by Kirsten McGoey | Feb 14, 2025 | Acting Headshots, Ajax, Ajax headshot photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Bowmanville, Bowmanville headshot photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin headshot photographer, Business Content, Corporate, Courtice headshot photographer, Durham Region, Headshot, Local Business, Markham, Modern, Orono headshot photographer, Oshawa, Oshawa headshot photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Port Perry, Portraits, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge headshot photographer, Whitby, Whitby headshot photographer
We are going to “shed some light” on the kinds of light photographers use to make your branding/headshot images. Light is everything in our work and it can shape the look of your brand, so knowing a few basics is essential in finding the look that aligns with you and or your brand.Â
Natural Light
This one sounds just like it is, we use the natural light in a scene or building to create your image. There are no extra lights on our cameras or off the camera to aid in creation of the images. We may use natural light at golden hour or open shade, where the light reflects softly in the shade of a building or tree. We may bounce light with a reflector but that light is still natural light.
Sometimes we pose subjects indoors using the light from windows – after all this is Canada and we have a sizeable winter season so we cannot always work with you outdoors. It is a softer light and best used in a space connected to you and your brand, it might be nature or the city – indoors or outdoors.Â
On Camera Flash
This is not one I often use for branding/headshots as I tends to give you that paparazzi vibe, which can be used intentionally with the right brand. I am going to show some examples but they are from events as I really don’t use the technique (or had clients who needed that look).
Events in dark rooms often require a flash on your camera to be effective but it would not be a first or second choice for professional work. You could use this technique effectively to create cool fashion brand on white backgrounds for that high key image look but the brand would need to align with this to make it work.
Off Camera FlashÂ
Given that we do have a sizeable winter season and many businesses have specific headshot and image requirements light the studio can be a popular or starting option for images.
There are a variety of different ways to employ studio lights with and without backdrops. For example, in the case of the image of Mika Modolo we took in 2017, there was one studio light in a cramped hallway, next to a coffee station and adjacent the newsroom and the computer graphics room. we also bounced a little of the light using a reflector on her right side to get this image.
In the case of the Mayor Roy and Council’s images we used a grey backdrop and then edited each image also as a .tiff so the file could be used on a responsive grey background gradient on the website itself.
We also create images that are high end music style like country music protege Riley Wheater’s image below and more fun images like the SNL inspired image of Greg Frankson flying into the frame.
The world of studio lighting gives realtors a fresh all white look and makes them easy to cut out for a variety of realtor signs, website and pamphlets applications.
Business Images
When it comes to successful business images we have spoken about the value of making your own images in our article Are there drawbacks to stock photography?. Stock tends to under perform on searches so creating it is in your best interest.
Business images are a great way to build brand recognition as it’s essential to keep a consistent look across your social media through to your website. A hodgepodge of images can be confusing for customers who are inundated with content 24/7. Every time a consumer visits you it’s important to show you are a serious brand and keep them engaging; branding images help you achieve that all important goal.
When telling a story a business images – be it a headshot or brand specific images – are essential to telling an effective and understandable story. They help you build trust with your customer base by creating a good first impression and subsequent impressions along the timeline of engagement with you and or your brand. For example, a headshot that looks like it was cropped from a wedding photo presents differently than a planned professional headshot in a studio or on location.
Images Shown : (Above) Local MP Ryan Turnbull engaging with Seniors at a local Seniors Centre in town. (Top Left) Yoga Jungle (Middle) Enjoying a promenade with a friend on Marito’s Coffee at Pearson Lanes (Top Right) Creating a tea cup flower arrangement with blogger Craftberry Bush.
Images Shown : (Top Left) Shopping at the Makers Hub (Middle) Exploring the greens growing pod at Durham College in Whitby (Top Right) Getting your eyes checked at Brooklin Optimetric.
Take charge of your brand
I know that my own brand is like my fourth child, it has grown over the last twelve years and that is why working with clients on their brands is so exciting. We are growing a special part of your work story – be it as a local MP, a trusted eye expert or a local maker’s hub – connecting you to your customers is essential.Â
What story do you want to tell?
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Nov 5, 2024 | Ajax Food Photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Bowmanville, Brooklin, Business Content, Durham Region, Durham Region Food Photographer, Food Photographer, Headshot, Local Business, Magic, Markham, Oshawa, Oshawa Food Photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Political Photography, Port Perry, Portraits, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Whitby
Business Photography: Where do you start?
The art of business photography is work with a client to create a series of images that will represent their personal brand or business brand.
Quality over Quantity
This is a quality over quantity proposition by where the quality matters in each image much more in the long run. A client once said to me I hired you for this event because last year I received 1000 photos of which I only felt 50 worked, when I hire you I know if you give me 250 I will be able to use them all.Â
What do we explore before we even take a photo?Â
Just like a traditional headshot for business packages we explore the following:
- what is your immediate budget?
- what is the long term plan for images of your brand?
- how the images will be used?
- what location works best for your brand?
- will the images be cut out and used on different sorts of media?
- wardrobe discussions to align the clothing with your brand and ensure it looks amazing on camera
Why we recommend booking out the day.
To create images that tell your story it is never just one photo. It’s very normal for a client to be a little nervous and need a simple thing – time. It is key we work poses, outfits and use the time to get comfortable.
We have packages that start at 20 images through to 50 images. Anything more results in filler images* that will not be used. We want to showcase you, your staff, your office, your services and the vital storylines that make your business unique.
* Exception would be product photography but in those cases we do not cover those in business packages but instead in commercial photography quotes for each individual company.
Success Stories of Business Packages in Action
Below we are showing some business packages in action that are supporting local businesses in Durham Region today:
The dental team at Birch Dental wanted images to launch their new business and they had a wonderful, modern new office that was bathed in natural light. We prepared for the images we wanted, needed and the nice to haves. In the end the final results align with their modern brand and showcase these two entreprenuers for potential clients and existing ones.
The owner of Parents Therapeutic Massage wanted to showcase her treatment room and her brand. We brought in models to shoot treatments in the room you would be in and showcased Melissa the owner at work. A blend of the warmth and skills she provides to keep parents going with her treatments is in the images.
As our MP for Whitby Ryan Turnbull wanted to showcase the partnerships he has with various people and organizations across Whitby. His website shows him in action to meet with constituents and also included some headshots. Images are bright and colourful to match the enthusiasm he brings to the table as a member of parliament.
How do I choose which package works best?
Choosing a package for your business photography should align with your budget for the year. We never want to sell you more images than you need, again quality is our first goal and aligning with your growth strategy is a close second.
Want to learn more?
Send us a connect form and we will call to walk you through our process, your business and make recommendations.
Kirsten McGoey | Trinity Design | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Jul 3, 2024 | Ajax, Ajaz Food Photographer, Bowmanville, Bowmanville Food Photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin Food Photographer, Courtice Food Photographer, Durham Region, Durham Region Food Photographer, Editorial, Food Photographer, GTA Food Photographer, Local Business, Magic, Markham, Modern, Oshawa, Oshawa Food Photographer, Peterborough Food Photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering Food Photographer, Port Perry, Port Perry Food Photographer, Portraits, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge Food Photographer, Whitby, Whitby Food Photographer
Amazing food (in part through our photography) in the Durham Region is a story we have been telling locals and visitors to Whitby about for many years. For 2024 we have continued this alongside our client partners at the Town of Whitby Tourism team with ten new pages and a refreshed look to the entire guide.
The guide is an award winning piece that was awarded the EDAC’s the top Marketing Canada Award for a Single Publication – 5 or more pages from the Economic Developers Association of Canada in 2023. The design by Amanda Jones and the entire team is alive with the amazing food scene options we have to offer in Whitby.Â
Please note all content is made for the Town of Whitby tourism and they hold exclusive rights to this content for 6 months from launch. Afterwhich all content can be purchased for use by the respective businesses showcased.
As you might imagine a refresh means content from the 2022 and 2023 issues remain and we have added new content each year. I am only going to showcase the pages with our images from the 2024 refresh but invite you to spend time with the full guide which we will cite at the end of the blog post.
Page 5: We took only the images from Namak Handi.
Please note all content is made for the Town of Whitby tourism and they hold exclusive rights to this content for 6 months from launch. Afterwhich all content can be purchased for use by the respective businesses showcased.
Kirsten McGoey | Visual StorytellerÂ
by Kirsten McGoey | Jun 12, 2024 | Ajax, Ajax Family Photographer, Bowmanville, Bowmanville Family Photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin Family Photographer, Courtice Family Photographer, Durham Region, Family Photographer, Family Photos, Magic, Modern, Oshawa, Oshawa Family Photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering Family Photographer, Port Perry, Port Perry Family Photographer, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge Family Photographer, Whitby, Whitby Family Photographer
It’s always a win to hit golden hour for family photos on the beach in Whitby. Parents often come to me after not having done family photos for years because the kids – teens and young adults – were just not into it.Â
As the acceptance letters for University come in and they move into their new residences we love to help capture the family as it is before that big milestone. This session was mainly for the three girls, but as you will see Mom and Cubbie also got into it and as you can see Cubbie stole the show
Each family is different but I do warn people that I am a hug, hand holding, large laughter and emotion based photographer. I want to see your hands, your dogs, the relationship you have with your siblings.
These three sisters are close and you can feel their energy in the session. The emotions as your sister and mom tease you. The smiles as Cubbie runs me over for his treat. It is a joy to capture this family of which two are runners who we know through Durham Dragons.
Connect with us for your family session this summer, we would love to capture the experience for your and your family.
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
by Kirsten McGoey | Jun 3, 2024 | Acting, Acting Headshots, Ajax, Ajax headshot photographer, Ajax headshot photographer, Art, Bowmanville, Bowmanville headshot photographer, Brooklin, Brooklin headshot photographer, Courtice headshot photographer, Durham Region, Durham Region Acting Headshots, Educational, Magic, Markham, Modern, Orono headshot photographer, Oshawa, Oshawa headshot photographer, photographer, Photography, Pickering headshot photographer, Pickering headshot photographer, Port Perry, Scarborough, Storytelling, Trinity Design, Uxbridge, Uxbridge headshot photographer, Whitby, Whitby headshot photographer
Join us as we show you how a professional theatre production can be captured in Dress Rehearsals to support your production later in the week. Henry Street High School has a long standing tradition of great theatre and they delivered a great production of Mamma Mia! this year. Here we go again!
I am looking for the big emotional and physical moments in a play. This is infinitely made harder as I have rarely seen the play and sometimes notes about what to look for are not given. I watch to see where I can see the shots I want to make and often take a series of twenty to just get the right smile, eyes open and touch of nose or sassy look. Practice for them also applies to theatre photography, the more you do the more you know what to look for.
What I loved about the play this year was this black light sequence. It was so seamlessly blended into the story and the choreography was just amazing. It allows more of the ensemble to show off the depth talent at Henry. It was a great storytelling technique for the dream sequence and I was delighted I got some good frames as it’s the definition of “low light”.
When photographing theatre you will be faced with light changes, sometimes from moment to moment, sometimes one side is a different scene than the other. It’s always worth mentioning it to the tech team, sometimes the lights are like in Mamma Mia full of colour and capturing that is on point.
Every now and then a part is so perfect you could not imagine anyone else playing it. Meet Stella who plays Rosie in the production and nailed this part. Her physical comedy is spot on and I laughed, clapped and cheered her on in her pursuit of Bill. Bravo! A dash of her work is below:
I mean with ABBA as the soundtrack and a strong plot there is just not much you can say about this play that would be negative. The performances were amazing, the leads for performance 1 and 2 changed for 3 and 4 so we have tried to show you both casts as much as we could.
Stage Director : Skylar is rarely in front of the camera or on the stage but without her and the team there would be no performance. She guides the performance (her 6th with Henry) with skill and confidence – always smiling and ready to make it happen. We will miss you as you are moving on to post secondary.
Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller
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