BRAND STYLING
If you are a regular to Vintage Style Living, you will probably be familiar with Claire Naylor. Claire and I first met about eight years ago and she's been taking photographs with me and for me ever since, more regularly since I opened the shop back in 2016. Her style is very relaxed and natural and she's probably the only photographer to have taken photos of me that I actually like. Sorry to the other photographers, it's me, not you!
We work really well together too, probably because we both know how each other works and what we need to do to get the very best out of a shoot. You can never underestimate the talent of a good photographer. Just look at them next to your own iPhone images, they don't compare. The difference in our website this week is a testament to her talent.
Since the pandemic started, I knew we would have to make some changes to our business if we were to survive. The lockdown in November, one of our busiest months, was a devastating blow and with the uncertainty of not knowing when this current one will end, we have to do something.
We started off small in November by adding some products to our website available for local 'click and collect' only as we weren't set up for shipping. We had a few sales and whenever the notification came through, Amelia and I would jump and get excited about the order.
We were then allowed to open again in December (very gratefully as most of Essex were still in Tier 4) and to make up for lost time, we worked seven days a week, which left no spare time to concetrate on the website. When it was clear we were heading back into lockdown, we knew we would have to up our game and offer nationwide delivery and expand our offering. Read about our NEW COLLECTION.
There is a lot of competition online, so we had to try and make our website the very best it could be and have great images to make our products stand out. So I booked Claire for a series of shoots to take product shots, flat lays and styled shots for our website.
I was back in my element, rading my prop drawers, foraging in hedges and my Mum's house for coral, shells and driftwood. She has an enviable collection of driftwood! I shopped for fresh figs and artichokes to style with our faux fruit (artichokes are definitely non essential!) and bought pastries, fresh fruit and nice sandwiches for our shoot lunch. You always have to have a shoot lunch. The shot lists were printed and we were ready. We sanitised, we socially distanced, we wore masks and most of all, we had fun! It was great to have something exciting to focus on.
Claire and I have been talking about working together for many years and we feel the time is right. If you are just starting your business and need some help with your product photography, need to refresh the images on your website, or just want some new images for your portfolio to use on social media, let us know. We can shoot at our shop in Thaxted, at your premises or even on location when we can travel. You could even send products to us to style and photograph.
Digby Dog Wash featuring Bonkers!
If you would like further information, we can send you our Media Pack. There is a contact form on our website or do drop us a line with any questions:-
Styling - Kate, Vintage Style Living / store@vintagestyleliving.co.uk
Photography - Claire, Claire Naylor Photography / info@clairenaylorphotography.co.uk
We look forward to helping you style your brand.
All photos Claire Naylor Photography
Leave a comment