Photography Archives - American Quilt Retailer

Posted on January 12, 2021January 12, 2021 by AQR Piece by Piece

Social Media Magic

If everyday tasks get in the way of daily social media posts, check out these tips and tricks.

Plan your posts

Choosing a topic is the hardest part of social media. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be; pick a theme, and post it. This could be a new line of fabric or an interesting tool. Some people prefer to post based off the day of the week, such as “Top Tool Tuesday,” “What’s New Wednesday,” and “Show and Share Sunday.”

Don’t be hesitant to repost the same topic again; in the world of marketing a consumer has to be exposed to a topic or product seven times before they’re compelled to take action.

Take the photo

Now that you know what you want to post about, take a photo. Use your phone and remember these three rules: lighting, background, and focal point.

Make sure your product is the focal point of the photo, there’s good lighting, and the background is not distracting. Be sure to take several photos at different views and angles. The more photos you post the better.

Write a caption

Writing a caption is the second hardest part of social media. If you’re struggling to come up with copy, answer these three questions:

What is it?
Why do customers need it?
What do you want them to do? (Call to action.)

Simply answer these questions as if you were talking to a friend. If you’re posting a product, don’t forget to tag the company and add a hashtag so your image is exposed to as many customers as possible.

Keep a consistent social media schedule

Now that you’ve got content down, create a schedule so you can stay up to date. Google calendar offers an easy, color coded way to plan your social media posts. Make sure to display holidays, events, and classes, and fill in accordingly.

Inspiration for this post came from “Social Media Magic in 5 Minutes,” by Kate Colleran, Joanne Hillestad, and Kris Poor published in the October 2020 issue of American Quilt Retailer.

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Posted on June 19, 2019June 17, 2019 by AQR Piece by Piece

Product Photography

I’ve learned the most about product photography from following vintage clothing accounts on Instagram.

You heard that right, I learn from an outside source that has almost nothing to do with the quilting industry.

But in a lot of ways, it does. These accounts are small businesses that have to set themselves apart from their competition. Assuming their brand is what separates them, they have to stay as true to that as possible.

When people think of product photography, I think people think of what they see when they shop online; a plain, bright white background that makes the product pop.

Don’t feel like you have to have this, and also don’t feel like you have to go out and purchase photography lights, backdrop boxes, or even an expensive lens for your camera.

Be Consistent

The most important thing to remember about product photography is to be consistent. Use the same device to snap the photos (so the quality is the same) and preferably the same place (to take out other inconsistencies, like lighting).

Keep in mind that the higher the image quality, the better for your customer. This is especially important when choosing which product photo to post on your website/Instagram/Facebook story.

If you haven’t invested in a tripod before, now may be the time to do so (even if you take photos from your phone). Being the same distance and height from the products each and every time is key to remaining consistent.

If you chose to edit your photos (which I recommend—photo editing can separate the boys from the men), make sure you use the same filter every time. Filters play into your company’s brand more than you realize, think about how some photos can soften a look while others can make them more sharp.

Lastly, consider mixing in-context images with your product-only images so the consumer can get the best idea of what your product is and does before making their purchase.

What time saving tips have you found to keep up with your product photography? Share your comments to help the quilt retail community.

Posted on September 12, 2017January 10, 2019 by AQR Piece by Piece

Photos That Flash

Keep your business designs current while saving time and money. Thanks to the wonderful world of the internet, a variety of apps are available to help you with any graphic needs. From photo editing to freelance, the following apps are your business must-haves.

Prisma: Prisma turns photos into art. An app for mobile devices, simply choose a saved photo and apply an artist’s style. The app applies a filter that transforms your photo into a digital painting. Perfect for creative campaigns or to switch up your company’s social media posts.

Fontcandy: Fontcandy is the easiest way to apply text over an image. The app includes predetermined sizes for social media outlets and product design options such as t-shirts and phone cases. Font templates are also included so time spent editing photos is cut in half with the ease of typing your message in one of their enormous pre-made font collections. If you’re looking for physical or digital products, this photography editing app is a must have for any business keeping up with the times.

PicMonkey: PicMonkey is an online and mobile app similar to Fontcandy but with more features. Anytime you have a photo that needs more than just text, PicMonkey is the app to use as it includes shapes, borders, and images in addition to its text options. PicMonkey’s only downfall to Fontcandy is the product is only available for digital download. But hey, when a photo editor is free, who’s complaining?

Fiverr: Faced with a marketing problem outside of your scope of knowledge? Hire a freelancer through Fiverr to help you get the job done. Starting as low as $5, Fiverr includes options for graphic, writing, and digital needs. Filtered by category and deadline, Fiverr provides a list that includes business pricing, descriptions, and top sellers. The app also organizes your conversations and posted requests. Available on desktops and mobile apps, Fiverr is the solution to your business problems.

Canva: The powerhouse of social media design, Canva is the app to keep your marketing consistent and contemporary. Templates provide the foundation for your business designs for social media, business cards, letterheads, and more. Available on mobile and desktop forms, the app saves your changes as you go, and archives each of your projects. Canva includes both free and paid design options and is the best choice for those who struggle at designing.

Don’t let time get in the way of your business’s graphic design and marketing needs. Download these apps to keep your materials robust and your competition on their toes.