Swindon firms get in the picture at photography day

A pilot photography day in Swindon to provide businesses with bespoke pictures and get round the problem of relying on stock images has been hailed a success.

Four companies took part in the trial event, run by town-based communications consultancy Quicklearn, and lead by Quicklearn MD Charlotte Mannion and professional photographer Matt Miller.

Held at Basepoint serviced offices, the aim of the day was to bring together delegates from companies to take part in photoshoots for use on their own websites and in their marketing material.

They posed for shots which showed them in a range of business settings, including delivering presentations, chatting to customers and holding meetings.

Each company taking part gets royalty-free use of the photos. By having several businesses come together and ‘star’ in each others’ photos, the costs were kept to just £99 for each company.

 “This photography pilot project is all to do with the communications process,” said Charlotte. “We work with people, helping them to identify a communications strategy, of which photography is one area. Research shows that customers much prefer to deal with people they know and recognise. They are more likely to link with them if they see their faces on their website and in their marketing literature.

“We are very grateful to the four businesses today which signed up, and I believe they have found it very successful. It was great fun, with a lot of laughter and banter. Collaborating in this way also makes it affordable.”

Mark Sansome, of training consultancy Red Penguin Solutions, said: “I’ve taken part because I didn’t have any quality images on my website, but had been relying on stock photographs, which don’t really convey the message I want to give my clients.”

Ant Hodges, of online marketing company HodgesNet, said: “I take a lot of my own photos, but this is really useful as you get a third party looking in objectively.”

Andy Entwhistle, of Salient Sales & Training, said: “This came along at exactly the right time, as I am currently redoing my website and wanted some new photographs which show what I do as a coach and a trainer.”

Also taking part was Mike Morrison, of London-based RapidBI, who updates his website and marketing photographs every three years.