The Power of Proper Lighting

Lighting is the secret weapon of a great headshot. It shapes the face, highlights your best features, and sets the tone for your image. Here are some key lighting techniques that make all the difference:

1. Three-Point Lighting: This classic technique uses three light sources—a key light, fill light, and backlight—to create depth and eliminate harsh shadows. The result? A balanced and polished look.
2. Natural Lighting: Soft, diffused natural light can produce a warm and approachable feel. Think golden hour—the hour after sunrise or before sunset—for a natural glow that flatters.
3. Rembrandt Lighting: Named after the Dutch painter, this technique uses a single light source to create a triangle of light on the cheek opposite the light. It’s perfect for adding drama and sophistication.
4. Butterfly Lighting: This setup places the light above and directly in front of the subject, casting a soft shadow under the nose that resembles a butterfly. It’s ideal for a glamorous, timeless look.
5. Ring Lighting: A favorite for its ability to evenly illuminate the face, ring lights reduce shadows and add a subtle sparkle to the eyes. It’s great for modern, clean headshots.

Why Hire an Agency for Your Headshots?

While anyone can point a camera and take a photo, creating a standout headshot requires expertise, creativity, and the right equipment. Here’s why hiring an agency like ours is worth the investment:

1. Professional Expertise
   • We know how to use lighting techniques to complement different face shapes, skin tones, and personal styles. Our team can identify the most flattering angles and adjust the lighting accordingly.
2. High-Quality Equipment
   • Agencies have access to advanced lighting setups, professional-grade cameras, and post-production tools to ensure your headshots are of the highest quality.
3. Custom Tailored Approach
   • A headshot isn’t one-size-fits-all. We tailor every session to align with your goals, whether it’s a polished corporate look, a creative vibe, or something in between.
4. Time and Efficiency
   • A professional agency streamlines the process, ensuring you get stunning results without spending hours experimenting with setups.
5. Post-Production Excellence
   • Editing and retouching can make or break a headshot. We carefully enhance each image to look natural and professional, ensuring you’re camera-ready for any opportunity.

Mad Men Marketing: Your Partner in Headshot Perfection

We don’t just snap photos—we craft headshots that tell your story. With years of experience and a full arsenal of lighting and production equipment, we bring artistry and precision to every session. From selecting the perfect backdrop to ensuring flawless lighting, we’re here to make your headshot stand out.

Don’t leave your image to chance. Trust the professionals to capture your best self. Ready to elevate your personal brand with a stunning headshot? Contact us today to schedule your session!

The post Headshot Lighting Techniques: Why Hiring an Agency Makes All the Difference appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

Lighting the Scene, Setting the Stage

Great lighting sets the tone for any production, and we’re fully equipped to create everything from warm, inviting atmospheres to sleek, professional settings.

• Bluetooth GVM Light Kit: This set of three lights and adjustable stands offers precision control over brightness and color temperature. Thanks to its wireless functionality, we can fine-tune the lighting from anywhere on set.
• GVM Bulb Light & Stand: This incredibly mobile lighting setup provides soft, even illumination, perfect for interviews and product shoots. With adjustable brightness and a sturdy stand, it ensures flexibility and precision for even the most low-lit scenes.
• Green Screens and White Screens are perfect for versatile shoots. These screens allow us to effortlessly replace backgrounds or keep things clean and minimal.

Capturing Stunning Visuals

The quality of visuals can make or break a production, which is why we use cutting-edge cameras and tools to ensure every shot is flawless.

• Sony A7R IV Camera (x2): These high-performance cameras provide unparalleled image quality, perfect for capturing sharp details and vibrant colors, even during low-lit scenes.
• Canon 80D: A reliable DSLR for dynamic shoots, this camera offers versatility across different types of content and is great for outdoor & midday events.
• DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone: This drone is a favorite for adding breathtaking aerial views, giving our productions a cinematic edge, and quite simply getting places we can’t. 
  • PROTIP: Great for landscape, real estate, and long-distance tracking shots.

Achieving Crystal-Clear Audio

Sound is just as important as visuals. Our audio gear ensures every word and sound effect is captured with crystal-clear precision.

• Tascams (x2): Compact and dependable audio recorders that capture professional-quality sound for any project. A must-have for any audio engineer on the go!
• Rode Lav Mic Kits (x2): These wireless microphones are ideal for interviews. They allow our subjects to move freely while maintaining crystal-clear audio.
• Rode Shotgun Mic: This mic is designed to focus on the subject and filter out unwanted background noise, ensuring heightened audio clarity in even more chaotic scenarios.

Smooth, Cinematic Shots

Whether it’s a slow pan or dynamic movement, we have the tools to keep every shot steady and cinematic.

• Tripods (Various Sizes): Our tripods, from small tabletop models to full-sized options, provide stability for every type of shoot & angle you can imagine.
• Edelkrone Slider & HeadPlus: Together, these tools create smooth, professional sliding shots and dynamic movements for added drama and aesthetic appeal.
• Edelkrone Jib & Weights: Enables nuanced vertical and sweeping movements that add depth and perspective to our scenes.
• Curved Manual Slider: Perfect for creating arcing shots that draw viewers into the frame & its contents.
• Sony Camera Cage: Protects our cameras while offering maneuverability options for more dynamic movement within closer quarters.
• DJI Ronin & Instaflow Gimbal: These stabilizers ensure buttery-smooth footage, even during fast-paced or handheld shooting.

Tools for Polish and Versatility

The final touches can elevate a good production to a great one, and these tools help us deliver that professional edge.

• Teleprompter: Ensures on-camera talent looks confident and natural by keeping their focus forward while reading scripts seamlessly.
• Lightbox: Provides soft, diffused lighting, perfect for showcasing products in their best light.
• Cloth Backdrop Steamer: This low-key MVP is a MUST, especially when we’re on the go with our screens! Smooth out wrinkles in fabric backdrops for a clean, polished look.
• Epson Projector & Screen: Useful for creating dynamic presentations or adding unique effects to shoots.
• Tarion External Monitor: This monitor allows us to preview shots in real-time, ensuring the perfect framing and exposure every time.
• iPad: A multi-purpose tool for script playback, remote monitoring, and even live feedback during shoots.
  • PROTIP: Pair it with a Micro-HDMI to USB-C cable for an additional monitor for your shoots!

Why It Matters

The right gear isn’t just about creating beautiful content—it’s about creating content that connects, engages, and tells your story in a way that stands out & interacts with your audience without interrupting them. Our arsenal of professional equipment ensures we can meet any challenge, from corporate interviews to eye-catching social media campaigns.

Ready to make your brand’s vision a reality? Contact us today to bring your ideas to life with our cutting-edge production tools and expertise.

The post Inside Our Production Arsenal at Mad Men Marketing appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

If you’re curious to learn more about our enhanced capabilities and newest tech, simply read on and we’ll walk you through our newest set-up:

Camera: Sony a7rIV

With a BSI-CMOS sensor that produces 60.2MP images, Sony’s Alpha 7R IV can shoot up to 10 frames per second… even with full autofocus turned on. And we definitely liked the sound of that.

Additionally, as Sony’s 4th-generation version of its high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera, this technology features…

• 5.76M dot OLED viewfinder
• 4Kp30 video
• High ISO performance
• Real-Time Eye AF tracking
• And more

Audio: RØDE Wireless Go II Lav Mics

Referred to by RØDE itself as “the world’s smallest and first truly wireless microphone,” these sleek and compact lav mics boast both a dual channel receiver and two transmitters each.

You could say we’re pretty happy to have this equipment, which features…

• Universal compatibility with cameras, mobile devices, and computers
• 3.5mm TRS analog output and microphone input
• Twist-and-lock furry windshields
• A transmission range of 200m (line of sight)
• And more

Slider: Edelkrone SliderONE

Offering the best of both portability and power all in one, this slider isn’t just capable of a backlash-free performance — therefore making it VFX and macro-ready — but it’s also wirelessly controlled through an app.

Let us wax poetic about a few more of its features…

• A horizontal load capacity of 20 lbs and vertical load capacity of 5 lbs
• Can attach to any ball head or fluid head with its 3/8” mounting screw
• ​​Is built to last, as it was designed with 100% CNC machined aluminum and stainless steel components
• Has a maximum speed of 0.52 in/sec
• And more

Jib: Edelkrone JibONE

We wanted the world’s most compact and motorized jib. So we got it. Capable of sitting in a team member’s backpack, the JibONE is only 24 in., albeit it offers 50 cm of vertical or horizontal camera travel when fully extended.

But we also love that the app-controlled JibONE…

• Can be mounted on any tripod with its 3/8”-16 mounting port
• Can be turned into a 2-axis system that controls both horizontal and vertical motions simultaneously
• Can easily carry up to 11 lb camera setups and comes with counterbalances
• Has the ability to flip the carrying plate so that a camera head may be mounted upside-down
• And more

Stabilizer: Ronin S

It’s smooth, it’s sleek, it’s easy to use, and it brings us joy. Really, what more could we ask for in a gimbal? Well, besides its ergonomic grip and integrated follow-focus knob, at least.

Simple: these features…

• 3-axis motorized gimbal head
• Auto-tune feature for quick gimbal calibration
• 8 lb load capacity
• Fully configurable via app
• 12-hour battery life
• And more

Lights: GVM RGB LED Video Lighting Kit 

Perfect for quickly adjusting any of our shoots that require different settings, this efficient and comprehensive kit features 3200 to 5600K plus RGB control, 0 to 100% dimming control, and a beam angle of 120°.

Additionally, this kit comes with…

• Two 800D-RGB panels with barn doors
• Two soft diffusers
• Two AC adapters
• Two 7’ light stands
• And more

Drone: DJI Mavic 2

DJI reportedly dreamed of designing a drone that existed where “engineering, technology, and the needs of the aerial photographer converge,” and they certainly achieved as much when the created the DJI Mavic 2.

After all, this drone features…

• Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors
• Hasselblad L1D-20c camera
• 4K video resolution
• A 1080p live video feed
• Is foldable and compact
• And more

Tripod: Manfrotto 502AH

“Features variable fluid drag system for pan and tilt movements.” Ah, now that’s what we’re talking about when it comes to a tripod. But it doesn’t stop there, of course.

In fact, our newest tripod also…

• Has a maximum capacity of 22 lbs
• Has a counterbalance that supports 8.8 lbs
• Features 3/8” Easy Link attachment points for an external monitor or other accessories
• Includes pan bar and sliding plate
• And more

But what does all this new tech mean for you? Well, that’s easy: it means we’re able to produce content even more efficiently at an even higher quality than before.

After all, here at Mad Men Marketing, we are rooted in the belief that brands should interact with their customers, not interrupt them. And let’s not forget that the visual appeal of photography and videography are key in achieving this interaction.

So, are you ready to interact? If so, contact Mad Men Marketing today by calling (904) 355-1766!

The post Introducing Mad Men’s New Line-Up of Production Equipment and Technology appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

We don’t need expensive cameras to take quality photos. Our cell phones can take such high-quality photos, and most people can’t tell if they are taken with a phone or professional photography equipment. The camera can’t do all the work, though.

There are a few key tips to keep in mind while you’re trying to capture that Kodak moment.

#1 — Light it Right

Lighting is one of the most important tools you can utilize when taking photos. An easy tip to remember is to ensure your subject isn’t backlit, and that the light is shining down on it directly or coming at it from an upper-diagonal angle. If the light hits it from the back, you’ll be left with a dark, indiscernible green smoothie bowl, which is social media blasphemy.

You can combat this in a few ways:

• The first way is to make sure your light source is coming from behind you (facing the subject).
• You can also take the photo in HDR mode.
• The third option is to fix it in post-production.

#2 — Shoot in HDR Mode

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. In HDR mode, the camera will typically take two, three, or more photos at different exposures in quick succession, and then blend them together into one image with detail in both highlights and shadow.

Smartphone cameras that have the HDR feature usually offer the option to switch the HDR setting to On, Off, or to set it to Auto-HDR. Having HDR set to “On” tells your phone to capture a high dynamic range image every time a photo is taken.

#3 — Understand Depth of Field

Creating depth of field with your phone camera is a really cool way to up your Instagram photo game. When you’re shooting, always take into consideration the foreground, middle ground, and background in relation to the subject of the photo.

Let’s say you’re taking a picture of a subject some distance away from you and you want the subject in focus and the background blurry — simply tap your subject and wait for a yellow square to appear. Shooting in portrait mode on your phone is a great way to effectively highlight the depth of field, too.

#4 — Learn the Rule of Thirds

Rule of thirds, also known as the golden grid rule, is a technique where a composition is aligned to a three-by-three grid.

By dividing a composition into three grids, we section it into nine imaginary rectangles with four intersections. The focus subject is aligned at one of the intersecting points or close to them. This creates an asymmetry in the composition.

In Settings, tap Camera, and then enable the Grid option. That’s all you have to do to turn the feature on! Your next step is to apply the concept: remember to put important things along the lines.

#5 — Have Fun With Camera Angles

Playing with unique angles can help your photos stand out and offer you a variety of options to choose from when it comes time to post. Angles can create the illusion of depth and height, making your images more interesting to look at, thereby generating more views.

TIP: Try lowering the angle to create a new perspective instead of shooting straight down.

#6 — Use Negative Space Appropriately

Negative space is the area surrounding the main subject in a photograph that is left unoccupied. Basically, it’s the space around the subject that helps define the positive space (or main focus).

Leaving a large amount of negative space in the photo can emphasize scale and simplicity, but make sure you are using it correctly.

TIP: If you’re trying to highlight the subject in the photo, make sure you’re taking the photo close up and filling the frame with the subject. This will reduce the surrounding negative space.

#7 — Tasteful Phone Editing

We could break down each category of editing you can utilize on your phone, but for simplicity’s sake, we want to highlight the three tools that can really elevate your photo:

1. Brightness: It’s always a safe bet to bump up the brightness a bit unless your photo is already over-exposed. Indoor lighting rarely provides you with adequate illumination for a decent photo.
2. Contrast: Adjusting the contrast ever so slightly helps to make the darks darker and the lights lighter. This can help your image appear less “flat.”
3. Saturation: Delicately increasing the saturation will help to bring out some of those vivid colors that poor lightning may have counterbalanced. Make sure to not overdo this one or you will end up with some radioactive colors.

With over 4.6 billion people around the world using social media, online engagement is higher than ever. That is why it is so important to have content that is not only engaging but aesthetically pleasing. Take each one of these tips into consideration the next time you are taking a photo with the intention to post and you’ll look like a pro in no time.

And the Mad Men Marketing production crews are always ready to step in and help elevate your content for you! So, are you ready to interact? If so, reach out to our team today by calling 904-355-1766!

The post 7 tips on taking better photos for social media appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.