Better from the ground up: a hardworking, custom photo library
I do a little happy dance when I get an inquiry to photograph American-made products, especially when it involves manufacturing in my home state of Minnesota. What makes the experience even better is when there’s a need to create an entire library of images, from the hardworking people behind the scenes to the long-lasting products they create. I recently had the opportunity to do just that with Towmaster Trailers, based in Litchfield, MN.
I partnered with the Strategy House marketing, who had already identified a photo wishlist for its client, Towmaster. They needed images to highlight the craftsmanship and fabrication details specific to Towmaster — stock photography just wouldn’t do. Furthermore, the job required a wide spectrum of original photography Towmaster would implement on-demand for its marketing needs, including its website, social media, recruitment materials and sales catalogs. Building an image library from the ground up was the best tool for the job.
There was a good mix of documentary scenarios in the manufacturing environment as well as some staged moments to demonstrate some of the real-world uses of Towmaster products in the field. I often work to create in-action photos in order to have minimal impact on production and scheduling for business owners. Beyond that, I was able to create some environmental portraits for various uses.
While I work with a photo shot list from the marketing team, I always keep my eyes open for other images that present themselves, such as details. These photos not only speak to the quality and sales features of the products, but may also be used as background images for website banners and social media posts.
Another dynamic aspect of this image library was the ability to create photos in the dealership setting that help to tell the customer experience story. Do you have a unique product or service that’s difficult to showcase with stock photography? A custom photo library may be the best fit for you. Let’s chat today about telling your Made-In-America story!
