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Follow Friday: Erin Giles on Product Photos and Connecting

- July 29, 2011 | by April -

Mini Interview: Erin discusses her inspiration behind her recycled spoon necklaces, tips on product photography, and her number one tip for someone starting a creative business.

1. How did you come up with the super fun idea of making necklace pendants out of recycled spoons?

Upcycling Spoons sort of well…happened.  For several years I had been creating and selling beaded jewelry at a boutique, and I was simply bored with it.  I was laid off and because of that I moved in with my Mom, and I wanted to try something new and it had to be something inexpensive.  I was intrigued by resin and its possibilities and my love affair with glitter was starting to fizzle, until I ran into some gorgeous soup spoons in a sweet little southern thrift shop, it was a match made in crafty heaven!  After wearing them around town and realizing they were quite the conversation piece, I decided to create spoonfuls of glitter and pretties to sell on Etsy!

2. I know that you’ve made some changes to your product photos, and they look AMAZING. Can you talk a little bit about the changes that you made and give some tips on taking really good product photos?

My product photos were almost the death of my Etsy Shop.  I had gone through four completely different photo background changes…and nothing was working, I was mentally exhausted and so ready to give up.  Finally, one day Danielle suggested editing them more than just the norm.  So I began fiddling with Adobe Lightroom and applying presets to my photos.  I also shot all of my necklaces against a sheer white polka-dotted curtain.  It had just enough snazziness without distracting viewers from my colorful designs.

Besides the above, here are 3 tips that helped me get my photos where I wanted them be are:

1. When shooting your product photos choose props and a background that fit your brand.  You want to create an easy on the eyes,cohesive shopping experience for your customers.

2. Use natural lighting, enough said. Don’t even think about using your flash, I have made this mistake.

3. Take shots that clearly show all angles and views of your product.  You can’t leave your customer guessing.

3. What’s your number one tip for someone who is just starting a creative business?

My number 1 tip is without a doubt, connecting.  If I had a sparkly wand and could turn back the hands of time, I would have gotten on Twitter a long time ago, found helpful blogs to read (such as yours), and become a part of a community.  Whether you have a crafty biz, or a chiropractic business you must grab a hold of like minded people and cherish them, learn from them, and encourage them.  I wish I would have known just how important this was from the beginning.

Where you can find/follow Erin:

Website
Shop
Twitter
Facebook

23 Comments · Filed Under: Follow Friday

Comments

  1. Erin Giles says

    July 29, 2011 at 7:25 am

    April, thank you so much for doing this:)! Your necklace looks amazing on you, as always!

    Reply
    • April says

      July 29, 2011 at 8:10 am

      You’re sooooo welcome!

      Reply
  2. Bridgett says

    July 29, 2011 at 7:53 am

    These necklaces are gorgeous!!!

    Reply
    • April says

      July 29, 2011 at 8:11 am

      They are so super fun!

      Reply
    • Erin Giles says

      July 29, 2011 at 8:24 am

      Thanks Bridgett!

      Reply
  3. Danielle says

    July 29, 2011 at 8:05 am

    awh heck yeah i love my glitter spoon necklace too (i think april and i might have the same color?! great minds…) anyways, I am glad I was able to lend a hand in the photo area!

    Reply
    • April says

      July 29, 2011 at 8:13 am

      The next time we see each other we should be complete dorks and both wear our necklaces 😉

      Reply
      • Danielle says

        July 29, 2011 at 8:15 am

        OKAY! *snortwheeeze*

        Reply
        • April says

          July 29, 2011 at 8:16 am

          hahahahaha

          Reply
      • Erin Giles says

        July 29, 2011 at 8:24 am

        And you would be so cute:)! Danielle in her copper sunset…and April in her Gold Diva…they aren’t identical, but they are sister pendants lol

        Reply
        • Danielle says

          July 29, 2011 at 8:31 am

          awh shucks – we will have to settle for a lower level of dorkdom. im okay with it.

          Reply
  4. Marie Noelle says

    July 29, 2011 at 10:27 am

    Really cute necklaces! Your products photos are really great, your necklaces look like super stars in those pictures!

    Reply
    • Erin Giles says

      July 29, 2011 at 11:36 am

      Thanks Marie Noelle:)!

      Reply
  5. Genevieve says

    July 29, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    Erin,

    Your photos do look amazing. So glad to were able to find a look that worked for you.

    I also wanted to call attention to your comment about becoming a part of a community. That is one of the biggest pieces of advice I give my clients. Not only is great to just feel you’re a part of something bigger, those are the people who have the helpful tips, like punching up your photos, that make all the difference.

    Here’s to such a great community!

    Reply
    • Erin Giles says

      July 29, 2011 at 8:47 pm

      Amen to that Genevieve:)! I so treasure this awesome community we have:)!

      Reply
  6. Alicia says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    love me some glitter on follow friday! totally enjoyed this! 😉

    Reply
    • Erin Giles says

      July 29, 2011 at 8:47 pm

      Yay…another Glitter lover:)!

      Reply
  7. Mayi Carles says

    July 30, 2011 at 11:50 am

    Fan of Erin for life. And yes, her sparkling spoons are smocking hot + make me feel pretty even when I wake up with a bad hair day! True tale!

    Reply
    • Erin Giles says

      August 1, 2011 at 8:22 pm

      Your so sweet Mayi:) So you know, I am your fan for life…true story!!

      Reply
  8. Kim says

    August 1, 2011 at 6:49 am

    Erin,

    Meet yet another new fan!!! I just love your work and it’s just so original and creative. I loved your website, shop and blog and will definitely follow both you and these wonderful tips!

    Thanks April!!

    Reply
    • April says

      August 1, 2011 at 7:01 am

      Yay! I love when I can make awesome introductions 🙂

      Reply
    • Erin Giles says

      August 1, 2011 at 8:21 pm

      Awesome Kim…so very pleased to meet you:)! Thank you for the lovely compliments and I look forward to seeing you around the webisphere:)

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Pint it! Pinterest Marketing In 3 Easy Steps | n0elle.com | Communication and Business Thoughts for Creative Entrepreneurs says:
    February 27, 2012 at 12:06 am

    […] Follow Friday: Erin Giles on Product Photos and Connecting […]

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