his videos stand out to his audience. That’s because they’ve come to recognize the consistent style cues he uses and has identified a bespoke combination of assets, angles, lighting, and gear that give his videos a signature look while streamlining his entire process.
Tip 3: Use color to your advantage when creating a visual aesthetic
The colors you choose to highlight in your videos can be a powerful visual differentiator, but selecting them can be time-consuming. Having a color palette in mind before you start shooting will drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to make your videos. One specific thing you’ll want to pay attention to is color temperature, which measures the “warmth” or “coolness” of your light sources.
Soft, warm lighting is what you might want to capture if you’re shooting in restful settings like homes, restaurants, and hotels. For places like doctor’s offices, warehouses, and sports stadiums, harder, cooler lighting will usually help express the visual vibe you’re going for. Different light colors can make viewers feel a range of emotions, so don’t take that power for granted.
The time of day you film is another factor that affects the color in your videos. We prefers shooting during the day because it helps him achieve the warm tone he really likes. During the editing process, he simply copies and pastes his favorite color presets from his previous videos. Those presets speed up his process immensely, and ensure consistency across different projects. Every filmmaker is different, so shoot at the time of day that makes the most sense for the visual tone you want to capture in your videos.
Using color consistently for branding and visual aesthetic
Color is a subtle but important branding signal, too. So, be sure to be consistent with color choices in your videos when considering your visual aesthetic, including any visual elements you incorporate.
As you work through your own creation process, pay attention to the colors that give your videos an aesthetic you love. Then, create your own presets so you can use them consistently from video to video. It will help solidify your signature look while also speeding up your production.
The Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) is a large wader. The migration of its subspecies Limosa lapponica baueri across the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to New Zealand is the longest known non-stop flight of any bird, and also the longest journey without pausing to feed by any animal. The round-trip migration for this subspecies is over 29,000 km (18,020 mi).
Appearance
The Bar-tailed godwit is a relatively short-legged species of godwit. The adult has blue-grey legs and a long, tapering, slightly upturned bi-colored bill: pink at the base and black towards the tip. The neck, breast, and belly are unbroken brick red in breeding plumage, and dark brown above. Females’ breeding plumage is much duller than males, with a chestnut to cinnamon belly. Breeding plumage is not fully apparent until the third year, and there are three distinguishable age classes; during their first migration north immature males are noticeably paler in colour than more mature males. Non-breeding birds seen in the Southern Hemisphere are plain grey-brown with darker feather centres, giving them a striped look, and are whitish underneath. Juveniles are similar to non-breeding adults but more buff overall with streaked plumages on flanks and breast.
Distribution
Geography
Bar-tailed godwits breed in Scandinavia, northern Asia, and Alaska and migrate to coastal East and South Asia, Australia, Africa, northwestern Europe, and New Zealand. Their breeding grounds include open tundra, mudflats, marshy and swampy areas, river valleys, lakes, and bogs. The winter habitats are usually located along muddy coastlines, estuaries, shallow bays and lagoons.
Habits and Lifestyle
Bar-tailed godwits are social but extremely wary birds. They congregate in flocks but when feeding during the day they may disperse individually or in small groups. Bar-tailed godwits forage by probing in mudflats or marshes using their long sensitive bills. They may also find insects by sight in short vegetation. When birds are alarmed they produce high-pitched “kik” or “kiv-ik”. During courtship displays and on nesting grounds their calls sound as “a-wik, a-wik, a-wik” and a “ku-wew, ku-wew”.
Diet and Nutrition
Bar-tailed godwits are carnivores and eat mainly insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. They may also feed on parts of aquatic plants, seeds, and berries occasionally.
Mating Habits
Bar-tailed godwits are monogamous which means that one male mates with only one female. They breed between May and June performing courtship displays in which the male circles high above the nest site and calls loudly. The nest is a shallow cup in moss sometimes lined with vegetation. The female lays 2 to 4 which are incubated about 20-22 days. Both parents share incubation of the eggs and care for the young. The chicks are precocial (fully-developed; they hatch with their eyes open and are able to follow their parents to nearby marshy areas to find their own food. The young fledge and become independent from their parents when they are 1 month old reach reproductive maturity at 2 years of age.
Population
Population threats
Major threats to Bar-tailed godwits include habitat loss due to residential and commercial development, expansion of the agriculture and mining, climate change and serve weather as well as hunting in some areas of their range. They also suffer from pollution, human disturbance, and outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Photographers nowadays are capturing some cool and unique photos which are creating a lot of engagement among the audience. They are in other words bringing new photography trends in the photography industry. It also includes some cool and pretty amazing types of photography that you have never seen before. One of such cool photography trick or trend is upside down photography tricks. This type of photography of making the subject look upside down is pretty cool and also being shared a lot on social media platforms. Photographers are seeking ways to create more experiments using the art of upside down photography
If you are at a basic level and you want to know some cool upside down photography ideas then my pal you’re at the right place. In this article I’ll talk about some cool, unique and easy way to capture upside down photography like a pro photographer. If you want to learn these unique tricks then all you have to do is to keep scrolling.
So, without further delay, let’s start!
Table of Contents
Light
Composition
Use camera lens
Use crystal ball
Use reflection
Hanging on the Tree
Lay down on the Floor
Use of Angles
Use Wall for Support
Post Processing
Conclusion
Light
One of the top upside down photography tricks you should always remember is the procedure of using a good lighting source to capture the upside down photo. There are two types of lighting source for doing any kind of photography. The best light source is free for all and it is none other than natural light. Natural white light from the sun is the best source for doing upside down photography. It keeps the images clear and sharp. The colors also look vibrant and eye catching. I suggest using natural light for this kind of photography. Another light source is the artificial one. In this type of lighting you can use fill lights, soft box, external flash, etc for taking a sharp and bright upside down image.
Composition
Image composition is also a very important upside down photography tricks. The composition of your photograph is what will help you attract people and increase engagement level on your social sites. Image composition means how you are presenting the story of your image to the audience. A good composition always attracts more audience. You can use some of the best and creative photography composition tips for capturing well composed upside down photography.
Use camera lens
A cool and unique way to capture upside down photography is to use a camera lens. A camera lens shows inverted view of the scene in front of it. It is like a mirror it shows an inverted view. You can use this inverted view to capture upside down photography as shown in the photo here. This is also a cool trick among all upside down photography tricks.
Use crystal ball
Crystal balls are pretty famous and trendy these days. It shows the upside down image inside it of the scene before it. A crystal ball can be a handy and cool prop you can use to capture some amazing upside down photography. I prefer capturing such image at least once in this life. The crystal ball is actually pretty cool for taking or doing upside down photography. It is one of the best upside down photography ideas.
Use reflection
Reflections are always beautiful. Most of the awards winning photographs were captured using the trick of reflection. This is also one of the best upside down photography ideas you should use in your photography. Use any reflective surface like water or a mirror and capture the scene that is being shown on the reflection. It will also show the upside down scene of the image.
Hanging on the Tree
Upside-down photography is itself very unique concept. There are different ways of going upside-down and clicking the photo that way. One of the easiest upside-down photography tips is hanging on the tree. This is a bit risky and difficult but you must have an upside-down photo for sure. For doing that, you will need a model who will be hanging on the tree. It is very important to have safety gears or support while you are hanging someone on the tree. Make sure that he/she is comfortable doing it. So hang your model upside-down on the tree and click photos in burst mode. You will get some great upside-down photographs by doing so.
Lay down on the Floor
Well, you can say how can be a lying on the floor photo be upside-down? Well, it is about perspective and the camera work will speak. A good photographer who can understand the perspectives would make a lay down photo like upside-down. Ask you model to lie down on the floor. Click the photographs from side or from the top so that it looks like Upside-down photography. This is a tricky upside-down photography tips that can blow everyone’s mind. That will give you some amazing upside down photographs. So try this tip out.
Use of Angles
Angles of a photograph can change the perspective of seeing the photos. Using different angles is very important while clicking photographs. As we are talking about upside down photography, angles play vital role in making upside down photograph. Set your model in a certain way that you can get some great photos by using different angles. Just do not stick to straight angles. Use the opposite angle to create an upside down photograph.
Use Wall for Support
Not everyone can go upside down without supports. Use walls as support systems when you are asking a model to go upside down. Give your model enough time to get comfortable and do not click shot until the model goes upside down with the support of wall comfortably. The wall is another straightforward and imperative instrument for figuring out how to do a handstand and getting increasingly happy with being upside down. Other than the conspicuous advantage that the divider holds you in an upstanding, vertical position, you can likewise utilize the divider to scale a handstand to whatever degree of reversal you are prepared for.
Post Processing
Photo editing is a part and parcel of photography. As we are talking about upside down photography tips, we cannot leave behind post processing of the photographs. Well, in case if you are unable to get upside down shots by any means, you can do it yourself by editing the photos. Any photo editing company using photo editing applications like Adobe Photoshop will help you to make the photos go upside down. You just need to rotate the photo to 180 degree angle to transform the photo into upside down. If you want ot isolate the subject in the image and then rotate it you can use a clipping path service from photo editing companies. So do edit photos by yourself or take help from any of the photo editing company to get upside down photographs.
Conclusion
Doing upside down photography is challenging. So we have discussed some great points to overcome this challenge and to get upside down photographs as per your requirement. This upside down photography tricks we have just discussed will definitely help you to click some great upside down photographs like professionals. So apply these tips and do photography upside down like a professional.
Do you ever feel like every other photographer out there?
Or struggle with thoughts like, “Why would anyone ever hire me over someone else? There are so many photographers out there! The market is oversaturated with photographers.”
4 Ways To Make Your Photography Business Stand Out In An Oversaturated Market:
1. Invite people fall in love with YOU.
People buy from people and brands they like, connect to, resonate and fall in love with.
If you’re not sure why people would love you, ask your friends, acquaintances, and past clients what it is they absolutely love about interacting with and spending time with you.
Trust me, there are things that they absolutely love about you. The things that make you, you.
How you can do this:
Infuse your personality into your brand. If you want to stop being seen as the same as every other person in your industry, set yourself apart by being YOU. And it’s okay if not everyone likes you; not everyone should. If your goal is to build a photography business that EVERYONE loves, your brand isn’t going to stand out. It’s going to feel diluted.
If you haven’t yet, share your origin story of why you started. Why did you go into photography? Everyone loves a good story, especially when there’s passion and purpose involved. Don’t be afraid to share yours.
2. Create your own mini niche (unique selling point).
Want to stand out in an oversaturated market?
Don’t do what every other photographer in your industry is doing the same exact way they’re doing and definitely do not take on any and every job under the sun (or even if you do, don’t advertise it as such).
Build your portfolio and expertise, and pick a specific direction you want to go.
How you can do this:
Don’t just offer another service.
Provide an EXPERIENCE that people can only get with you. Maybe your specialty is shooting in a studio or at a beautifully designed Airbnb. Maybe you’re really good at shooting headshots for millennials in the start-up industry. Maybe you want to become a beach elopement photographer on the West Coast.
Brand your photography business and be known for your experience. That’s how you set yourself apart as a photographer in a saturated market.
This is specifically why people come to you, and this is what you’re known for. Create a niche within your niche.
3. Provide value with content marketing.
How are you going to make someone’s life better? We all have aspirations, dreams, goals, struggles, etc.
Become their guide – the person who takes them from point A to point B. (book recommendation: read “Building A Story Brand” by Donald Miller).
Value can come in so many forms: inspiration, education, storytelling, etc.
As a photographer, it’s good to be on Instagram, have a blog, and use Pinterest.
Instagram is a great way to connect with your ideal clients and a great place to showcase your amazing work. By regularly posting your best photos, you not only interact with your followers but also increase your chances of showing up on your ideal clients’ IG explore page.
Blogging can help your photography business show up on search engines when potential clients are searching for a wedding or elopement photographer in your city. As a business, you want to make it easier for your ideal clients to find you.
Along with having client galleries on your blog, I suggest having helpful blog posts. For example, you could write about the top wedding venues in your town and include your work in there.
Now, let’s talk about Pinterest.
Pinterest is actually a great platform for photographers to use for their marketing because it’s essentially a visual search engine. You can showcase your work and organize them into boards like engagement sessions, wedding photos, wedding venue inspiration, and so on. This helps with SEO and allow your ideal clients to find you.
4. Create an awesome brand experience / buyer journey.
Your favorite brands create brand experiences all the time, from the way they arrange their store to their social media channels.
Take a moment to think about how you feel when you interact with your favorite brands.
What are they doing to make you feel this way? What are they doing to inspire you to take action? (i.e. buying their products and services) It could be their brand mission, storytelling, design, messaging, aesthetics, overall vibe, etc.
How you can do this:
Think about how you want people to feel when they interact with your brand.
Then, write down a list of all the possible ways people interact with your brand. (Ex. IG posts – stories – highlights, FB, Pinterest; email newsletter; freebies and lead magnets; in-person events; investment guide; website; etc.)
How you can make your brand interactions more cohesive, consistent, and clear? How can you inspire them to take action?
In the world of photography, you’ve got to stand out, especially in a saturated market.
Here’s the scoop: People want to connect with you, the real you. So, let your personality shine through your brand. Next up, find your unique twist, your thing that nobody else does quite like you. It’s your superpower in a crowded world. Share your knowledge, tips, and cool stuff through your content, and you’ll be their go-to photography guru.
And don’t forget to make the entire experience awesome. From the first hello to the final photo delivery, make it unforgettable.
When you do this, your photography business becomes not just a service but an unforgettable experience that clients come back to again and again.
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Autumn 