Anyone can be a photographer these days. No really, it’s true. Whether it’s an smart phone image, Instagram post or holiday snap, the advent of Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras and the iPhone has meant that great photography is no longer reserved only for people with fancy equipment or paid professionals.
Small businesses no longer require an exorbitant amount of money to produce high quality images for their business. Of course, there is still a place for professional photography, it really is an art, but with help from the experts, you too can take great photos for your business. Unfortunately, not all businesses are brave enough to take advantage of this new technology so that’s why we’re here to give you some tips to guide you through it.
Businesses that limit their image content to stock photos and generic product shots can’t genuinely convey what makes their brand unique or special to customers. Stock images are a great resource when you don’t have the capacity to produce your own, however they should be used in moderation. People working in the creative or marketing industries in particular, can usually identify the use of stock photos.
Mediocre product shots, where the product is centred on a white background, is often provided by the manufacturer or emulated by stockists. Think about all the ecommerce websites or catalogues you’ve seen with run-of-the-mill product photos. Not that exciting right? The most successful brands don’t conform; but are innovative with their image content. Being aware of these common practices is useful, but more importantly breaking away from these conventions will enable you to produce unique image content for your business.
Benefits of Creating Images That Are Unique
- Sets your company apart from the competition
- Increases consumer trust and loyalty
- Increases consumer confidence
- Encourages people to connect with your brand and it’s content
- Your content is more likely to be shared on social media
- Engages and offers a visual experience keeping them on your website longer
10 Kwik Photo Tips
- When starting out with a DLSR it’s very tempting to keep the settings on automatic. Our tip is to remove the automatic flash because this can make photos appear washed out.
- Get down to eye level with your subject, even if this means crouching on the floor. Keep the composition simple and remove irrelevant objects from the frame.
- Don’t be afraid to zoom in or get up close. Try using the DSLR macro setting to capture details on a section of the product.
- Continue snapping because only one in a hundred photos will turn out wonderful. The beauty of digital cameras is that you can select the best, and then delete the rest.
- Put effort into every shot and only make small corrections with editing software later. Keep at least 75% of the original photo when cropping, because significant editing can be very obvious.
- Experiment with different perspectives, so that your subject is not always centred. Try taking the photo from an unusual angle, or isolating a section of the product to make a dull object interesting.
- Show customers their options, rather than telling them. Take photos of the colours available, the different product sizes or varied packaging, so the customer will feel confident about making a purchase.
- Prove to the customer that you have the solution to their problem; by telling them a visual story, in a setting they can connect with. For example, show the before and after shots of a lawnmower in the backyard.
- If customers can’t have a tangible experience with the product, like online shoppers, then offer them a virtual experience. Photograph the product in use, or special application methods, what the packet looks like and what’s inside.
- Test different lighting conditions. Natural light is best early morning and just before sunset. For artificial lighting, consider using light tents, lamps and white reflectors to diffuse light evenly on your subject and soften shadows.
Give DIY photography for your business a go; it’s easier than you think to make a unique impression.
