- Industrial sites are full of opportunities to create fascinating photographic imagery. Factories, shipyards, mines, and manufacturing plants are just places for industrial photography. From gritty machinery, sweaty workers, unkempt industrial landscapes, and intriguing lighting possibilities – they’ve got it all! So what makes an industrial photographer the best?
Five tips to help you find the best industrial photographer:
- Creativity – First of all, look at the respected photographer’s portfolio and ensure that you see the type of work in their portfolio that represents your industry. If you do not see samples and styles of images in an industrial setting, you are probably not getting the best industrial photographer for your market. While many excellent photographers are, it’s essential to choose a professional photographer specializing in industrial photography. Once you have found a couple of industrial photographers near you that you like, compare their portfolios and choose the best industrial photography that offers a creative edge and unique angles to their industrial photography. It takes time and talent to produce eye-catching images. The best industrial photographers will have a portfolio that stands out above the rest.
- Experience – By choosing a photographer with an industrial photography portfolio, you ensure that you are hiring someone with experience. Experience is key to selecting the best industrial photographer. It means that you are choosing someone that has been in many industrial settings and knows how to shoot industrial photography. The Best industrial photographers should offer a site visit before your shoot to take a look and see some of the challenges they may face during the shoot. The site visit allows for proper planning and a better shooting experience for the industrial photographer and the client.
- Equipment & Insurance– The best industrial photographers will have the proper equipment and liability insurance to protect themselves and their equipment on your site. The key to the right equipment for industrial photography is tricky. You want to have the powerful gear to get the job done. However, you need it to be small and compact to maneuver in some of the extreme circumstances on an industrial photoshoot. Battery-powered lighting with no cords and cables is a must on an industrial photoshoot. Cordless options help keep everyone safe. Industrial sites are often quite dark, requiring supplemental lighting. Also, the best industrial photographer will offer a variety of creative lighting techniques, often using colored gels or other camera ticks to make your industrial photography more pleasing to the eye. You want more than just a person with a camera walking around clicking a button. The best industrial photographers will take time to create images, set up lighting, find the best angles and deliver unique well-lit photos, not just grab and go pictures you might expect from one’s iPhone. You should expect the best industrial photographers to have the following equipment:
- A professional-grade camera
- A large capacity CF card or a laptop to shoot tethered
- Spare camera and batteries
- A few different lenses from wide-angle to macro for detailed shots
- Ligting epqiment that is portable and easy to maneauver
- A tripod
4. Proper Planning: The best industrial photographers will help you plan your shoot effectively. After the site visit, you should talk about your company’s goals and objectives. Then your industrial photographer can help you create a shot list ensuring you cover all the shoot details. Some other things to think about are: What do you want to photograph? New machines? New technology? Do you want to feature your employees? Which ones? Do they have proper attire? Do you need to order new company shirts for your photoshoot? You want to make sure you cover all the details in your planning meeting, so there are no surprises on the photography day. Here are some other shots you might consider adding to your industrial photography shot list.
- Workers in the factory
- Specialist machinery shots
- Manufacturing shots
- Assembly line shots
- Equipment shots
- Workers in action on site
- New equipment
- Unique skills or traits
5. Safety: Photographing industrial sites can be dangerous for you and others around you. Industrial sites and construction sites vary in terms of function and accessibility. But safety must be the number one priority at all times. Your industrial photographers should do a site visit before the shoot to plan accordingly. The best industrial photographers will often wear steel-toed shoes and protective clothing on an industrial photography site. Protective gear like hard hats and safety glasses are also another consideration for the industrial photographer, depending on the job site requirements. There are many hazards such as sharp metals, flying sparks, and fast-moving machines. Also, sometimes high elevations are a must to get the shot. Being harnessed with proper fall protection equipment protection is essential.
Why are professional industrial photographers essential?
In the end, the best industrial photographers are essential because they help companies create authentic, unique images. Original images are 95% more effective at generating leads than stock photos. In addition, clients are increasingly interested in getting to know your brand, making being transparent and trustworthy more beneficial than ever. Finally, it’s essential to give clients an impression of what to expect from your organization, from your professionalism, facilities, and specialties. Therefore, industrial photography is an excellent investment and allows customers to trust your abilities and organization.
Consumers are also becoming increasingly interested in the social, health, environmental, and safety impacts of a company’s manufacturing processes they purchase from, with 70% saying these concerns factor into their purchase decision-making process. And 78% believe how a company treats its employees is one of the best indicators of its level of trustworthiness. Hiring the best industrial photographer is also a great way to get conversations going. Consumers are curious about where their purchases come from, and unique images that tell your story feed their curiosity. The photos also make great artwork for your offices; lining the halls with quality and craftsmanship are sure to impress your potential clients as they enter your building tour your facility. So help clients make that decision by hiring only the best industrial photographer to capture industrial photos of your workplace.
