Best jewelry, food and corporate photography-Maryland, DC and Virginia

Bringing cliches to life for your benefit!

05.17.23

There’s a saying in sales to “Sell the sizzle, not the steak.” That’s a maxim I try to remember whenever talking with a client about advertising photography. Then remember again when actually creating their images.

Another cliche is “A picture is worth a thousand words” which, if true, means that a photograph must pack serious power.

The Sizzle Here is in the Warm Ambiance and Color

As an example of selling the sizzle, consider a photograph I created several years ago for the R.E. Whittaker Company of New Castle, PA. The company makes industrial floor and carpet cleaners and has a national reputation for excellent equipment. Their gear performs the job of cleaning very well and has many attachments, making it versatile, as well.

I had already been creating standard catalog photographs for them for a few years when Mr. Whittaker asked about creating a new cover photograph for their upcoming ad campaign and product catalog. It suddenly struck me that the glorified product photo we were discussing was merely another catalog shot, just beautified and not as impactful as it could be.

Summoning my courage I said, “Your clients don’t buy your machines just to own your machines.” (the steak)

Surprised, he asked, “What do you mean?”.

“They buy them so they can have clean floors!” I replied. (the sizzle) “I want to design a photograph to demonstrate what they’ll get if they buy your equipment.”

The Sizzle is in the Benefit to the Client!

To my relief and excitement, Whittaker took the risk, trusted me, and commissioned exaclty that!

My team and I built a set in a warehouse in New Castle, laying down a 20×24 ft subfloor, topped by a section of carpet, dirtying the carpet up, and then making half of it sparkling clean as a demonstration of the equipment’s abilities. I photographed the set from a JLG high-lift about 30 feet overhead.

The R.E. Whittaker company won a national marketing award from their professional association for that advertising image, because it spoke to viewers in a new way, breaking the boundaries for that industry’s imagery. In other words, it had sizzle!

To see how Jeff Behm Photography adds sizzle to your advertising, visit “Food” in the Blog Menu at the top of the page. Or visit https://www.behmphoto.com/from-here-to-there-food-photography-behind-the-scenes/

To discuss your advertising photography and how to find your sizzle, call Jeff Behm Photography at 724-730-8513, or email jeff@jeffbehm.com. By all means, please review the work we’ve done for others at www.jeffbehm.com

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The Move From Trolley Cars to Baguettes.

05.11.23

At times I am amazed that a photographer who used to shoot railroad cars ended up photographing food and jewelry!

Thirty-nine years ago, heavy industry was all around when I started this business in far western Pennsylvania. My family and I lived 50 miles north of Pittsburgh, in the heart of the nation’s industrial might. My clients were steel mills and billion-dollar manufacturers, companies like Trinity Inc, Werner Ladders, Lockley Manufacturing, Miner Rail, Rockwell Axle, and many more like them. I did, indeed, photograph railroad cars, trolleys, molten steel, and military hardware.

Over the late 1990s and early 2000s, the passage of NAFTA created the exodus of our region’s manufacturing to other nations to enhance corporate profits. Rather than leave photography — the work I love — I switched markets from industrial to small products and food. I downsized from a huge commercial studio to one more suited to the available work, and more in keeping with the change in required space. In addition, I changed work processes to a scale that didn’t involve a truckload of lighting gear to illuminate huge warehouses but is in keeping with smaller products; work that takes place on tables.

By 2010, however, the ripple effect of job loss and reduced income for those people who remained in my old region led me to look elsewhere to continue in my chosen field. The area in which I was located is now one of the most economically deprived in the entire state.

Fortunately, I had by now, gained substantial experience in photographing food and jewelry, and have always had experience in corporate headshots and executive portraiture. When the opportunity came to move to Frederick in late 2010, I took the risk, and here I remain. Food, jewelry, and corporate portraiture are the primary markets I now pursue, plus corporate events and small products like clothing or electronics.

To see the value I bring to your company’s needs, large or small, visit my gallery at www.jeffbehm.com, email jeff@jeffbehm.com, or call 724-730-8513

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Business: That Client Connection Brings Them In

03.20.23

Maybe that title should be “you to them”, or “you to your clients” but frankly, I just don’t think
“YOU to Them Headshots” reads as well as that bright red “Us to You”.
However it reads, what you want is to make certain your business image creates a strong,
positive first impression of you! “Strong and positive” enables trust, and trust drives business.
That’s where WE can help YOU!

Essential Components of your Client Connection

Classic or Contemporary
What you want your image to say about you, with an assist from our experience

Complete
Advance planning, your session, and standard retouching included

Convenience
Photographs on your schedule and in your chosen location

Cost Effective
That all-important, priceless first impression is the principal value of a quality portrait Connection

Humorous or Serious? You decide.

Location or Studio? What works for you works for us.

Casual or glamorous? Absolutely!

You know the cliche, “A picture’s with a thousand words”? If there wasn’t some truth to it, it wouldn’t be repeated so often. You want this to be true! We make it true. We create business portraits that speak to your clients and prospects about who you are and what you bring to the table.

Call Jeff Behm Photography at 724-730-8513 or email jeff@jeffbehm.com Visit us at https://www.jeffbehm.com/headshots

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Business Portraits – More Than Meets the Eye

09.26.22

“Make certain your image creates a strong, positive first impression on your behalf!”

There’s more than a cliche in that statement. The common phrase “headshot” or “head shot” is your online introduction to new contacts in business. Consider it to be what it is – a business portrait to ensure a good first impression.

Creating the proper business portrait is about a lot more than the equipment used. It’s about the skill of the photographer to present YOU to those who’ll see you in a manner that they’ll remember positively. We at Jeff Behm Photography are experienced in how to help you make that positive impact.

Call today to make that strong, positive statement! 724-730-8513 or email jeff@jeffbehm.com

Visit our headshot gallery at https://www.jeffbehm.com/headshots or additional business portraits at https://www.jeffbehm.com/executives

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What do you sell? Yeah! We Photograph That!

03.26.22

Act NOW! Extraordinary photography for extraordinary products and services

Want to see more? Browse our gallery at www.jeffbehm.com or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/behm_jeff/

Food and jewelry are the kinds of products for which we’re best known. But sailboats, trolly cars, military hardware, furniture and train cars are among the products we have successfully photographed for clients around the US, Canada and the UK.

#advertising #food #jewelry #product

Call today! 724-730-8513 or email jeff@jeffjeffbehm-com

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Jewelry: in focus, front to back

03.21.22

Gemstone necklace, sharply in focus front to back

When choosing your photographer, you want to know whether you can specify sharpness of the jewelry from front to back. The nature of closeup macro photography used in jewelry determines that depth of field in one exposure isn’t usually likely. And, sometimes it’s not necessary or desired. But when it is, you want to know your photographer can deliver. At Jeff Behm Photography, we deliver! We are masters at capturing your jewelry. Our refined techniques with focus stacking, tilt-shift lenses, proper exposure and accurate color balance are all part of the package. For more jewelry by Jeff Behm Photography, see: https://www.jeffbehm.com/jewelry Or, visit our Jewelry heading in this blog:https://www.behmphoto.com/category/jewelry/

Our 38 years of experience photographing jewelry, products, food and business leaders is always available to you, wherever needed. Ask us! We can definitely come to you. Located in Frederick, MD, our clients have taken us to Europe, Canada and 48 states.

#jewelry

Call Jeff Behm Photography at 724-730-8513 or email jeff@jeffbehm.com

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Sometimes You Just Need a Great Steak!

02.02.22

Want to be irresistible?

I can’t help it. A great steak like this Filet Mignon for Chicago Steak Company makes me hungry.
Please note, this is a skill we can bring to your products, whatever they are! Jewelry, food, products small and large, executive portraits of yourself or your staff…this is what we offer you. See www.jeffbehm.com for more. #food #jewelry #headshots #products

Making mouths water with great photography! That’s our job.

Call Jeff Behm Photography today at 724-730-8513 or email jeff@jeffbehm.com Enhance your company’s marketing efforts.

Cover photo for a catalog of china patterns — Woodmere Catalog

Asian woman scientist with microscopes — Scientist with Microscopes

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PEOPLE BUY WITH THEIR EYES…FOOD…JEWELRY…HEADSHOTS…and MORE, PART 3

12.27.21

We Are a Team

In writing about what Jeff Behm Photography can do for your marketing, I never want to leave the impression that this is all down to one person. We are a team and we collaborate well. That’s another benefit to you as a client; collaborative efforts bring greater variety of thought and expand the visual horizons of your marketing efforts.

We Are Professionals

Planning, previsualizing, production meetings, location scouting when needed, preparing you and your people for the photographic event – all of these are skills we provide when you choose Jeff Behm Photography.

Our skill with Jewelry Photography includes sharp focus front to back if you choose

We Offer a Broad Spectrum of Services

Photography, graphic design and printing are all available through us. Printing and design are services in addition to photography that we’ve provided for over 30 years. Ask us, we’ll be glad to work with you on these as well. Our recently completed tri-fold flier for Perfect Truffle is just one example.

#food #jewelry #headshots #products

Take your commercial photography and ad needs to the next level. Email jeff@jeffbehm.com today.

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PEOPLE BUY WITH THEIR EYES…FOOD…JEWELRY…HEADSHOTS…PRODUCTS, PART 2

12.09.21

Standing ring collection — These rings and their arrangement didn’t just “happen”. Neither should your imagery.

Work as a “turn around specialist”

Long ago, I worked as a corporate problem solver, or turn around specialist, sent in to manage operations in disarray and bring them into line with corporate goals. That collection of rings, above, is just one way to apply the same skills to imagining your photography.

On the surface, photography appears to be very unlike those days steering hundreds of people into the path our employer desired. Yet the skill set of creative thinking, tenacity, patience, innovation, communication, observation and education remains with me today.

The CEO of R. E. Whittaker, Inc. could not conceive of what I was describing until I asked my then-resident artist draw a sketch of what I envisioned. That carpet being cleaned (left) is on a floor we built specifically for this photograph of the real product the company provides its customers – clean floors. Not the machinery, the results. He trusted us and won a national advertising award in his industry as a result.

In fact, what’s often called “pre-visualization” is a skill that is one of the greatest assets available to you when you invite Jeff Behm Photography to work with you to achieve your advertising and marketing needs. For more, see: https://www.behmphoto.com/project-management-and-photography/

Your trust is what we seek to earn.

My Chicago Steak Company has seafood, too!

Flexible work environments — My Chicago Steak Company has seafood, too!

What are your goals, and how can we help you reach them with quality photography?

And when all is said and done, we have a lot of fun

CALL TODAY TO PLAN FOR TOMORROW!

#food #jewelry #headshots #products

Email: jeff@jeffbehm.com

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PEOPLE BUY WITH THEIR EYES…FOOD…JEWELRY…HEADSHOTS…PRODUCTS, PART 1

11.29.21

People and Products

Food, jewelry and headshots are my specialty – what I do – and have done for 38 years now. It’s work I value and think about constantly. How to improve, how to innovate, how to you “Wow” as my client, and more importantly, how to “Wow” your clients!

Recent posts here have been about the tools I use. It’s time to focus now on what those tools are used to create. And, since Food, Jewelry, Corporate Headshots and Products are what I’m most often asked to do, that’s what this post, first in a series, is about.

Medispec, Gaithersburg, MD. — **Patient for lithotripsy**

Work in photography has led to travel around the United Staters, Canada and the UK to meet the needs of clients; from more regionally headquartered, like My Chicago Steak Company, Dominion Jewelers, Johns Hopkins, Kaiser-Permanente, Medispec, RoosterBio and iHire, to national and multinational firms like Abicor Binzel, Praxair, Shenango Steel Buildings, Subway, Ellume and more. Wherever the work takes us.

Call 724-730-8513 or email jeff@jeffbehm.com to discuss your needs. #food #jewelry #headshots #products

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Photography for Manitowoc and National Crane

01.17.23

**From 60 Feet Up For the Proper Downward Perspective**

Be Prepared!

I first learned “Be Prepared” at age 12. Whether it’s Scouting, traveling, fishing, taking kids out for a day trip or doing the laundry, be prepared is part of my make-up.

In my commercial photography business there is a LOT for which we prepare on every assignment. We use checklists. Choices in camera bodies and lenses impact results. We charge batteries, pack memory cards, camera straps, spare batteries and chargers, iPads, laptops and their chargers, lights, stands, tripods, batteries for the lights, light modifiers, tethering tools The list is multiple pages in length.

**National Crane with Linewise Triple Line Lifter**

In spite of extensive preparation, a software bug got automatically loaded to both my iPads. I NEVER allow auto updates of important software, preferring to manually update on my terms, and certainly never before a critical assignment. Afterwards? Maybe. Depending upon what bug reports I find online.

This one time, for some reason, the software auto loaded the night before this session and it had a bug. As a result, none of my cameras could talk with either iPad. Talk about breaking out in a cold sweat!

**National Crane and LineWise Triple Line Lifter**

Fortunately Rebecca Mitchell and Sam Levitan are a great team! We recovered quickly. Sam was the digital tech on this assignment. I don’t believe he ever goes anywhere without a good camera and kit. In this case, he not only had his Nikon Z6 II with him, but his own iPad, too, which fortunately had not been updated. Thank goodness Sam believes in preparation, too!

Even through these crazy difficulties we created great images for the people of Manitowoc and National Cranes.

As Jack Youngblood once said, “Good luck is the residue of preparation”.

P.S. The very day of this session, the company whose software was at issue sent out a warning not to use it. Too late in my case, but by the next day they had talked me through fixing the problem. That’s service I can respect.

Call 724-730-8513 or email jeff@jeffbehm.com

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The ‘Wearable Art’ Assignment

01.12.23

For a recent assignment, an artist/existing client that’s branching into new avenues asked us to create a fashion session with models in order to demonstrate his ‘wearable art’.

Each new outfit was “ooo’d and ahh’d” over, keeping the session fresh the entire time.

The session went really well, with 2 teenaged models having 9 or 10 clothing changes each. The youthful clothing styles and hand painted artwork (tested to be wash resistant) made this incredibly fun. In fact, we were having a blast! The youthful models, their excitement, the client’s enthusiasm and our photography team combined for a high energy, extremely enjoyable day.

Visit www.jeffbehm.com to see our body of work

Need to promote your work? Call today!

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