Photographer helps brands look their best

Caitlin Antje, Cleveland photographer

Caitlin Antje wants to make your business look beautiful. The local photographer works with her clients to build a library of custom, consistent imagery they can use in their marketing efforts.

Antje answered some questions for us about starting her own business, what makes a good photo and the importance of strong photography for a brand. See her answers below:

What made you decide to become a brand and interior photographer?

I went into portrait photography eight years ago and built up my business for six years. During that time I also studied interior design in college for a bit. I totally have an obsession with homes and design! Six years into business and my portrait photography business wasn't growing anymore. I had also fallen in love with entrepreneurship. There was a moment one summer, while photographing food for a friend's business, that I realized I wanted to help elevate businesses through photography. I dropped my portrait photography business and rebranded as a brand photographer. About a year later people suggested that I photograph homes (I don't know why I never thought of this before) and that's when I decided to branch out and offer interior photography as well!

What makes a good photo, stylistically speaking? 

A few basic things that make an appealing photo would be an aesthetic background (whether that's your own living space, a commercial space, or a flat-lay background), good composition, the right lighting, a consistent editing style/filter, and the right styling props.

What advice would you give to someone starting a style-related business in Cleveland?

Media is SO important in marketing. And if you're not good at media - photography, videography, brand design, etc.- there's no shame in hiring someone to do that for you! You want to have a clear brand and vision and focus on what you do best. There are services and resources out there to help you with the rest.

What is the best piece of style advice you've ever received?

Don't do what everyone else is doing just because it "works." Real time example - there are so many photographers in Cleveland alone. I love photography and I thought the only kind of photography that would "make me a living" was portrait photography. But after six years, that's not what I loved anymore and it didn't work for me. Once I found a hole in the industry, I created my own solution and built a business that offers unique services that fill those holes - this is the better way to go about starting a business!

 

To see more of Antje's photos and to learn more about her work, visit caitlinantje.com

Catilin Antje is a member of The Keep It Local Project. The Keep It Local Project connects local people to local businesses in the Greater Cleveland area that drive our economy. To learn more, visit keepitlocalcleveland.com.

 

Tuesday, September 10, 2019