Montreal commercial photographer

CONTENT MARKETING USING PHOTOGRAPHY

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Content is king and businesses that realize this and apply it will make gains in their marketing efforts. Below is an example of interior photography I created for the Laurentian based company Construction Panache. Panache uses images of their completed projects on their portfolio website to show potential clients what they have already achieved. Furthermore these images will supply content for their social media; Instagram, FaceBook and on their Google Places listing. Strong visual content is key to grabbing attention and creating engagement with clients. In a few hours of work, I was able to create weeks of content for Construction Panache to use in their daily marking mix. Are you looking to make inroads within your market? Give me a call and lets make a plan for that together.

Solo Traveler Portrait Session - Mont-Tremblant

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Solo travel can be a wonderful way to explore the world without anyone interrupting your plans. However, there are only so many selfies one can take. Why not consider hiring a local photographer to help in capturing your memories?

My First Assignment - Johnny Fasciano

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Vancouver 2001…I was beginning the process of becoming a photojournalist. I was studying media and communications. I was making documentary films, editing sound, and shooting 35mm film SLR’s. I had just returned to Canada after 5 years abroad. A trip that took me through places like Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, East Timor, Indonesia, Romania…amongst others. I knew I wanted to tell stories. I knew I wanted to be a photojournalist.

During my student years in Vancouver, I met and to some degree, befriended a man living on the streets of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, Johnny Fasciano. Johnny was addicted to heroin, crack cocaine, was HIV +, Hepatitis C+ and homeless. Johnny was trying to get off the streets and get clean. I think he knew the end was coming for him. Together we formed a working relationship. I documented his personal journey to overcome terrible life choices and simply find a place to live and die in peace. Over two years we worked to create a short documentary film title The Needs Of One. I created a lot of images during this time. I learned to work with difficult subject matter. I learned to be objective, impassive. Johnny taught me a lot about the role of media and the stories that we choose to tell. Below are some of my images from this time. All were created using a K1000 35mm Pentax and were shot on Fuji Colour Slide Film. These images always remind me of where I started, and for what reasons. I welcome any feedback you may be inclined to share. How did you get started?

Mackenzie Tour - PGA Tour Canada - Final Two Rounds

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Over the past weekend, I photographed the PGA Tour Canada stop in Montreal, the Mackenzie Investments Open at Elm Ridge Country Club. Hired directly by the PGA for the second consecutive year, my contract was to document the play of as many players as possible over the two final rounds, and then pick up and follow the leaders into the final holes. Taylor Pendrith, from Richmond Hill, Ontario, won the Open with a tour record final score of 28 under par over 4 days. Below are some of my favourite images from the competition as well as a link to the PGA Tour Canada website.

C2 Montreal 2019

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By Allen McEachern

C2 Montreal wrapped last Friday night. This year marked my 7th edition as one of the official photographers of C2. My role in this edition was to cover the speakers and events of the Cabaret venue. Great master classes and tons of insight into the trends of today and tomorrow. Here are a few of my favourite images from #C2M19.

Inside Montreal's Metro

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These images represent a portion of a larger corporate image bank that I created for the L'Autorité Régionale de Transport Métropolitain (ARTM). A wonderful example of public works design in Canada during 1960’s and 70’s.

A Dalco Built Office in Mont-Tremblant

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A recent project at Tremblant. New offices by Dalco Constrction.

MacKenzie Tour - PGA Canada - Final Round

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Yesterday I had the privilege of being the official photographer for the MacKenzie Tour - PGA Canada Tour stop in Montreal. The five day event was held at Elm Ridge Country Club on L'Île-Bizard, in Montreal. The title was taken by Blake Olsen after a deciding playoff with fellow American Corey Pereira. Here are a few of my favourite images from the day.

SHAMBHALA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2018

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By Allen McEachern

Since August 2016, I have had the privilege of being the Shambhala Music Festival Medical photographer. My role is to document the work of the 150 person volunteer medical team as they work to keep festival goers health, happy, and sometime, alive. Here is a collection of my favourite images from Shambhala 2018. Please feel free to leave your comments. (Handheld / Ambient Light / Canon 1D X / 85mm f1.2 / 50mm f1.2 / 24-70mm f2.8 / 16-35mm f2.8 / 70-200mm f2.8)

SHAMBHALA 2017

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By Allen McEachern

I have just returned from Salmo, BC and the 20th edition of the Shambhala Music Festival. My contract is to document the work of the 130 person volunteer medical team. A team made up of paramedics, doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, and advanced first responders. Aside from offering basic first aid, the medical team operates a full capacity emergency room complete with an ICU. The worse cases attended by the medical staff are often from mixing heavy drug use, or overdosing. I think to understand the work of the medical team, you need to understand the environment that is Shambhala. Hopefully these select images help.

C2 Montreal 2017 Photo Highlights

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By Allen McEachern

Over the past five years, I have had the tremendous pleasure to be one of the official photographers of C2 Montreal. Every spring I look forward to the week of C2. The content, space, participation, and logistics of this project are impressive. As one of 5 photographers my take is limited to the main conferences and general movement from place to place. Here are some of my favourite images from C2 Montreal 2017. 

How Construction Companies Can Promote Their Work

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Allen McEachern.

Content is king! In the age of search, content does a lot to drive organic search to our businesses. Keeping fresh content rolling of the press is a sure way to improve SEO and get clients through the door. Why not show them what you do. Create a social media page or a portfolio site where prospective clients can see your completed work. A commercial photographer specializing in interior and architectural photography can do a lot to help promote your business. Have a question? Get in touch. Here are some images I did for Construction Panache in Mont-Tremblant.

3 Reasons Why You Need A Good Portrait

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By Allen McEachern.

Who doesn't have a social media account today? Are you representing a business? Are you a professional? An entrepreneur? When was the last time that you made an objective review of the images you present of yourself on-line? It might be time to enlist the services of a professional photographer to help streamline your image. Here are three ways that a good portrait works to your benefit.

1. A strong confident portrait is often the first impression others get of us. How many times have you been contacted by someone you don't know? How many of us go and search the person on the internet? We look for a picture, make our impressions. People in business need to be in control of their image. A current, professional portrait is a good way to stay ahead.

2. A professional portrait does not have to be a boring headshot. This is a great opportunity for you to take charge and control the message, to sculpt the opinion that other people form about you. Get creative, let your personality shine. Be yourself. It will work in your favour.

3. Portraits add a human element to the buying process. Like true horror, what we do not see is often more scary than what we do see. Show people your confidence. Make you and your staff available to be seen. Make a human link by showing yourself. Remember, a website is always open for business. Putting a good portrait on your about page can make sure there is someone in the store at all hours.

Photographing Big Corporate Events

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By Allen McEachern.

Photographing large, multi-day corporate events is something I truly love to do. The combination of all the moving parts that make these events so amazing also offer a lot of visual stimulation and inspiration for me. Large scale production - lights, sound, sets, talented and interesting speakers, access to industry leaders, creative spaces, other production teams, tons of people, networking, movement, working as a team, 12+ hour days, working closely with clients, sending images to media in almost real time, seeing your work live beyond the event, capturing a moment, sculpting a message...all of this without loosing site of why I am there...to create strong, clean, visually engaging creative content to help my client market, promote, share, sell, and explain. Do you attend large corporate events? What are your thoughts and experiences? Below are a few of my favourite images from events I photographed in 2016.

Follow Along on Instagram

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By Allen McEachern.

I have made a commitment this year to exploring the potential of Instagram. My plan is to use the platform to share assignment work during 2017. I am welcome to any suggestions or feedback you can offer as to how to get the most (fun) out of using it. All comments welcome. Please follow by clicking the link below.

https://www.instagram.com/allenmceachern/

3 Characteristics Art Directors Look for When Booking Photographers

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By Allen McEachern

There are many ways in which commercial contracts arrive for photographers. Some include the obvious; word of mouth referral, powerful SEO on our portfolio sites, publication credits, being in the right place (local SEO)...the list goes on. All this goes to say that you already have the caliber of work needed to be on the radar. But I want to go deeper and get into three specific traits that Art Directors look for when booking, and re-booking commercial photographer. Like I said, we are working with the assumption that your body of work is competitive...

1. Are you an asshole? Sorry for the language, but it really is the best word here. As creatives, we need to have a strong ego, it helps us get through slow times, and also defines much of who we are and how well we preform. But we need to keep it in check. Be humble, listen, think before you speak. Be easy to work with. Add something creative and positive, that's why you are there. No one wants to work with someone that is difficult, over aggressive, inattentive, or rude. Put on the charm, be graceful, smile. You would be surprised how far this will all go to your benefit.

2. Are you available? So many times I have "got the job" because I responded in a timely manner, I was precise in my responses, and I was flexible with my scheduling. We all have busy lives... wives, husbands, kids, clients, travel, etc. etc.. Chances are if an art director is contacting you it is because they already have an interest in working with you. Make it easy for them and all the other people involved in the production. Be flexible, be available, be reasonable, and expect the same in return. 

3. Do you deliver? Commercial photography (advertising / corporate / editorial) can be high stakes. Tight timelines, limited availabilities, always a budget to consider and so on. Are you able to deliver the expected result on time, on budget? Even better, deliver before the deadline, save the client money if you can, but do what you say you can. Actions always speak louder than any words, promises, or excuses. Customer service is super important to remember. It is what helps define our brands, creating positive experiences, keeping us memorable and remembered for the next time.

 

Pro Camera Equipment - Own vs. Rent

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By Allen McEachern.

Owning and maintaining a professional camera kit is expensive. Camera technology in my opinion makes a big step forward every two to three years. I plan my upgrades around this schedule. Considering the price of the professional Canon and Nikon Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) these days, costs can add up very quickly. Add to this increased memory - CF cards as well as hard drives, and upgrades become an anticipated and planned for cost of doing business. Lets say for argument sake, $5000-$14 000 every two - three years, just for cameras and memory. What part of the budget is left for lenses? Again, in my opinion, lens technology moves slower than camera tech. Lenses should need to be updated much less often. 

All this to answer a question I am asked a lot...update camera or lenses or both? My response, get on a schedule of camera updates every 2-3 years. Sell your old cameras to off-set the upgrade costs. Buy used if you can. Decide if you need the top of the line cameras. Next, look at what you shoot. What lenses do you use the most? What subject matter do you shoot the most? Portraits? Landscapes? Sports? Or a mix of subjects. The idea with lenses is to build a base kit that covers your needs. Personally I have the following...85mm f1.2, 100mm Marco f2.8, 16-35mm f2.8, 24-70mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8, 1.4 Extender, 2x Extender. I have a useful mix of specialty lenses (85mm & 100 Macro) plus a standard selection of zooms and extenders. This kit allows me to shoot almost everything that I regularly cover. Now, what about the add on's that we occasionally need? One word, RENT! Renting is a great way to stay asset light and expand your kit as you need it. I would argue that it helps to keep costs down. A rental costs money, but this should be part of your billing if you are operating properly. Imagine a 200mm f2 (awesome lens that I regularly rent). The cost of this lens is about $7500 +/-. How often will I need this lens? How else could I use $7500? How much more insurance will I need to cover this one piece if I owned it?

My point is, save your money. Buy what you need, when you can afford it and pay with cash you have. Rent the equipment that you require to fill in the holes in your kit, when you need them. I see photographers going out of business, drowning in debt, trying to keep up. Appearances are important, looking professional is important, being business savvy is a skill. Buy used, build a base kit of lenses, rent what you need when you need it. What are your thoughts on this?

SHAMBHALA - A 5 DAY PARTY

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By Allen McEachern

I recently returned from a week in Salmo, British Columbia where I was documenting the work of the 130+ person volunteer Medical team at Shambhala. Shambhala is a 5 day (and night) outdoor electronic music festival that attracts an international crowd. Over 15 000 people attend, and a small city takes shape. Drugs are prevalent, no alcohol is allowed. Harm reduction, and drug education associate freely in a way that rarely is seen, perhaps unique to Canada. Six different stages keep non-stop musical line-ups rolling from 1PM- 6AM daily. There really is nothing like Shambhala. I can't wait to go back. Here are my Shambhala photos. Click on an image to open a lightbox of the gallery.  (Handheld / Available Light / 85mm f1.2 / 50mm f1.2 / 24-70mm f2.8 / 70-200 f2.8 )

 

 

C2 San Francisco + EY Winning Through Disruption

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By Allen McEachern.

I recently had the great pleasure to travel to San Francisco to photograph a 4 day C2 Montreal event produced exclusively for the global accounting firm Ernst & Young. Here are a few of my favourites from day 3 and 4.

MONTREAL ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY

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By Allen McEachern.

Architecture & Interior Photography - a new portfolio page http://www.allenmceachern.ca/building-design. A collection of client work shot over the last 6 months in Montreal, and the Laurentian mountains of Quebec. Below are a few images from the collection.