Branding photography can include images of you, your staff, your products, procedure, location, and other elements that distinguish your company. It’s more than simply a logo, colors, and fonts for branding. So many elements make up your visual identity, including photography, but what exactly is brand photography, why is it important, and how can you get some for your company?
What is the definition of brand photography? Branding photography is a collection of professional pictures that visually reflect your company and are consistent with your visual identity through colors, tone, props, and sets, among other things.
Here are three reasons why branding photography is essential.
1. YOUR BRAND WILL BE MORE RELATABLE AND AUTHENTIC WITH IMAGES OF YOUR PEOPLE AND STAFF.
If a company’s creator uses social media, 82 percent of consumers trust it more, and 77 percent are more willing to buy from it. The study emphasizes that people want to connect, relate to one another, and see the face behind the brand.
Now, I understand that most people would rather use a picture of a person they think looks far better than them than be photographed themself. However, with the right photographer, you can feel at ease and confident, and it’s not as terrifying as you would imagine and well worth it!
Potential clients will be able to see who they will be working with, glimpse into the process, and see themselves as a part of that experience if you and your staff are visible throughout your marketing. Authentic human photos transform your items and services from unreachable, notional, or hypothetical into something tangible, attainable, and appealing.
2. BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY MAKES A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION.
People develop first impressions in about 50 milliseconds, so make sure everything you offer impresses them, and do so quickly! High-quality, consistent branding photography will help you capture potential clients in a flash. They’ll note how important attention to detail, high-quality materials, consistency, and good appearance are to you. I’ve discovered that if a product or service is presented well, I’m usually sold before I’ve heard all about it.
3. CONSISTENCY IS ESSENTIAL, AND PHOTOGRAPHY HELPS TO MAINTAIN BRAND CONSISTENCY.
You might have your logo, colors, and typefaces down, but you’re in danger if your photography doesn’t match. Maintaining brand consistency requires that all of your visual aspects operate together cohesively. Businesses that are cohesive in their branding are three to four times more likely to be seen, and consumers want a consistent experience across all channels and devices used to connect with brands.
You might be able to discover some decent stock photographs that work. Still, chances are they aren’t entirely on-brand, or if they are, a hundred other brands are utilizing the same images, maybe even your largest competitor.
4. How can you put branding photos to good use?
You’re probably wondering where you’ll put all of these fantastic photos? Of course, you’ll want to be sure you get your money’s worth if you hire a branding photographer, so here are some suggestions on how you may use your new images:
- Your social media profile photos, particularly if you’re a one-person operation or if your brand is personal, such as a life coach or writer.
- On your Instagram profile
- In your stories on Instagram
- On your about page or your website, to show who you are
- In blog entries
- Visuals for your paid advertisements
- To demonstrate your process
- Your email newsletter.
- One your business card
- In a webinar, introduce yourself
- On your website’s team page
- A thank-you note to a client
- As part of your PR/Media/Press package so that other people can write about you and your company.
- Signature in your email
- As artwork for a podcast
- In the material of your online course
- Throughout your website
- On your zoom call screen when you don’t feel like being seen in person
Hopefully, you agree on the importance of branding photography by now, but what happens next?
- LOOK FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER
It’s now up to you to make it happen! If you don’t have a photographer in mind already, ask around for someone who specializes in Branding Photography, whose work you like, and someone with a pleasant personality. The essential thing to remember, especially if you’re getting shots of yourself and your team, is to work with someone who makes you feel at ease and with whom you can have fun since this will show in the photos. A good branding photographer will help walk you through the process and help you develop the following items:
2. DEVELOP YOUR STORY
Before you take any images, you must first understand who you are, what your brand stands for, who your target audience is, and what you want them to think, feel, and do when they see these photos or any other parts of your visual identity. For example, are you a fun, whimsical children’s party entertainer aiming to entice mothers with large party budgets to feel excited, inspired, and entertained by your service, or are you a hyper-masculine, high-end menswear brand hoping to attract high-rolling bachelors to spend their money? Before your branding photography session, you should have a clear idea of who you are and what story you’re attempting to tell.
2. CREATE A LIST OF THE KEY SHOTS YOU WANT TO TAKE
You probably won’t need a detailed list of the images you’ll capture because your photographer should assist you with that, and some may occur naturally during your shoot. Still, it’s a good idea to make a rough outline or strategy for the types of images you’ll need before taking the photos. Headshots of you and your team, your desk and surrounding workspace, pictures of the office dogs, flat lays of your work, individual shots of each of your products, and other general ideas are all possibilities. If you know what team members need to be involved in or what things you need images of, make a note of it so you can plan and guarantee nothing vital is forgotten. Use your website headers and copy as a guide so you will have visual images to fill the pages of your website as well.
4. CREATE COMPELLING IMAGES THAT WILL ATTRACT YOUR TARGET CUSTOMER
If you don’t know where to start looking for a photographer, start by asking other business owners or people in your area for referrals. Working with someone that comes highly recommended is always the best option! Be cautious of asking for recommendations in Facebook groups or communities you’re a part of, as many photographers recommend will not specialize in Branding photography. Last but not least, a good Google search can’t go wrong. Look up local branding photographers, look at their work, and get in touch! And if you are ready to get started, give kp studios a shot. We are a Birmingham, Alabama-based branding photography business. We can help. Contact us at 205.410.0688 to learn more or schedule a 15-minute consultation today.
