The Importance of Photography for Your Brand
In the online world, the aesthetics of your brand play a pivotal role in determining its success. At Simply Lynn's Creative, we're big believers that a brand is not just a name and a logo but an experience, an emotion, and most vitally, a visual story. As more and more platforms become aesthetics-driven, brand photography has emerged as an integral part of contemporary branding. In this blog post, we'll explore how photography can elevate your brand's image and create a cohesive brand experience to attract your soulmate clients!
Why Strong Brand Photography Matters
Quick fun fact: Did you know that our brains process visuals 60,000 times faster than text? Turns out, we're all visual creatures deep down, and this fun fact spins a whole new meaning on "a picture's worth a thousand words."
Consumers today form opinions within seconds based on what they see. Our brains are wired to process visuals at a CRAZY speed, making images a powerful tool for evoking emotions and influencing decisions. High-quality brand photos help make powerful initial (and lasting) impressions that iPhone pictures or DIY images simply can't do.
You can leverage the story-telling power of visuals by using effective, brand-consistent photography to create a moving client experience, whether it's on your website, social media, or other customer touchpoints such as a thank you card included in each of your orders!
A consistent visual identity not only strengthens the emotional connection between you and your dream client, but it also fosters trust among consumers through repetitive brand recognition. When your audience recognizes you instantly through your imagery and brand photography, loyalty isn't far behind. Iconic imagery can etch your brand in consumers’ memories, ensuring you stand out even in crowded markets. Think of Lulu Lemon's iconic logo on each pair luxury leggings or Copper Pearl's childlike but graceful branding. These aren't mere images but symbols etched in our memory. That's the power of brand recall. Effective brand photography can do the same!
What should you photograph?
Custom, brand-aligned stock images:
Stock images are not just placeholders. When aligned with your brand's identity, they can communicate your message and resonate with your target audience without posting pictures of yourself over and over again. This is why shooting your own "stock images" that are brand-aligned visually is a game changer in creating digital content for your brand across multiple customer touchpoints. Say goodbye to generic stock photo sites!
Team personality pics:
Capturing you and your team's essence goes beyond headshots. Team personality photos give a face to your brand, humanizing your business and fostering trust. These images spotlight the real people behind the scenes, their passions, and the unique dynamics of your crew. When done right, team photos can strengthen a sense of community and trust, creating an emotional connection with your audience by showcasing the heart and soul of your brand.
Product photography:
Product images are critical to e-commerce brands and small businesses for more reasons than one! They do more than just display an item; they highlight unique features, set the tone for quality, and influence purchasing decisions. Properly executed, photography can even enhance the perceived value of a product, making everyday items appear luxurious.
Here is a good example of hiring out product photography from one of our clients, Above Able:
If you're still DIYing your product images for your e-commerce brand, you can still create high-quality branded images that are sure to make a good impression on your potential customers. Here are some quick tips to help you elevate your product images:
Make sure you're taking the images in the same space and lighting each time for consistent results.
Keep your editing consistent for each image, but don't go overboard with the filters so you don't distort the look of your product.
If you're able to, set up a scene for your product images with brand-aligned props, but make sure there is still enough empty space to highlight your products.
Here is a good example of DIYing your product photos in a consistent, high-quality method from one of our clients, Still Waters Boutique:
How to use your brand photos:
Websites:
Photographs significantly influence the aesthetic of a website. They determine the overall vibe and play a crucial role in user experience. To keep a brand-cohesive, storytelling site, use brand photos to get the most out of your digital real estate.
Here are some examples of how and where to use your brand photos on your website:
Banner images: Probably one of the most important and influential sections of your website, your "above-the-fold" banner on your homepage is the first thing potential customers see when landing on your site. You want to make sure they're greeted with high-quality imagery that isn't too specific to your products, but still gives an image of what your brand provides.
Collection images: Have a product collection or line? Grouping your products together is a great way to showcase your best-selling collections. You can highlight bestsellers on your homepage and have high-quality group images for your online storefront!
"About" images: Your about page is a great spot to showcase images of your team, your brick & mortar store, and all the behind-the-scenes shots you may have so potential customers get a better feel of who you are, where you are, and what you're about.
Social Media:
Additionally, on social platforms, where images are king, compelling photography can boost engagement, drive shares, and foster a sense of community and trust around your brand. Try using brand photos in stories, feed posts, and reels to create engaging content that simply feels like your brand.
Email Marketing:
Brand photos are great to use when going the extra mile in nurturing your audience through email marketing. You can use brand photos in your automated welcome sequence to enhance your customer's experience, and you'll have high-quality product images to promote product sales when you run new deals.
Other Touchpoints:
Other customer touchpoints like paid ads and printed materials like brochures or catalogs are also great real estate for your brand photos to create a cohesive experience on and off the screen.
Practical tips for improving brand photography
The world of photography is HIGHLY saturated. The first thing you want to consider is working with professionals who align with your brand’s aesthetic and values. This way, you'll feel secure in trusting your photographer to capture your brand's vision, and you'll be able to better develop a long-term relationship with a photographer who can serve as an integral part of your team by improving your marketing and workflow for the future!
The next thing you want to consider is making a comprehensive shot list, curating inspo photos, and gathering props that are brand-aligned. Remember that modern audiences resonate with authenticity, so candid shots often trump staged ones.
Finally, remember that as your brand grows and changes, your imagery should evolve in tandem to remain relatable.
Photography is more than an art; it’s a strategic tool in today's brand-centric world. Quality visuals are an investment with returns measured in brand recognition, loyalty, and trust.
Investing in quality photography is not an expenditure but an investment in your brand's future. In today's hyper-visual world, brands that understand and leverage the power of photography will find themselves ahead in the race. It's time to reevaluate your photography strategy and start letting your visuals do some of the talking!
