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5 Things to Think About When Capturing Your Mascot’s Moments

[fa icon="calendar"] Jul 30, 2019 11:00:00 AM / by Angie Maxine

MadDogs British bull dog mascot

Photographs are a critical part of any mascot marketing strategy as they help keep your mascot top of mind even when they aren’t performing.

Sharing images on your website, on social media or in print advertising can help remind your fans and clients of the special moments they have experienced when your “larger than life” brand leader was there.

Your photos do more than show off your mascot, they also show off your brand. Fans and clients connect the way that a business operates with the content they develop and the photos they present, which means it is critical that your custom mascot images are professional.

To help you on your way to capturing better photos of your mascot, here are some things to consider.

1 - Lighting

Good lighting is critical to a fabulous shot of your mascot. Inadequate lighting means your mascot photo will turn out dark, grainy and unappealing. Too much light in your photograph, however, and the photo will be whitewashed and parts of the photo will lose clarity.

Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, photographing in a well-lit area will make all the difference in your shot. When you’re capturing your mascot, find the best balance of good lighting to make your mascot pop, and have their colours be as vivid and bold as possible.

The easiest thing to remember is to keep strong light to your back - such as inside lights, lamps or windows, and outside, the sun. If you are setting up an indoor shot, portable photography lighting or even a table lamp can be used to ensure lots of light is available. With more lighting, you can increase film speed or adjust the depth of field to get a clear bright picture.

The camera angle you shoot from can significantly change the tone of your photograph and the way viewers perceive your mascot.

That is why we suggest that you take as many photographs as possible from various angles before you settle on just one image.

For a powerful and intimidating photo, try to capture your mascot from a lower angle to make it appear larger. Or, try shooting from a high angle to show your mascot's surroundings and make your mascot look like they are part of a bigger moment – a winning team, a cheering crowd, a flourishing business, etc.

When you experiment with angles, you can realize your potential of photographing your mascot.

2 - Surroundings

Another tip to keep in mind when shooting your mascot is to be aware of the scene behind your mascot. The background of your mascot’s shot is almost as important as the shot of the mascot itself, so make sure to set it up to truly capture the energy and excitement of your mascot.

Whether it’s a stadium, in the office, or around town, use your settings to your advantage and use it to create an awesome shot to share with your followers.

3 - Offset your mascot

To add some variety to your shots, have your mascot positioned in various areas of the photograph and not always in the center. This will add interest to images.

One simple rule to remember when composing images is to break the image down into thirds. By aligning the elements of the images up with these imaginary lines, you automatically have a composition that is pleasing to the eye.

4 - Candid vs. staged

The best mascot shots are often the candid ones. Rather than ask your mascot to pose, follow your mascot around while they are interacting with fans. You can get some incredible shots by just capturing the natural moment that helps your brand look more authentic and approachable.

For set-up shots, have your mascot do different tasks for a fun twist. Photographing your mascot while he works out at the gym, goes to the beach, or reads a paper can really bring your mascot character to life.

5 - Focus

That doesn’t mean you can’t play with focus. By focusing solely on your mascot, you can make them the primary focus of the photo. By doing the reverse, you can depict the excitement that they bring to the moment.

Alternatively, you can bring the whole photo into focus to show all of the excitement around the mascot and really showcase your event and brand at the same time.

The important thing to remember is that your mascot photos should be purposeful so that you can effectively show off your mascot’s personality as well as make your organization look professional.

If you are interested in creating your very own custom mascot to help improve your business strategy, contact us today at BAM Mascots. We can’t wait to help you create the mascot you have always wanted!

Social Media Guide For Mascots

Topics: Mascot Tips

Written by Angie Maxine

Angie is a co-owner and partner of BAM Mascots, a leading Canadian maker of custom designed mascots.

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