On February 13, twelve people gathered in the YourSpace Meeting Room on the TwispWorks campus to take part in a small business workshop focused on Product Photography and Lighting. The workshop was led by Doug Irvine of Brother Doug Media, an accomplished cinematographer and film editor who has worked on a variety of short films, reality television shows, and other commercial film projects. He was there to share his expertise with Methow Valley entrepreneurs, offering them DIY tips and strategies to improve the lighting and overall composition of their product photography, whether for social media, e-commerce, or website design.
The people who gathered to learn from Doug represented a cross-section of the local business community. There were many first-time entrepreneurs, but there were also several seasoned business owners there to learn new skills.
While their experience levels differed, all of the people gathered together were makers of some kind. Some made candy or roasted coffee, while others made jewelry or wildlife photographs.
As they entered the classroom, they were met by a variety of lights, shades, reflective materials, and other photographic aids, much of which was made from simple materials like cardboard, wax paper, and poster board. The seemingly chaotic scene was matched by Doug’s kinetic energy as he bounced from example to example, showing how a change in light and shadow can reveal the details of a bag of coffee or a silver ring. The audience asked questions as Doug showed examples of concepts in real time.
After the workshop was over, several entrepreneurs stayed behind to ask specific questions about how best to showcase their products. Many expressed interest in a second workshop, with more hands-on experience and further depth on certain concepts. Paired with some of the social media workshops that TwispWorks has offered, entrepreneurs now have the skills to share images and content that highlight the amazing products made in the Methow.