Here’s Looking at you, Kid.

Tips for the perfect baby brand photo shoot

The world today is more image lead than ever, and with apps like instagram and the instantaneous nature of social media, we are being exposed to more pictures than we can even look at, what’s more, there are more and more options for the media to choose from in terms of good photography for the editorial pages. Often if an editor is faced with similar brands, the one which will get the coverage in newspapers or magazines is the one with the best quality images.

At Clareville we have run several photo shoots for high profile baby brands, and would always advice to get this done for any baby brand wanting to shout about their products in the press, although amateur or stock photography is easily available, it is often easily identifiable and of poorer quality. We had a great day yesterday at a photoshoot for our wonderful nursery brand Kit for Kits. We are working on profiling the CEO, Jan Van Der Velde and in order to get the best possible quality and quantity of coverage…..the adage “A picture tells a thousand words” was something we understood. Jan has a gorgeous 10 month old grandson we knew that the press would love too, so pictures of the two of them together, along with the products have really brought the brand to life.

 

Here are our top tips for making the most out of a baby brands’ photo shoot:

 

Firstly make sure you have a good space to take the photographs, studios are fab, and have chosen a photographer that has shot for children’s brands before, that they are aware of all the children in the shot and have briefed you with exactly what they need you to do/bring. To get an attention-grabbing PR shot it’s important to have identified a strong story that the photographer knows about before they arrive. Leave the technical details like lighting and equipment to them but if you need particular props, clothing or even costumes for the shot make sure you have these ready to go. Check the images on the photographer’s camera as you go, don’t wait to be shown everything on a laptop at the end of the session, you’ll be able to tell early on if you’re going down the right path.

 

For the head of the company:

–          Relax, we know it is daunting walking into the bright lights of a photography shot but the more relaxed you are the better, just listen to what the photographer instructs you to do

–          Colour is your friend, wear warm bright colours with clean lines for a fresh image, patterns are usually OK, as long as they are not too fussy. Go for an open collar or t-shirt, rather than a shirt and tie for men and a pretty dress or top for ladies

–          Have either a natural background, in a garden for example, or a white background for all shots. Don’t go for a black or coloured background or close-ups, you want to be a face parents will trust….not look like a tortured genius

–          Smile, even if you think that a serious pose is more attractive, people are more likely to warm to a smiling face and so will the press

–          If your products are in the photo, have some shots with you looking at the product, people will automatically look to where you are looking on the image

–          Have a selection of profile, head and shoulders images and of you with your products

–          If there is anything you are insecure about on your face, speak to the photographer about the power of photoshop.

 

For the children and babies

–          Work at their rate, if they are tired or irritable give them some time off to play with some toys or have some food

–          Have extras, it’s useful to have extra children on standby if one model isn’t happy you can swap them around to make the most of the photographers time

–          Make sure the studio or venue is warm enough, babies feet are very cute in photos but make sure they’re not getting to cold, ask the venue to provide a portable heater if this might be an issue

–          Make sure there are extra people there to look after the child/children – at least one extra person per child

–          Have someone entertain babies behind the camera so they look the right way and smile

–          Dress the babies and children in neutral or bright colours, dungarees look especially cute on little boys and frilly dresses on girls

–          Let the children have fun with the products, the best photos come from genuine enjoyment and happiness

–          You can never bring enough, toys or colouring books for down time

 

For the products

–          Make sure that the logo is in full view

–          The media will want cut-out shots (products on their own with a white background) and lifestyle shots

–          Make sure the photographer really understands the value of the products. The best lifestyle shots have real imaginative concepts behind them, so the best results come from brainstorms where you think about how to show them in their best light.

Once the shots are done, your PR agency will be able to sell them into children’s media as well as online and national pages.

 

T: @babyville