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A Year of Beer: The Sask Craft Brewers Association

3/2/2021

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Some of our favourite ladies in craft beer from Shelter Brewing Company, High Key Brewing Co. and Black Bridge Brewing.
​In 2020 we were approached by the Saskatchewan Craft Brewers Association to document the incredible things happening in our province within the craft beer industry.  We could not have been more excited to dig into this delicious industry as avid craft beer lovers. So this is the story of some of our year in beer.
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Behind the scenes at the annual Collaboration Brew in Regina, SK at Pile O' Bones Brewing Company.

A Saskatchewan Story

​When we sat down with SCBA to talk about their goals, a few key messages kept floating to the top. The biggest one was the superfan culture built around the industry and how to tell that story. The second was the way their narrative so deeply meshed with that of the local agricultural scene. We wanted to create compelling photos and videos that would inspire people to try different kinds of locally crafted beers because there truly is something for everyone.
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Filming an interview just outside North Battleford in a local producer's field. 

The Night the Taps Turned Off

​Only a few months into our work with the SCBA, the world as we knew it was about to come crashing down with some severe restrictions and new ways of doing business. The perseverance of the brewers we worked with through the association was truly inspiring. From shifts to delivery and pick up to other incredible pivots, it was amazing to watch the community come together, especially to support the smaller businesses within the group. 
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Filming with the entire SCBA at their 2020 Annual General Meeting in Regina, SK.

Blood, Sweat and Beers

​As things began to thaw, we went back on the road to visit one of our favourite breweries in North Battleford, Armoury Brewing Co. We talked about the building's history and the brewmaster's approach to beer recipes that incorporated many local ingredients. It once again reminded us how deeply connected to the province the craft beer industry truly is.
Chatting with Brennan from Armoury Brewing Co. in North Battleford, SK.
​Craft beer is an art. It finds its voice in the community that it serves, allowing that dialogue to help guide its unique flavour profiles. Seeing the return of the taprooms and capturing the connection people share over this beverage was the best part of our year. It was an immense delight for us to be able to tell the story of this fantastic community, if only for a year!
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Interviewing the 2020 Board President of the SCBA and the owner of Rebellion Brewing Company, Mark Heise.
For more stories about the SCBA, follow them on social media or any of their members. Support local and drink local craft beer!
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Author

Tyler Babiy is the owner and creative director of T Squared Social where he works with multiple local businesses to create social media content.  With a formal education in fine arts and fashion design, he is also the driving force behind Social Made Local, a socially responsible apparel brand.  When he is not working he can be found at the dog park, binge watching Netflix or enjoying a craft beer with friends at a local brewery.

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Hey, Fatboy.

11/19/2020

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​I'm fat. 

Call it whatever you want. I'm a big guy. I grew up bigger than most of my peers and have always been above average. When I started T Squared close to five years ago, I knew I would have to be in front of the camera, and it gave me anxiety to think about how others might perceive me. Would they think I'm lazy, unintelligent or unqualified based on my appearance? I didn't know. 

The truth is that I've always been comfortable in my skin as an adult. But I knew that putting myself out there on social media, news interviews, and print editorials would make me subject to other people's opinions of myself. If you are the person in your business that has to be the face (and body) of your company, you know exactly what I am talking about. In this modern marketing world, it feels like a requirement to put yourself out there if you want to succeed. So the choice becomes do you fit in or do you stand out.
Trust me when I tell you, being who you are will always be your greatest strength.
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Judgement is a hard thing to process. 

It forces us to ask the question, do I subscribe to this idea of who I am? I'm no mental health professional, but I am a marketing guy. So here is what I know. Feedback will always come in positive and negative forms. And with more success, you will receive more feedback, and if you don't like it, you better close up shop now. It's part of the gig.

You need to set healthy boundaries to protect yourself from dysfunctional comments. Stop sending anonymous surveys if the data collected is unhelpful or hurtful. Turn off comment sections on blogs or posts if they are a source of negativity. You are not obligated to take feedback from every possible point of entry. You most certainly are not compelled to take abuse online. You absolutely wouldn't tolerate this face to face.
I'm not too fond of the term IRL.
​In real life implies that what happens online is not real. It devalues the influence and power that online interactions have on us as humans and as businesses. What happens on social media is in real life.
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Choose what serves you.

We all operate our business based on our available time and resources. We make choices every day that may not be perfect, but they are vital to our business's profitability. It's easy for us to take feedback personally, but we need to pull back and breathe. Take a beat, not a beating.

It's your job to protect all of your assets, including yourself. The notion that being on social media is a licence for people to treat your company, your hard work, like a punching bag is no longer relevant. So go ahead, call me Fatboy, but you just might get blocked.
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Author

Tyler Babiy is the owner and creative director of T Squared Social where he works with multiple local businesses to create social media content.  With a formal education in fine arts and fashion design, he is also the driving force behind Social Made Local, a socially responsible apparel brand.  When he is not working he can be found at the dog park, binge watching Netflix or enjoying a craft beer with friends at a local brewery.

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How to Speak to Photographers

9/29/2020

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​Working with a professional photographer can be a considerable asset to your brand. It's essential to find one that matches the style and vibe of business. Be mindful that not all photographers are commercial photographers or content creators. 
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Variety.

​Communicating with your photographer about where the images will be used on social media will help them use the correct orientation. An IG story will need to be vertical, but a Twitter cover photo should be shot in a wide landscape format. If you don't know where the image will end up, let them know you need various options.
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Framing.

We could get very technical here, but for the sake of keeping it straightforward and informative, let's run down the key terms. Framing refers to what is in frame or what you will see in the final image. When planning shots, it's best to refer to them as follows:
  • Full shot refers to anything where the subject is in frame from head to toe.
  • Medium shot refers to cropping between the waist and ribcage of a subject.
  • Close Up would be just the person's face in frame from the shoulders up.
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Intention.

Not all social media content is smiley. Let your photographer know how these images are being used. If it's for a blog about mental health awareness, you likely don't need an enormous grin on your subject. Make a shot list before the filming date and record all the shots you hope to achieve. Use basic descriptions to minimize confusion. 
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For example: 3-4 full and medium shot photos of a man looking concerned (header image for the blog).
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Trust.

​During your photo shoot, you should trust your photographer. Standing over their shoulder, asking to see each shot over and over, or giving excessive direction is going to kill the creative process quickly. The time to plan is before the filming. Once you are on location, you need to give some freedom to the photographer. If you can't trust them, don't hire them. 
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Clarity.

Explaining artistic concepts can be tricky. Your definition of specific terms may not be the same as your photographer. Visual references are always helpful, like creating a Pinterest board. You can also reference other IG accounts and websites that inspire you. 
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With a little bit of research and some simple planning, you can be sure to create a strategy that will keep your project on track. Then you can enjoy the filming process more while the professionals do the work.
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Author

Tyler Babiy is the owner and creative director of T Squared Social where he works with multiple local businesses to create social media content.  With a formal education in fine arts and fashion design, he is also the driving force behind Social Made Local, a socially responsible apparel brand.  When he is not working he can be found at the dog park, binge watching Netflix or enjoying a craft beer with friends at a local brewery.

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