Rivalry Week: Photographing a Local Tradition

Rivalry Week: Photographing a Local Tradition

What It got its start in 1968 as a one-day football game established by Mayor Des Newman, with the Mayor’s Cup trophy awarded to the winner. When football was ended at Anderson CVI in 1984 the event stopped until it was revived in 2009.

Since 2009 Rivalry Week between Henry Street HS and Anderson CVI has been running with both schools vying to win the coveted Mayor’s Cup. They play two hockey games (girls and boys), one basketball game and one volleyball game.

This year the results were as follows:

+ Henry Girls Hawkey – Win

+ Henry Boys Hawkey – Win

+ Anderson Boys Basketball – Win

+ Henry Girls Volleyball – Win

This completed the third year Henry has won the competition.

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Please do not copy and save content as it is all copyrighted. Want to own a little bit of the nostalgia? We have images for sale here: https://tinyurl.com/2t2mpbft and support a small, female owned business in Whitby with two sons who attend(ed) HSHS and one off to O’Neill PA.

Please do not copy and save content as it is all copyrighted. Want to own a little bit of the nostalgia? We have images for sale here: https://tinyurl.com/2t2mpbft and support a small, female owned business in Whitby with two sons who attend(ed) HSHS and one off to O’Neill PA.

Please do not copy and save content as it is all copyrighted. Want to own a little bit of the nostalgia? We have images for sale here: https://tinyurl.com/2t2mpbft and support a small, female owned business in Whitby with two sons who attend(ed) HSHS and one off to O’Neill PA.

Please do not copy and save content as it is all copyrighted. Want to own a little bit of the nostalgia? We have images for sale here: https://tinyurl.com/2t2mpbft and support a small, female owned business in Whitby with two sons who attend(ed) HSHS and one off to O’Neill PA.

No matter the losses or wins the end of the Rivalry week is a reminder that we are stronger together. This event allows more people to attend volleyball games than we would ever see in a normal versus match in the school year. Congrats to all the organizers and students who attend each year.

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Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller

Photographing a Disruptor

Photographing a Disruptor

..”Broadview is an independent Canadian magazine featuring award-winning coverage of spirituality,  justice  and ethical living. As a registered charity, Broadview challenges and inspires readers seeking to live a purpose-filled life.”  (Broadview website)

We were tasked to create an image to support the Disruptor section which is the end sheet to the magazine each issue.

Below: Omar Elgazzar, Disruptor in print.

Kirsten McGoey | Trinity Design | Visual Storyteller

Shedding Light on Professional Images

Shedding Light on Professional Images

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. 

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. 

Dentists-Birch Dental

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 Flash 

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. 

What story do you want to tell?

Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller

Getting Down to “Business” Photography

Getting Down to “Business” Photography

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. 

What do we explore before we even take a photo? 

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:

Dentists-Birch Dental

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

Are There Drawbacks of Using Stock Photography?

Are There Drawbacks of Using Stock Photography?

There are lots of reasons to use stock photography when you first start out but in our research there are likely more reasons to skip stock in favour of actual content sessions with a photographer.

Some of the positives are what draws businesses to think this is the right path:

1. Stock can be convenient.

2. It can be less money to purchase a few stock images. Initially.

3. They are often better than images you can take yourself.

4. There is a lot of variety, in fact so much it can be overwhelming.

The positives often draw in small businesses who are looking for a budget friendly solution. There are however many reasons why long term investing more in your photography can bring you more clients and in many cases more effective and cost effective solutions.

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Reason #1

Diversity and inclusion are a must have in today’s brand planning. For years stock photography was focused on creating content with white persons dominating the medium. Persons of colour were not included and images showing same sex, trans and other inclusive stories are just recently becoming more prevalent. 

Diverse and inclusive images are more effective in connecting you to your target audience.

In this session for Oshawa Tourism the instructor works Treetop Eco-Adventure Park and was happy to join our shoot which also featured other models from the region.

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Reason #2

For a brand to appear it is fake or unreal is extremely damaging to a brand. As a brand uses overused photography from stock sites makes the message seem cliche compared to brands using fresh content they created. 

Creating your own images allows you to avoid cliche imagery and potentially losing your audience in the face of more effective communications in the market.

Showing Marco with a real client in his actual establishment is storytelling gold for Hunt and Dagger in the Explore Whitby magazine. His apron, his tattoos and so much more tell a story that cannot be replaced with stock photography.

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Reason #3

We all have seen the two men shaking hands in a indistinguishable boardroom. Customers see this as a faked or inauthentic version of your brand which is not the effect you want to from branding imagery.

Creating your own images with your team, your office and your products lends an authenticity to your brand. Show your city or town and connect to your clients.

oshawa-zoo-child-feeds-goat-in-boat

Chances are stock photos are not including a boy feeding a goat on a boat as we showed in the Oshawa Zoo session, this is another authentic way to tell the story through your own photography.

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Reason #4

Stock photos are purposely made generic to sell to as many people as they can. They often have no real message that will support a brand looking to stand out in a cluttered marketplace. Without a focused brand message your marketing is less effective for your brand.

Making your own content means your messaging can show specific stories that only align with your brand. That key messaging can lift you above the competition and reach your competition.

Showing the parents of current owners making their special Dutch treats in tandem are a strong authentic story to tell for the Village Bakeshop. It’s also one of my favourite image ever taken for a local business.

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Reason #5

Stock can be accessed at many price levels and increased access at lower pricing means overuse happens more often. Not to mention the pennies an artist receives from stock sales compared to fifteen years ago. Again low pricing, over use leads to over-saturation of images which is not helpful.

Creating your own content keeps artists making a living wage and creates content that is not over used and under performing.

This table, that board, and those cannolis can only be found at The Station: Traditional European Bakery in Brooklin, which means your customer will love seeing the actual items they saw in the Whitby Digital Food Guide.

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Reason #6

Stock photography items all come with licensing based on usage. A fee to use it on your website versus Instagram can differ depending on the reach. This can over time lead to more expense than your original purchase and without further expenditure limit it’s usage.

While both stock and content creation fall under photographer copyright and licensing fees using local talent both sustains the local economy and provides a space to establish usage and budgets to align with your business goals.

Content created for the Town of Whitby archive can be reused over and over for any Town of Whitby project.

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Reason #7

Stock photography show people who are not you. It can not be discounted how valuable your face and that of your team are in successful branding strategies. Stock photos of actors from another part of the world, the country and skylines that do not match your own are not helpful.

Your town, your office, your service or products in use with your team or ideal clientele. I personally will spend more on beer at a well branded craft brewery than buy a big brand beer.

Actual dentists from Birch Dental in their new office which is a beautifully designed space with natural light makes this a winning brand image.

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Reason #8

I have spoken to many graphic designers who have spent countless hours scouring stock websites to no avail. Content did not suit their needs with incorrect skylines, lack of diversity or inclusion in the images available and other issues with stock they spent reviewing.

Making images that work for your brand saves time searching. It focuses your time and budget on creating content that will generate the results you need now.

It would take a long time to find an image of the exact wooden tokens we use for the Downtown Whitby Beerfest. Hiring event photographers ensures you have plenty of imagery to tell your story year after year.

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Reason #9

In my past life I worked at three major advertising agencies at the start of the internet media metrics science. We invested in tracking to prove our campaigns worked for our clients. Stock photos under preform in media metrics which is ample reason to invest in unique content. 

When images used perform lower effectiveness the return on investment (ROI) comes into question. Picking a stronger set of images is the stronger choice when making branding decisions.

When creation of content it is important to have both long and short term goals. In balancing your budget and end goals for return on investment often times content of your own can serve your end goals with more success.

We would love to chat with you about your content and how to generate content that will support your brand.

Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller

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