Debunking brand photography myths
“I sell services, not products. My clients don’t care about what I look like.”
“I can take professional quality photos with my phone for free.”
“Stock photos do the same job.”
Have you ever said any of the above statements? Then this blog is for you.
This week, I’m debunking some of the most common myths about brand photography. Let’s get started…
“I sell services, not products. My clients don’t care about what I look like.”
When a client buys into your service, they’re making a conscious decision to work with you - not your competition. Of course, there are many factors that they may have considered, such as pricing, location, positioning and specialism. But, at the end of the day, they have chosen you. Too often I encounter small businesses without any of their own photography on their website - not even team photos on the About page! How can you expect your client to part with their hard-earned money if you don’t show them who you are?
So, whether you’re a copywriter, a lawyer, an insurance broker or even a swimming instructor… Your clients do care about you, and they want to see you, your team, your premises and your services in action.
“I can take professional quality photos with my phone for free.”
Phone cameras have come on leaps and bounds in recent years. You can take some pretty incredible photos with the latest model iPhone, so I can see why many small business owners try to cut corners and take their own photos. However, smartphone cameras don’t produce good enough quality photos to use in print media. So, if you intend to create leaflets, brochures or any other print marketing materials, then you’ll certainly need a professional to take your snaps.
Even if print media isn’t your thing, there’s a lot more to taking great photos than just the quality of your camera. From making best use of the lighting, capturing your subjects in their best possible light and the final editing process, all of these are contributing factors to what makes a professional brand photo far, far superior to that taken on a smartphone - even the best in the market.
“Stock photos do the same job.”
And finally, leaving my favourite myth ‘til last - let’s talk about stock photography. With websites such as Unsplash, Pixabay and Pexels, it’s easy to access fantastic royalty-free images with the click of a button. So, it’s no wonder that so many brands gravitate towards these options rather than curating their own collection of stock photos with a brand photographer.
However, what happens if your competitor uses the same stock photo as you? Or if the stock photo isn’t a fair representation of your brand, product or service? For example, I’ve seen UK-based car rental companies using stock photos of left-hand-drive cars…. And local shops using photos clearly taken in another country! To avoid any embarrassing mishaps, take ownership of your stock photographer and consult a brand photographer (like me!) to get started.
Get in touch today to book your brand shoot or learn more about my brand photography services. I’m now taking bookings for spring and summer 2022 lauren@foryouphotographer.com
