Neil Boyd Photographs Prime Barbecue’s Pitmaster Chris Prieto for BBQ Brawl Debut

As acclaimed photography experts, we’ve had the opportunity to participate in a lot of fun and interesting projects here at Neil Boyd Photography. One of our recent highlights has been photographing Chris Prieto, owner and head pitmaster at Prime Barbecue in Knightdale, NC. The occasion? Chris is participating in Food Network’s new season of BBQ Brawl, airing now!

North Carolina’s own champion pitmaster, Chris Prieto, is competing for the title of “Master of ‘Cue” on Food Network’s second season of BBQ Brawl.

In BBQ Brawl, renown chefs Bobby Flay, Michael Symon and, this season, Eddie Jackson, each choose a group of contestants to coach and compete as a team. The three teams—12 total contenders—will compete to impress a panel of judges for the “Master of ‘Cue” title and the chance to be Food Network’s official “BBQ expert” of the year and star in their own series.

Each episode, the teams are ranked from best to worst, with the team coming in third facing the elimination of one of their contestants.

Prieto is the owner and head pitmaster of Prime Barbecue in Knightdale, NC.

If you haven’t yet indulged in a mouthwatering meal from Prime Barbecue, then you’re missing out on the food experience of a lifetime. Chris sees barbecuing as both a science and an art, putting extensive research into developing and perfecting his dishes, technique, and signature style.

His impressive resume includes professional pitmaster, author, BBQ judge, and nationwide BBQ teacher. This also isn’t his first appearance on Food Network, as he was featured as a contestant on the 2018 season of Chopped: Grill Masters.

Neil Boyd Photography had the pleasure of capturing Chris Prieto in all his glory, for photos used to represent him on the show.

We had a great time shooting Chris in his element and are honored to have our work featured on Food Network!

Neil Boyd Photography offers premier commercial photography services for businesses and individuals all throughout Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and beyond in North Carolina. If you’re interested in having Neil capture you working your magic or your products and services in action, call us today at 919-737-5609 to discuss your project!

Corporate Studio vs. Corporate Environmental Photography: What Are the Differences?

Corporate photography is an essential component to any successful business. Whether you’re running a restaurant, law firm, warehouse, or landscaping company, professional photos of your team are important for connecting with clients and customers, making a good impression, and establishing your brand. But did you know that there is more than one type of corporate photography?

Corporate studio and corporate environmental are two different approaches to corporate photography, each with its own advantages. Let’s take a look at what they are and how they differ.

What is corporate studio photography?

Corporate studio photography consists of formalized portraits or headshots taken in a studio or in front of a plain wall or backdrop. The simple background is meant to eliminate distractions and make the person the only subject or focus.

What is corporate environmental photography?

Corporate environmental photography consists of portraits taken outside or in the workplace setting. The intention is to put the subject (person being photographed) into context, incorporating environmental elements to tell a story.

What are the advantages of corporate studio photography?

If you’re working in an industry that values a more classic, professional impression, then corporate studio photography is your best option. This type of image is precise and focused, making it a more intimate photo experience in which you connect with the featured individual. Another benefit of corporate studio portraits is that they’re quick to complete and uniform. This is ideal for companies who have a lot of employees they need photographed and who prefer a consistent backdrop.

What are the advantages of corporate environmental photography?

Corporate environmental shots offer a more natural, contemporary look for your employees and business. The added context says more about who you are and what you do, which helps build a more personalized brand for consumers and clients to connect with. Environmental photography also gives you the freedom to have a little more fun and get creative and inspirational with posing and scenery.

Whether you decide that a studio or environmental approach is right for your corporate photography needs, Neil Boyd Photography has you covered. We offer both corporate studio and corporate environmental photography for businesses in Raleigh and surrounding areas. For many of our clients, we use a combination of both styles, so your company can reap the benefits of each.

Contact us today to schedule a corporate photoshoot for you and your company!

Why You Should Choose Professional Over DIY Product Photography for Your Business

Running your own business is no easy feat. It makes sense, therefore, that most business owners are constantly looking for ways to save on costs. Product photography is an area where many people think they can safely cut costs and do it in-house or even themselves. But the truth is, forgoing professional product photography can be detrimental to the success of your business.

Consider these reasons below why investing in a professional is always the better option!

Time and money spent doing your own product photography would be more wisely spent growing your business.

The time and equipment necessary to photograph your own products are more extensive than you think. You’ll need a physical space to shoot, studio lighting, backgrounds, tripods, cameras, editing software, and a team to execute the photoshoots if you won’t be doing them yourself. Your ROI will be higher if you simply hire a professional, who already has the equipment, to do the work. Then, you can put the energy, time, and money you save back into the rest of your business.

Taking a picture is not the same thing as creating an image.

A professional product photo should create an image experience for those who view it. That’s what grabs their attention and makes them want what they see. DIY photographers often overlook important details that make that distinction between standard image and full visual experience. Then, your product photos end up looking like Craigslist ads instead of professional merchandise, reflecting poorly on your business.

A professional product photographer will take high-quality images that are enticing, but still true to product.

The quality of your product images signals to customers the quality of your business. You should have multiple high-resolution photos of each of your products that are an accurate, but expertly presented, representation of the merchandise. Customers want the product they order to arrive looking like the photos that made them order it. Only a professional product photographer has the knowledge and tools it takes to create a consistent visual experience for each product, and across the board for your inventory.

With a background in not just photography, but marketing and advertising as well, Neil Boyd is uniquely well-versed in how to capture a product image that sells.

We’ve done professional product photography in Raleigh and beyond for a wide variety of products, including luxury jewelry, beauty supplies, electronics, clothes, perfume, medical equipment, and more. Whatever products you need photographed, we’ll capture their essence in the most effective and artistic way possible.

Contact Neil Boyd Photography today to learn more about our product photography services!

3 Things to Do Before Your Real Estate Photographer Arrives

If you want your property to sell for top dollar, it’s crucial that you make an unforgettable impression from the start. In the age of the internet, that means having a listing that catches the eye of potential buyers and stands out among the crowd. The key to doing that? Great photos to show off your property.

For the highest-quality, most attractive pictures of your home, your best bet is to hire a professional real estate photographer to capture its unique beauty. As the day of your photoshoot approaches, here are a few things you can do to ensure your property is ready for its close up.

1) Clean and declutter—thoroughly.

You want your house to put its best foot forward for your real estate photoshoot. That means you’ll have to go through room by room, deep cleaning and decluttering until everything is neat, tidy, and sparkling. Once it’s looking fresh and organized, remove your personal items to make it easier for buyers to picture your space as their home. This includes personal photos, magnets, children’s artwork, bathroom supplies, and all evidence of any pets.

2) Stage your space as best you can.

Truly effective real estate photos will sell not just your property to those who view them, but also the potential lifestyles that can be lived in it. Staging your house so that it has a universal appeal is the best way to highlight its potential to be someone’s home. You can do this by arranging your furniture in a functional layout, leaving out a few pieces of décor to create a homey look, and opening all curtains and blinds and turning on lights to make your space look bright and welcoming.

3) Brush up your curb appeal.

Exterior shots are often the first ones that potential buyers will see when browsing online listings. If you want to make a good first impression, your curb appeal needs to be up to par. Before your real estate photographer arrives, take the time to trim and tidy up your landscaping (a few colorful potted flowers couldn’t hurt either). Remove any outdoor clutter, such as landscaping tools, toys, garbage cans, yard decorations, and cars that could distract from the rest of the picture. Finally, if you have any porch or patio furniture, clean and straighten it up to highlight your property’s inviting outdoor living space.

For all your real estate photography needs in Raleigh and surrounding cities in North Carolina, Neil Boyd Photography has you covered. Our expertise extends to residential homes, commercial buildings, apartment complexes, hotels, restaurants, golf courses, and more. Whatever goals you have for your property, we’ll deliver the photos you need to make them happen.

Give us a call at 919-737-5609 today to get started with a free project quote!

How to Prepare for Your Professional Corporate Headshots

Getting professional headshots for you and your employees is a great way for businesses to make a good first impression on potential customers. Investing in corporate headshots will also show your staff that you see them as serious and valuable working professionals.

Having a headshot taken may sound simple enough, but there are a few things you and your employees should know in order to get the best results. Keep these tips in mind—and pass them on to your team members—ahead of your corporate headshot session!

Dress to impress.

Most people’s first concern for any photoshoot is usually what to wear. It’s a good idea to choose an outfit ahead of time for your headshots, so you feel confident and prepared the day of. Select something that fits your company’s image but still feels like you. You might even bring more than one outfit to try. Avoid busy patterns and bulky accessories that will distract and overwhelm. Solid colors with high contrast to one another usually end up looking best.

Keep hair and makeup simple.

The goal of any headshot is to capture a photo that’s timeless—something you should keep in mind when styling your hair and makeup. Clean, natural-looking makeup is the way to go. Take special care not to use products that shimmer, sparkle, or even face lotion, as these will reflect on camera and make you look shiny. Choose a simple, polished hairstyle that you like and that frames your features well. For men, any facial hair should be trimmed and cleanly-shaped as well.

Try to stay relaxed and communicate with your photographer during your shoot.

You want your headshots to convey confidence and friendliness, especially if they’re being used for a company website or other marketing materials designed to attract customers. If you’re tense and anxious during your shoot, that’s what is going to read on camera. Communicating with your photographer will help you feel more at ease and make your photos turn out better. Share with them the look and feel you’re going for in your shots, so they can direct you and make you feel comfortable.

Are you looking for innovative ways to elevate the image of your company in Raleigh or around the Triangle in North Carolina? Get in touch with Neil Boyd Photography! We can set you up with corporate and executive headshots for you and your employees that draw attention to and send the right message about your business.

Contact our team of commercial photographers today to schedule your professional business portraits!