This time of year, businesses and families alike are racing to send out their annual greetings. Whether you’re mailing cards or sending e-blasts, how you share your message matters, because it’s not just a photo, it’s a connection. Here’s my golden rule: Make it feel like you. Your greeting doesn’t need to be polished within an inch of its life. … Read More
Visual storytelling is everything in today’s marketing world — and photography sits at the heart of it. But even great photos can underperform if they’re not used strategically. Enter artificial intelligence (AI) — the toolset that’s changing how small businesses create, share, and maximize their visuals. AI tools are transforming how businesses use photography to connect with customers, drive sales, … Read More
User-generated content (UGC) is a highly effective, budget-friendly marketing tool for small businesses. Whether it’s a customer’s Instagram photo showcasing your product, a glowing review, or a fun video of your service in action, UGC builds trust and creates authentic connections with your audience. Even better, it’s often free and can produce remarkable results. In this guide, we’ll show you how to inspire UGC, seamlessly … Read More
We’ve all seen them: the awkward handshake, the too-perfect team in matching blazers, and that same guy with a headset who shows up on every corporate site. If your business is still relying on stock images—or worse, dated photos from a decade ago—your audience can tell. And whether they realize it or not, they’re judging you for it. In today’s … Read More
In a world where artificial intelligence seems to be solving everything—from content writing to customer service—it’s tempting for companies to cut corners and turn to AI-generated portraits for their team photos or brand visuals. After all, they’re fast, cheap, and eerily realistic. But here’s the thing: AI portraits aren’t just a shortcut—they’re a gamble. And that gamble could hurt your … Read More
In 2025, local SEO is more critical than ever for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to attract nearby customers. A well-optimized Google Business Profile (GBP) is a key component of local SEO, and professional photography plays a surprisingly powerful role in its success. High-quality images can improve your online presence, build trust with potential customers, and ultimately drive more foot traffic to your location. Here’s … Read More
The marketing landscape for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) continues to evolve, and 2025 is shaping up to be the year where visual content takes center stage. Professional photography is no longer just a “nice-to-have”. Photography is a critical tool for businesses looking to connect with their audiences authentically, stand out in competitive markets, and drive results. Here’s how you can stay ahead of the … Read More
Let us set the stage… imagine you have booked your photo session. How do we get the most out of our photo time together? Your “stories” have been decided (learn more about creating your own “stories”), and now it is time to prepare for photo day. Following are 7 tasks to prepare you for a successful photo session that will … Read More
For myself as a photographer, showing a photograph I shot straight out of camera (RAW) vs. after editing is one of many eye openers as to WHY you hire a professional photographer. But for many of you, you have a profession that benefits from a Before Photo & After Photo, each taken at different times. Capturing the incredible results of … Read More
In today’s digital landscape, visuals play a pivotal role in capturing audience attention and conveying brand messages effectively. While stock photos offer convenience, they often lack the authenticity and uniqueness that professional organizations strive to achieve. Even so, many website owners are still using cheap photos from stock websites that are either generic or poor quality. You have 2 seconds … Read More
Brainstorming is part of every planning call in preparation for photo sessions. Whether you are a team of 1 or 100, or you have an office venue or shop or you simply work from home, there are so many ways you can visually showcase yourself and your business. To create a wide variety of images fast, I like to approach … Read More
Carroll County Maryland is home to beautiful landscapes and amazing business growth and opportunity. Our community is a tranquil destination to host your next memorable gala, fundraiser, banquet, dinner, or other corporate event! Carroll County has a homey country feel, but don’t let that distract from how conveniently placed our county is – just a stone’s throw away from Annapolis, … Read More
GUEST BLOG by Sylvia Blair Owner, Blair Copywriting and Communications, LLC When I was searching for a photographer to take a headshot of me for my business card and other marketing materials, I decided to work with Kelly Heck Photography. I was looking for something very specific in my headshot. Instead of a formal photo that lacks facial expression, I … Read More
🎵 🎶 Kelly Kelly Kelly… 🎶 🎵 🎵 🎶 Kelly Kelly Kelly… 🎶 🎵 Back in my early 20s it was clever to make custom ring tones (or so I thought, I was probably just nerding-out). Jerry’s voice called my name when he rang. I was always quick to pick up when Jerry called. Jerry was like a second Dad. … Read More
Welcome to the digital age, where the online presence of your business is often the first impression potential customers encounter. In this competitive landscape, standing out is not just an option – it’s a necessity. As a business owner or marketing professional, you’re likely familiar with the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) in driving traffic to your website. But … Read More