Crystal Clear Podcast

In this episode Crystal is discussing the advantages of working with a Creative Director when planning your photoshoots and why it is important to be aware of the current marketing trends. She breaks down 4 different areas that a Creative Director can help you design a shoot that fits all of your needs.    For full show notes head here >> https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/podcast/   Connect with Crystal on IG & go say Hi in the DM's >> https://www.instagram.com/crystalclear_creativestudios/

Crystal shares the top two tips she focuses on when creating content and plans for herself and for her clients. She encourages you to slow down and forecast for the month ahead. She also breaks down the ways to be efficient in your forecasting and planning.    For full show notes head here >> https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/podcast/   Stile and Co Mats 10% off (add code - CRYSTAL10) >> https://stileandco.com/discount/CRYSTAL10   Connect with Crystal on IG & go say Hi in the DM's >> https://www.instagram.com/crystalclear_creativestudios/

Kaitlyn Parker of Copy Uncorked joins Crystal on the podcast today to talk about all things copywriting. She chats about the disconnects commonly found in copywriting for a brand and shares with us some tips on writing social media captions. She gives insight into gaining inspiration for your brand and copy and tips on how to stand out from your competitors.    For full show notes head here >> https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/podcast/   Connect with Crystal on IG & go say Hi in the DM's >> https://www.instagram.com/crystalclear_creativestudios/

Crystal is back with part 2 of the Do's and Don'ts of Product Photography series. If you are looking to DIY your next photoshoot or even looking to outsource the photography this is a great do and don't list of things that you should do yourself or be looking for when looking for someone to outsource to. This is for those looking to take their product photos to the next level - either at home or by outsourcing to someone else.  Grab your copy of the Creative Director Secrets here >> https://bit.ly/planyourproductshoot For full show notes head here >> https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/podcast/ Connect with Crystal on IG & go say Hi in the DM's >> https://www.instagram.com/crystalclear_creativestudios/

Bethany from Stile and Co. joins Crystal on the podcast to chat about the importance of good backdrops when you are photographing products and food. Crystal and Bethany chat about the current photo trends they are seeing and the most popular styles of the year. Bethany also shares an exciting new product she is launching that will be a game-changer for photographers!    Interested in the flat lay backdrops mentioned in this episode head over to Stile and Co. >> https://stileandco.com/ Use code CRYSTAL20 for 20% off from March 1st - March 7th If you hear this after March 7th you can still get 10% off with the code CRYSTAL10    For full show notes head here >> https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/podcast/   Connect with Crystal on IG & go say Hi in the DM's >> https://www.instagram.com/crystalclear_creativestudios/

Maintaining brand consistency can be difficult for those that enjoy lots of props, different styles, and colors. In this episode, Crystal shares 3 tips on keeping your brand consistent in your product photos. And no, by consistency she doesn't mean using the same setups and props but instead the ways that you can change things up while maintaining consistency.    For full show notes head here >> https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/podcast/   Connect with Crystal on IG & go say Hi in the DM's >> https://www.instagram.com/crystalclear_creativestudios/

Kelsey Chapman joins Crystal on the podcast today. She is an author, podcaster, and personal cheerleader. Kelsey comes on the podcast today to chat about business and mentorship. She debunks a common business myth, her favorite content trend in the new year, and how mentorship can impact your business and life.    For full show notes head here >> https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/podcast/   Connect with Crystal on IG & go say Hi in the DM's >> https://www.instagram.com/crystalclear_creativestudios/

Are you looking to DIY your photography? In this episode, Crystal shares with you 5 do's and 5 don'ts when developing new ideas for your product photography. These tips are perfect for those looking to DIY their photography as Crystal gives you the general rules to product photography.    For full show notes head here >> https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/podcast/   Connect with Crystal on IG & go say Hi in the DM's >> https://www.instagram.com/crystalclear_creativestudios/

As a creative director Crystal shares her secrets on gathering inspiration for photos and using it to create something unique that will attract your ideal customer. Tune in this week to hear her top tips on creating unique product photos that will help your ideal customers stop their scroll and absorb what you are promoting.   For full show notes head here >> https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/podcast/   Connect with Crystal on IG & go say Hi in the DM's >> https://www.instagram.com/crystalclear_creativestudios/

New year, new marketing trends? In this episode, Crystal shares her top 4 marketing trends for 2021. Crystal gives a brief overview of each trend she is seeing and different ways that you can incorporate these trends into your marketing strategy in the new year.    For full show notes head here >> https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/podcast/   Connect with Crystal on IG & go say Hi in the DM's >> https://www.instagram.com/crystalclear_creativestudios/

Are you looking to create more content in the New Year? In this episode, Crystal spills her secrets on making the most of your photoshoots so that you can amplify the time you are spending in shoots and create more content for your business.    For full show notes head here >> https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/podcast/ Connect with Crystal on IG & go say Hi in the DM's >> https://www.instagram.com/crystalclear_creativestudios/

As I reflect on 2020 I share some of the top lessons that I learned during the year. 2020 was a year with a lot of negativity but the year also brought a lot of really good things like clarity, direction, and simplifying areas of life and business.  I think going back and looking at a few takeaways from the year and what came of it really helps to put things into perspective for where I plan to go in 2021.  Things I learned this year…  I learned to listen to myself. I had a lot of time for reflection and time spent in the unknown so it forced me to look at the things I can control. Sometimes we get so caught up in all the things that other people are doing that we forget to stop and ask ourselves “Is this something that I like or want to be doing?”. When everyone around us is launching something new and exciting it is easy to feel like we need to be doing that also. But, what I realized in 2020 is that I needed to slow down and really evaluate what it was that I wasn't for myself and for my business. Ultimately, this is your life and all you have is the family and friends closest to you so do the things that make you truly happy. For me, that was doing less and understanding that sometimes less actually is more. I was able to do less of things thing I originally thought to be important and my business still grew.  I focused on my mindset. Mindset is a huge component for business and being successful. If your mind isn't in the right place it can begin to hinder your growth and your goals. My goal in 2020 was to simplify and at the time I didn't think it would be possible to grow the way I wanted to while also simplifying things. But, being able to pull out of everyone else's orbit and really hone in on the things that I really wanted and focus less on the things I thought others wanted of me. My goal was to gain more clients, but I didn't want just any clients. I wanted ones that would work with me consistently and grow through and with me. One of the best things I was able to do at the end of the year was an audit of my business. I was able to see that through simplifying I was still able to get the clients I desired and reach my goals.  I dropped the planning and lived in the now. It wasn't easy for me. Not having a plan just isn't something that I regularly do. But, in 2020 pretty much everything that I planned flew out the window which threw me for a loop and forced me to learn how to live in the now and not worry about planning everything. The best part is by doing this and living in the moment it left open the freedom I was seeking to step away from social media, the computer and take the time off. During my end of the year audit, I was able to see that my business grew 30% last year. I was able to reach my goals by controlling less than I usually would. I learned that spending less time on social media didn't crush my business. This is so tricky and can feel scary. But, I dropped off. I reduced the time I spent on social media and the content I was putting out. I pulled back and was able to focus on the things I wanted the most and then go pursue those dreams.  I was able to explore my creativity in ways I hadn't done before. I began to dip my toes into video and the different ways video can be used in business. Which lead me to being able to offer more and deepen the relationships that I already have.  What can you take away from 2020? Have you stopped to evaluate and audit your business or are you throwing it in the trash and moving on?  Let me know, I would love to see if this insight from my year might have helped you realize some of the positive things you might have experienced too!

Launching a business is tough but taking your business from in-store to online with a small audience can be even tougher. Where do you start, how do you market but most importantly what images would you need to get going? On today's episode I dove in to 3 types of images that you want to consider for your product if you're planning to launch anything new here in 2021!   Here are the 3 types of photos:   Catalog on White Backdrops This serves a double purpose: Not only do they create a clean look on your storefront, but they also are becoming a requirement for almost all wholesalers (even companies like Amazon). Depending on where you plan to aim your initial marketing efforts these images are key to starting your business.   Lifestyle with Models These styles of photos have taken off this year. Having a model is a must have to take your business to new heights and to compete in what has become a HUGE market (thanks to Covid). Lifestyle Models provide the opportunity to reflect the diversity in your business. In addition to this, models allow for the chance to tie emotion to your ads that help your ICA connect to the transformation your product provides.   Texture & Ingredients This is my FAV! Another amazing trend from the last 6 months has been detailing the product texture and product  ingredients. With more and more brands leaning on organic and natural ingredients they want to show it off too. Embellishing on the texture helps connect the "feeling" factor to the product; presenting the ingredients as things they can recognize establishes trust in the product.   Fight off the overwhelm with direction. A Creative Director, like myself, focuses on helping map out your photoshoot to achieve your desired images, brand recognition and most importantly impact on your ideal client. Ready to invest in product photography? Let's chat! I offer, in fact, I insist on a free consult call to discuss your brand, what images you may need and design photoshoot options that works best for your business.  

We all make mistakes, and (hopefully) learn from them. Sometimes these mistakes can be avoided if we take the opportunity to learn from the mistakes of others!   Here are four common mistakes to avoid in your business:  You're doing “all the things,” but none of them well. As the old adage goes,”A Jack of All Trades is a Master of None.” Instead of spreading yourself thin, find your focal point. You're not marketing enough times to get your audience to buy in and pay attention. Unfortunately, in this day and age, people tend to have shorter attention spans - but by making your product, and business, more visible in your marketing, you increase the opportunity to obtain their attention. Chasing the “next best thing” - in other words, trying to provide an additional service or build a membership instead of honing in and perfecting your current service and offer(s). Instead, take in customer and professional feedback, elaborate on your current offer(s) and find a way to make a better package. Don't split time trying to create something else; focus first on your initial product. Becoming paralyzed and lost in your sense of direction. Lack of goals or clarity around your offer(s) and product can cause this.Take the time to brainstorm and really solidify your intent with your product.   Check out the Freebies Vault! Use some of these tools to aid in solving and learning more about avoiding these mistakes: 90 Day Goals Time Management to get back control of Productivity Develop your Creative Sales Rhythm Offer That Sells - going back to the drawing board to fine-tune things and recenter with the core of what you want to do

This episode is not to debunk one source of lighting over the other but rather to talk about the difference in the two. My background is in natural lighting. Its the main source for all of my photography since I started my business. However, in the last year I have found many uses in studio professional lighting.   So to dive right on in... the true difference in studio lighting and natural lighting is control.   With studio lighting, the whites are whiter, in other words providing a crisp and more actual depiction of the colors. The shadows can be more direct and controlled in a professional setting. Though they can also appear a bit more harsh unless your light is balanced. The best part is getting to add or take away the lighting, shadows and drama in your images. Lastly, the clarity and focus is infinitely better and reflected in the end result.   So why might a photographer still choose natural light over professional lighting? The natural lighting provides a realness and softer appeal that the studio lighting lacks. There's a better, intrinsic balance without shadow. As a photographer myself, I like the option of having the option to backlight my images and add an element of overexposure where needed. The natural lighting can also provide a warmer tone. I've also found in my work, that models' skin tone, in natural light, to show more true because of that warmer tone from the sun.   The past few months I've really enjoyed mixing my lighting sources and options to fit each clients brand even better. So, tell me, are you a natural light kind of gal or is something more dramatic ideal for your brand?   Take a screenshot and share with me on Instagram as I dive in to more tips and behind the scenes of my product photography.

Outsourcing is a common and often used tool  in the small business community. Generally, it starts with the need and desire to show up everywhere. In your ambition, you want to do all the things, all the time and in all the right places. Thus begins the pull to hire people to help, so that you don't burn yourself out.   How do you avoid the spiral into an outright burnout, but also avoid outsourcing too soon? Find your healthy balance! Its going to be a different path for every business owner and every type of business but you can almost always count on finding your balance and feedback by getting some insight from other Creative Business Owners like yourself.   Start by marrying yourself to one source of marketing to get the ball rolling. Then repurpose that; let it grow. Nothing in business happens fast if you don't already have an established audience. It's not always desirable but is the best way to keep your budget under control if your income and profit aren't yet consistent.   At the end of the day don't rush yourself into thinking outsourcing is the thing you need right now! If you're in the first few years of business it may not really be an option. Instead, look at one-time projects, collaborations, and one focal point for your marketing until you get the traction and growth.   Need more direction and guidance? I challenge you to join The Creative Boss Society and see if you don't gain the direction, strategy and step by step guidance to grow your business.

The WHO to your business is the biggest center focus for any marketing you may do now or in the future. I commonly throw out the term ICA which stands for Ideal Client Avatar.   Just in case you're not familiar with the term here ya go! Your Ideal Client Avatar is the person you're targeting when you're advertising your product. When connecting with your ideal client visually, like through photography, think transformation: How can I show my ideal client that my product will provide the satisfactory difference they're seeking?   So, how does that translate to your photography? Simple, that transformation (end goal) is your focus in the photoshoot.   Determine the transformation and how it relates to the client by showing them where they want to be! And here are a few examples I go over in this episode to help you get down the idea:   For example: Clothing Products - the ICA is almost always looking for a lifestyle and will relate to wanting to be like, look like, and/or live the lifestyle you portray that fits that clothing style.  Skincare Products - the ICA is almost always looking for textures. It's not just about the look of the skin, but the "feel" that comes with it. So portraying different textures, whether of the product or the props used, are key to displaying the transformation. Jewelry - the ICA is almost always looking for emotion: the doting husband buying a stunning ring or necklace to celebrate an anniversary; an inherited family heirloom being passed to the next generation. The transformation is in how it makes your targeted client feel.  Digital Courses - the ICA is almost always looking for a transformation within themselves and fine tuning a specific skill or working on a specific goal. A common, often sought out goal is growing in social media presence; in this provide a specifically defined end result to be expected, i.e. grow by XX number of followers. DIY Digital Products - ICA is almost always looking for an outsourcing option without breaking the budget; seeking opportunities like purchasing templates to create great looking graphics without the pricey cost that comes with custom-to-brand  or someone else creating it for them Need more help with your product photography? My main role as the Creative Director is to help your business by developing the ideas and concepts that tie your images to that ICA's transformation in a way that helps you increase your sales, visual consistency and grow your audience. Click here for a free consult to see how I can help you!

To niche or not to niche is the question up for debate. So I decided it was time we talked about it. Niching isn't always what you think. It's so taboo and it can sometimes feel like it's impossible to niche your business or even figure out how to niche in the first place. Everyone is afraid of alienating people or potentially turning business away and no one wants that. So let's talk about the different ways that you can niche so that you AREN'T alienating people or turning away potential business but instead GROWING your business.    Niche by talking to a particular audience. Who do you notice the majority of your audience is? Are you talking to creative bosses? Product-based businesses? Maybe fitness gurus, mom, the knitting community, dog lovers, etc? I think you get my point! Start by knowing who you are talking to and what space they are in.    Niche by services offered. Maybe you have a broad audience so it's hard to find a specific audience you are talking to. A different way to niche is by the services you are offering. Photography for example. You can niche in product photography, portrait photography, family photography, brand photography, wedding photography, etc. I could keep going but I think you get the point. Maybe you are a graphic designer who only does social media posts or you offer illustrations for hire. Or maybe a digital product shop. All of these examples are niched by the service that they offer not the audience they are speaking to.    Niche by industry. This is a similar, but still different, way to niche your audience. When you niche by industry look at who you are serving. Maybe your focus is helping product bosses with their physical products or helping moms of teens. Developing products for teachers or even more specifically offering digital support tools for SLP teachers.    When you niche down you are essentially just looking to find the person or service you enjoy the most and then speaking to them specifically in order to help grow your business.    Let's look at the pros and cons of niching down in business.    Pros:  -> Getting really specific on the person you are working with -> Become and be seen as an expert in your area quicker and more easily -> Dial in on what problems you can solve -> Dial in on your offerings and area of expertise Cons:  -> You can limit your ability to grow out of or beyond what you are doing -> You can be so dialed in or niched that you can't really make a living from it -> You have to look at your growth as a long game verse a short game because it can sometimes take a bit more time to find your people and have your audience grow   This is just one of the many things I can help you work through inside The Creative Boss Society. Inside of The Creative Boss Society Membership, I help you figure out who your audience is, how to market to them, and how to ultimately convert them to paying customers. Head on over and check it out. Can't wait to see you on the inside.    New to business and not sure you are ready to dive into a membership just yet? Check out my freebie vault where I give you resources to get you started. 

Not sure when the right time to hire a professional photographer for your products might be? Confused about why it might be time to outsource to a photographer? Today I am diving into this headfirst. I am sharing my top two (& most important) reasons your products need a professional photographer.    My first reason for hiring a professional photographer for your product photography is when you are ramping up sales and getting ready to market your products. You have the marketing strategy in place. You have perfected the product, the label and your brand. Maybe you even have a website and some images ready for that. But now you need to ACTUALLY market the product. In order to implement a good marketing strategy you need GOOD images to go along with it and often times you need A LOT of images so that you are able to try different tactics on different platforms. Investing in a professional photographer to asset in your market strategy by providing the images you get a professional touch and eye to help make the strategy be as successful as possible. A professional photographer can help you to bring out the emotion you are wanting your ideal customer to feel when they see or interact with your product online.    Bonus tip: Your business is going to get busier as those market strategies start to convert therefore you are going to have less time on your hands to perfect the images you need to continue marketing at a high level. Let a photographer take that piece off of your hands allowing you to focus more on nurturing all of the new leads you have brought in.    Hiring someone to help you with your marketing strategies and aesthetics allows you to have a proactive eye on your business instead of a reactive eye.    The second reason is product photography for a product launch. Hiring someone to help you with the photography for a new products allows you to get the detailed and special images you need that will allow your new product to stand out and become the center piece of your business. This will help you to have the images you need to get your new product on your website, implemented into your marketing strategies, sent to influencers to help with promotion etc. Hiring someone to come in for a product launch, especially when you've had someone help you professionally previously, allows for you to blend your new product into your current products while also allowing the new product to stand out and draw in new customers.    Speaking from experience, having someone on your team that is your go-to product photographer allows you to create a cohesive and smooth brand image across the board. Your photographer will be able to help you get the images, videos, and re-freshes you need with confidence. This is something that I specialize in - helping you coordinate the visuals you need for to create a successful marketing strategy to use on repeat. Head over to Instagram and shoot me a DM. I'd love to chat with you about all the ways a professional photographer can help you in your business.

Do you have a hard time outsourcing the things you LOVE in business? You aren't alone. Today I want to help you to give yourself permission to outsource the things you love in business in order to free up more of your own time. It can be hard to give up those things you love because it is like handing off your baby.    But here are a few reasons why it is okay to outsource those things you love. It is natural to be a perfectionist which will oftentimes lead to spending too much time on a project trying to get it just right. You end up spending so much time investing in something that could be hindering your growth. It is also easier to remove yourself from the outcome when you outsource. Sometimes we tend to take things a little too personal when it doesn't turn out as we envisioned.    Now, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you are beginning to outsource tasks. It is important to nurture the person you are outsourcing things to and remember where you started. They will not do it exactly like you and there may be some mistakes in the beginning but that's okay. It is a learning process. You have to allow time for error and corrections. Give examples and share HONEST feedback.    Photography is an easy thing to outsource when you are first looking to outsource something in your business. Many people outsource their photography to me and here are a few reasons why. My process has been perfected to capture the key things you are looking for. I am thorough when creating images and my clients understand that. I also have good communication with those I work with. A good, honest, and trusting relationship is a MUST and that is accomplished through good, open, and efficient communication.    If you are looking to outsource your photography feel free to send me a DM on Instagram and shoot me an email at info@crystalcreativestudios.com

Today on the podcast I am sharing my top 5 tips on how to show up as the expert in your field now.    First, you need to define your zone of genius. So you are a photographer, content creator, product boss or web designer. Great! That is good to know but you need to take it a step further and know the ONE thing that you do really well that will help you create that position of expert to other people. As a photographer that could position yourself self as a photographer who specializes in product photography with an emphasis on flat lay product photography. This is getting really specific and giving you an area to market your expertise.    Next, you need to make your communication clear. When you are talking about what you do you should always be very clear about what you specialize in. When positioning your content, by the language you use, your “elevator pitch”, your bios on social media, everything! It should CLEARLY state what you are an expert at.    Give more than you take. ALWAYS. Giving mediocre and generic tips aren't cutting it anymore. People want VALUE. When you give tips they should be worth something. They should be specific to your expertise.    Along with giving more than you take you also need to show up and be helpful! This is hard. It sometimes takes a little bit to see the fruits of your labor in this area but don't give up. You have to develop trust and you do that by showing up and being helpful consistently. This is the only way they will truly see what you have to offer. Make sure you are always offering a quick and easy solution.    Lastly, show up confidently and be REAL. You can do this by talking about the thing you know and know WELL. Wrap it into realistic stories about yourself. Be real. People crave real. Show up imperfectly. Showing some flaws will pull people into you because it makes you relatable. It allows them to see that they can one day be at the point you are or they can afford you because you were once just like they were. That relation is gold.    When you take these five tips and put them into action your customers will start to see you as the expert in your field and will come to you for all their needs.   One of my favorite ways to show up confidently and real is Instagram stories. It's my jam. If you are looking for some tips around stories pop on over in my inbox and I am happy to share! I also want to invite you to my Creative Boss Society where we meet twice a month making sure you get the strategy you need and the accountability to execute on it. I offer support around exactly what you need to grow every month.

First, the reason why no one is seeing your content is that you are truly not sharing it enough! It's tough to step back and realize just how many times we need to talk about a particular product, offer or service to get the audience to start to see us as that subject matter expert but it's often the reasons why no one is seeing your content!   So how could you fix that? Try taking a former blog and pulling out just 1 tip to highlight and refer back to that blog post as the call to action. This gives value, a quick piece of content to post and ties back to what you do to solve their problem. In this episode you will hear me run over several examples of repurposes and tying back your content to what you offer.   Second, your audience isn't big enough. That may feel like a duh, thing to say but it's often very true. Its why one of the key things to do in your business is start first by growing your audience.   To start growing and getting more people in, you can utilize traffic sites like Pinterest to push out both Instagram and Blog related content that leads an audience straight to your freebies! Get them on the list and you in their inbox is key to quick grow and good conversions. Show up and be a resource to others genuinely offer help and your freebies as an option when you see other postings about related struggles that your product or service can solve. You can set a timer and pop in to various facebook groups and be engaged in questions that are going on involving your ideal client.   Lastly, your images and graphics aren't appealing! Ouch, I know! But its very very true. This is why there are stock shops and templates out there to help you grow your business visually. I would do you any justice as a Photographer and Creative Director if I didn't stop and say hey, you need to take a look at what you're putting out there.   You should take a moment to gather together a set of 10-15 graphics that are already customized and set up to fit your brand. Then, rinse and repeat!   Need more support around your content? I've got your back with a few easy options!   If you're that DIY Boss don't forget I've got the four guides that are FREE for you to grab. Let me know how I can support you and grow your business and get your content up to par so that you can get your stuff out there and people can start buying the products and things that you have to offer because we both know they are amazing.   Ready to outsource and take this off your plate? Start the year off strong for any product launches with a custom photoshoot by booking a call with me to see how I can help you develop eye catching content or maybe you've used the heck out of all of those photos it might be time for a refresher.   You can catch past episodes here or on the website. I strive to bring you the best content, marketing and business owner tips to keep you clear and on the path toward success.

It is that time of the year, the time to start focusing on where things are going to go from now to December but also for next year! It's easy to get really narrow focused on serving your clients and doing client work or creating products but as business owners we can easily forget to stop and work on your business. You may not even feel like you know how to do that! A lot of your fellow creative business owners within The Creative Boss Society have been telling me that they are just exhausted with making decisions and trying to predict what is gonna happen with this year and a lot of them are just ready to move on into 2021.  If you find yourself in that same place I just want to let you know that you are not alone. In this episode we cover 3 ways group masterminds can accelerate your business.  The Creative Boss Society is the kind of mastermind that can help you grow your business next year. I know because I built it to serve other creatives just like ME! Things mentioned in this episode: Gain increased focus in your business through weekly accountability check in and support!  Narrowed in on serving and doing client work that we forget to work ON our biz Get more growth - month over month with focused trainings and steps to implement.  Get more motivation and be challenged to show up, put processes in place and move your business forward to success! Reduce complacency in your business, routine and tasks. Gain the desire to improve and grow! Get the community you desire to grow! Check ins and challenges that help you move forward and connect with other like-minded creatives. Collaboration opportunities! Learn how collaboration can help accelerate your growth. Build long lasting business relationships with those willing to step up and help you succeed. Have ONE source for support and sales focused "training". No more 99 course bundles, searching Pinterest for endless freebies that only skim the surface. Get straight to what you need! Get REAL! Find that this is a place to be vulnerable about biz ownership. To explore the things that don't feel great and learn how to get past it, together. Asking the questions to get help and guidance you need. Don't get stuck or left behind. We will challenge you to empower yourself by asking what you need help for so we can make sure you get it!

If you don't know a lot about my background here is a brief synopsis of what I've done: I spent the better part of 10 years recruiting in HR. I was like a matchmaker between employees and the companies inviting people who are the right fit for different positions. I worked hard to ensure that each recruit and each company were going to be successful in their career path, both individually and as a whole. I've gained the advantage of learning both perspectives of working for the company and also meeting so many wonderful people throughout the years.    I try to stay as active as I can on LinkedIn because this is where I had built up such a wonderful network of so many people. LinkedIn is a great resource for building your network and business. Don't forget to connect with me: Crystal Hollman!    Key things I cover in this episode:  Encourage communication and meetings Provide constructive feedback but leave room for creativity Embrace their strong points and take away things that they aren't good at Uplift them with support and guidance in what they're doing   Give authority to your team to help make decisions, this level of empowerment gives them more skin in the game to show up like you need them to.   Expanding your team can feel overwhelming as it is and this is why I step in to help other businesses get control of their content and photography without the stress of pulling together all the details themselves.   So if you're growing your creative business and are looking for reliable content for consistent growth, let's talk! I've served over 27 new product businesses alone this year in addition to my retainer clientele. Their key takeaways were being able to increase their product sales/revenue, grow their business by focusing in on sales, having better Ad conversions and more! Like this episode? Comment, share on Pinterest, or even snap a screenshot and tag me on Instagram! I'd love to hear what you think about hiring and growing your team!

Each year I refresh my prop collection so that I have a set of props I can use in a variety of shoots that next year. In this episode I dive in to the ways you can build a prop stash if you're a DIY business owner, photographer or other creative looking to get better at taking your own product photography.    Find me over on Instagram! 

You have finally made the big step to invest in yourself and your business by signing up for a coaching membership. Things are going great in the beginning. You're showing up to every coaching call, you're completing the monthly trainings, and you're collaborating with other members. But then your business picks up, you're drowning in the amount of work you have to do, and your coaching calls are starting to take a backseat. I get it. It's tough to juggle everything, but it's important to remember that you are also a priority. So, here are three tips on how to navigate a coaching membership. Commit to the Cause Before you get overwhelmed by the amount of work you need to get done or the projects you have to do, mark the coaching call times on the calendar beforehand, so you don't miss a live opportunity to chat. Get to know other members and listen in on coaching topics designed to help you grow. Treat yourself like you would treat a client. Set aside time in your calendar to do the things you need to do for your business to succeed. Often, business owners get caught up in their work for other people, and their own business falls to the wayside. Don't let that be you. You're just as important as your client, so make yourself a priority and commit to your new coaching membership. You will thank yourself later. Show Up For You Your coach may give you all the tools, but it's up to you to do the work. It's like the old saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink." You have to be willing to put in the time and effort to make your business the best it can be. If you're stuck, feeling insecure, unsure how to apply it to your product or services, I challenge you to ask for help from your coach or other members. That's why they're there. There's no shame in asking for help. You do what you have to do to turn your business into a successful one, so show up to the coaching calls because you will benefit from them. Show Support A community develops from supporting one another and helping each other grow. If you have feedback or maybe a solution you've used before - chime in and help your fellow members. Mark a 15-minute window a few times a week where you can intentionally pop into the Facebook group, browse what's going on, offer some support, or ask some questions you've had on your mind. More than likely, other people in the group have the same concerns or questions that you do. You're there to receive support just as much as you give it, so help support fellow members who may be feeling a little lost in their entrepreneurial journey. Conclusion You get out of a coaching membership as much as you put in. Make it a priority to keep up with the program because it genuinely can benefit you and your business if you stick with it. A lot of times, the people who don't see any change are the ones who stopped showing up for themselves. It takes discipline and consistency, but your business is just as important as the next. Continue to show up for your coaching membership each month like you did when you signed up. If you feel like you've been in business too long, and you're still not reaching your goals, send us a message on Instagram. Let's talk about what we can do to change that. I've been there, and that's why I developed these systems and strategies for the Creative Boss Society. It will give you the tools to reach your new goals quickly and a pace you can manage.

I am so excited to talk to you today about the top business apps that I can't live without. I like to update people with what I'm currently using in my business in hopes that you, too, can become more organized and efficient. As my business has grown with Crystal Clear Creative Studios and now the Creative Boss Society, there are many moving parts. Some of the apps that I use have changed from what I used last year, and I wanted to share them with you. Airtable It's the organizational core of my businesses - Crystal Clear Creative Studios and the Creative Boss Society. Everything like product photography and shot lists to client information is kept here. Along with branding information, graphics, hex codes, content calendars, and more! Notion You can use it for notes, create sections, templates, spreadsheets, etc. I love it because I can have a board in Notion and build out lesson plans and trainings. There are also sharing capabilities that allow me to share content and copy with my team. Slack I love Slack for team communication. It gives me one central place to track back-and-forth conversations with every team member. It's searchable, so I can search for attachments or photos that my team might have dropped and sent to me that I need to find and vice versa. Dubsado Dubsado has been great for my business because I can set up a portal and workflows for my clients. They have access to all their invoices each month, and they can access them at the end of the year for tax write-offs. Dubsado also keeps track of client contracts, documents that I've uploaded if I'm working with a new client, email follow-ups if something needs completion by a specific time, and more. Unfold Unfold is one of the apps that I have on my phone that allows me to create social media graphics quickly. Mojo Mojo is how I make all of the moving graphics used in my Instagram stories. Voice Memo I use voice memos for everything, especially when it comes to blogs. I could be out somewhere, and something inspires me, so I'll stop and do a voice memo, then go back, clean up the audio, and upload it or use it for later. Voxer Voxer has become a great tool for many people in the coaching industry and just a lot of business owners in general. It allows you to have back-and-forth conversations with people at your leisure. Conclusion Those are some of the top tools that I'm currently using in my business. If you want to check it out or have some other questions on how I'm using some of these apps in my business, please let me know. Whether you're starting in your business or are already established, the Creative Boss Society will provide the direction, training, and tools you need to start selling confidently, all while being supported by your community and coach. You can also find me on Instagram, where I post tips and tricks to help you thrive as a business owner.

Market research is the number one way to get to know your ideal audience or client avatar. It will answer the questions of who you want to help, their problems, and if you can provide them with a solution. The more you can understand who it is you're serving, the better you will be able to provide what they need. Check the Competition The first way to get the information you need is to check the competition. Go to people's websites and social media profiles who have similar audiences to you or work in the same niche. Check what kind of content they post and what people are saying about it. Take note of how your competitors interact with their audience and what calls-to-action they use. You can also subscribe to their email lists to see what kind of content they send out and how often. Gather information from different people and see how you can apply it to similar areas in your business. Do not copy the competitors! The point of checking the competition is to gather information and apply it in a way that works best for you and your ideal audience. You can also better identify any gaps in the marketplace and fill them accordingly. Identify the Target Market Once you've done your research, identify the target market. Who is it that you want to help? What kind of people are looking for your services? Market research makes things more clear as to who it is you're trying to attract. You can then create content geared specifically towards that audience. Through your research, you will also identify specific words or phrases often used, which you can incorporate into your content to attract the right people for your business. You can also go straight to the source and survey your target market. If you're a relatively new business owner who hasn't acquired an audience big enough to survey yet, start small. Ask friends and family if they know of anyone who fits your ideal client avatar. Facebook groups are also a good place to find your target audience. Review Social Media Insights Another great place to find some additional information on market research is in your social media analytics. Find out which content resonated most with your audience or had the most engagement. This includes likes, comments, and shares. Insights and analytics alone tell you right away what works and what doesn't. Your website is another great way to check your insights and see which pages are the most viewed. The data will tell you everything you need to know, including which content to make more of and which ones to scrap. I recommend checking your insights often to see what works best for your audience on each platform. Some things work better than others depending on the social media platform. The more you check, the more familiar you will get with the content that resonates with your ideal audience. Conclusion Market research is crucial for any business owner and gives you a direction to work towards, will help you to identify your target market, and find out what sparks their interest. A little research goes a long way and provides the answers you need to create better content for your audience.  Whether you're starting in your business or are already established, the Creative Boss Society will provide the direction, training, and tools you need to start selling confidently, all while being supported by your community and coach. You can also find us on Instagram, where we post tips and tricks to help you thrive as a business owner.

I get a lot of questions and wonderful compliments about the graphics and the branding in the way that I do things. And so, I thought I would dive more into how I edit my graphics and photos and share my tips with you. First Things, First When it comes to editing, I have a set of presets that I have tweaked and developed based on how I like editing my photos. They're bright with loads of contrast. I shoot in a RAW format on my camera, which means I'm allowing the file to absorb as much data on the color and lighting as possible. Then, I cull through my photos and narrow them down to the best ones before bringing them into Lightroom. This is where I'll apply my presets because I know they already have the tweaks needed to make the photo better most of the time. And then I go through, and I have to make subtle adjustments. The Types of Adjustments I Make One of the most common adjustments I make to my photos is tweaking the brightness. Every day could be different, as well as the time of the day. So sometimes, I'll go through and make subtle adjustments if everything wasn't at the prime time that I tried to shoot that day. I adjust my whites and bring them up about 20 points or so. I like to drop the shadows down to keep the dark contrast and keep things that are dark, dark. Then, I will also adjust my lights and make them lighter. From there, I'll bring my photos into Photoshop for some final touchups. I'm not a big fan of Photoshop, but I do use it for things like overlays. If there's a screenshot or blank tablet and I want to put a nice overlay - you get better mobility in Photoshop by manipulating the screenshot. If you have some fuzz on a shirt or lint on the floor of a flat lay and need to edit it off quickly - Photoshop is the best option. If I need to add a screenshot or make any quick edits, I use the "healing tool" to take out little imperfections and things here and there. Then, I export my edited photos into Canva, which I use to create all of my graphics to avoid the rabbit hole that comes along with Photoshop, InDesign, and some of the more advanced programs. Creating Graphics I'd say about 80% of the graphics I create are done in Canva. You can use Photoshop, but I find it time-consuming since the program is more complicated and detailed than what I need. In Canva, I can quickly plug in my photos to pre-made templates, and they still have a high-quality resolution. I can make a quick design, export it fast, and get it out there. Conclusion Having these platforms makes my process for editing, creating photos, and graphics more efficient. I can rapidly produce lots of content and social media posts. So if you want to edit more like me or try to edit your flat lay, and you want better whites and brights, I recommend you check out my Presets Mini-Course. I created a mini-course that includes videos of me pulling up a few photos and showing you how I make specific tweaks and adjustments based on common things that you'll find wrong. For example, why some images look very gray or the whites aren't white enough, different color tones based on the time of day the photo was taken, things like that. I give you both Lightroom for mobile and desktop, in case you would rather stick to having the mobile format. If you have any questions about my process or some of the things that I do, send me a message. I answer questions like this all the time. You can also find me on Instagram.

Starting a business requires a lot of patience and determination. You have to be willing to make some sacrifices in your life, change your mindset, and keep pushing through when the going gets tough. But before you hit the ground running, there are a few key things you should know before you start your business. Why? What? Who? Why - The first and most crucial part of your business is knowing your "Why." Why are you doing what you're doing? What is the driving factor that pushes you to keep this business running? Your "why" gets you out of bed every morning, even when you're at your lowest. What - What are your goals? What is it that you're trying to accomplish? Set small milestones that will help you get where you want to go. Start by creating small goals that are within reach. Not only will this help you stay on track towards the bigger picture, but you will build your confidence as you go along. Who - Lastly, who is it that you're doing all of this for? Who is your ideal client? The one that you dream of working with or would benefit from your services or products. The more you know about them, the better you'll provide them with exactly what they need. Prepare to Sacrifice Within the first year of your business, prepare yourself to make sacrifices. Running a business takes a lot of time. The reality is that you'll work more hours for yourself than you ever did at your corporate, full-time job. That's entrepreneur life for you, but the reward is worth it when you see your hard work paying off. The Money Doesn't Come Right Away Starting a business doesn't mean instant profit. It could take a year or longer to see a consistent and profitable income. This is usually because, within the first year, your expenses go towards building a solid foundation for your business. So, before you start a business - don't quit your day job just yet. Set aside some money so that you can compensate for the days that your new business doesn't bring any income. Conclusion The thought of quitting will often cross your mind, but when it does - take a step back and reevaluate where you are in your business and if it's in the direction you want to be going. Know that you will have to pivot along the way and adjust to the many challenges that come your way, but these are the things that will make you stronger. Take those lessons, learn from them, and grow. If you're seeking extra help and guidance along the way, check out my free resources here or you can join our membership - The Creative Boss Society.

Build the Foundation Your brand story is what builds the foundation of your business. It's what helps your ideal audience understand who you are, what you do, what you stand for, and why they should choose you. Your story is what they care about most and why they, ultimately, buy from you. Share the most authentic pieces of your story that people can relate to and care about. Every story has a beginning, middle, and end. Your brand story is no different. The beginning is where you want to be clear. Who is this story for? The middle is where you address the problems and struggles your audience may have. And, the end is how you can help. Your customers are the main characters of the story. You want to give them a visual example of where they fit into your brand. They need to be able to see themselves and their problems answered with the help of your product. Where Your Photos Come In I've said it before, and I'll say it again - people relate to people. The types of models you use, how they interact with your products, what they're wearing - everything goes back to your brand story, and what it represents. When you know your ideal customer and understand their journey, it's easier for you to create the right images that resonate with them most. If you outsource your product photography, connect with someone who understands your story and how you want to share it. If you struggle to communicate your product photo ideas to your photographer, I cover everything you need to know here. Your images should show how your products solve your customer's problems. Use your photos as a way to capture how they make people feel, what it can do to help make life easier, etc. There's a lot of power in visual storytelling. Share yours in a way that captivates your audience. Conclusion Every piece of your brand story (the good and the bad) needs to be told. It's the not-so-glamorous parts that your audience will most likely relate to. How can you incorporate that into your visuals? Create solutions through your photos. Your brand story should show how you can help others solve their biggest problems and why you are the person who can solve it. If you want to reevaluate your offer or go back to some of the necessary steps because your company is brand new, then let's talk. The Creative Boss Society is where I'm teaching other creatives how to use methods that I have applied in my brand and business to grow. I will help you get straight to the strategy that is working for you. Let me know if you have any questions. I'd love to help! You can also find me on Instagram.

Your mindset is everything when you're starting in your business. Finding ways to practice a positive mindset routine can make all the difference when the going gets tough. Being an entrepreneur is no easy feat, but it can be so rewarding when you see your hard work come to fruition. It's easy to feel bored or lost because you hear yourself all the time, but how is it really looking? Are you letting the negative thoughts get in the way of your abilities? Here are a few reasons why entrepreneurial mindset work is so important. No Comparison Mindset By now, you know that social media can be a blessing and a curse. Chances are at some point in your life, you have found yourself endlessly scrolling through your Instagram feed. Then, by the time you put your phone down, your mood has changed for the worse. Subconsciously, you spent all that time comparing yourself to other entrepreneurs and their progress. You start doubting your capabilities and your services and wonder if this life is for you.I'm here to tell you that it is. Sometimes, we all need a little reminder that everyone is on their own path—focus on yourself and your success, and no one else's. You have no idea what's going on behind closed doors. Remember that your journey is different than everyone else's. Instead, turn comparison into inspiration for how to make things better in your own business. What's working for that person that you can incorporate into your business? Not everyone is as perfect as social media makes them out to be. You Are Enough Mindset Don't wait until you feel “ready” to take the next steps in your business because that day may never come. There's no better time than the present to take action, whether you're just beginning or scaling upwards. You have the tools to get started, and you can learn the rest along the way. Putting pressure on yourself to know everything is counterproductive. Free resources and content are great starting points, but eventually, you need to go for it. Don't let your fear of failure hold you back from all the possibilities that are available to you. As long as you know that you will make mistakes along the way, learn from them, and keep going. Abundance Mindset One thing to be clear about right now is that there is room for you and your business in the online world. Despite what people say about there being too many entrepreneurs or that the market is too saturated is not true. You, too, can succeed as an entrepreneur, friend. It's so important that you get rid of the scarcity mindset and start believing that you are capable of abundance. You can have that 6-figure launch you've always dreamed of, but you need to believe that you can do it. Sometimes, a little accountability and support can play a huge role in getting you where you want to be as a business owner. This is why I've created the Creative Boss Society. It's an opportunity for you to get the systems and strategies you need to move your business forward. Conclusion Mastering your mindset is an ongoing process. There are so many different ways to work on yourself as a person and as a business owner. Know that the entrepreneurial journey is not an easy one, and you should be so proud of yourself for making the first steps towards a better you. If you need action plans that are straight forward and easy to implement, check out our membership program. Here, you'll learn to leverage success, grow month to month, and develop new relationships with other business owners too!

Many small business owners that I work with really want to channel a high-end appeal. They want to put their best foot forward, and they are looking to do that through their visuals. Photography adds that high-end, tailor-made feel to your products if you do it right. So, here are three important components that you need to have for your high-end brands. Quality and Luxury Appeal First, you need quality and luxury appeal. That means having the best kind of props, the best kind of materials, the thought, and detail that go into every image. Instead of creating an image with ingredients that are brought together digitally, you invest in having a luxury appeal by using real fruits that you can cut up and put with your product. Sometimes the quality and luxury aren't about the props, but rather the details that go into it. Think about the pieces that make your product unique. Solid Differentiator The second component is a solid differentiator. Think to yourself - what are the things that you are coming back to? Do you keep coming back to this minimalist, clean style? Do you keep coming back to that bohemian type vibe? Do you lean hard into blacks and whites and accent details? What are the things you find yourself leaning hard into, and that you love to see for your brand? What do you think your ideal customer is going to resonate with? You have a similar style and trend in the way that your brand is showing up. Natural Products I've also noticed many brands are leaning more into natural products or products made of real ingredients that you can get at a store. Take skincare products, for example. Many brands want to show that they use natural ingredients. So, what do they do? They style their product photos using fresh fruits to help bring their product's story to life. You give your audience a better visual of what you bring to the table and make your product more appealing. Conclusion Once you decide your differentiator, choose what style and direction will fit you and your brand best. That specific thing that makes your product different from the rest needs to be in your detailed shots. It needs to be in the clothes that your model is wearing. It needs to be in everything. So that look, that feeling, that lifestyle translates 100% into everything that you're doing. When you're marketing and putting things out there, you are pulling in more and more of the ideal clients you want to have to buy your things. If you want to reevaluate your offer or go back to some of the necessary steps because your company is brand new, then let's talk. The Creative Boss Society is where I'm teaching other creatives how to use methods that I have applied in my brand and business to grow. I will help you get straight to the strategy that is working for you. Let me know if you have any questions. I'd love to help! You can also find me on Instagram. To continue your journey as a Creative Boss you can find me at — www.crystalclearcreativestudios.com or www.thecreativebosssociety.com

One of the toughest things when it comes to shooting your own product photos is consistency. Issues with lighting, style, and brand message cohesiveness are common for D.I.Y.-ers. So today, I've got 3 tips to help you achieve the seemingly effortless flow among your photos that you've seen on your favorite Instagram accounts. Catch the rest over on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

Would you like to have more control over the outcome of your next photoshoot, ensure a more successful result, and experience a more seamless client/photographer relationship? Then you need...drumroll, please...a photoshoot shot list. So what is it, and why do I talk about it so often? A photoshoot shot list is basically a clean, crisp outline of what a photoshoot will look like through the photographer's eyes. It includes important items like the setups and props to be used and the types of photos to be taken. But more than that, a shot list provides an opportunity for the photographer to clearly communicate their vision and for the client to decide if it matches what they're hoping for. Catch the rest on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

I have worked with a lot of beauty brands over the last couple of years with different budgets and different brand styles. And after working with so many brands, I've gathered a few tips that consistently lead to better beauty product photos. I feel these tips are so important because when you're taking the opportunity to do a photoshoot, you want to make sure you get the most from it and that your products are shown in a beautiful way. And here's the best part: the tips I'm going to give you below are actually things that are in your control and not dependent on a professional photographer. Catch the rest over on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

Did you get some vertical images in your last product photoshoot? As I've developed my client photoshoot questionnaire over the years, I've found that so many business owners consistently forget about vertical images. So if you didn't get some vertical shots in your last batch of product photos, I want to tell you why you should definitely think about putting them on the list for next time. Catch the rest on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

Last year, I heard about a new company offering a different kind of email platform. This platform has allowed me to easily distribute free tools, notify my list of upcoming events, and stay connected with the people who really want to hear from me during this strange COVID-19 time when so many businesses are turning to the online world in order to survive and thrive. Today, I'm talking about Flodesk, why I dig it so much, and how it quickly became one of my favorite business tools. Catch the rest on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

Not every photographer you might want to work with will be located near you. If you've found someone who is capturing the style and feel you're going for but lives in another state, that's totally okay. You can ship your products! As a specialized product photographer, I serve clients from New Jersey to Hawaii. But I know long-distance shipping expenses can add up, so I like to support my clients in reducing those costs as much as possible. Here are the tips I give them, and I hope they help you, too. Catch the rest on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

Sometimes it's a struggle to get a small business off the ground in today's super competitive world. So as a photographer and business owner, I'm going to talk about the awkward elephant in the room: the things that make your business look unprofessional. Small business owners have access to better quality photos, videos, websites, and branding than ever before, and customers/clients will often skip over businesses that don't LOOK like they are professionally run. So to be able to make the living you want, charge prices that reflect the value of what you offer, and show the expertise you have, here are some important things to avoid. Catch the rest over on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

Everyone has distinct likes and dislikes, and our brains all work in different ways. But as business owners, we're all looking for the tools and systems that will allow us to run our businesses in the best way possible. I just hit my 6th year in business, and I have spent so much time over those years trying to figure out what tools and systems were right for me. I wanted to get organized, have tools that work for the way I individually think and like to see information, and have a system that would allow me to scale my business. It's only been in the past little while that I've finally gotten down to a method that really works for me, my team, my clients, and my partner in my other business, Creative Boss Method. Since business owners are often curious about tools others are using and whether or not they might be a good fit for them, here I'm going over my four favorite business tools and how I use them in my now successful system.Description Catch the rest over on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

Many businesses are pivoting right now due to COVID-19. With so much uncertainty in the economy here in the US and around the world, businesses are having to shift into what's going to work in the current circumstances with what they can control. And I'm right there with all of the small business owners figuring out how to work at home on lockdown with my kids while the schools are closed. I've had to make some quick adjustments, and I wanted to share the things I'm specifically focused on in the hope that they might help you, too. And sometimes it's just nice to hear from somebody else and know that they are in the same place as you are. Catch the rest over on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

Instagram is my favorite way to connect with other business owners, creators, and moms. It's also the hottest social media platform out there at the moment. So if you want to up your Instagram game, I've got 3 underused ways you can take your photos and turn them into something great for your account. Catch the rest on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

Yikes, friends! The competition is fierce! Gone are the days of being able to set up a so-so website for online presence and run around handing out business cards. When you hand out a business card now, you can bet a week's income that the recipient is going to turn around and look you up online for credibility about what you say. And the state of your website will either attract them or deflect them from hiring you, buying your product, etc. This is where the investment in good photography can make a huge impact on whether your visual game is on point and whether you've given your brand the visual credibility it deserves. Catch the rest over on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

I've been in business for 6 years! In those 6 years, I've been on cloud nine, ready to throw in the towel, and everywhere in between. I'm about to get super real here with my reflections and 20/20 hindsight, but I have to own that I'm grateful for all of the business experiences I've had because they've shaped where I'm at today.  And my hope is that by sharing these thoughts, you might get some encouragement and clarity around things going on in your business. Catch the rest over on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

Sometimes you just hit the inspiration roadblock. It happens to everyone, even those of us in the creative professions. So what will help when you're having a slump day? Here are my suggestions for getting the creative juices flowing again. Catch the rest on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

I LOVE talking about props. And obviously, props are a huge thing when it comes to working in any kind of photography. There are tons of affordable options for props. You can literally find props everywhere if you look with the right eye. So this makes understanding how to invest in props in a way to maximize your return on investment an important topic for business owners. I'll give you a few things to keep in mind whether you're looking to invest in props for your own photoshoot, you're working with a photographer, or you're the photographer yourself. Catch the rest on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

You've got some beautiful product photos. What's next? In today's world, it's not enough to just have a great product and great product images anymore. With all of the tools and resources out there for learning how to have and use fantastic images, lots of businesses do. So if you're planning to run any type of ads on Facebook or Instagram, let me share with you 3 ways to take your photos one step further and stand out just a little bit more with your business.  These methods are commonly used by a lot of bigger organizations, but they're within reach for the rest of us, too. Catch the rest on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

What's a content checklist, and how can it help you? Business owners sometimes don't think about creating a content checklist because they're not behind the camera. But if you, as a business owner, get involved in making a content checklist for your photoshoot, you'll have more control over your photoshoot outcome and make sure you hit all of the touch points for your business. Catch the rest on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

Service-based businesses need photos, too. While they may not have any physical products to sell, service providers like designers, marketers, and branders, still use images for their websites, social media, and blogs. And even if these business owners have gone through the work of getting their own brand imagery, they may worry about having enough material for their amount of online activity. This is where good stock photography can give you the opportunity to stretch your image material for longer amounts of time, spend less than you would on additional custom brand images, and still have eye-catching photos to display online.  And I've got an easy, pennies-on-the-dollar way to get beautiful stock photography, including some shot by yours truly. Catch the rest on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.

I know clothing flatlay photography can be challenging for a lot of people. For those of you who are struggling with it, let me make it a little easier. In my work as a commercial photographer, I have lots of clothing clients and I actually really love these kinds of shoots.  So here are my top 5 tips for this specialized area of flatlay photography. Catch the rest on my blog at https://crystalclearcreativestudios.com/blog/.