Commercial Photography: 5 Things Your Graphic Designer Wishes You Knew About Photographs

by Deborah Proctor

In this increasingly visual world, where photography is key to graphic design in marketing, we wanted to better understand how to make a lasting impression with graphic design photography. Callie Reger, a graphic designer at a marketing agency that specializes in direct marketing in both digital and print media, agreed to share her knowledge and insight. Callie's work involves large companies with existing marketing teams that tap into her firm's niche strengths, as well as smaller businesses that use the firm as consultants for every aspect of their business marketing strategy.

"Choosing images for client campaigns is OUR NUMBER ONE DAILY STRUGGLE," Callie explained. "Traditional as well as social media platforms like Pinterest and Facebook demand strong photography and  graphic design that is equally about appearance as it is about functionality. Yet, designers rarely get quality client-provided photography."

Callie shared these FIVE COMMON MISTAKES that graphic design clients - large and small - make when submitting marketing photographs:

1) Sending low quality photos taken from their smart phones or pocket digital cameras
"The low quality of these images makes them a poor choice for any application. Ideally, a graphic designer wants a TIFF file, at least 300 dpi, that will facilitate any needed retouching and color correction and still maintain a quality image. JPEGS have been compressed to reduce the file size of the image — retouching can still be done but there is not as much detailed information.  We can always compress an image, but we can't enhance what isn't there."

2) Pulling a generic image off a "Google search"
"Internet images are a very low quality. Even more importantly, though, you never know where those images came from - or whether you can obtain a license to use them commercially." You certainly don't want to be the children's facility that inadvertently used the photo of an abducted child on their marketing flyer. (Yes - this actually happened!)

3) Believing that Photoshop can fix EVERYTHING
"Photoshop® is a powerful program, however it has its limitations when working with poorly composed, compressed, or low resolution images. We can usually crop things out and adjust the image but we can't magically reattach limbs or rebuild a structure that has been left out of the shot."

4) Using stock photography where custom photography would be more effective
"When our client does not provide a collection of quality images suitable for different layouts, we can use images from stock photo agencies. However, a generic stock photo, though taken by a professional, may not be an accurate representation of our client's actual situation. Stock imagery might connect with the consumer on the direct mail piece, but not match their expectations when they walk in the door. There is also the risk of creating confusion in the minds of potential clients by using a photo that one of your competitors may also use."

5) Thinking professional custom photography is too expensive
"When the goal is to sell the uniqueness of our client to the consumer, it is often more cost effective to hire a photographer to create a custom collection of images. A professional photographer has the technical skill to use the elements of art and well staged lighting to carefully craft high quality marketing images that will set your business apart from the competition."

When asked to share the one piece of advice she would give her clients if they want a good graphic design marketing piece, Callie replied,"To be seen as a professional, it is important to create a professional first impression...It's worth the investment to hire a professional photographer who will create striking, high quality photography that will translate well to print marketing materials and web applications and  thus attract clients."

We thank Callie for taking to time to share these tips for selecting images for future graphic design marketing pieces.

Thinking about your commercial photography needs? Contact us today for a consultation - we can help you stand out from your competitors and create a lasting impression for your customers. 

Marketing Your Business: Who Is Your Visual Protagonist?

by Deborah Proctor

Protagonist is defined as "chief actor,"  "one who plays the first part," or "one who plays the leading role" in a novel, movie, play, or other fictional medium. When marketing your business, creating your small business advertising plan or choosing photography for small businesses, it is important to think about who will be your protagonist and how you will tell your company's story not only in words but visually.

Think of a few iconic marketing protagonists that we are all familiar with. Characters like "Flo;" as soon as you see her blue headband and white apron you recognize her as the Progressive Insurance® spokesperson. Or when you see a photo of the Travelocity® roaming gnome nestled in some idyllic location, do you wonder where in the world he is and how you'd like to be in that picture too?  And, what if I say "gecko." Do you say "GEICO®?"

Sometimes the company protagonist is simply a logo — think of Target®, Nike®, or Pepsi®— did you picture the red and white bull’s-eye, the "swoosh," or the red, white, and blue circle? Or even just a single color, such as the orange used for ING® Financial Services? No words necessary. Visual storytelling at work.

For non-profits and medium or small business advertising and marketing though, the owner, CEO, or founder may become the "face" of your company. You may hang your name on just one product and that becomes the image of your company. Can a product itself be the visual protagonist? Yes! But it must take on a persona of its own. Or perhaps you choose to use customer testimonials for marketing your business. Each of these is a protagonist – the leading subject that tells your organization's story.

Yet, remember that the protagonist "plays the leading role." Choose your starring character and how you present it to your audience wisely. Think of an amateurish customer testimonial commercial you’ve seen in the past. Did it make you think highly of the company presenting that message, or did you wonder if perhaps they might be just as unprofessional as their spokesperson?

Before you create that first marketing piece, think carefully about the visual image you wish to impress on a potential customer's mind. Then, intentionally set out to create that visual image and project it in every ad, every marketing message, and on every product you create. But most importantly, think of your visual protagonist as a character. What does it do? Think? Avoid? As an example, the Horribly Hilly Hundreds bike tour leveraged its visual protagonist – a Viking (which ties in with the tagline, “Biking like a Viking,”), by commissioning a series of commercial photographs by Focal Flame Photography featuring a 2 in.-tall Viking doll named Bram placed in different sponsor’s businesses. It made for a compelling social media contest where participants guessed the location to win a prize. (And boy, are miniature Viking dolls demanding models…always taking breaks for “hair and makeup” and demanding ale – whew!) 

Humans are a visual lot, that is why the Travelocity® gnome or the Nike® "swoosh" do not need any words to go with them. You want to create the same instant recognition, so when creating your advertising and marketing materials, choose high quality, professional photography for small businesses to make your story come alive in potential customer's minds. A picture truly IS worth a thousand words.

Sure, there are many stock images available online, but were any of those images designed to tell your story? Will they create that memorable connection in a potential customer's mind when they see the same image in someone else's advertising too? Not likely. They might even be the same stock images that your competitor is using, which can dilute brand recognition.

When you take the time to "plot your story," truly thinking about the image you wish to project, and then deliberately create that image through a smart tag line and photography specific to your company, you will stand out from the crowd. Like that gecko, you will create a memory in the viewer's mind that is unique to your company alone. That visual  image — the one that shouts your company's brand and yours alone — that is your protagonist and you can only get that with professional images created just for you.

Focal Flame Photography is in the visual storytelling business. On any commercial photography assignment, before we make a single image, we spend time with you, get to know your plans, your goals, help you select your protagonist, and plot out the story you wish to tell. Then we set about telling your story in expressive, compelling images. Using imagery with high stopping power will enhance your marketing message and capture the attention of viewers. To learn more or to discuss how Focal Flame photography for small businesses can help you enhance your business image, contact us.

In every story there is a protagonist — who or what is yours? Share your experiences!

SportCrafters Omnium: Bike Trainer for All

by Deborah Proctor

Focal Flame Photography had the honor of creating a media library of commercial photographs for SportCrafters, a Granger, IN-based cycling products company dedicated to designing and manufacturing trainers and bike accessories. While creating images to support the product launch of the Omniumbike trainer, we were fascinated to learn more about the Omnium and the flexibility that it offers to cyclists.

If you are among the relatively small percentage of cyclists who use roller trainers, you already know what "rollers" can do to improve technique, power, efficiency, and handling skills. You might even wish you could take your trainer on the road with you for warm-ups before every race.

 If you are a novice or intermediate cyclist though, just racing for the thrill on weekends, you may wonder, "What is so important about a pre-race warm up?"

Sarah Houser, marketing manager at SportCrafters, one of the premier manufacturers of cycling,trike, and hand cycle trainers and accessories, explains, "Taking the time to warm up before a race and achieving, in that warm up, the maximum effort you will put out during the race are critical to your body's performance, especially for cyclocross, criterium, mountain, and road racing. When you have to be ready to rocket out of the start, you can't waste time easing your way into the race."

In an article on the importance of a good warm up and how to attain it, Bicycling Magazine, suggests pre-race warm ups as a way for older athletes to keep up with or gain a competitive advantage over younger racers.  Read the article here.

The people at SportCrafters know competitive racing and the importance of a good warm up. That is why they created the "Omnium," the first folding race warm up trainer that you can take with you to any race, anywhere. Despite its super compact size, it offers the advantages of a much larger warm up trainer, yet packs into a TSA friendly carry-on.

What are the advantages of the Omnium over other roller trainers?

• Less wear on the tires compared to rear-clamp trainers.  The rear wheel only design and smooth SportsCrafter drums mean you can leave your race wheels on when using the Omnium.
• No risk of chain alignment issues, since there is no need to remove the rear wheel or skewer to use the Omnium.
• You get the same power profile as a fluid stationary trainer. The faster you pedal the Omnium, the  more resistance you feel, so you can get the full benefit of varying the intensity of your workout even on race day.
• Bike shops can use it to test any type of bike — road, mountain, time trial — the Omnium is so highly compatible that bike shops use it to help customers try out a variety of different bicycles.
• Lightweight and portable. The Omnium folds up to a very small, easy to take with you size.  Pack it in your backpack or carry-on and take it on business trips, vacations, or when traveling to races.  
• The Omnium meets FAA regulations for carry-on size luggage, so you can take it with you to races across the country or around the world.

Houser reveals that the name, "Omnium," comes from the Latin "omni" which means "all" — "because it is a trainer that is suitable for all bikes, all seasons, and all purposes." She adds, "The Omnium is so small when folded, it is convenient to store, pack, and carry, even on an airplane, and thus perfect for the competitive athlete who travels."

If you would like to try out the Omnium, it will be on display at Interbike, an annual, by-invitation-only "everything biking" event for the cycling industry.  If you did not receive an invitation, don't worry — you will soon see the Omnium at a SportCrafters dealer near you. For more information, visitSportCrafters.com .

Do you train with rollers? How would you use a SportCrafters Omnium to improve your technique? Share your thoughts!

Commercial Photography: It's Not Just for the Big Guys

by Deborah Proctor

It is said that "A picture is worth a thousand words." If you are an advertising or marketing professional, you know the truth of that statement. If you aren't, close your eyes and image a bottle of your favorite beverage sitting in front of you. What do you see? Is the top off? Is a little puff of fizz visible? Perhaps there is a drop of water sliding down the bottle's frosty side? Are you thirsty yet? Yes? That is commercial photography in action - creating desire in the viewer for a product, service, or experience.

Big business knows that the visual storytelling power of commercial photography will enhance their brand and image. If you are a small business owner or a non-profit agency though, you might be saying, "Yeah but...they're the big guys; they have deep pockets. Commercial photography is not for me."

But think about it — do you have a Website? Do you create brochures, advertisements, flyers, annual reports? Do you want to showcase your people, products, services, or mission in your display windows, showroom, lobby or board room? Do you sponsor special events? Do you use Facebook,Pinterest, or other social media channels? If the answer to at least one of these questions is "Yes," you need commercial photography just as much as the big guys, perhaps even more so.

Peter Oyen, owner of Rocket Bicycle Studio, understands the value of commercial photography. He hired Focal Flame photographer, Clint Thayer, for several commercial assignments to capture images of custom-made bicycles designed and built for individual clients. Some of the resulting photos have been used for prints for clients that are received upon pick-up of their long-awaited bike. Others have been licensed for use in web and e-marketing. A series of canvas wraps were created to provide unique, customized interior decor in the facility. Why did he make the investment in commercial photography? Oyen answers,  "We have used Focal Flame Photography for multiple situations. Pictures for our website. Large canvas photography for our studio. Which by the way, we continuously receive many compliments about. Focal Flame works so hard to help RBS stand out!"

Bell Giftos LLC, a Madison, Wisconsin law firm, wanted to portray a sense of professionalism yet approachability appropriate to the firm’s client-centered methods. They licensed black & white photographs by Thayer, for use in web and electronic marketing of the firm.

The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin engaged Focal Flame Photography to create a series of images to be used in a bike advocacy media campaignpromoting the value of the bicycle as a means of transportation. The images, shot at multiple iconic Madison locations, were licensed for use in advertisements that ran in local newspapers and magazines, and appeared in newsletters, on billboards, and other key Madison locations. Amanda White, Associate Director at the time, stated,“Using a skilled, professional photographer to shoot local, Madison sites was vital to our campaign. The images are central to the campaign and the most powerful aspect of the ads."  

The Madison Area Sports Commission needed engaging, compelling photographs for their media files that would portray both the journeys of athletes and the experiences of spectators, volunteers, and sponsors at local events. The resulting photo essays were licensed for electronic and print use and are regularly shared with media outlets and prospective clients.

For more about these organizations and how they used commercial photography to enhance their image and tell their story read our commercial case studies.

Close your eyes. Can you imagine how commercial photography will help tell your story?

Whether you desire to project a professional business image or create eye-catching sales and promotional materials, quality commercial photographs will set you apart from the crowd. Professional headshots will help build relationships with potential clients or customers.  An experienced photographer covering your special event will assure memories not forgotten.  An artfully composed photograph of your product will stand out in advertisements and make a statement on Pinterest, Facebook, or other social media sites.

Make a library of artful, engaging digital photographs created by Focal Flame Photography part of your vision. We will create personalized, custom images that showcase you, your business or agency, your mission, and your goals to have on hand so you can always make your best impression.

How would a media library of photographs help you connect with your customers or target market? Find out -contact us today.

Food photography: Chef Jon Sauce, All in the Family

By Robyn M. Perrin

How much can one person’s quiet, consistent love affect the path of generations that follow? More than mere words can say. And yet, words must tell such stories. Here is one journey spanning three generations. 

My maternal grandmother was Helen Molnar. The photo on the right-hand side shows her at her high school graduation in 1939. Her abiding quality was kindness, of a depth and genuineness rarely seen. I knew her as a granddaughter knows a grandmother: as a source of steady encouragement, as someone who would listen closely to your thoughts, and as a woman who worked hard her entire life yet always had time for an embrace, a cup of tea, and conversation.

She shared her love of cooking with family and friends throughout her lifetime, baking endless loaves of Hungarian kolach bread and mountains of kifles and bow tie cookies (csoroge) in a walk-thorough galley kitchen that must have measured about 9 feet by 15 feet.

She was also grandmother to my cousin, Jon Molnar, who absorbed every ounce of her passion for hand-crafted food. Jon baked and cooked side by side with Grandma Helen. He was riveted by her intuitive sense of the precise moment to add oregano, the exact pressure to apply to the strudel dough so it would stretch rather than break, and which cabbage would yield succulent töltötkáposzta. And most of all, he learned first-hand that the act of nourishing someone by cooking for them is an act of love.

It was no surprise that Jon chose the culinary arts as his profession.

He attended the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts and worked tirelessly as in a variety of settings, from commercial kitchens to private sectors to his own establishment. Then, he launched his own brand of food products: Chef Jon Culinary Creations.

A flagship product line for Chef Jon is the Genuine Tuscany sauces. Made with tomatoes sourced from Tuscany, they are deeply flavorful, and far different from the typical thin-palate salty fare of most bottled pasta sauces.

As demand for the Chef Jon Genuine Tuscany pasta and pizza sauces grew, Jon and his wife Cheryl – a professional graphic designer – realized that they would need food photography images to help market the product to consumers and approach retailers to discuss product placement in stores. They hired Madison photographer Clint Thayer of Focal Flame Photography for the series.

“The goals were to shoot the sauce as product shots (on white backgrounds) and to shoot the sauce in a kitchen setting,” said Cheryl. Clint worked with Orange Tree Imports to ensure that the demonstration kitchen background was authentic and warmly lit, taking care that the vibrant color of the sauces invited the eye. Even within glass bottles, the ruby hues were evocative.

 “Clint provided crisp, well lit product photos,” said Cheryl, adding that as a design professional she appreciated the creative approaches Focal Flame Photography provided.

And of course, after the photo shoot, there was an opportunity to try the sauces. Gathered around the table with my family, I took a bite of spaghetti with Bolognese sauce and was immediately transported back to that tiny galley kitchen. The flavor may have been Italian rather than Hungarian, but the signature was unmistakable: this was something that was developed through love of the craft, through a sincere desire to offer a gift of food carefully prepared. I had to catch my breath at the sudden memory of Grandma Helen, beaming with pride in an apron with flour-covered hands.

“Jobb adni, mint kapni,” she might say. It’s better to give than to receive.

Indeed. 

5 Reasons Every Small Business Owner Needs a Photographer

At its core, Focal Flame Photography is a small business.  We know firsthand the experience of building a new business endeavor from concept development to hiring employees. We understand the sacrifices made, the devotion to developing a quality product and service, and the need to squeeze social media engagement in after the children's bedtime. We've always been a fan of small business owners but over the past few years that respect has deepened even further through personal experience. And since our small business focuses on visual storytelling, we've come to realize how important a photographer can be in the development and promotion of a small business. Here are a few tips on how photographers can lighten the load for business owners.

1. Photos build relationships.

Once upon a time, it was common to walk into the corner market and find Mr. Smith behind the counter day after day. There was a familiarity and relationship in that setting - a familiarity that can sometimes be missing today, especially when your customers find you online rather than at the corner of Second and Walnut.

Photos of you and your staff bring that corner-market intimacy back. Whether displayed on a web site or displayed in your store, showing a recently taken professional headshot of each staff member conveys friendliness and creates an instant connection. It allows for easy recognition when customers need assistance. And it builds your brand image and individual recognition.

Professional headshots allow for integration between a small business owner’s personal LinkedIn account, business web site, and a Facebook Page. This continuity deeps the association between your business and yourself. Keep photos current, no more than two years old. Facial features, hairstyles - they all change over time, and outdated images can be distracting. Let your staff headshots be a reflection of your commitment to customer service: fresh and high-energy.

2. Photos tell a story quickly.

The old adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” is very true. Photos can communicate a great deal to others about your business or organization’s core values.

Visitors can assume your organization welcomes diversity if the entry foyer is decorated with oversize photographs of children, teens, families and seniors from a variety of ethnicities.

Professional photos added to a Facebook page album titled “Services” can let a potential client know your landscape company offers weekly summer mowing service and winter snow removal.

Bookmarks made of photos from your last benefit book drive and tucked in each new book purchase lets your patrons know they contribute to a larger community cause by shopping at your store.

The bottom line: photos can tell your small business or organization’s story - fast.

3. Photos Document Events

Whether it's your ribbon cutting grand opening, a class or workshop, a conference, a customer appreciation day, a major product release, a holiday or seasonal event for your customers, or even an employee retreat or board meeting, a lot of effort and resources are spent planning your business events. These events simply can't be replicated. Don't forget to hire a photographer to commemorate these important times in your business' history! Having a photo library of events lets you amplify their effect for a long time afterwards through press releases, social media posts, newsletters to customers, and even internal company communications.

4. Photos Enhance Advertising

The most common reason for a small business owner to need professional photographs is to promote products, events, and services.

Photography can be used to market your company’s product line, the location of your business, or people engaged with your services. These photos can be used for print ads, brochures, mailers, posters, print and digital catalogs, and web pages. High-impact commercial photos can literally stop your customers in their tracks, drawing them into the story of your business and connecting with them on an emotional level. 

5. Photos Increase Social Media Engagement

In today’s social-media oriented world,consumers have a desire to interact and engage with brands and they do so with photos more than any other type of post. In his article, “Optimizing Facebook Engagement – Text, Links, Photos, or Videos?” on Social Media Today, Morgan Arnold shares that photos provide the greatest return on investment compared to other types of posts - almost triple the level of engagement compared to text alone. In a study conducted in May, 2012 tracking 8,000 posts by 100 well-known brands, Track Social found a photo received over 6,000 points (1 point awarded per like, 3 points awarded per comment) compared to slightly over 2,000 points on a text status. Simply put: photos rule!

In order to post fresh content on the web, whether it’s a Facebook page or company web site, small business owners need a photo bank showing their products and services. In just a few hours, a professional photographer can often compile an array of photos that you can draw on to promote social media engagement for many months.

Want to learn more about how visual storytelling can help your business grow? Sign up for our e-newsletter - tips and exclusive discounts delivered right to you!

Commercial Product Photography for Rocket Bicycle Studio

Focal Flame photographer Clint Thayer is gifted in capturing movement. His photos ofcyclocross athletes in action were featured in the January 11th Isthmus insert for the 2013 Cyclo-Cross National Championships, which were held in the Madison area the following weekend. But the fact remains that every moving bike becomes a still life with the click of the shutter. To leave a lasting impression, each photograph needs to be a work of art. Peter Oyen, owner of Rocket Bicycle Studio, recently tapped into Thayer’s knowledge and experience with bikes for his product photography needs.

Since its founding in October 2010, Rocket Bicycle Studio (RBS) has held a core value of “Fit First” - meaning that no matter what level of cycling an individual pursues, from triathlon, cyclocross or even commuting, a proper pre-bike fit is very crucial. Towards this endeavor, Rocket Bicycle Studio has partnered with SBR Coaching, which holds exclusive license to the GURU Dynamic Fit Unit in south-central Wisconsin.

Darla Hofmann, a recent Guru bicycle purchaser through Rocket Studio said, “I had heard a lot of great things and how happy peer athletes were that had the Dynamic Fit with Rocket Studio Bicycles. I have a lot of confidence in Jessica Laufenburg (SBR Coaching) and Peter Oyen, (Rocket Bicycle Studios) so I scheduled my appointment.”

Hofmann's order of the custom Guru started with finding the proper frame size and adding the parts and components she’ll need for her upcoming challenge, IronMan Wisconsin 2013.  Personalizing the purchase experience involved choosing paint schemes and colors, colored bar tape, and wheels. Oyen said, “This makes Darla Hofmann's bike all that more unique, different, and creative. The bike is an extension of her, and each customer’s, personality.”

Small business photography plays a critical role in illustrating this process. Capturing the unique personality of each customer as expressed through the creation of their new bike is where Focal Flame Photography comes in. Every custom bike takes roughly six weeks production time. Toward the end, RBS schedules a photo shoot with Focal Flame owner and professional photographer, Clint Thayer.  

Thayer shared that his goal is to highlight the bike’s story and singular nature. The gears. The paint job. That specially chosen handlebar tape. And because Thayer can concentrate on both the scale of both the bike as a whole and the detail of every component, commercial product photography shoots for Rocket Bicycle Studio allow the ability to focus on both small product photography (gears, brakes, drivetrain) and large product photography (the bike in its entirety). This is in addition to mindful treatment of product photography lighting.

Thayer’s eye for composition and abstract art makes Focal Flame the logical choice for Oyen’s product photography needs.  Oyen stated, “The bikes are works of art. Not 'just a bike,' but more than that.” Thayer’s experience with Miksang photography gives him insight into how an image can represent something bigger and create a strong positive emotion or feeling.

Each new owner is presented with three professional 8x10 photographs of their bike on the day of pick up. One might call these “birth photos” for the new proud parent commemorating the bike’s homecoming. Like photos of a boat hanging in the executive’s office reminding him or her of good times to come, RBS customers are delighted with the photos of their bike and what they represent. Darla shared, “The photos from Focal Flame were such a great surprise!!  I can't wait to get a couple of them matted and framed....they are a piece of art that I will be proud to display.  They were definitely the icing on the cake!”

Focal Flame Photography is proud to assist Rocket Bicycle Studio in honoring the creation of each custom bike. And we commend RBS’s ingenuity in using product photography to enhance their customers' experiences.

Are you a small business owner? Interested in innovative ways that photography can provide value to your customers? Contact Focal Flame Photography today!

Guided Tour to the New Focal Flame Web Site

Sometime when you're in the thick of things, it's hard to slow down enough to capture it all. And ever since we founded Focal Flame Photography, being "in the thick of things" has definitely been one of the best aspects of what we do. But after over two years, it was clear: the time had come to update our web site. This was more easily done during the winter season, when the pace of any outdoor pavement-related endurance sports scene slows in the upper MIdwest (although there was plenty of off-road fun to be had, to be sure.) Because, really, hibernating is overrated. 

So after many sessions of coffee-fueled writing and coding, we present (drum roll, please) the new and improved Focal Flame web site. For a behind-the-scenes look, here's the guided tour.

Home

The home page has been completely redesigned. Our goal was to present a full-screen slideshow of images with a clean, minimalistic design that kept the viewer's focus on the photographic composition. The navigation bar is subtly placed at the lower right-hand portion of the screen, and social media buttons allow one-click sharing. The photo changes every 10 seconds. Now, try this: resize your browser window by dragging. The home page automatically resizes to fit the new dimensions. How sweet is that?! (OK, we're geeks...but you have to admit, it's pretty cool.) In a nutshell, the home page looks really simple by design, but it's kind of like a sports car: under a sleek hood, there's a lot of power. We've tested it on every browser we can think of and so far it has been bullet-proof and dishwasher-safe, but if you notice any issues please let us know. It's also mobile-friendly for viewing on smartphones and iPads.

Custom Photography

Next, check out the Custom Photography page. We've added some description that helps address many of the most common questions we hear about custom sports photography, and there are links to other pages that describe the process for starting a custom photography project and how you can arrange a session for your sports team or club. We've also added a page about other types of photography services we offer, such as career portraits, family and birthday party photography, weddings, and real estate photography. But the feature that we're most honored to include is the set of testimonials from past clients. Each one represents a custom photography project that was borne out of their determination and dedication as an athlete, and it's hard to express just how meaningful it has been to play a part in recording their journey.

Event & Race

From there, take a look at the Event & Race page. We describe a little bit about our approach to sporting events, because we know that competition day isn't just any day - it's the day that you've been working towards, sometimes for months or even years. You can also see an at-a-glance overview of events that Focal Flame Photography will be covering in the near future. Check back often, because we are adding new events all the time. There are also special pages just for Race Directors/Event Organizers and helpful tips for anyone needing assistance with finding their images and purchasing photo products. The Event Status page provides up-to-the-minute updates on photo availability for events that we've covered. 

We'll just take a brief pause in the guided tour to point out that the new site is extremely social. Every page can be shared with your contacts via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or via e-mail with a single click. So go ahead - chat it up. 

Commercial Photography

Next, let's take a look at the Commercial Photography page. We admit it - we love visual storytelling, and businesses and organizations are just bristling with both energy and photo opportunities. For several case studies, take a look at the links on the right-hand side of the page.

Fine Art Photography 

The Fine Art page is our creative playground. We believe that art is essential, and that fine art photography really does have the power to change the world. In addition to an Artist's Statement by Focal Flame Photography founder Clint Thayer, there are links to descriptions of exhibits and projects on the right-hand side of the page. We have several creative projects in the works at any given time, so check back for updates. 

Portfolio, About Us, and Store

The Portfolio page provides several galleries featuring sample images in a range of subjects, and once again, content will be updated periodically. The About page tells a little of our own journey, and also provides a link at the right-hand side to some of our Photolanthropy efforts. (Not familiar with the term "photolanthropy"? Visit the page to learn more.) The Store is, of course, your one-stop shop for dozens of galleries from events we've covered, and the Blog is...well....if you're reading this, you're already familiar with it! 

So there you have it. We've tried to illustrate the range of photography services we offer, and the types of creative projects we undertake. Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear them. Just drop us a line. 

And as always, thanks for your support. Your passion, dedication, and determination is what inspires everything we do. Let's get ready for a terrific 2012! On your mark, get set.....GO!

To follow these and other stories, join the Focal Flame Photography facebook page and follow us on Twitter! 

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Focal Flame Shoots Ad Campaign for Bike Fed: Reasons to Commute by Bike

Some of the best days in photography happen when the phone rings, and after the call ends, you think, "Wow, we HAVE to be a part of that." 

That was the situation when the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin asked Focal Flame Photography to be part of their ad campaign to help promote cycling in the Madison, Wisconsin area. A series of advertisements rolled out in newspapers, magazines, and billboards around the region to help spread a simple idea: bikes are a great form of transportation. 

All of the ads featured photographs taken by Madison photographer Clint Thayer, and all will feature local Madisonians - often in iconic locations. The campaign was produced in partnership with 20BY2020, a Bikes Belong advocacy effort that envisions 20% of all transportation occurring in the Madison region by bicycle by the year 2020.

To learn more about the message of the campaign, writer Robyn Perrin interviewed Amanda White, Associate Director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin.

Focal Flame Photography: What inspired the ad campaign?

Amanda White/Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin: We are so fortunate to live in Madison - one of the best cities in the country for biking. We have incredible bike paths, over 50 miles of bike lanes, and new bike boulevards that will prioritize bicyclists. 

However, when we compare Madison to the world's best bicycling cities, we are far behind. Currently, in Madison about 4% of all the commute trips are made by bike. While in cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, over 50% of trips are made by bike. There are cities in Germany that support 20% of trips made by bike. Not only are these amazing bicycling cities, but they are also healthy, vibrant communities that have very strong economies.

By trying to achieve 20% of the commute trips made by bike by 2020, we are not only improving our bicycling, we are also improving our community. By biking and walking more, we save money on expensive gas, we provide exercise opportunities needed by both children and adults, and we support healthier air quality.

We are using the ad campaign to promote the benefits of bicycling, in addition to promoting our 20by2020 goal. Bicycling is good for individuals, it's good for families, and it's good for Madison. We hope our light-hearted, fun ad campaign will generate buzz around the joy of bicycling.

FFP: The sites for the images were carefully chosen. How did BFW and 20 by 2020 pick these particular locations?

AW: We had a brainstorming session with two excellent marketing volunteers. The message concepts came from these ideas. I then picked the locations based on the messages we were trying to portray.

FFP: Why did you decide to use commissioned photographic imagery in the campaign rather than stock photography or graphics-only?

AW: Using a skilled, professional photographer to shoot local, Madison sites was vital to the campaign. The images are central to the campaign and the most powerful aspect of the ads. We wanted folks to connect with the people in the images and imagine how they themselves may bike. In order to achieve this important connection, it was vital we use real Madisonians and images of popular Madison locations that people would recognize.

We were so fortunate that we had an amazing photographer! The images are exactly what I had envisioned!

Focal Flame Photography is honored to have been part of this important effort to spread awareness about cycling in Wisconsin. Give bike commuting a try! It's simple, fun, and a great way to get around!

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