Product Shoot for Philly & Milly - Art for Children with Client Q&A
The power of Facebook!Philippa Langdon posted a search for a photographer to shoot samples of her brand new art products for children. Naturally I was pleased she found her way to my studio and after a chat we put together a plan. Philippa stayed for the shoot and we worked through each product sample, cap-stoning the shoot with some grouped promotional shots.Afterwards I gave Philippa a Q&A so here is her story in her own words:
1. Hi Philippa, let’s start by asking what gave you the inspiration to create children’s artwork?I’ve always loved decorating and making things for my home. A few years ago I was helping my sister to decorate the nursery for her new twin girls and we couldn’t find any decent pictures to put up aside from posters and so I decided to make her some. It was two pictures of little birds and she loved them – the girls are now 6 years old and they still have them on their wall. From then I made the odd picture for friends new babies and children as gifts, but its only now I’ve got some time on my hands that I can concentrate on making them full time and hopefully building a business.
2. I know you’re getting your branding sorted out and you’ve been in to my studio to have your products photographed. You clearly understand what should be sorted before launching, what’s your business background?To be honest I haven’t got any! I used to work in TV production before having my little boy a year ago which taught me to be very organised and how to manage a budget, but aside from that nothing to do with setting up a business. I’m just using my common sense so fingers crossed I get it right!
3. Have you always been creative or is this something new that you’re exploring?I’ve always been fairly creative in my spare time and I just love sitting down and creating new things for my home - its how I relax.
4. You’re just about to launch with your first product range, how would you like to see things develop over the next year or two?To be honest, just to make my first few sales would make my day. I’m hoping to get a few local stockists as well as to get a steady turn over through my Etsy shop. I’ll leave the multinational deal for my second year!
5. Where did the name come from?My niece Emilia (Milly) is 13 years old and lives in Australia. She is very keen on art and design and so I asked her for some name suggestions and after she did some market research on her friends at school she came up with ‘Philly & Milly’. I think she’s hoping it means she’s a joint owner and therefore owed some of the profits!
6. Ha, that suggests an international angle! Will we see some Australian inspired designs? Maybe some from Milly herself?I hope so – as I said she loves art and design so I’m just waiting for her to send through some ideas. Also, she has already ordered a few pictures to give to her friends as gifts so maybe she will become my Australian agent!
7. Are you able to say when everything will go live and where will people be able to find and buy your products?I’ve just launched my Facebook page (Philly & Milly on Facebook) and opened my online shop on Etsy.com (Buy from Philly & Milly on Etsy). I’m still learning about all the other social media platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram so as soon as I have worked them out I will be setting those up too. In the meantime, I’m hoping to visit local craft fairs, as well as local gift shops who may be interested in stocking my pictures.
8. One last question, you found me via Facebook and were aware of my studio, but how did you enjoy the shoot, especially being involved in the process?I really enjoyed the shoot. I loved your suggestions and I really think the photos look great – I can’t believe how lovely my pictures looked. I’ve already got a few ideas for some new designs so as soon as I have them made I will be back to get some more shots done.