Why Photography Matters When It Comes To Your Website…
Like it or not, we’ve all become massively visual with a ridiculously short attention span. Great brand photography is ESSENTIAL in relating to your target audience, adding meaning to your business, reinforcing your brand messaging and setting the tone for your website.
Straight up, getting the right photos is important, and whether you’ve got stacks on stacks in your bank account or just a few cents to your name, there's an option for everyone regardless of what your budget situation is.
Here are 3 options to get great photos for your website:
1. PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
The easiest and most effective way to get the right website photos is to hire a professional. Paying for a photographer for a few hours will pay for itself in no time. A professional is going to be able to manage things like lighting and composition. They know how to get natural looking photos without them feeling staged and awkward. And TRUST ME, I am as awkward as they come when it comes to getting my photo taken (I’m talking Chandler Bing wedding photo awkward here people) so if a professional photographer can get a decent shot of me, there’s hope for everyone else out there who hates getting their picture taken too.
But not all photographers are created equal. A brand photographer will know from experience how to create the right type of image, and will be able to take a good range of photos that gives you multiple images to choose from. So, if you choose to hire someone make sure they're familiar with brand photoshoots, creep their work and make sure their photography style fits with your brand vibe.
Of course, the downside is that you'll be shelling out more cash for a pro photographer. But honestly, you cant lose and it's highly recommended that you factor this cost into your website design costs, because as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
2. STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY
There may be some situations where you don't have any option but to use stock photography for your website, and that's totally cool.
There are tonsssss of websites dedicated to providing high quality professional photos for other people to use, so nice right?! Some of these sites are completely free and some will be paid, but they all provide clear licensing information before you download you images.
Copyright laws are legit so pay attention to licensing and copyright restrictions for any images you use, you don’t want to get slapped with a fine for using someone else’s images without their permission.
Keep in mind, if you find a stock photo that you really want to use, try and find other photos from the same photographer so that your photos all feel cohesive. It’s important to make sure your website flows and everything looks like it goes together.
Here are some of my fave stock photo sites:
• Unsplash (free)
• Pixabay (free)
• Pexels (free)
• Shutterstock (paid)
• Getty Images (paid)
3. DIY PHOTOGRAPHY
Last but not least, DIY photos.
Not gonna lie, this one always makes me a bit nervous when clients tell me they’re going this route. Don’t get me wrong! It can totally be done, and done really well! Cell phone cameras have come a loooong way these days.
If you're strapped for cash, short on time or just can't find what you're looking for, a DIY shoot might be the way to go!
But in order to pull this kind of shoot off you have to have a really good plan of attack and an inkling about what it is you’re doing.
There are a few things to consider in order to make sure you end up with actual usable images.
• Plan A Shot List- Figure out what types of shots you need and where you’ll be using the photos. Think about the content you’ll be writing and putting on your site and what types of photos you want to go with that text. Pinterest is a huge help for inspiration!
• Props- Desks, chairs, flowers, coffee mugs, lap tops, even a brick wall can add so much to your photos. Get creative here and remember to keep your brand style and vibe in mind when choosing your props.
• Equipment- If you have a DSLR camera USE IT and make sure you shoot in RAW format. If you’re using your smartphone try to use one with the newest camera (because seriously they’re insane), and just make sure your photos are HIGH QUALITY and will be able to be sized properly.
• Lighting- Don't get fancy here, just stick to the basics and shoot where there's lots of natural lighting so you get the clearest, sharpest image.
• Location- Think outside your office here...cafes, restaurants, hotel lobbies, hotel rooms, AirBnB's, or even a co-working spaces can all give you great locations to shoot in. Just make sure any locations you choose fit with your brand vibe and style.
So basically, there’s no reason you should have dark, grainy photos taken on your old blackberry from 2015 plastered across your website when there are soooo many other accessible options available.
Don’t scrimp out on your website or brand photography. Great photos make you and your business look great. They make you look put together, professional, trustworthy and relatable.
Plus, the value you get from having great photos is massive when you consider you’ll be able to also use them across all of your marketing materials and platforms whether its for social media or printed media. Having a bank of great brand photos to pull from just makes sense!
