Working with national food brand to create new food photography

I have recently been working with Cauldron Foods and we've been working on a large series of images to cover the great variety of products within their range.
 
Starting with a selection of images creating different scenarios to emphasize the flavours and influences within each dish we set about creating the images for website and other marketing material.
 
Working closely with the client, advertising agency and food stylist, each image was fully researched and constructed so not only the food, but props, crockery and backgrounds reflected the finer points of the food photography brief.
 
These new images represent the back bone of the new Cauldron Foods website and facebook page etc.. and can also be seen in my food photography portfolio.
 
Working as a food photographer for the last 18 years has been a joy and I have worked with a large selection of clients from national brands such as cauldron foods, to smaller independent local producers in Leeds and across the Yorkshire region and UK.
 
Phillip Shannon is a Professional Photographer with over 18 years experience in the commercial sector and has a large ranging portfolio, Phillip Shannon can deliver hard working images to you without fuss and to a budget to suit your particular needs.
 

The portfolios cover Food Photography, Product Photography, Jewellery Photography, Creative Photography, People Photography, Location & Interiors Photography
 
All images here & on the main portfolio site www.phillipshannonphotography.com are subject to copyright and must not be downloaded, copied or pinned without prior consent from Phillip Shannon Photography.

Contact Leeds based Photographer Phillip Shannon Today. 
0113 240 9982 or 07984 020 955

New food photographs for social enterprise business.

Roasted Vegetables and couscous

Vegetarian pizza

Here are the shots from a recent shoot for a social enterprise business.

I have worked with this business over a number of years. They deliver cookery classes for beginners, and for their new website, we embarked upon a series of food images to illustrate the cookery classes and the recipes which will be carried out.

As a food photographer, one of the most important factors is to tell the story that's within the picture as quickly as possible, particularly in the retail or commercial sector or here when the brief was to see as much of the food as possible to enable the new cookery class pupil to see what is is they would be making when they enroll on the course.

Working in commercial photography in Leeds brings a great variety of work in front of my camera and food shoots are a real favorite ( well, who wouldn't want to work with food? )

If you are a food business and are looking to produce new food images for your website, online menu etc.. then please get in touch via the website: http://www.phillipshannonphotography.com/contact.php

All images here & on the main portfolio site are subject to copyright. ©Phillip Shannon and must not be copied, downloaded, saved or pinned without written permission.

Take a look at the existing portfolio to see more examples of my food photography projects and lets have a chat about your project.
http://www.phillipshannonphotography.com/portfolio/food-and-drink.php

Thanks for stopping by.

Jewellery Photography

I've had my jewellery photographer hat on quite a bit recently, and here are some of the shots to come out of recent projects.

Stop by the full portfolio if you'd like to see more: http://www.phillipshannonphotography.com/

All images here & on the main portfolio site are subject to copyright. ©Phillip Shannon and must not be copied, downloaded, saved or pinned without written permission.

Keeping one step ahead with commercial photography.

In recent weeks I have been involved with a multitude of clients and projects, working in studio and on location.

This mix of photography is very much welcomed and dealing with a different set of photographic puzzles is what commercial photography is all about.

A common thread through these projects for the clients was one of ” keeping one step ahead “

All of them realised that producing high quality commercial shots of their products was an integral part of their overall marketing plan.

We are often told we live in a 24/7 global village, blah, blah, blah, but actually for any business whether you are in Leeds or Los Angeles presenting your business website in a professional manner to your local audience is a vital element on how well your business website or brochure performs.

Another common element in my work has been the needs of the clients to keep the images on their website refreshed and up to date, when new product lines become available.

As a consumer you will know how interesting it is to visit a retail website that is updated on a regular basis with new products on show, new offers and discounts. Also how turned off we are, when a website seems to offering the same products, for the same costs with little or no offers visible.

Keeping your products looking attractive to existing and probably more importantly new customers is achievable only with professional commercial photography.

Commercial photographs that are used on your website or in your business brochure that do not convey the products or services that you offer in a professional manner will seriously degrade your offering to the potential customers who may be interested in doing business with you.

Keep them on board with professional photography.

Phillip Shannon is a Professional Photographer with over 17 years experience in the commercial sector, the website here shows a large ranging portfolio, anything from Food photography to product shots and location interiors of your business premisses.

Phillip Shannon can deliver hard working images to you without fuss and to a budget to suit your particular needs.

Contact Leeds based Photographer Phillip Shannon Today.

0113 240 9982 or 07984 020 955

The portfolios cover Food Photography, Product & Still Life Photography, Jewellery Photography,  Creative Photography, People Photography, Location & Interiors Photography

All images here & on the portfolio website are © Phillip Shannon and should not be copied, downloaded or published in any way without prior arrangement with Phillip Shannon Photography.

How to use Product Photography to Increase sales

Product photography is all around us, in fact it has become so common place that in a way we do not notice it.

We are bombarded by thousands of images everyday, TV, magazines, internet. The internet now accounts for one of the largest areas of visual input, particularly now, as more and more of us use the internet on the move via smart phones. This is nothing new I hear you cry, but the impact of how the image is seen & used in the promotion is now more important than ever.

Standing out from the crowd has always been a mantra many businesses use, but now the entry level for image standards has been raised much higher than what was, say 5 years ago.

Creating a professional look to the photography that represents your business is vital to the success it has in engaging your customer.

The rewards from using professional imagery on your business website or brochure is tenfold compared to using poor amateur shots which will only have a negative effect on the customer experience.

Professional Photographers are highly skilled at taking a simple object, a companies product and expertly photographing it so that it answers the photographic brief.

If you take a simple object such as a bottle of beer or packet of crisps for example, some may think this is an everyday item, and it must be straight forward to shoot?. People may perceive it to be an easy thing got do in many cases and business owners may even attempt to shoot product photography themselves as they have access to a digital camera.

Photographing a glass bottle must allow the viewer to believe that it is a real glass bottle, not an illustration, and also be able to clearly read the label of the product.

If you have ever tried to photograph anything in glass or plastic packaging, then you will know that controlling highlights, mid tones and shadows is where the photographer skill is shown to its best.

Here you can see examples of simple and more creative product and pack shot photography.

© Phillip Shannon Photography www.phillipshannonphotography.com

© Phillip Shannon Photography www.phillipshannonphotography.com

Phillip Shannon is a Professional Photography with over 16 years experience in the commercial sector and a large ranging portfolio, Phillip Shannon can deliver hard working images to you without fuss and to a budget to suit your particular needs.

Contact Phillip Shannon today for a free quote for your next photography project.

The portfolios cover Food Photography, Product Photography, Jewellery Photography,  Creative Photography, People Photography, Location & Interiors Photography.


Visit the main portfolio site here: http://www.phillipshannonphotography.com/

Based in Leeds Yorkshire, Phillip can provide studio or location photography at your place of business.

Make the right impression in 2013. Review the photography for your business

Make the right impression in 2013.

At the beginning of a New Year, people often make resolutions to change or improve something in their life, this can be also a great time to review your business as well.

Reviewing how your business looks to the outside world is a healthy business stand point.

Recent reports on the challenging and tough times for many retailers and businesses across the UK seem to point to one outcome. Those companies which adapt their business model, embrace new technology or new ways of selling and communicating with their customers are the ones which will have a more positive position in the future.

Online selling or having an online presence is vital to communicating with your customers and clients.

The photographic images which represent your business are the first tool you can use in your online offering.

When people are navigating the web, they are attracted by the visual and the images which catch their eye will be the ones which will keep the interest of the new customer long enough so they can continue to read about you, your business and products or services.

Poor representation of your products or business in general, through poor photography will mean the customer will often skip past your website and move onto the next.

Follow these simple steps to reviewing your business photography.

• How long did you last update the images on your website?.
Images should be updated at least every quarter or when new products or services are available.

• Do the images sell you products well?, do they tell the correct story?

• Using a Professional Photographer will add value to your business, look up it as an investment in the future success of your business.

• Stand out from the crowd. Your competitors will have the upper hand if they use professional photography and you don't.

• Use a Photographer whose portfolio you like and who can advise on your particular need s for the images you require. An experienced photographer will be able to talk you through what you need and what you don't need.


Phillip Shannon is a Professional Photography with over 16 years experience in the commercial sector and a large ranging portfolio, Phillip Shannon can deliver hard working images to you without fuss and to a budget to suit your particular needs.

The portfolios cover Food Photography, Product Photography, Jewellery Photography,  Creative Photography, People Photography, Location & Interiors Photography.


Visit the main portfolio site here: http://www.phillipshannonphotography.com/ All images are ©Phillip Shannon and must not be copied, downloaded, pinned without expression written permission from Phillip Shannon.

Based in Leeds, Yorkshire. Phillip can provide studio photography to clients in the region and also location services here and across the UK.

Your 3 point plan to a successful product photography shoot

The Art of Product and Still life Photography

If you run a retail or product based business, you need to communicate effectively, efficiently and in a lot on online situations, quickly.

Using some simple steps to your businesses marketing and advertising can reap great rewards.

Professional photographers use the experience gained over many years and have a set of skills which are geared towards maximizing the "sale" of the image on your website page, or other printed marketing material.

This can be an area of your business marketing which may be overlooked, as it may seem out of reach for a small business due to budgetary constraints but in the fast moving world of online selling, it is the visual impact of the product which will help your products leap off the page, and more importantly, sell

The ability to photograph an inanimate object is not as straight forward as it first may seem.

The Three main areas to consider are:

1. The actual merchandise in front of the camera, this needs to be assessed by a trained eye, so that the most effective camera angle and lens choice is used.

2. The professional lighting equipment & techniques used by commercial photographers are a vital ingredient in setting the scene and create the right atmosphere to the shot.

3. Background choice is also vital to the successful packshot or product photograph being achieved. The product or merchandise itself will determine a complimentary background, such as a rustic wooden surface for some artistic food image, or maybe a natural surface of stone or such like to contrast a jewellery item. It maybe that a neutral background is used, professional photographers in Leeds and around the UK will use this particularly when shooting for product cutout shots or pack shots as they are often called.

Phillip Shannon is a Professional Photographer, based in Leeds West Yorkshire. Studio and location photography service if provided for all business types across Leeds and the Yorkshire region and the UK.

An award winning photographer with over 16 years experience in the commercial photography business, Phillip has been commissioned for a huge variety of advertising assignments over his career. As a Food Photographer Phillip has produced mouth watering images for food businesses across the Yorkshire region and for multiple uses such as websites and printed brochures.

Visit the main portfolio website to view more of the photographers work. http://www.phillipshannonphotography.com/

How popular cook books use food photographers as their main ingredient.

With the Christmas book market beginning to gather pace, one of the most popular areas will be the cook book.

The ongoing rise of the celebrity chef and the inevitable book make these publications a top choice for a Christmas gift.

Phillip Shannon - Professional Commercial Food Photography

Each chef often accompanied by their own particular TV show will attract a certain section of the viewing public.

If you have ever bought or been given one of these cook books, you are as much buying into the celebrity persona and life view as much as the actual food they cook.

When turning the pages of these books you will note that all have taken advantage of using a professional food photographer.

Turning a recipe into mouth watering image is the job of the pro photographer and almost certainly a food stylist and art director/client too.

Professional food photographers will have many years experience in studio and location photography to call upon when dealing with food products for advertising and publication.

Throughout Leeds, one of the largest cities in the UK, professional commercial photographers and studios offer food shoots as part of their services.

Phillip Shannon, a commercial photographer based in Leeds has over 16 years professional studio and location photography project experience. This experience means that your food shoot will be handled with care and delivered to you on time and to a budget that suits your needs.

After many years in the photographic industry, Phillip Shannon has experienced many, many different kinds of photo shoot, product photography, pack shots, food, jewellery are all aspects of the portfolios displayed on the website.

If you are looking for a food photographer, whether you are based in Leeds or from further afield across the Yorkshire region or UK, Phillip Shannon can offer you an award winning, experienced, straight forward and down to earth approach for your next professional food photography shoot.


Please visit the main food website portfolio here http://www.phillipshannonphotography.com/portfolio/food-and-drink.php
All the images here on the photographers blog, and on the main portfolio website are © Phillip Shannon and no material should be copied, downloaded, reproduced, pinned or saved without express permission from 
Phillip Shannon Photography.

Leading Jewellery & Watch Retailer commissions Commercial Photographer

The above Images are ©Phillip Shannon Photography and should not be downloaded, reproduced, copied or pinned without express permission from Phillip Shannon Photography

I was recently commissioned to produce a series of projects by a leading jeweller in the UK.

It was a great pleasure in being chosen to complete the work after working closely with the company to formulate a shooting schedule which not only produced the finished images in good time, but also produced a step forward in the image quality which represented the products for the new aspect for the business.

Working with clients to achieve a positive step forward in the quality of the images that represent their business is a key aspect of being a Commercial Photographer.

Many companies need a professional photographer to promote their products and services on their website and as an experienced commercial photographer working in Leeds and the Yorkshire region I have been involved with a great variety of projects covering Jewellery Photography, Product Photography and Food Photography.

Above you can see an example of one of the photographs produced for the business.

The first stage was to produce the product image as a cut out shot, this process of photography is called this, as the original background is removed, or cut out, in post production.

This is how the jeweller required the images for the e-commerce site. I then, in post production as an alternative to the original shot for my portfolio page, added a black background and a pattern to compliment the watch itself.

Cut out photographs and pack shot photography are often words used to describe the type of commercial photography that a business needs to advertise and promote certain products. This may be for a new venture,  or new offer that the business may be running, what's important here is that the final images work hard to promote the product itself but also the business as a whole, as high quality images always succeed in selling themselves and many business report of increased sales when commissioning a professional photographer.

Please take a look at the Jewellery Portfolio to see more examples.

When you visit my main portfolio website, please also take a look around the other portfolios too, Food Photography, Still life & Product Photography, Creative Photography, People Photography, Locations & Interiors Photography.

I am a commercial photographer in Leeds and work in studio and across the Yorkshire region and the north of England on location producing high quality photography for businesses of all types. Please call or email today to discuss your next commercial photography project.

Helping food businesses connect with customers through professional photography

It is no doubt that any business needs a positive connection with its customers, whether you are a small local store or a city centre office your business success depends upon new and existing customers coming through the door or somehow purchasing your product or service.

In the food industry one of the great ways to connect with new customers is through trade shows, exhibitions, or even you're own open day.

As we look at the year before us, a great deal of food exhibitions, trade shows, food fairs and local events are taking place from Leeds to Los Angeles.

A great deal of variety exists in the world of trade shows, from the mega-complex's of a national exhibition space, to rural or local events where only a handful of stall holders are involved, whatever the event is, the ambition for your food business should be the same.

    1.    What are the fundamentals about my product that I need to convey
    2.    How do I communicate that to my customer
    3.    If I am selling at the show, is my price point competitive
    4.    How do I retain my customers long term
    5.    Do my competitors have a more successful product?, if so, why?

Needless to say the list could go on, but these 5 points are made for you to look at your food business and ask questions about how you communicate with the lifeblood of your business - your customer.

A food business in Leeds, Yorkshire can take advantage of the wealth of commercial expertise around them to evolve and promote their business through a series of channels. One is design and marketing and the other is Food Photography.

As a food photographer Phillip Shannon is well experienced in producing food images that sell your product online or in-store through point of sale, brochure or catalogue. Over many years and hundreds of studio and location shoots, the experience gained equals a very successful shoot for your food enterprise.

If this is the first time you've visited my blogger page please click the link to my portfolio site & take a while to view the other areas including all of the portfolios.

Phillip Shannon is a professional photographer based in Leeds Yorkshire and can offer full studio facilities or a location photography service at your business address.

Areas covered in the UK include Leeds, Bradford, Wetherby, York & Harrogate, and further afield. Location photography is handled across the UK to suit your needs.

Product Photography

A few days have passed since the last post, as the studio has been very busy with product photography. A range of items have been in front of the camera from handmade soaps to cakes and ginger bread men.

The task has been the same with all the clients, that is to get the most out of the products to fulfill the needs of their business. This is a really important aspect of the commercial photographers lot, to tune into what the client needs the images to do is what makes for a successful professional product photography shoot.

My other tasks over the last week has also to look at the creative and food photography section of my portfolio, I'm planning on entering the Pink lady Food photographer of the year competition so I'm really looking forward to putting my images together for that.

Creative Photography section added

I've posted a section all about creative photography, please take a look while you are here.

Creative photography can be approached as a skill set for any professional photography project.

There will always be different levels of creativity and that is dependent upon many factors. A simple cut out shot for example of a box of cornflakes may not need the same complexity of approach as a portfolio piece, or an exhibition photograph.

Whatever the project is, when it comes to using photography for your business, the image needs to work hard for you, to pay for itself, yes, but also to promote your brand and company and help you achieve your ambitions.

I have many years experience in producing photography for business, so please stop by my website and take a look if you require a studio or location photographer in Leeds, Yorkshire or around the UK.

Very Frosty in Leeds Yorkshire today

©Phillip Shannon - Professional Photographer Leeds, Yorkshire

Well we certainly felt winters icing grip this morning, one of the first real icy and frosty morning's so far this winter.

I love seeing how simple things, like in the garden change so much when the light is crisp, and clear and how everything is touched beautifully by the sub zero temperatures.

As a commercial photographer, we are often asked to create creative images from simple scenes or products, so I hope you like the image above.

3 Steps to a successful product photography shoot

Product Photographer Leeds Yorkshire UK

The Art of Product and Still life Photography.

If you run a business, you are selling a product or a service.

You need to communicate effectively, efficiently and in a lot on online situations, quickly.

Using some simple approaches to your business marketing can reap great rewards.

Professional photographers use their experience and a set of skills which are geared towards maximizing the "sale" of the image on your website page, or other printed marketing material.

This can be an area of your business marketing which may be overlooked, but in the fast moving world of online selling, it is the visual impact of the product which will help your product leap off the page.

The ability to photograph an inanimate object is not as straight forward as it first may seem.

The Three main areas to consider are:

• The actual merchandise in front of the camera needs to be assessed by a trained eye, so that the most effective camera angle is used.

• The professional lighting techniques and equipment used by commercial photographers are a vital ingredient to making a successful product shoot.

• Background choice is the third main ingredient to the successful packshot being achieved. The product or merchandise will determine a complimentary background, or it maybe that a neutral background is used, professional photographers in Leeds and around the UK will use this particularly when shooting for cutout shots.

Phillip Shannon is a Professional Photographer. Based in Leeds West Yorkshire.

As a commercial photographer in Leeds the variety of your photographers experience must be high and the ability to produce effective award winning calibre images need to be on your wish list.

Phillip Shannon is an award winning photographer with over 16 years experience in the commercial photography business, and has been commissioned for a huge variety of advertising assignments over the years.

The portfolio site shows a great variety of commissioned product work, from food photography, still life and cut out shots, to jewellery and products of all kinds shot on location.


Visit the portfolio site here http://www.phillipshannonphotography.com/

What to expect on your professional photography shoot

If you are booking a session with a photographer then there are certain things which you would expect, and also there are certain things which will be expected of you too.

The photography shoot is definitely a two way process between the client ( that's you ) and the photographer.

Planning and preparing well, is the key to success. Most people who are used to working within this environment will use a photographic brief to communicate the ideas and plan to the photographer for the shoot well in advance of the shoot date.

If you are new to planning professional photography, whether you are based in Leeds or London the process is easily adapted to your particular needs.

1. What is it you need to photograph.
2. How will it be shot, is there a style to follow, or technical criteria to fulfill.
3. Where?, in studio or on location?
4. If in studio do the items need to be assembled, or prepared prior to the shoot.
5. If on location, does the environment need to be prepped or adapted to suit.

Once the shoot is under way, normally an approval process would need to be agreed first. Ideally the person who can make the ultimate decision to whether or not the image is correct should be on the shoot, if this is not possible then another person should be appointed in their place, or again if this is not possible someone on the end of an email who can approve.This process cuts down the need for projects to be re-staged.

Using professional photographers in Leeds and Yorkshire is a great way to get your products and services noticed by the wider world. The best way to take advantage of this time is to prepare well.

The professional photography process is very powerful and is an investment to your business. Take the time to consider the whole process and the results you will achieve will give the marketing and promotion to your business the upper hand over your competitors.

Phillip Shannon is a professional photographer in Leeds, and will work with you to arrive at a budget which suits your project.

Please take a look at the online portfolios. They cover, Food  Still Life & Product  Jewellery  Creative  People  Locations & Interiors photography

The photography of your product can be taken in studio in Leeds or on location at your business address. Areas covered include Leeds, Bradford, Wetherby, York & Harrogate, and further afield.

Location photography is handled across the UK to suit your needs.

Contact Phillip Shannon, Professional Photographer based in Leeds for your next commercial photography project.