Le Frame Shoppe Blog | Photography and Framing

PHOTOGRAPHY AND FRAMING

4/15/2018

We recently had a blast doing a presentation for The Lakeshore Camera Club. Interesting topics were discussed and I thought that some of the key points might benefit you. So today’s blog is all about photography and framing.

One of the most important questions you need to ask yourself is why. Why do I take photos? (What do I want my photos to do? How can I present my photos so that they do what I want them to do?) Asking yourself this simple question will help provide clarity on what the goal of your photos is and in turn help guide you in your framing design and material choices. And trust me, with thousands of frames, several mat and glass options, having a solid intent makes it easier to narrow down the options to satisfy your needs and budget.

What if your goal is to sell or show your work? We like to use this analogy when considering the importance framing might have on the outcome of your photos.

Imagine studying all your life, to finally graduate at the top of your class and then spend countless hours researching the companies you would like to work for and then applying. One day you get an invitation to come and interview for you dream job! You are so excited! You are going to meet the recruiter, then if that goes well, the VP and President to hopefully get your dream job!

Now you spend hours pouring over all the relevant data and the history of the company, you read all the current news items and prepare your vision of how the company will benefit by hiring you and what you bring to the table.

But on the day of the interview you throw on your Dad’s old, out-of-date and ill-fitting suit because it’s clean and covers you and you rush off to be judged for the opportunity of a lifetime. Not that it’s right, but unfortunately your interview may be over before it’s begun.

The reason book covers look so attractive is to entice you to open them and read. If this weren’t true, everything would be in a brown wrapper. As photographers, you spend so much time on your craft, from meetings, to shooting, to post production and printing. Don’t blow the interview!