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. 

Realtor Headshots: Standing Out From the Crowd

by Deborah Proctor

If you are a real estate agent you know the importance of creating a positive image. It is your job to present the properties you sell in their best light and from the best angle. Do you take the same care when creating your real estate agent portrait?

Mindy Wittig, a newly licensed REALTOR®, grew up in a family of home builders.  Admitting that "given the choice of going to Home Depot or a shoe store, it would be a tough call," she has, over the years, bought and sold several houses —the kind that needed some TLC. Her five brothers taught her how to fix up her properties and move on to the next challenge — a good lesson for her life today. After years editing medical records, her career path ended unexpectedly and she decided to turn her love for buying and fixing up houses into a real estate career, a challenging but rewarding choice she says"suits her perfectly."

One of her first priorities was to have a professional REALTOR® headshot created.  "Having a professional take my headshot was extremely important to me. I knew the picture would be used on all my marketing materials, business cards, and personal website. This is the image that is in front of all potential clients as I build my business."

Being from Milwaukee, Mindy chose Focal Flame Photography because "they came highly recommended by a friend and they were willing to meet with me on short notice when I was going to be in Madison for a meeting."

Jered Schroeckenthaler is turning his love of architecture, especially the mansions of the early 1900s, into a real estate career. The father of four children, ages 2, 3, 4, and 6, chose real estate as a family-friendly alternative to flying all over the country calibrating instruments and computers in power plants and mechanical systems.  

For his official real estate agent portrait, Jered chose a distinctive pink with blue paisley tie that his grandfather gave him. When he wears the tie, he feels a special connection to his grandparents who inspired him to "create a legacy by doing things that matter every day, something to be proud of." He chose Focal Flame Photography to create his Realtor® headshot, because they understood that it was important to him to have a portrait that would reflect that legacy and  "identify myself as a brand."

Since many potential clients view listings online, your REALTOR® headshot is essential in connecting with potential buyers and sellers. It may be your only chance to make a good first impression.

So what does your portrait say about you?

Does it say you are personable? Professional?  Reflect your current age and experience? Does it tell the viewer a little about you without being over the top or tacky? Not sure what I mean? Take a look at some of thesecringe-inducing examples.

Your real estate agent portrait should tell your story without distracting props or backgrounds, outdated clothing, overdone makeup, or the family pet.  In other words, it should express the professional you are at a glance. 

How do you make sure that your REALTOR® headshot expresses the real you, sets you apart from the mass of other real estate agents, and truly connects with the clients who will appreciate your unique talents and skills?

Whether you are a new REALTOR® in need of your first professional real estate agent portrait or an established pro wanting to update your look, the photographers at Focal Flame Photography will meet with you, get to know you, and then create images that tell your story to potential clients.

To discuss how Focal Flame Photography can help you create a REALTOR® headshot that will stand out from the crowd in your marketing channels — direct mail, social media, business cards, Website, and more —  contact us.

For an interesting take on how to present yourself in your headshot, read Kimberly Brook's Huffington Post  Blog, The Art of the Headshot: Everyone's a Real Estate Agent. 

Are you a REALTOR®? Do you specialize in a certain type of real estate transaction? Why did you become interested in the profession? Share your thoughts!

Behind the Lens: Observation

by Clint Thayer

People often ask me how I capture "such great shots." That question is difficult for me to answer because I don't think of myself as a great photographer; I just do what I do and photograph what I see.

Maybe Henri Cartier-Bresson, one of the world's greatest photographers, had the answer when he said, "the first 10,000 photographs are your worst." As a sports photographer, I (as well as all Focal Flame photographers) have the advantage of capturing several thousand images in a single weekend, so perhaps we have a better-than-average chance that our "worst photographs" are behind us.

But if I have to choose one photographer skill that makes the difference between the average photo and a "great shot," it is the art of observation. As a juggler needs to watch and learn not where the juggled object is but where it is going to be, a sports photographer has to anticipate the shot — read the human body in motion, anticipate the movement, and  know, intuitively, what is going to happen before events actually occur. If the photographer waits to see the shot in the viewfinder, by the time the shutter is pressed and the image created, the defining moment will be long gone.

Just as intense practice makes the difference between a good athlete, dancer, or artist and a great one, intense practice of photography skills makes for a better photographer. Sports photographers certainly get a lot of intense practice, yet you need more — you need heart, soul, and intense focus to anticipate the right moment. That's the power of observation at work and it makes all the difference.

The great mid-century American photographer Elliott Erwittsaid, "To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them." I heartily agree with that statement.

To create a "great photograph" or - any photograph for that matter - one must cultivate the skill of observation. How do you look at a scene and determine the exact moment to release the shutter? For the most part I just watch people, and based on previous experience, calculate the possible interactions, anticipate the defining moment, and respond to what I see coming.

It takes time and experience to hone that photographer skill, to be able to see the visual details in the overall scene, and anticipate the right time to take the shot. That is why most professional photographers suggest that if you want to improve, you should shoot as much as possible.  By shooting, you are forced to look and by looking you are forced to see the array of possibilities.  By mastering the art of observation, you will master the art of photography.

May all your shots be great ones!

Clint Thayer, is the owner and lead photographer at Focal Flame Photography based in Madison, Wisconsin. He honed his art of observation studying photography at The College of Wooster in Ohio and under Richard Clarkson at the Summit Series of Sports Photography at the U.S. Olympic National Training Center, and by training in Miksang, a form of contemplative photography. He is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) and the Center for Photography at Madison (a group of Madison, Wisconsin photographers). Both organizations have helped him to cultivate his skill and vision. Encouraging others to appreciate creative vision as well as find their own unique visual “voice” is deeply satisfying. 

How do you hone the skill of observation? Share your thoughts and perspective!

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!

Skirt Chaser 5K: A Whole Lot of Chasin' Goin' On

Remember in grade school when the boys used to chase the girls around the playground? He likely chased her just to annoy her — a sign of affection. And her? She ran away squealing but slowed down if there was any real threat of his losing track of her. There was a whole lot of chasin' goin' on and it was all good fun.

Would you like to recapture the thrill of the chase (or being chased)?  You can at your nearest Skirt Chaser 5K.

What is a Skirt Chaser? It is a battle of the sexes that pits the boys against girls in a race to the finish line, where whichever sex finishes first gets free beer at the post race party.

So girls, grab your skirts — provided as an optional upgrade to women’s race packages by Skirt Sports, the women’s athletic clothing company that created the original fitness skirt — toe the starting line, and take full advantage of your 3-minute head start before the guys start chasing you. Admit it guys, you never had it so good.

When asked why Race Day Events chose to partner with Skirt Sports in bringing the Skirt Chaser to Madison, race director, RyanGriessmeyer, said, "We feel it is a perfect match for the area...It is fun and challenging for all levels." and he added that "the battle of the sexes component should be pretty interesting in such a strong running community."

How does a Skirt Chaser 5K work? As on the playground the guys chase the girls, but the girls (skirts) are not going to slow down to let the guys catch them this time — after all, unlike other fun run 5Ks, the Skirt Chaser is a timed race and the winning sex gets the beer. Everyone gathers for a fun after-race party with themed awards, games, music, and a fashion show and dance contest hosted by Skirt Sports.

The swag and prize packages for the Skirt Chaser 5K are, in a word, SWEET. They’re also carefully planned to stoke some friendly competition. For the Madison race on September 28, 2013, cash prizes are $500 to the overall winner and $250 to the fastest finisher of the opposite sex. Gift card prizes from Quaker Steak and Lube run 10 deep into both men’s and women’s fields, and all participants receive a free pint glass….plus, of course, FocalShare complimentary digital photos from Focal Flame Photography so you can share your battle-of-the-sexes triumph with all your friends.

Nicole DeBoom, founder of Skirt Sports and the Skirt Chaser 5K, says,"I have spent most of my efforts helping women feel good about themselves through running and sports. I created the Skirt Chaser 5k as a way to include the men in our lives while still celebrating women."

DeBoom, loves that the race is all about relationships. Married 15 years, she sees Skirt Chaser as a date night, adding a little active fun to a couple's life. Others see the race as a way to meet other active singles — a color-coded bib system and downloadable "Looking for Love" flyers announce availability.

She likes to share the story of one couple who found love on the run. He caught up to her at mile 2 and said, "Now that I've caught you, I want to keep you. Will you marry me?" She said,  "Yes!" and Nicole hopes they will tie the knot at next year's race.

Guys chasin' girls. Can you think of a better way to get in a great work out, run a traditional 5K race, and feel the thrill of the chase as you connect with other active runners?

Don't miss out on the thrill of the chase. Register for the Skirt Chaser 5K today. Here’s the link to register for the Madison, WI Skirt Chaser 5K event. 

Will you be racing the Skirt Chaser 5K in Madison? Bringing friends? Tell us your story!

Sport Art: "Homeward" by Clint Thayer Chosen by National Art Museum of Sport

by Deborah Proctor

The National Art Museum of Sport (NAMOS) offers a unique collection of fine art. Like other art museums, many forms of art are represented — from sculpture and paintings to mosaics and of course photography. Yet, unlike many art museums, the focus is on one thing, and one thing only, sport — or more specifically, the ART of sport.   "Art must depict or evoke sports, celebrating athletics or the athlete as a subject, whether individual or team, competitive or recreational, participant or spectator remembered, or studied still life, figurative, or landscape," states their annual competition materials.

Selected as part of the museum's 3rd annualInternational Commitment to Excellence in Art & Sport Competition is"Homeward," a fine art photograph by Clint Thayer, owner of Focal Flame Photography, Madison, Wisconsin. Thayer's work was selected from among hundreds of sport art entries representing 50 sports from 10 countries around the globe. The exhibition runs September 5-21, 2013 at the ArtCenter Manatee in Bradenton, Florida. The opening reception and awards presentation is on Thursday, September 5, from 5-7 pm.

In "Homeward," Thayer uses light and shadow to depict the Trek Midwest cycling team near the end of a long day's journey. This classic black and white sets the mood, while a strikingly simple composition captures the essence of the cyclists' story and draws the viewer into the scene. The description accompanying “Homeward” reads:

Lengthened shadows sweep across the road at the end of a training ride. A cadre of cyclists from the Trek Midwest Team head homeward after hours of drills over asphalt shared with milk trucks visiting dairy farms. Finely tuned to each other’s cadence, the teammates settle into tight formation as defense against the wind. At the top right corner of the frame, one rider trails behind the others. His presence raises questions: was he dropped from the pack? Is he fighting to keep pace with the others, lungs searing and breath ragged with effort of regaining his place? Will he overtake his teammates? Frozen in time, only shadows remain to tell the riders’ story.

When asked why he enters fine art competitions when his primary focus is capturing athletes participating in events such as 5K runs, cycling races, and triathlons, Thayer commented, "It's important to challenge oneself.  I believe artists need to push past the boundaries of known risks and open ourselves to a higher degree of possible failure...With my camera,...I have an opportunity to welcome an audience into a scene where the known and unknown provide a rich environment for the story...How could I not submit?"

Thayer feels it is an honor to be among the artists that represent"some of the best our generation has to offer." NAMOS obviously recognizes Thayer's talent for creating art from sport — his work has been selected as some of the most compelling sport art in the world in the 2nd Annual Competition; in a by-invitation-only Artist for the 2012 NAMOS exhibit entitled Speed and Motion: Racing to the Finish Line, and now the 3rd Annual Competition.

Founded in 1959, NAMOS maintains one of the largest collections of fine art depicting sport in the United States. The museum is dedicated to encouraging artists engaged in the genre, and also to collect, preserve, and share the best examples of sport art NAMOS can acquire. The museum’s first home was in Madison Square Garden in New York. It has been in Indianapolis since 1990 and is currently seeking a new home for its growing permanent collection

About the Photographer:  Clint Thayer’s artistic projects have ranged from following individual athletes throughout months of training, 15-hour Ironman triathlons, and 6-mile ultraswim events to photo essays of speed skaters racing on frozen ponds. He has exhibited and won awards internationally, notably: National Art Museum of Sport, Indianapolis, IN (2011, 2012, 2013); Center for Photography at Madison (2010); Lakeside, OH, Photography Show; Adorama iPhone Photo Contest (2009); and XI Concurso Internacional de Fotografía Apícola.

At Focal Flame Photography, we believe that sport art captures the essence of human perseverance, dedication, and passion. What are your thoughts about sport art? Share them with the Focal Flame community – we’d  love to hear! 

Glow Run That’s Disco Meets 5K: It's Glow Time!

by Deborah Proctor

What do you get when you cross a 5K run with the dark of night, glow-in-the-dark accessories, and party zones pumping out live music? The ultimate glow run - It's Glow Time 5K!

Billed as "disco meets 5K," It's Glow Time 5K  is a fun run, with emphasis on the FUN! Unlike most running events where some members of the family watch from the sidelines, an It's Glow Time 5K makes it possible for the whole family to run 5K and glow together. There are NO timers, NO competition, just blacklights, glowing necklaces, silly glow-in-the-dark glasses, light shows, and DJs playing pulsing music guaranteed to keep your feet moving.

Dave C who participated in the run at Madison, Wisconsin describes It's Glow Time 5K as "the most fun I have had at a run event ever!"  When asked why he chose to participate in this 5K glow run, he replied,"I have done so many running and triathlon events for distance and endurance... this was an event that stood out for the fun party atmosphere."

Glow runs such as It's Glow Time 5K represent one of the fastest growing segments of running events. Why? Maybe because of the party atmosphere, or perhaps simply because they encourage the whole family to participate together.Young or old, you can run, walk, skip, or all of the above under the stars. And it's guaranteed that you will smile, laugh, and dance about. It's a 5K glow party!

Dave mentioned above "glowed" with 30 of his closest friends, including children ages 8-12. That camaraderie really "made the event" for him. He highly recommends that other runners try a glow 5K but advises, "loosen up a bit"... This should not be considered a race ... but an enjoyable experience."

There are many glow 5K runs out there, but there is one important difference between an It's Glow Time 5K and the other guys —FocalShareSM  — complimentary digital photos by the professional photographers at Focal Flame Photography. Knowing FocalShare complimentary digitals are offered at the event means participants can leave their cameras at home, forget about trying to take photos in very challenging low-light conditions, and concentrate on having a good time!

So invite a few of your favorite people, grab your running shoes, don your disco-iest clothing, and boogie on down to your nearest It's Glow Time 5K. Wondering what this glow run looks like? Check out the video below or on YouTube: 

(Make sure to watch this video in HD - click on the gear icon at lower right part of the video frame and select "720p HD".)

What are you waiting for? Get glowing!

Janesville, WI Triathlon: Kitty Cole and the Rock, Roll "n" Run Triathlon

by Deborah Proctor

In the first decade of the 21st century, things were not looking good for Janesville, Wisconsin. Layoffs at local manufacturing plants were draining the city of its life. The Janesville YMCA felt that drain too, and the local triathlon they had supported for so long had to be discontinued.

It is said that, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." And that is what Kitty Cole, coach and race director of the YMCA tri did. With all the negative things happening in the community, Kitty felt it was essential to keep this fun and challenging event going. "Janesville has been hard hit economically and a lot people think the city is "gone," says Kitty, and she wanted"to show everyone that Janesville is a thriving community." 

She organized a few friends, rallied local businesses as sponsors, and the Rock, Roll "n" Run triathlon (RRnR) was ready to go on. But the Rock River had other ideas and record flood levels caused the event to be canceled. With the worst of the plant closings and layoffs occurring in 2009, it took Kitty and her friends two years to make their dream for the community come true.  

What makes the Rock, Roll "n" Run unique?

With the exception of the weekly shows staged by the Rock Aqua Jays, the Rock, Roll "n" Run  triathlon is the only sanctioned swim event in the Rock River in Janesville."We advertise a fast swim...even a PR (personal record) swim," stated Cole.  "For a first-timer, having the current as an aid can be a great comfort and assist. I am really proud of the fact that in 4 triathlons, every swimmer has finished the swim portion of the RRnR...100%  quite a record!"

The bike portion is rolling — challenging, but not overwhelming.

"The run is fabulous!" Cole added."Runners leave Traxler Park and run right thru the center of the Janesville Farmer's Market. The vendors love the action and are huge supporters!"  

"More than a few have taken my name in vain!," Kitty added as she described "the dreaded Holmes Hill" that leads to the historic Courthouse District and past a park and beautifully restored homes. Then it's all downhill from there. At the finish, along with awards for the top three in each age group, everyone receives a Finisher's Medal. To be sure that every racer knows how much their achievement means, Cole said, "We stop the award ceremony to line the finish line and welcome home our last finisher." 

As a racer herself, Cole goes out of her way to see that the day is not only rewarding but safe. The river is always a challenge."We never know what the Rock River is going to do!!  In 2012 the River was so low the swim started with athletes standing in the water and this year the River was so high and the current so strong, we had record swim times."  

For those nervous about swimming in a river current, organizers create a swim lane to keep swimmers out of eddies and from venturing too far toward the shore where they can get caught in a reverse current. Lauren Jensen, Wisconsin triathlon pro,  called the RRnR "...the safest I've ever seen."

"We have 5-6 of the Rock Aqua Jays' safety boats in the water, 1-2 jet skis, 4-5 kayakers and this year we had 13 lifeguards courtesy of the South Central Swim Team," said Cole.

The Rock, Roll "n" Run took one more step this year to make their race stand out from the rest. They participated in Focal Flame Photography's FocalShare™ program so that every racer would have digital photographs to go with their Finisher's Medal.  

"We wanted to...offer a unique and valuable race day memory (to our racers,)" Cole reasoned. "There are lots of races to choose from...We want our racers to feel good about the whole event...having a photo or two to share cements that goodwill!"

To participate as an athlete, volunteer, or sponsor in the 2014 Rock, Roll "n" Run, held the first Saturday in July each year, visit www.rockrollnrun.com or their  Facebook page Janesville Rock Roll 'n' Run.

Tell us on the Focal Flame Photography Facebook page: What is your favorite memory of the Janesville Rock, Roll 'N Run Triathlon? 

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.