'I'm just a small business owner, do I really need brand photos?'
You might have come across the term ‘brand photography’ before - it’s become more and more popular in the last few years, and it’s for a good reason! Small businesses are starting to understand the value of having their photos taken, and to show new and old clients what their business is all about.
So, what exactly is brand photography, and do you really need it?
Brand photography is a set of photos that is a visual representation of your business. It usually contains different types of photos, including headshots, ‘action’ shots, lifestyle shots, detail shots, product shots (if relevant) and more. It can be of one or more people, depending on the size of the business. The goal is to get a good representation of your brand which can be achieved by looking at the colour palette, mood, tone, locations and more.
There are lots of reasons why you should have brand photos taken - these are some of the top ones:
IT GIVES A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION
As you know, first impression is everything - especially now, where we’re overwhelmed with information and options. Having brand photos on your website and social media gives the impression that you’re professional and know your stuff.
IT MAKES YOU MORE RELATABLE
People love seeing the people behind a business - you might have a great product or service to sell, but if your customers also know the people behind it, they feel more of a connection to you. I know many people don't feel comfortable in front of the camera, but if you find the right photographer that you get a good connection with, she or he will help you with this and make you feel comfortable and at ease.
IT MAKES IT EASIER TO MARKET YOURSELF
With a big bank of photos, you won’t have to panic and stress over what to post on social media - as the brand photos will be a mix of portraits, close ups, product shots and more, there will always be something you can create content around. It will also create a consistency in look and feel which makes your social media look more professional too. Posting photos of yourself also increase engagement!
YOU’LL STAND OUT FROM YOUR COMPETITORS
They might have brand photos too, and if they do you should definitely consider having yours taken. But whether they do or not, yours will still be unique to your business, and will help you get the right customers for you.
IT TELLS YOUR STORY
One of the main reasons to have brand photos taken is to tell your brand story. Who you are, what you do, what you’re all about! Setting the right tone for the shoot is important, which is why I always find out as much as possible about your business and tone of voice to make sure they are a good representation of your brand.
How it’s done
Firstly, after you've worked out why you want a brand shoot, you'll need to find your photographer. There are lots of amazing ones out there, so my suggestion is to 'shop around' - have a look at their portfolio, their social media and reviews, and ideally try to find out a bit about the photographer as a person. Find someone that resonates with you, that you get a good vibe from - that's often as important as viewing their work as you need to feel comfortable on your actual shoot.
If you would work with me, my process is pretty straight forward! Firstly, we would set up a call to go through a few things including what your brand is about, who your target audience is, the look and feel of your brand and what you’re intending to use the photos for. I would then send you a questionnaire where to dig a bit deeper, and you can take your time answering.
We'd then work on a Pinterest board together (unless you prefer not to) to create a set of photos that inspires you. I’d also ask you to create a list of photos you want, and if you’re not sure I’d help you with suggestions.
We would also discuss location and props/styling (inc. outfits) - I’d be more than happy to help you with suggestions!
A couple of days beforehand I would check the forecast to make sure it’s still ok to go ahead - if we’re doing a lot of the shooting outdoors and it’s raining, it would probably best to reschedule.
On the day you just have to show up, relax & have fun! I’ll guide you and help you through the whole session, and will do my best to help you feel comfortable and relaxed!
A week or so after, you’ll get access to your online gallery where you can see all photos, edited. You can choose your top 25 unless you decide to take the full gallery. And that’s it!
I hope you found this useful - and if you're considering a shoot, please reach out! I'd be more than happy to chat and answer any questions you might have!
