Find Space for a Fresh Take
/Each season is a new opportunity to spark the imagination and defend against the doldrums.
Most of us love being energized by new ideas and experiences not yet discovered by the masses. Uncovering hidden gems is exciting, especially if it’s you doing the unveiling.
When you’re passionate about the art, entertainment, and joy of your skills, you learn to envision new scenes and settings for people to enjoy them. The ability to photograph your work in distinct and delightful surroundings reveals a host of ideas for those looking for a fresh take.
The challenge is where to find charming nooks and spaces —with minimal travel and expense.
Your answer may be just around the corner — friends and family who are avid supporters of your creative talents and whose homes offer an easy alternative.
Those who champion your skills often enjoy sharing their gardens and green spaces to help you create unique photos. For example, we’ve found properties with wildflower gardens, benches, old wood chairs, window seats, wrought iron, and stone paths that add great character to photographs.
A note of caution: If this is your first time going off-site to take photographs yourself, it can be a tricky experience. Be patient; this effort takes multiple tries to get it right.
Having your photo shoot at someone’s beautiful home is an inviting opportunity. In your mind, you see the finished pictures—your creative products in the midst of gorgeous greens, florals, or sweeping scenery. Once you clear those dreamy thoughts, you realize the planning and preparation required to make it happen.
We’ve had artisan chocolate cookies melt in the hot sun, and apples turn brown while racing to locate items. If you’re a perfectionist, rearranging a shot for the millionth time is problematic. That fizz in the drink only lasts a few seconds. These can be frustrating, character-building hours when you’re unsure of what to do and how to prepare. Here are a few tips for you:
Preplanning ensures that everything is selected and packed in advance, leaving no room for last-minute surprises. There’s no going back tomorrow to take more photos if something is forgotten. And, it’s a bummer when you leave one of a pair behind (been there!).
Show respect and consideration for their space.
Don’t expect your generous host to think of scenes like you do. Their lives don’t revolve around clear, unobstructed photos with beautiful backgrounds on the patio. Sometimes, you’ll need to prepare an area for the scene you have in mind.
Take every accessory you need. If you want food items or accent pieces, natural greens, florals, or tape to hold things in place, that’s your job. Need side bowls, napkins, or silverware? Bring it along.
Find an assistant for the day. Another set of hands allows you time to focus. Timing is harder if you’re taking photos and retrieving the products, too.
If you’re taking pictures alone, keep it simple. Plan on it taking longer than you expect, don’t pack the truck full and trim your shot list.
Take your most important photos first.
It sounds exciting to shoot all day, but you may run out of steam —the prep, ideas, arranging, shooting, and clean-up take valuable space and energy in your brain. And the weather matters. Mother Nature isn’t always on board with your plans.
Pack your sense of humor.
Lastly, create surprise postcards for your gracious host.
Look at your photos and see if a handful would make fun postcards. We realized that some of our photos make festive invitations, like a cozy chair looking out over a beautiful view or scenes of an inviting backyard pool.
Wrap the postcards in ribbon and add a playful note of inspiration (Ex. “Sip and splash with us”) – be sure to include the stamps.
Colorful postcards show your appreciation of their home - and just maybe secure you an invitation to come again.
