When to buy and when not to buy photos from the photobank.

Photo banks are almost a part of our lives and besides paid ones you can also find quality photos on free photo banks. One of the reasons why people choose to buy from photo banks is the fast availability and many times the price.

For example, you are creating a website or a flyer and you need a photo right away. And in the photo bank you have it in print quality. If you don't mind that photos from photo banks can also appear in your competitors, then this is an easy and cheap way to get a good photo.

Of course there are a few drawbacks. By downloading photos from a photo library, millions of other people will be invaded. By doing so, you don't have original content, and clients will never associate the photo with your service or product.

Another exclamation point is licenses. In a photo agency, you never check if the author of the photo is the one providing the photo for purchase, and you also don't know if the person in the photo has given permission. It could easily happen that you build a brand on a photo from a photo library, but the author signs up for it and you have to download the photo or pay extra for the copyright.

In your defense, there are of course photo agencies that verify this, but then the cost can equal the cost of taking your photos. Here photos start from $300 depending on the license

Having your photos taken is of course the best way to go. You'll not only control the quality, licensing, model releases, brand standard but also the assurance that the photos won't appear elsewhere.

As a photographer, I of course recommend that you have your photos taken, but if you need a photo quickly, contact a vetted photo agency and read carefully how you can use the photo.

What you can find in photo banks.

Actually almost everything, from product photos, advertising photos, illustration photos, landscape photos and food photos.

Advantages of photos from photo banks.

• Quick access to photos.

• Price.

• Wide selection of photos.

• Some photo banks offer free photos just for tagging the photographer.

• Great for use on mockups.

Disadvantages:

• Not original photos, your competitors may use them.

• Anyone can buy them.

• You don't know who really owns the rights to provide the photos.

It's up to your discretion whether it's appropriate and profitable for you. For example, we use photos from photo banks to create moodboards for presenting a project to a client.

I sell some of the photos on photobanks myself as they have a wide range of uses, you can take a look here.

Hiring a professional photographer is not equal to the price and originality of a photo bank. Everything has its pros and cons. Wish you luck in choosing both.

New podcast not only for photographers

We've been thinking for a long time about whether to do a podcast or not. But now is the time when we have more time and we have reserved that time for the podcast.

Photography as a craft is a podcast for all photography lovers, those who make a living at it or are just thinking about it but also for other creatives. My wife Lu and I will share with you our experiences in the business of photography and no topic will be taboo.

I believe the podcast will help not only photographers, creatives but also as inspiration in life and business.

We don't want to just splash on the void, but use the years of experience as a professional photographer so you don't have to repeat my mistakes.

The Photography as a Craft podcast comes out every Wednesday afternoon on many platforms. So I believe we will satisfy the discerning listener.

We would like to make the podcast interactive and you can post your questions and experiences on the website www.fotkajakoremeslo.cz or under www.fotkajakoremeslo.cz

We look forward to your feedback

How to present yourself with photos

Digitalisation is moving the world and is this year's theme of the Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. Whatever business you are in, you will have encountered the need to present your service product or you personally in some way. Have you looked at the competition in your industry and want those photos too? Have you wondered how these photos are created and how much work goes behind it? I've been in commercial photography for over seven years, and we've put together an overview of how to better present yourself and when photos from your phone and when photos from a professional come in handy. Here we go.

Favorlogic - Design by U1

Who you are shooting for and where you will present the photos is the first important question.

If you don't have a website, it's almost as if it doesn't exist, and whether you choose to present on other social networks is up to you. You have to decide where your clientele is, whether you find them on Facebook or have a younger audience on Instagram, whose you extend your reach on YouTube and show the product in action. Text information is simply not enough and customers need to see the product before they buy. You need to know who your client is not only for targeting purposes but also because otherwise you will be taking photos for the corporate, others for farmers and others for teenagers.

Photos are not everything.

As much as I'd like to say it, quality photos aren't everything. Together with quality service, quality product, a nice responsive website and text, photos make up the mosaic of marketing. Unfortunately, today it's not enough to put out a sign or instagram photos and wait for orders.

Photos are often the icing on the cake, but without them it's hard to sell.

Consistency is king.

I mean visual consistency. If you want to reach clients, the first thing they notice is whether you have different quality photos on your website or social media. If one photo is from a phone and the other is from a photographer, clients will definitely notice. That's why it's a good idea to determine which direction to go in at the beginning. And most importantly, what to put out into the world. Consistency is also about photo editing. Today there are apps and filters to help us do this. Choose one filter that you like and use that. This will make your photo content look consistent.

The weakest link in the chain.

Although it doesn't seem like it, clients evaluate the whole based on the weakest photo. We often see clients spend tens of thousands on quality photos, but leave the ones from their phone on the site (to stretch it a bit). Do you know where the mistake is yet? Clients are scrolling through the many uploaded photos in the gallery and suddenly see the worse ones. Often times this creates distrust not only in the product, the service, but in the merchant itself. And it can even happen that you lose a client. So choose what you show people and what you don't. Sometimes less is more.

A product on a white background is not passé.

If you sell products don't be afraid to take pictures and show them on a white background. The advantage of this style of photography is that you are able to shoot them pretty quickly yourself. All you need is a white background and plenty of sunlight. However, if you are not happy with white, you can easily change the background color and the photos will get a unique touch.

Košík.cz

Don't be afraid of advertising photography.

Advertising photography is ultimately any photography that aims to sell a product or service. For social networking, you are able to shoot it yourself. Show how the product works. How people enjoy your service. By giving clients inspiration of what's possible, they'll be happy to try it out. For photo shoots, just wait for the right time of day to capture the mood. Usually that's before sunset.

Rayyan Water

Video over photo?

Even video has its place in the sun. If you choose to showcase yourself on Instagram, adding a video will bring your profile to life. Likewise, instastories love short videos. The advantage is that you can simply make the video yourself. Think about what part of the production or some process is interesting to the viewer and show it. This will bring your company closer to your customers and they will get the feeling that you know each other. For example, we are fans of the cinemagraph, which is a photo with a moving part.

Where do you take the photos ?

Let's not kid ourselves, most of the time the budget decides where and how to take photos.

Make sure you have an idea of how much money you are willing to invest in your photos and based on that decide on the option.

You will get the photos from the supplier.

One option is to have the supplier provide the photographs. This is the cheapest option. If you are reselling products, this is common practice. Here, however, watch out for copyright. This means that you need the photographer's permission to use the photos on the site.

You take the photo yourself.

Today, technology allows many things and this is one of the options. And if you are into photography then this is just an advantage. You can definitely at least take your own photos on social media.

Authentic content tends to be the best.

Photos from customers. Here again a great option for social networking. If your clients are sharing photos of themselves on social media and you can repost them then this is great advertising. For one thing, you have authentic photos and the sharing still promotes the reputation of your service or product.

If it's big, it's with a professional photographer.

Hiring a photographer tends to be the most expensive option, but on the other hand, you're ordering one to make your photos look professional and, most importantly, to sell.

If you work in the restaurant or hospitality industry, then a quality photographer is a must. You need your space to jump out at onlookers in a flood of photos and invite them to visit the place. Don't be afraid to tell the photographer what you envision, the more he or she knows your vision and goals, the better the photos will work out for you.

Vinařství Obelisk

There is no photographer like a photographer.

If you choose to shoot with a photographer, it is better to choose based on recommendations or their portfolio. If one photographer took your children's photos and you were happy with them, it doesn't mean they will shoot your hotel just as well. every photographer specializes and choose them accordingly.

Recommended books on photography

Photography forNeva

I admit I'm not a big reader and rather than lying in books you'll find me in front of the monitor watching photography tutorials and news from my favorite photographers like Mike Kelley, Scott Hargis and Erik Almas.

I've been thinking about what books I would recommend to aspiring photographers and professional photographers alike. To be not only helpful but also inspiring.

The first one I thought of is this one:

Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World - Gary Vaynerchuk

Social Media Intersection. I don't even know if the book is in English anymore, but even in English it's an easy read. Although it is not directly about photography you will find inspiration for what visual content companies use. In addition, you will find descriptions of the most important social networks and what's more examples of good and bad social media posts. For each post you will find a commentary on why and what is good in the post. Good inspiration, but I read it for a long time, I couldn't absorb a lot of information so quickly. For me a timeless book, I recommend it.

The world of photography is not only about shooting technique but also about sales and copyright. And that's why every professional photographer should add this knowledge. Be it through podcasts, books or personal meetings.

Hotel Kings Court

Restart: A Guide to Entrepreneurial Minimalism - Jason Fried, David H. Hansson

It doesn't matter if you've been in business for a long time or are a complete beginner. This book will show you how to get started, but also the problems you may encounter in the course of your business. Even after a few years in both, it's good to brush up on the basics and get inspired if necessary. It led me back to good thoughts and actions that you miss after a while. Just reboot the mindset. Definitely this book should not be missing on an entrepreneur's shelf.

I would also like to personally recommend the book On the Loose by Robert Vlach, but I haven't had the pleasure of reading it yet.

In the field of copyright I recommend two publications. In fact, it should be required reading for every creative.

Photography and Law - Martin Valoušek

Here is a full description with practical examples of how the law works and what to look out for. An important part is selling licenses and rights. And what you can afford in relation to photography and even what you can afford to take pictures of. Because you also need permission to take pictures of people and buildings.

This publication is perfectly complemented by the book Copyright in Questions and Answers by Petr Šulc and Aleš Bartos. Because they answer the most common legal questions with regard to photography law.

Now the photography books should be coming up, as I announced at the beginning there weren't many of them, but I have two that caught my eye at the beginning of the shoot.

Jirka Král

External flash by John Denton and Adam Duckworth. The book highlights the types of flashes and lights and is an ideal overview for the beginner on how to work with lights. The book covers most styles of photography and how to deal with light through color and post production. I wouldn't recommend it to advanced photographers, but rather to beginners who want an overview.

Christian Bloch's HDRI for Photographers and Computer Graphics will appeal to anyone who has a desire to learn how to work with HDR whether in nature or architecture photography. However, don't expect a tutorial on how to properly photograph architecture or nature. But you will get complete information on what HDR is, how to shoot it and how to set it up in post-production. Color control is an important part and even how to shoot HDR for 3D graphics even using a reflective sphere. Especially if you are into technical details and numbers this book will captivate you and satisfy your number and spreadsheet cravings.

I hope that your library will expand by a few pieces and what's more that your overview will expand as well. That is why we have created this Facebook group not only for professional photographers but for all those who want to break into the field of professional photography. And we will be happy to welcome you there too.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/349529365714162/