In an ideal world, every business would have a dazzling library of original, custom photos that they can use for any occasion: their website, brochures, pitch decks, social media, digital ads and more.
But that might not be realistic, budget-wise. Maybe you’ve relied on free stock photos up to this point. And that’s okay! Building your branded photo library can happen in stages. (Kind of like building your personal book library: adopting one stray book at a time.)
Scaling companies, especially, need to consider improving their visual brand as they’re leveling up their business. Hiring a professional photographer – even for a couple of hours – can make a big difference in the look and feel of your brand.
While every business is different, here’s how we recommend prioritizing your photography:
- Headshots and branded team photos
- Product shots and videos
- Pictures of your environment – the office, retail shop, factory floor or restaurant
- Social media content, advertisements, brochures and photos for any occasion
Priority #1: Headshots and Branded Team Photos
Headshots and team photos can improve your professional ethos and communicate legitimacy. On your “About” page, a well-lit headshot sends a different message than, say, a blurry selfie of you posing cheek-to-cheek with your cat. (To clarify, that cat selfie needs to be seen, but maybe not in this context.)
Plus professional photographers do the Lord’s work when editing your headshot. Trust us. Our headshots make us look like goddesses–like somebody used Benjamin Button’s iron to press our forehead wrinkles out of existence. Shoutout to Novella Studio!
Team photos are also important because they reveal a lot about your company’s vibe. Is your brand formal? Relaxed? Forward-thinking? Quirky? Edgy? Your photographer can capture a variety of shots (candid and posed) that represent your brand. Plan what you want your team to wear, coordinate with branded colors and choose locations that make sense for your business.
Check out this photo from the Blue Stem kitchen. The team looks focused, organized, detail-oriented, and collaborative. And aren’t those the types of people you want making your food?
Here’s a logical objection to team photos: your employees come and go. What if Becky, who is pictured front-and-center, quits tomorrow and takes your favorite stapler with her? It’s okay. You don’t need to photoshop her out because the photo still represents your team vibe. It’s still a branded photo, even if the faces change.
But also…our condolences on the stapler. Our team has been known to name our favorite office supplies.
Priority #2: Product Shots and Portfolios
Your product is really cool and important. And you won’t believe how much cooler and more important it looks with professional lighting, product styling (yes, a product stylist is a thing!) and a crisp white background. Videos of your product in-use can be a game-changer. Videos help your customer understand your product and improve their overall experience on your site.
If you offer a service instead of a product, you can use professional photos to showcase your portfolio of work.
Priority #3: Environmental Shots
The spaces in which you work can reveal a lot about your business. You can include photos of your office, your retail shop, warehouse, factory floor or restaurant.
When you see a friend’s house for the first time, you’re collecting information about them. Is there a Jenga-like pile of dirty dishes in the sink? Are there seven half-read books on their nightstand? Do their sparkling wood floors remind you that you haven’t mopped since the early days of the pandemic? Don’t worry; no judgment here.
The point is…photos of your space can say a lot about you.
Priority #4: A Whole Photo Library–Just For You
Your end goal is to have a branded photo for every occasion: your website, brochures, pitch decks, advertisements, a clever Facebook post, National Houseplant Day…you name it. Digital content “wears out” quickly, so you’ll want plenty of fresh photos to pair with your digital ads. And when you own all your photos, you won’t have to worry about usage rights.
Don’t Take the Stock Options
Maybe your business is using free stock photos, and that’s fine for a time. But when you use stock photos, you never know what other company is using the same photos. Let’s say a photo of a smiling woman you used for your consulting company is the same photo Gas-X used for their anti-flatulence pills. And an association is born. Plus, when you use stock photos, there are a number of licensing issues to consider.
A branded photo library is a “high impact” way to level up your brand. And we can help. Jenny Wheat, Director of Novella Studio, is an absolute photo magician. Plus she gives you lots of compliments and makes you feel at-ease while she takes your photos.
Who needs a branded photo library? Start-ups, solopreneurs, vice presidents or directors of marketing, business owners, CMOs, founders, companies that are growing and scaling, non-profits. In short, EVERYONE.
So grab a spot on our calendar, and we’ll figure out which photo packages will work within your budget. Go dazzle ‘em.
Check out this photo from the Blue Stem kitchen. The team looks focused, organized, detail-oriented, and collaborative. And aren’t those the types of people you want making your food?
Here’s a logical objection to team photos: your employees come and go. What if Becky, who is pictured front-and-center, quits tomorrow and takes your favorite stapler with her? It’s okay. You don’t need to photoshop her out because the photo still represents your team vibe. It’s still a branded photo, even if the faces change.
But also…our condolences on the stapler. Our team has been known to name our favorite office supplies.
