April 2009 Archives

Or, should I say, it's just about time. Despite April's cold and wet arrival, it won't be long before things are greening up, blossoming, and generally looking the best they are going to look all year. It's time to get some pictures! Specifically, aerial pictures. Nothing shows off a piece of property, a building , or the progress of a construction project like an aerial photograph. The "bird's eye" view shows it all from a fresh perspective. Why is spring one of the best times to shoot from the air? Here are a few things to consider. From mid April through June the grass and trees are greener than any other time of year. The flowers are out, and can add a splash of color. If your building or project faces north, the sun will be on the front only between late April and the middle of July, and then only in the morning and evening - which, coincidentally, are the best times of the day to shoot for quality of light. There will still be snow in the mountains, making for a great background. The air is generally cleaner and smoother in the spring. And, last but not least, Photographic Solutions is offering some great discounts on our award- winning aerial photography to get the shooting season off to a great start.

An aerial photograph is always an eye-catching conversation piece, but it is also full of useful information. Think of a large construction site that is photographed monthly to show the progress of the project. Not only is this a great historical record, but photographs can be used on your web site or in a newsletter to show future tenants, your banker, investors, or prospective clients just how things are going. If there is ever a question as to when some phase of the project was completed, photographs can document the process with valuable third-party verification. Large laminated prints can be used in construction planning meetings, making discussions more visual and meaningful. We can even put on a special laminate that can be drawn on with a grease pencil or dry erase markers, facilitating planning and/or changes.

Aerial photography of ground subjects generally falls into one of two categories: oblique or vertical. Obliques (shot from an angle) are more pictorial in nature, and are often the preferred choice. Different angles show different perspectives and proximity to other real estate, access routes, rail lines, waterways, and adjacent facilities, as well as vertical development of structures. Vertical photography (looking straight down) is more technical in nature, and can be used for basic measurements, or overlayed with available GIS information. Verticals also make great photographic maps of complex areas. Photographic Solutions' aerial photography yields high resolution, near real-time images - something not seen with Google Earth or most available satellite imagery.

Be sure to visit our web site, www.utahbyair.com, and take a look at examples of our professional aerial photography, then give us a call so we can discuss your next aerial photography project.

Nothing. I guess it's not all that funny, really. But if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Yet when the economy slows down and businesses start making cuts to save money, one of the first things they seem to cut is the very thing that gets more business in the door: advertising.

In a study of U.S. recessions, McGraw-Hill Research analyzed 600 companies covering 16 different industries from 1980 through 1985. The results showed that business-to-business firms that maintained or increased their advertising expenditures during the 1981-1982 recession averaged significantly higher sales growth, both during the recession and for the following three years, than those that eliminated or decreased advertising. By 1985, sales of companies that were aggressive recession advertisers had risen 256% over those that didn't keep up their advertising.

This is a perfect time to gain advantage over competitors who may be cutting back on advertising and gain a larger market share, thereby solidifying your place in the market. In analysis of the 1990-91 recession, Penton Research Services, Coopers & Lybrand, in conjunction with Business Science International, found that better performing businesses focused on a strong marketing program enabling them to solidify their customer base, take business away from less aggressive competitors, and position themselves for future growth during the recovery.

Another temptation during tough times, and even when times aren't so bad, is to save a little money and try doing it yourself. Try this fun little exercise. Open one of the many consumer coupon promotions that come in the mail and flip through the pages. It's easy to see the ads that grab your attention. But what about the ads that don't? Take a closer look at those ads, especially their photography. Most of them are great examples of what happens when you try it yourself. The images are dark, poorly lit, not straight, the color is off, blurry, etc. Is that the type image you want for your company? What your potential clients see in your advertising tells them what kind of company you are. In difficult time like these, customers aren't willing to part with their hard earned money unless they know you offer top quality and value.

Photographic Solutions, Inc. provides the highest quality photography and value for your company . We specialize in commercial and aerial photography. We won't be squeezing your product shot in between family and bride portraits. We promise not to try to get your culinary masterpiece to smile by shaking a rubber chicken at it. We know how to light an entire building or a single office space to make it look it's best. We've taken several national awards for our aerial work. Every thing we do is for businesses who demand the best, just like you. Commercial and aerial photography is all we do, and we're very good at it, come in and see for yourself. In this tough economy you can't afford to skimp on advertising, and you cannot risk using anything but the very best photography, either.