Anyone can snap a picture of a building...But creating architectural photography that evokes interest and commands attention...well, that requires creative vision, technical proficiency and an eye for detail.

When you hire a commercial architecture photographer, you're paying for more than just a picture of a building with four walls and a roof. You're paying for the power to:

• Influence how your audience sees and values your offering.

• Visually position your brand as an industry leader

• Build a foundation of trust and inspire confidence in your customers.

• Create a resonant and unforgettable brand experience.

Telling a Brand Story Through Architecture

The Farmers Bank had recently undergone a pretty significant rebrand, which also included the rollout of new signage across all locations. To support this initiative, they needed updated architectural photography of each branch. Imagery that would not only document the new signage but also elevate their visual marketing and advertising efforts.

I've worked as a commercial photographer and digital artist specializing in product photography for over 15 years now. A few years back, in an effort to expand my creative capabilities as an artist, I started experimenting with the 3D and CGI product imagery. In this article, I'm highlighting a project that really stands out to me. I created a really cool conceptual series of guitar pedal images. But these aren't just any guitar pedal images. These are beautiful, conceptual products that I developed from the ground up; also known as product development. I created a full product line that includes 3 guitar pedals; a Peach Fuzz pedal, a 51 Roswell Phaser pedal and the Surf's Up Tremolo pedal.

These aren't tangible, physical products just yet. So you might be asking, "Brian, how did you create photos of a product that doesn't yet exist?" The answer; they're actually photo realistic 3D / CGI product renderings. As I discussed in my previous article "Product photography - CGI, Digital Photography or Both?", using CGI to create marketing and advertising imagery for ideation, proof of concept and prototyping is perhaps the strongest use case for using CGI product imagery. Furthermore, this may very well be the most ambitious creative project I've worked on to date. Not only did I have a blast creating this series, I also learned a lot along the way.

This article is twofold. First, I want to take this opportunity showcase a creative, cohesive body of work that I'm really proud of. And two, I want to visually demonstrate the level of creativity and experience that I bring to any product driven advertising campaign.

Through hours of creative exploration, I created a guitar pedal brand from the ground up. This included things like:

• Concept Development

• Name Development and Strategy

• Creative Direction

• Art Direction

• Logo Design

• Product Design & Development - Developing prototypes and mockups. Designing the product's appearance, functionality, and user experience.

• 3D Modeling

• 3D Rendering

• Post-Production, Compositing & Professional Retouching

• Ad Campaign design - Developing advertising layouts

• Copy - Writing compelling advertising copy

Over the past 15 years or so I've worked as a commercial photographer and digital artist specializing in product photography. Back in 2020, the pandemic had become a thing. Instead of anxiously sitting around, I took that time to upskill and diversify my creative capabilities. 3D and CGI product imagery had always piqued my interest. So it was the perfect time to learn something new. Though I had some 3D experience in a previous career many years ago, a lot had changed since that time regarding the capabilities of CGI and what it could offer as a viable creative tool for an independent artist. The software and hardware has gotten much better over the years and producing realistic product renderings was much more attainable for an independent business owner.

As curious people often do, I started dabbling. I soon realized that I didn't have the right machine to create the type of work I wanted. So I made some upgrades over the past 4 years and invested time learning 3D and CGI skills. Fast forward to today, I now have a growing portfolio of CGI product imagery. 

Working as a commercial product photographer for so many years has been a huge advantage for me as a 3D artist because photography skills are essential when working in a 3D environment. Having a background in traditional commercial photography has helped me create better 3D product imagery. Things like focal length, composition, lighting and post-production techniques all directly translate to creating photo realistic 3D product renderings. That said, my background in commercial product photography is a real asset for any company looking to create better product imagery.

Having experience in both traditional commercial product photography as well as CGI product photography, I've learned that there are definitely pros and cons to both. So in this article, I'd like to provide clients with some clarity on some of the similarities and differences of CGI vs traditional photography based on my own personal experience. Spoiler alert, they're both viable solutions for creating visual marketing and advertising imagery.

If you work for a company that designs and manufactures music driven products with passion, purpose and authenticity, Digital Art That Rocks™ would love an opportunity to work with you! I'm looking to work with more musical instrument manufacturers i.e. guitar, bass, keyboard, microphone and drum manufacturers, boutique guitar amplifier companies and consumer electronics brands that make products like turntables and bluetooth speakers. If you're involved with product driven music brands, pro audio brands or music lifestyle brands, we're probably a good fit to work together! Whether you've developed new innovative products, improved on an old design or discovered new use cases, Digital Art That Rocks™ can help you reimagine and explore interesting ways to visualize your products with impact and clarity.

We live in a fast paced world of visual engagement and rapid information consumption, so it goes without saying that first impressions can often times make or break a potential customer’s decision. While staying "top of mind" is important, so is the visual quality of the content that you put forth. For musical instrument manufacturers, the challenge isn’t just in creating exceptional instruments to put in the hands of aspiring musicians who may eventually become the next Eddie Van Halen, but in ensuring that the key visuals that you use to represent your brand resonate and connect with your target customers. This is where professional product photography comes into play, serving as a bridge between a brand’s craftsmanship and a musician’s curiosity. Whether your need e-commerce images to sell instruments on your website, or you need a killer hero shot for an ad campaign that you're running in Guitar World Magazine, Digital Art That Rocks can help!

BUILDING ON THE DIGICASTER: A BOLD TRANSFORMATION OF A VINTAGE WASHBURN MERCURY II SERIES TELECASTER

A while back, I discussed the importance of personal projects in an article about my custom Squier Bullet Stratocaster mod; The Digicaster. This guitar mod certainly shares that same sentiment. As with every passion project, this allowed me to exercise my creative problem solving abilities, learn new skills and ultimately develop an even deeper connection with the uniquely expressive instrument that we know as the electric guitar.

Nearly two years since completing The Digicaster, I now have a 2nd guitar mod in the books! After decades of owning this instrument, I completely reimagined my vintage 1990s Washburn Mercury II Series Telecaster, taking it from shelf to shred! Once this guitar mod was complete, I once again used my skill set as a commercial product photographer and digital artist to create a photo series to document and commemorate this instrument.

In the ever changing landscape of all things e-commerce, digital marketing and online advertising, one thing still holds true; the visual appeal of your products and services are often the first interaction potential customers have with your brand. In this article, we'll compare the DIY product photography vs professional product photography services. Just like fixing things around your home, choosing between DIY and hiring a professional services involves weighing the costs, benefits, and potential pitfalls. Whether you're capturing product shots with a smartphone or investing in a highly skilled product photographer, this decision impacts your brand's image and success in any highly competitive market. Discover the pros and cons of each approach, understand the skill and experience required, and make an informed decision that aligns with your brand's goals.

Product photography plays a vital role in marketing, advertising and branding. When done right, meaningful, consistent, creative and well produced product photography can drive sales and increase profit while simultaneously helping your company establish a recognizable and reputable visual identity for your brand.

Lights, Camera, Commerce: The Significance of Product Photography

Product photography is like the beat that keeps your digital marketing heart pumping, the lead guitar in the rock band of your visual marketing strategy. Product photography allows you to highlight the unique features and benefits of your brand's offerings. Whether it's the intricate details of a piece of jewelry, the functionality of a consumer tech gadget, or the texture of clothing, visual representation aids in conveying information that words alone may struggle to express. Customers want to see the benefits that they're are getting by purchasing your product and product photography is the bridge that fills that gap.

Going a bit further, beyond just showcasing features, product photography also offers the opportunity to be highly creative and strategic about your brand and who your brand serves. Product imagery can create a feeling and a vibe that can ultimately be used to build a visual narrative and lifestyle around your brand and it's portfolio of products.