Introducing: Product Photography Instructor Diana Brennan

We are so pleased to introduce IC Contributor Diana Brennan. She will be guest posting here for the next four weeks on the subject of Product Photography. If you would like to be a guest blogger, please see our guidelines.

Hello! I'm Diana - photographer, wetland scientist, gardener, Jane Austen fan, and instructor for IC's upcoming Basic Product Photography Course.

Before the course begins on February 22, I'll be spending four weeks as a guest blogger here on the Intarsia Concept blog.  I'd like to introduce myself, get to know you, and help you learn a little bit about product photography and why it is so important.

I started my business, D. S. Brennan Photography, in early 2006.  I'm primarily a fine art photographer, and do some product photography and portrait work as well.  I was born and raised in the coastal state of Rhode Island, USA and have a degree in Environmental Science.  These aspects of my life have heavily influenced my work - the ocean and the natural world are my main subjects.  I sell my work online, at art shows, and in shops.  I love being a part of the handmade community!  It's an exciting time to be an artist, with the craft movement booming and the internet allowing us to connect to folks all over the world.

 

It was through this online community that I first met the folks here at IC.  For the past several months we've been developing the Basic Product Photography class, and I am honored and excited to be the instructor. 

This class is geared towards artists and artisans who know they need product shots to sell their work online, to fill the pages of press kits and catalogs, and ultimately to share their gifts and talents with the world. 

If you have a digital camera, you have what you need for this class.  It's not about fancy equipment and expensive studio spaces.  It's about what you can do in your own home and within your own schedule.  My goal as instructor is to give you the tools and tips you need to take product photos that look professional and are designed to sell your handmade products.

Interested?  Click here and sign up to be notified when registration opens.

Intarsia Concept is also giving away one seat in the class!  To enter the giveaway, simply comment below and let us know your name, your city and country, and the one thing you struggle with most when taking photographs.  You can get an an additional entry by linking to this blog post on Twitter or on your own blog (or both to get two).  Just be sure you include a link to the tweet and/or post when you comment.  Each of my four blog posts over the next few weeks will include a giveaway question - so check back to enter again! Deadline for entries is Thursday, February 18th. The winner will be selected using Random.org and announced to the mailing list (so be sure to sign up to find out if you're the winner!).

Hope to see you in class on February 22!

Other posts in this series:

Part 1: Introducing Diana

Part 2: Why Product Photography Matters

Part 3: What Makes a Product Photograph Tick?

Part 4: Product Photography Recap

Comments

[Robin]

Robin, Haworth, NJ, US I struggle with photos of my paper goods, flat or standing upright. Can never get the right angle and props.

[Concha]

This course is just what I need!

I style and photograph the products I sell in my Etsy shop. I think what I struggle the most with is light.

Welcome Diana!

Constança Cabral
Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
UK

[Tara]

Hi Robin and Concha (two familiar names from BYW)!

If you read the course description (http://www.intarsiaconcept.com/intarsia_concept/basic-product-photography-course-description.html) you'll see that Diana will be covering both of your "struggles" in her class. And now you've both got a shot at a free seat!

{But if you don't happen to win, bring a friend to class for a 2-for-1 discount}

Thanks for your comments and good luck!

[Michelle Shopped]

Patricia from Hyannis, MA, USA -- the one thing I struggle with most is actually getting my camera out! i think if it were the simple instamatic or another point and shoot from my teen years it would be different...

[Liz]

Liz, Somerville, MA, US. I struggle with getting enough LIGHT for my photos to turn out with sharp images and accurate colors.

[Lori Dossett]

Lori, Minneapolis, MN, US. I struggle most with lighting and accurate colors.

[Wanda Bowers]

Wanda, Concord, NH. I struggle with lighting to reflect accurate colors of my yarn. Knitters must trust the colors they see is what they are going to get. I do my best to describe the colors, but would like to feel confident with my photos.

[amanda]

Amanda, London, Canada, I have a problem taking clear photos of my flowers. They either come out blurry or my background is to dark/light

[Esther]

I struggle with understanding metering and shooting with artificial light. Otherwise, I have to hope the timing is right and I'm home when the sun is in a good position.

-Esther, DC, US

[Meltem]

Hi, I'm Meltem from Turkey/Istanbul. I'm selling my jewelry on my ETSY shop. Very hard to show them beauties on photographs. I'm trying everytime.

[Tara]

Hi! Thank you for sharing what you struggle with in the comments here. I know Diana has been taking notes. Hopefully you've all joined our mailing list because that's where we'll be announcing the winner of our giveaway. Here's a quick link to the latest news: http://aweber.com/b/179YH. Good luck!

[Ana Burmester Baptista]

Hi!
I'm Ana, from Cascais, in Portugal.
My major problem is lighting and getting the right angles. I hope you can help me!

[Claudia Blakely]

I am Claudia from Kingstree, SC (USA). I have problems in attaining very "crisp" photos of items that I post in my Etsy shop.

[Sharon Rogers]

Hi,

I also struggle with lighting issues. As a quilt and fiber artist, I am concerned with getting colors for fabric, embellishments etc. as accurate as possible. I try to take photos outdoors in the natural light as often as possible, but this is not practical for my bigger pieces. Is it possible to take great pictures indoors without having to spend a lot on special equipment??

[Chriss J]

Thanks for the opportunity. I am from Chicago..the big windy city. I struggle getting photos that "pop" like so many I see on other blogs.

[Jessica]

I don't think there's just one thing I struggle with, but really understanding lighting and also figuring out what kind of staging is needed to really make the focal point soar.

Jessica (Fredericksburg, VA)

[Cindy]

Hi. I'm Cindy from Brookline, MA. I struggle with shadows. It seems like I can never get the light quite right, and there is always a bad shadow.

[Stefanie]

Stefanie
Madison, WI USA

I struggle with finding the time to photography when the sun is out (especially in the winter when time is oh so precious!)