Why there’s only one thing better than a commercial photographer.

Why there’s only one thing better than a commercial photographer. A commercial photographer who works with a graphic designer.

If you’ve read any of my other blogs, you’ll understand why I’m so passionate about the difference commercial photography can make to marketing materials, advertising campaigns or websites. It simply offers a visual impact and quality well beyond the scope of stock or amateur photography.

But there will be times where commercial photography alone isn’t enough. When the involvement of other professionals can enhance the finished product even further. When the input of further design skills in the project is needed to set off the photography perfectly.

One of these professionals is the graphic designer.

Five reasons why you should involve a graphic designer

It’s true that many photographers will have excellent post-production skills. They will be able to use photoshop and other programmes to perfect, finish and artistically present the photography they take in line with your brand, the campaign objectives and your preferences and requirements.

But commercial photography cannot always operate in a vacuum. The final layout and design, additional artistic input and production techniques a graphic designer can offer, will enable your photography to appear at its very best.

1. A photographer is focused quite rightly on the photography, with responsibility for the quality, style and finish of the photographs. But a graphic designer can add value by looking – literally - at the bigger picture. How the photography fits in with other elements e.g the logo, corporate colours or style elements. They’ll know how much text is to accompany the photography and how best to lay it out so it’s appealing to the eye.
2. A graphic designer will be able to adapt the photography to different formats, sizes and materials. For example your suite of photos may be used on your website, on flyers, on a banner, exhibition stand or for digital marketing, and it will need to be reproduced for each different media. It’s crucial this production work is carried out to the highest standard.
3. Two artistic heads are better than one. Your campaign or website will have an even greater chance of success with a greater input of creative ideas at the beginning when the concept and campaign begins to take shape.
4. A graphic designer may be able to offer additional expertise in retouching or other editing techniques.
5. Commercial photography is an investment; in your brand and in your marketing. So don’t risk wasting this investment through having the photography go to waste or poorly presented in an unappealing layout or design.

How do I find a graphic designer?

Many commercial photographers will already work closely with at least one graphic designer. Often they’ll have links and relationships with a number of graphic designers so that they can recommend the right one for you given the nature of the project and your budget.

If your photographer isn’t able to recommend one, using LinkedIn, simply googling to find a local graphic design agency, or going to a freelance directory can be a good place to start. Always ask to see examples of work and specifically where they have worked with a photographer on websites or campaigns.

How does it work?

Well in an ideal world, the photographer and graphic designer would be involved together from the very beginning. In this way, the brief will have input from both professionals and the photography can be planned and directed with the specific design of the materials in mind.

However, even if this is not the case, a commercial photographer will be able to work with a graphic designer at any stage in the process. They’ll collaborate on the artistic finish and post-production and editing work to get to the end result you’re looking for.

Either way, don’t feel that engaging a graphic designer will just double up work for you. Us creative types are perfectly accustomed to working together in teams and we’ll just get on with creating the best looking visuals possible with our respective skill sets and talents enhancing each other’s.

Like any profession, we all have our area of specialism. By bringing graphic design skills into the project, your initial investment in the commercial photography will be even more worthwhile.

If you’d like to find out more, contact me on 07767 776839 or email [email protected]