The Evolution of Commercial Photography

In the age of social media and ecommerce, it’s hard to believe that taking a basic photograph was ever more complicated than pushing a button on a touchscreen phone. In fact, photography—especially commercial photography—has become so commonplace that many people don’t realize how far it has truly come.

Commercial photography began as a fine art, and although anyone with a smart phone can call themselves a photographer today, it ultimately remains a refined craft that takes skill, experience, and a talented eye to master. Let’s take a look back at the interesting origins of this cultivated industry.

The first form of photography: the daguerreotype.

The first successful photographic process was developed in 1837 by its namesake, Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre. Daguerreotype photography produces a unique image on a silver copper plate, a process that was confined to the studio.

Photography studios did begin popping up in big cities after the invention of the daguerreotype, but the technology was only accessible to professional photographers and the wealthy, as the process was expensive and burdensome.

In 1851, the more affordable ambrotype replaced daguerreotype photography.

Ambrotype photographs were produced on a glass plate, coated with a special substance, and developed to create a negative image. The negative was then covered in dark varnish or set against a dark background to make it look like a positive.

The ambrotype process was cheaper and more efficient than its daguerreotype predecessor. As a result, photography became more accessible to the middle and working classes and thus poised for wider use in commercial industries.

As demand rose and the commercial value of photography became more apparent, cameras began to be made portable.

When photography became functional outside of the studio, cameras were made increasingly available to the average individual. Then, when the Eastman Kodak Company created film, the technology became even easier to use, leading to the rise of fashion photography.

Edward Steichen took the first serious fashion photographs in 1911, just around the same time Conde Nast purchased a small magazine called Vogue. When Vogue reemerged as a high fashion magazine showcasing professional photographs of models, the commercial photography industry was born.

Digital technology completely transformed the photography industry in 1985.

Digital photography became even more widely available than film, and could be created more quickly and for less money. Plus, digital photos were more easily edited, reproduced, and shared, making commercial photography the most effective way to advertise a business or product.

Because photographic technology was no longer limited to the studio, post-war photographs often depicted real life and ongoing social movements. This shift was reflected in commercial photography by an increasing focus on photo advertising that could connect with the middle class.

Modern technology and marketing techniques have led to the development of many different types of commercial photography.

Contemporary businesses heavily rely on digital advertising, which makes commercial photography invaluable to their success. Carefully staged and manipulated photos are designed to promote a specific brand, product, service, or lifestyle to targeted consumers.

Some of the most prominent subcategories of commercial photography you’ll find today include product photography, food and drink photography, architectural photography, professional headshots, fashion photography, and corporate lifestyle photography.

With over two decades of experience in the field, Neil Boyd Photography is the most qualified studio to meet your commercial photography needs throughout Raleigh, North Carolina and beyond.

Our top-quality equipment, unparalleled attention to detail, and strong passion for photography that speaks to a specific audience, will take your advertising to the next level.

To book our commercial photography services for your business or project, give us a call at 919-374-0141 to schedule your session and discuss your needs!

Corporate Lifestyle photography in Raleigh NC

We often get asked to shoot corporate lifestyle photography. This can lead us into many different stations that can really test our photography skills. We have photographed this style of corporate photography in many different locations throughout North Carolina and, in fact, other parts of the world. We have shot lifestyle photography for companies who’s work is outdoors, in office spaces, food preparation photography in refrigerated rooms and buildings. laboratories and clean rooms to rooftops of buildings. This work can also incorporate corporate headshots and business portraits of the staff.

This particular brief was to photograph a series of Black and White and Color photography images that reflects all aspects of this companies production facility. The business photographs are to be used on the company’s website to show lifestyle photographyof the production facility and the various staff that work there. This included photography of production, quality control, logistics and the staff who worked in the factory.

This company produces micro chips that are sold all over the world. The biggest challenge for this shoot was that most of the environments are clean rooms and we were required to wear similar attire to the staff seen in the photos. We also had to get changed when moving from one space to another. Lighting set ups for this corporate photo shoot had be minimal, but everything, of course, had to be correctly exposed.

In total we delivered around 100 final images from this shoot, but here is my selection of just a few.

Architectural Photography in Durham NC

Rebecca was out last week shooting Architectural photography for a Glass company. The site was Johnson Volvo in Durham. Rebecca does a lot of our architectural photography work all around North Carolina. The brief for this was simple. Twilight shots highlighting the beautiful glass products (windows) that the company produced. I think she nailed it! Here are some of the images that we provided for the company who were ecstatic with her work. If you need commercial or architectural photography for your business in North Carolina, please give us a call or email to discuss your project. neil@neilboydphotography.tv

5 Reasons Photography Should Be an Essential Part of Your Construction Project

In any architectural undertaking, you’re going to have to put a great deal of time, effort, and money into the planning and construction process from start to finish. Between all the responsibilities you’ll be saddled with to ensure the project advances smoothly and promptly, hiring a photographer to capture the action is probably the last thing on your mind—but it should be at the top of your list!

The importance of taking consistent photos on the construction site cannot be overlooked. Let’s dig deeper into the essential role construction photography plays in bringing your project to life!

1) Provide stakeholders with project updates.

The continued success of a construction project and a positive ongoing relationship with your client is largely dependent upon assuring the owners and investors that everything is moving forward as planned. Construction photos are a professional and progressive way to keep these important collaborators informed about your progress.

If a partner needs to make any decisions about the project, photos are an excellent way to help them do so if they’re too busy or unable to make it to the site. A set of professional photographs will be far more detailed and valuable to them than any written updates could ever be.

2) Increase site productivity.

The ease and speed with which pictures can be shared will greatly improve efficiency and facilitate communication between employees on and off location.

Eliminate the time and paper it takes to produce copious spreadsheets and other redundant documentation regarding where the project is at and what needs to be done. Construction photos are also an effective way to identify problems a glancing eye may not catch and address them quickly.

3) Create a visual timeline.

Help your team stay on track and get a more accurate idea of where you’re at in the construction process by using photos to put together a visual timeline. Pictures make it easier to determine whether you’re progressing on schedule and if plans need to be adjusted.

Does the project deadline need to be moved? Do you need to hire more workers or procure more resources? Use construction photos to make these decisions more precisely.

4) Protect yourself from liability.

If you find yourself being hit with damage claims after the completion of a project, it often ends up becoming a futile case of someone else’s word against yours.

With photos from every phase of construction you’ll have proof of the site condition before, during, and after work to get to the bottom of things and support your defense. Photo evidence will protect you against damage claims and lengthy (potentially costly) disputes.

5) Obtain high quality marketing resources.

Construction photos are the perfect way to display your work to future clients and demonstrate what you’re capable of. Detailed, quality visual examples of your work will allow your abilities and experience to speak for themselves.

Use these professional-grade photos as promotional materials for your website, in your portfolio, in brochures or posters, and to share on social media. You can also look at them as an opportunity to evaluate and appreciate your own work, noting where your strengths are and where you can improve.

Just as you want to use only the best tools and hire the best workers for your construction enterprise, your construction photography should be first-rate as well! A professional photographer will know how to best capture the essence of your project in a way that emphasizes its beauty, while still documenting the most important details during each phase of construction.

At Neil Boyd Photography, we have the skill, experience, and technology you need to get quality images without disrupting productivity at the work site. Contact us today for more information and to book our superior construction photography services!

Importance of Updating Your Company Headshots

How long has it been since you've updated the headshots your company uses for your website and marketing materials? If it’s been a while, you should strongly consider updating them now, and then regularly moving forward. Even if your corporate headshots looked great and represented your Raleigh-based company well when they were first taken, updating them now could prove to be very beneficial.

Here are some of the reasons why updating your company headshots is incredibly important.

Prevents your company from looking outdated

If the corporate headshots that appear on your website and marketing materials are from a few years ago, everyone may look a lot different. For example, you or your employees may be sporting outdated hairstyles and clothing in these old company headshots. You might not think this makes much difference, but in reality, it could make your website, marketing materials, and overall company look outdated. Freshening up your corporate headshots in North Carolina will bring your company back up to speed.

Reflects new roles your employees may have taken on 

The last time you invested in headshots in Raleigh, many of your employees were probably in different positions than the ones they're in today. There may very well be a handful of them that have risen through the ranks and assumed more prominent roles within your company. Do their old headshots reflect the fact that they're playing a more significant part in your company's success? Chances are, they're not. By updating your headshots, you can have these employees strike different poses that will convey different sentiments than the ones exhibited in their old headshots.

Allows a photographer to utilize the latest lighting and photography techniques

Much like other forms of technology out there, photography equipment is getting better and more advanced each year. Photographers are also learning new techniques that allow them to use the latest equipment to their advantage. That means that you can now get headshots in Raleigh that look crisper and sharper than ever before. You'll undoubtedly be able to tell the difference between headshots taken a few years ago and headshots taken in 2019.

Allows a professional headshot photographer to keep up with the latest trends

Headshot style and trends have changed considerably over the years. Gone are the days of using "old Master" backgrounds that make corporate headshots look like dated school photographs. The latest styles include modern solid backgrounds, and you'll find that even orientation is changing. Acting and Model headshots are now being shot horizontally more and more, and a lot of corporate headshots are following that trend.

Gives your company the most professional appearance possible

When all is said and done, your goal with corporate headshots should be to provide your company with the most professional look and feel. If you're relying on old headshots to get the job done, it just won't be possible. The only way to truly revitalize your website and marketing materials is by having new headshots taken of your employees.

We would love to talk with you about your own corporate headshot needs and discuss a "look" that will reflect your company is 2019. So, if you would like to obtain new corporate and executive headshots in North Carolina, allow Neil Boyd Photography to provide you with the very best headshots in the business. Call us at 919-374-0141 today or email us at neil@neilboydphotography.tv to schedule a photo shoot for your employees.