Confetti Collection Behind the Scenes Video - CGP Stock

Want a peek at what a shoot for CGP Stock is like? Here's a quick stop motion video that we put together of all the images we took during the confetti collection shoot day!

If you love this little video as much as we do, leave us a comment and let us know, and we'll continue to make these on shoot days!

Want more CGP Stock blog posts?
Announcing CGP Stock
CGP Stock FAQs
Using Styled Stock Authentically
How to Use Styled Stock Images on Instagram
Confetti Collection Stop Motion Video

CGP Stock FAQs

I'm not going to be blogging about CGP Stock very often (we have a newsletter for that), but I wanted to share the answers to some questions that have come up recently:

Are you phasing out of weddings?
- No, absolutely not! Ryan and I love photographing weddings! Our stock photography store has developed from a desire to help other wedding vendors market their businesses well. As photographers, we always have access to hundreds of photos we can share on social media, but most other businesses don't operate that way and we want to help!

How will you find time to serve your clients AND do stock photography? 
- The wonderful thing about weddings is that we book them months in advance. So it's easy to see where we'll be focused on our wedding clients and where the gaps are in our calendar. For example, we usually don't book weddings between December and March because fewer people get married in colder months. And July and August seem to be slower as well. And the wonderful thing about stock photography is that it fits into whatever time you give it.

So how will stock photography fit into your schedule?
- Right now, we are scheduling a stock shop shoot day once every 3-4 weeks. And I spend one or two of my work time blocks each week working on CGP Stock related tasks, like editing photos, updating the store, writing newsletter content, and drafting social media posts.

What even is stock photography? And how is styled stock different?
- Stock photography is professional imagery of people, places, and things that are sold for commercial use. For example, an image of someone riding a bike on a trail, which could be useful for a national park advertisement or marketing for a bike shop. Styled stock photography typically relates to desktop and business images with beautifully styled elements.

Why would someone need styled stock photography?
- Since styled stock photography is beautiful and usually in a color scheme that matches your brand, you can use styled stock to share updates, announcements, or a behind the scenes look at your business. Businesses who design websites, art pieces, or stationery (just to name a few) could use styled stock images as a template for overlaying with their design. Like a desktop image with a tablet that they could overlay with an announcement about their new website launch or a styled image with a clipboard that they could overlay with their newest art print.

Is styled stock just for business owners?
- No. Styled stock is for anyone who wants a pretty social media feed or website header. It could certainly be used in a personal way, especially as the background for a text overlay.

Should I join the newsletter?
- If you want access to our free downloads, exclusive sales, and first peeks at our newest collections, then yes! Click through to sign up!

Want more CGP Stock blog posts?
Announcing CGP Stock
CGP Stock FAQs
Using Styled Stock Authentically
How to Use Styled Stock Images on Instagram
Confetti Collection Stop Motion Video

Using Styled Stock Images Authentically

Let's be totally honest. Fifteen years ago, stock photography wasn't the greatest. It was generic and cheesy. But today, there are so many options for artistic, beautifully styled stock images that can be used so seamlessly in your social media that the last word on anyone’s mind would be cheesy. Here are 3 tips on using styled stock authentically on social media.

1. Share from the heart

Whether you decide to share a 'day in the life' style post or talk about an exciting goal that your business just met, the key to authenticity online is sharing genuinely from your heart. Weaving these types of posts into your social media will draw people in and help them remember you.

2. Use styled stock images that are consistent with your brand

It seems obvious, but the styled stock images you share need to match your branding, both in general color scheme and in feeling. And be consistent in the frequency that you use styled stock image. I'm not saying you need a perfect pattern of every other photo, but if you only share one styled stock image every few weeks, it's going to stand out on your grid like a sore thumb. I recommend at least 2 stock images in your top nine for a consistent look. And remember that frequent use is a good thing! It solidifies your branding in your client's mind and stretches out your other content so it lasts longer!

3. Create overlays to share meaningful quotes and other text

Overlaying your styled stock images with quotes and other text is a great way to get started using styled stock in social media. Using the styled stock as a background will add dimension to your posts, making them more eye-catching for your audience than just text on a white background. And when you use the overlays side by side with the original stock content, you’re using the images even more frequently, which simplifies your social media scheduling and makes your brand even more cohesive.

For more tips like these and free downloads, become a CGP Stock newsletter subscriber. We send all our best content, exclusive coupon codes, and all our free seasonal downloads to our subscribers! And to say thank you, we'll send you the pretty pink and white floral stock image that we've used in this post! Click here to sign up!

Want more CGP Stock blog posts?
Announcing CGP Stock
CGP Stock FAQs
Using Styled Stock Authentically
How to Use Styled Stock Images on Instagram
Confetti Collection Stop Motion Video

Monday Musings

Dear Clumsy Fingers, You really should be more careful when we're two hours behind watching the Super Bowl. Canceling out of the recording just as the game ended and we could plainly see the final score was not really kind to Ryan.

Dear Valentine's Chocolates, Can we pretend that Ryan ate most of you? He's not the one trying to lose baby weight.

Dear Spring, Come quickly. 

Dear Retailers, Is it really a one day sale if you have a preview day? Call it whatever you want but it's not a one day sale. 

Dear Eyes, How has it been 4 years since I bought a new pair of glasses. I guess that means it's time.

Dear Fashion Designers, I've said this before and I'll say it again... Women's pants should not have buttons and zippers. We kindly request smooth elastic waistband pull-on jeans. They're more comfortable, more forgiving, and they lay smooth and flat under our shirts. It's just what makes sense.

Ryan Quotes of the Week:
-He's like a disease. He just kinda shows up.
-It's like an ice pack for my head. 
-Yeah... 8000 wrinkles ago.
-How about you be less generic?

Image from the CGP Stock Store