Collecting Marketing Content | Goodwill North Central Texas

Most of the people in my family, when I began to talk about photography, their eyes glaze over. So, I try not to spend much time talking about photography. But, I told my mom about this particular project because she is a lifelong social worker. In fact, she just retired again this past week. I’m not sure it’ll be for the last time, but she says it is. So, I talked with her about this job because I feel as if she understands working with society’s most vulnerable people. She taught me how to be sensitive…maybe I inherited it. 

I shudder to think if Goodwill had called even five years ago and asked me to help with this project, what I might have thought. (See the executive headshots I created for them HERE.) Like many young photographers, I once was an artist, and that meant that I wanted to pick and choose. There was one year where I only wanted to photograph families and only at golden hour. There was one year where I didn’t really care what I photographed but I wanted to do it on medium format film. There was one year where I only photographed high end weddings. And then boutique intimate weddings. I guess I’m just saying that I’ve never really found my niche. The target has always been moving. And, how limiting it was. These days I seek ways to use my camera and skillset to help people, help people in the community. That’s my mission statement. That’s the litmus test for if a job is a good fit: do I have the skillset (and time and resources) to do it well? and will it help people? 

In this chapter where I collaborate with solo entrepreneurs, small businesses, corporations, and nonprofits, I create high caliber imagery that elevates their digital presence and meets their diverse print marketing needs. And what that means is I need to be able to do a little bit of everything. Interior photography. Headshot photography. Lifestyle photography. Ecommerce and product photography. I can do all of this. I feel as if never finding my niche was a divinely orchestrated and sometimes poorly wrapped gift. 

So when Goodwill called, and I went out to the site visit to see– gosh, I can’t remember but I think it’s 13 acres– their facilities, I felt so excited. My gift, I think, is to see art in everything. I can get lost in a puddle of light in the floor. Or the way papers are stacked on a desk. How colors combine to create a palette. The way lines integrate to create symmetry or something interesting. This type of work has become my ideal creative project. 

I knew it would be a project that would stretch me because well, Goodwill is a cavernous warehouse with fluorescent lighting, and I am accustomed to manipulating light in my studio. We didn’t hire models. Nobody went to hair and makeup. I’ve gotta give credit where credit is due to my team who helped me. My film crew members have strong biceps and triceps because they hold a light up for long periods. I’ve included some behind the scenes photos mostly of myself hunched over a camera or a computer. The standard crouched posture of a photographer, I suppose. 

This collection conveys the story of what happens on a daily basis at Goodwill North Central Texas. Their reach in the community is absolutely incredible, and I was happy to help.

In this world where companies post on their social media anywhere from 4-6 times per week, content is king. Sometimes I create marketing photographs for companies annually, sometimes quarterly, and as of late even monthly. High caliber imagery and video content tells the story of who you are and what you have to offer your customers. If you’d like more information about how I could help you create marketing content for your company, send me an email or book a call HERE.