Outdoor installations (solar panels, external heat pumps, EV chargers):

• Shoot when light is soft – early morning or late afternoon are best for roofs and external units.
• Avoid harsh midday sun where possible – it creates strong shadows on panels and equipment.
• Shoot with the sun slightly behind you so the installation is evenly lit.
• Watch for glare on solar panels – move your position slightly until reflections are reduced.

Indoor installations (inverters, cylinders, control panels):

• Turn on room lights and open blinds/curtains to brighten the space.
• Aim for one dominant light type (either daylight or warm indoor light) to keep colours consistent.
• Ensure labels, branding and indicators on equipment are clearly visible and not lost in shadow.

General lighting checks:

• Before shooting, quickly scan for harsh shadows or hotspots on key parts of the system.
• If one side of the installation is too dark, step to the opposite side or move slightly to balance the light.

Best Angles:

• Eye-level for solar arrays: Step back and slightly up (if safe) so the whole roof system is clear and not distorted.
• 45-degree angle for equipment: Shoot inverters, cylinders and EV chargers from 45° to show depth and cabling neatly.
• Context shots: Include some of the property, roofline or driveway so viewers understand where the system sits.
• Avoid extreme wide angles that bend roofs or make panels look warped.

Composition Tips:

• Use the rule of thirds – place the installation off‑centre with clear space for the building or landscape.
• Show scale by including a person or recognisable object near the installation (for example, a customer or engineer).
• Capture a mix of wide shots (whole system), medium shots (equipment on wall) and close‑ups (connections, branding, displays).
• Keep backgrounds tidy – move clutter (boxes, tools, personal items) before shooting.

Before Shooting:

• Clear the area around the system – move tools, packaging and personal items out of frame.
• Make sure the installation is finished and powered on (no loose cables or missing covers).
• Check that Eco Engineering branding (logos, vehicle, workwear) is visible where appropriate.
• Think about safety before you move – especially near roofs, ladders and electrical equipment.

Pro Tips:

• Capture a simple before/after pair for major installs – even a quick \"before\" photo on arrival helps.
• Take wide shots of the whole system, then closer detail shots of key components and neat cable runs.
• Shoot in the highest quality setting available so images work well on the website, social media and print.
• Zoom in on your camera screen to double‑check focus on important details like the inverter display.

Best practices for customer & team portraits:

• Use natural light where possible – for example, stand customers or engineers near a window or doorway.
• Focus on the eyes and make sure faces are sharp and well‑lit.
• Avoid very wide angles close to the face – they can distort features.
• Include a hint of the installation in the background (panels, heat pump, EV charger) to tell the story.

Composition:

• Position eyes roughly on the upper third line of the frame.
• Shoot at eye‑level or slightly above for a more flattering angle.
• Leave space in the direction the person is looking, especially if text will be added later.
• Look for small catchlights (reflections) in the eyes – they make portraits feel more alive.

Tips:

• Always get permission before photographing customers or staff.
• Explain what the photos will be used for (website, social, marketing materials).
• Chat while you shoot – relaxed conversation usually produces more natural expressions.

Best practices for candid installation and survey shots:

• Use continuous shooting to capture the best moments while engineers are working.
• Anticipate key actions – for example, panels being lifted onto a roof, an EV charger being mounted, or a customer walk‑through.
• Keep your camera ready during handovers and demonstrations – these create great storytelling images.

Capturing expressions:

• Shoot just before and just after the main action to catch genuine reactions.
• Look for moments where customers are smiling, asking questions or pointing at their new system.
• Include the Eco Engineering team interacting with customers to show service and support.

Group shots:

• Get everyone looking towards the camera at least once for a clear record photo (team + customer).
• Ensure all faces are in focus – step back a little if needed.
• Shoot several frames in case someone blinks.

Getting accurate skin tones:

• Use soft natural light when possible – for example, just inside a doorway looking out.
• Match white balance to the environment so faces don’t look too orange or too blue.
• Avoid strong shadows across the face – ask people to turn slightly towards the light.

Exposure tips:

• Check that faces are correctly exposed even if the background is bright (for example, outside near solar panels).
• Avoid bright highlights on foreheads or cheeks – change your angle if needed.
• Zoom in on the screen to confirm eyes and expressions are sharp.

Background separation:

• Keep some distance between people and the background so it can blur slightly.
• Choose backgrounds that support the story – vans, panels, heat pumps, EV chargers – without being too busy.

Key Practices:

• Use continuous shooting to capture key moments at open days, community events and trade stands.
• Track moving subjects – for example, engineers demonstrating equipment or visitors walking through a stand.
• Adjust settings for indoor halls versus outdoor demos so images stay bright and sharp.
• Always check a few frames on the screen to confirm focus and exposure.

Why these practices matter:

• Well‑captured events show Eco Engineering as active, professional and approachable.
• Good focus and exposure mean photos can be reused across the website, social media and printed materials.

Capturing Key Moments:

• Anticipate main moments – for example, a talk starting, a product demo, or a big crowd gathering.
• Shoot just before, during and after each key moment to capture reactions.
• Look for candid interactions between visitors and the Eco Engineering team.

Composition tips:

• Show context – include banners, stands, vans and any Eco Engineering branding in the background.
• Capture a mix of wide shots (whole stand), medium shots (small groups talking) and close‑ups (hands on equipment, brochures, signage).
• Include both posed group shots and natural moments of people exploring the stand.

Before & after:

• Arrive early to capture setup and empty venue shots.
• Stay a little after the main event to capture final conversations and tidy‑up – it tells the full story.

Working with Available Light:

• At indoor events, position yourself near windows or main light sources.
• Accept a little grain in low light if it means capturing real moments clearly.
• Use brighter areas of the venue for key photos like group shots or customer interviews.

Using flash:

• Use flash sparingly – it can be distracting during talks or demos.
• If using a flash, bounce it off the ceiling or wall where possible for softer light.
• Use flash mainly to lift shadows on faces, not as the only light source.

Low‑light tips:

• Use the widest aperture your camera allows.
• Brace yourself against a wall, table or stand to reduce camera shake.
• Keep recording in the highest quality so photos can be brightened slightly in editing.

Installation Videos:

• Show the full journey of an Eco Engineering installation – short clips from survey, install day and final handover.
• Capture close‑ups of key components (inverters, heat pumps, EV chargers, control panels) with clear branding.
• Keep shots steady and well‑lit so details are easy to see.
• End with a wide shot that shows the finished system in context (roof, driveway, plant room).

Testimonial Videos:

• Prioritise audio – customers must be easy to hear. Choose a quiet location and stand close to them.
• Use natural light where possible and avoid strong backlighting from windows.
• Keep backgrounds simple but relevant – installations, vans or signage work well.
• Frame customers using the rule of thirds and leave space for titles or captions if needed.

Behind-the-Scenes Videos:

• Capture authentic moments – engineers arriving on site, unpacking equipment, checking plans.
• Record short clips from different angles rather than one long static shot.
• Show the team working safely and professionally to build trust in the brand.

Stability:

• Use a tripod or lean against a solid surface to reduce shake, especially for technical walkthroughs.
• Hold the camera with both hands and move slowly when panning around installations.
• Avoid constant fast movements – short, steady clips are easier to watch and edit.

Lighting:

• Ensure installations and people are brighter than the background – avoid shooting directly into bright windows.
• Use available lights on site but try to keep the look consistent across clips.
• Make a quick test recording and review it on screen to confirm details are visible.

Audio:

• Use an external microphone if available; otherwise, keep the camera close to the speaker.
• Minimise background noise – turn off noisy equipment if safe and practical during testimonials.
• Do a short sound test and listen back before recording longer clips.

Composition:

• Follow the rule of thirds and keep the horizon level, especially for outdoor shots of roofs or fields.
• Leave space for movement – for example, where someone will walk or where text overlays might sit.
• Frame equipment clearly so viewers understand what they’re looking at.

Before Every Shoot:

• ✓ Check battery level (charge if needed)
• ✓ Check memory card has space
• ✓ Clean camera lens
• ✓ Set correct date/time
• ✓ Choose appropriate quality settings
• ✓ Test focus (take a test shot)
• ✓ Review test image/video on screen
• ✓ Check lighting conditions
• ✓ Verify audio (for video)

For Events:

• ✓ Arrive early to scout locations
• ✓ Test in actual lighting conditions
• ✓ Get permission for photos/videos
• ✓ Have backup battery and memory card