~ The skills to look for in a B2B STEM photographer ~
A picture is worth a thousand words, or so the saying goes. But there are nuances when working with engineers and manufacturers to really get the right picture to accompany a story. Working with a team that’s familiar with STEM can really pay off as you can get the most out of your photography. Here Philip Taylor, senior account executive at Stone Junction, explains the skills required for photography in the engineering and manufacturing sector.
While any good photographer will have the technical ability to take a good shot, three things set apart a STEM B2B photographer from other professional photographers: the ability to think editorially with the media in mind, their domain knowledge and their ability to tell the STEM story using imagery.
Here’s the process a good B2B STEM photographer will go through before, during and after a shoot:
Before the shoot
Ahead of the shoot, it’s important to know exactly what the aims are but also the practical elements — is personal protective equipment (PPE) required at the facility? Are there certain areas that can’t be photographed? Might compliance be an issue? Planning ahead and making sure the photographer can be escorted around the site easily will enable a smooth process.
Having an itinerary ahead of time of what you would like photographed, whether that’s a component, a machine or both, makes the process easier. It also helps to know if the equipment is going to be running when photographed, for example. STEM audiences are quick to spot a wayward gauge reading zero because the machine has been turned off for the shoot, or someone wearing non-compliant PPE, so it’s important to be thorough.
Our experience, along with attention to detail in this area, allows us to visualise how the picture is going to look before the camera has clicked, as we are mindful of how the image will look to an audience familiar with a machine.
During the shoot
Familiarity with a company and with the wider public relations world can help get the best out of a photo. Knowledge of how the photos will fit into a wider campaign, whether they’re accompanying a press release or will be used in an infographic or whitepaper can help make sure you get the best of your photographer’s skills and the resulting photos. For example, do we need to leave space for text to be added later?
It isn’t just a case of pointing a camera and shooting. All of the photographers in the Stone Junction team are seasoned PR professionals, with many years of experience in technical copywriting, media relations and account management. Our familiarity with the wider public relations campaign allows us to look at photography from a journalist or customer’s point of view.
After the shoot
In many cases, we review the pictures with a client on site before we leave, to ensure the brief is fulfilled. Next comes the filtering and editing of the material to ensure a powerful final set of images.
Working with an agency with experience and a strong knowledge base in the sector can make things run smoothly. With many years of industry specific experience, not just with photography and video, but with the written word too, the team at Stone Junction can provide high quality images and ideas of how to best complement your technical and engineering public relations campaign with photography.
Find out more about Stone Junction’s technical and engineering expertise and how our high-quality photography offering can help you stand out from the crowd via our website.
