DIY vs Professional Branding Photography – There’s a place for both.
Marketing is A LOT about gaining the trust of others.
Visuals, in the form of photos and videos, that demonstrate your products, process, personality, and so much more are a critical piece in elevating your personal or commercial brand.
In fact, having new photos on your website will slow the scroll. New photos are a great way to refresh and reenergize a brand.
However, as a fellow small business owner, I understand the value in cutting overhead expenses as much as possible because, hey, it’s a business and it’s a livelihood.
In fact, when deciding whether or not to invest in something, I always ask myself these 3 questions:
- Will this investment build my business in some way, usually in the form of new clients?
- If so, how many more photo sessions do I need to take on to cover the expenses?
- Will my long term return likely be greater than my investment?
If the answer is a yes to any of those questions, I take the leap.
However, it’s entirely acceptable and even beneficial to take your own photos as a business owner.
DIY branding photography is great for:
- Brands sharing lots of candid images/videos. These are great for your social media stories. They are often off-the-cuff and quite genuine, which are essential for gaining trust in clients.
- Brands that have someone with a visual arts/photography background who have an understanding of how to make a visually compelling image (and the time to devote to creating this marketing imagery.)
- Brands that are just starting out and may still be trying to define their brand identity. They may still be in the planning phases of their business development. Without a definite understanding of a brand identity, making photos that will stand the test of time can be more difficult.
Why hire a professional branding photographer if you can DIY?
- Professionalism:
- When you hire a branding photographer, you’re hiring a professional with the skills, knowledge, and experience to capture high-quality images that will meet the goals of your brand. A professional branding photographer has the expertise to create images that are visually stunning and perfectly aligned with your brand’s vision and message.
- Consistency:
- One of the main advantages of hiring a branding photographer is that they can ensure visual consistency across all of your marketing platforms. A branding photographer can help you create a cohesive brand image by using consistent lighting, composition, and color grading. This consistency helps build recognition and trust with your target audience.
- Time-Saving:
- Hiring a branding photographer saves you valuable time that you can devote to other aspects of your business. A professional branding photographer can help you plan and execute your photoshoot quickly and efficiently, so you can get back to running your business.
- Quality:
- A branding photographer has the skills to utilize professional equipment: cameras, lenses, lighting, and editing software. All of this makes a huge difference in the final product.
- Brand Identity:
- A branding photographer can help you capture the essence of your brand in your photos. Before your session, they’ll research your brand to help you identify your unique selling points. They’ll create unique images that are tailored to your brand and make you more memorable to your target audience.
I want every brand that I photograph to have a beautiful visual presence with a unique and customized library of images at their fingertips with enough variety that they can be used for months (even years!) to come. I take the time to learn about each brand I am honored to photograph, much as if I were meeting a new friend.
If you are curious to learn more, I have information for you about my branding photography here. I’m also happy to set up a zero pressure phone call to see if this might be a good investment for your business.
