I’ve enjoyed photography my entire life. Being both in front of and behind a camera. I loved making memories and capturing them with my friends while I was younger, and the same rings true today. As we started wedding planning and looking at our budget, I knew photography was the one thing I really wanted to splurge on. It’s the only thing you have left after the wedding is over to remind you of your special day.
That being said, I truly have the same feelings about photography for my business, and businesses in general. I knew when I launched my OBM business I wanted to “do it right”. I wanted to start out with a brand that was professional (but not in a buttoned up, corporate way), but something that actually looked “legit”. I mean I took photos in a shirt that says “Brains, Beauty, Booty” - so I want to be clear that you are free to showcase your vibe however you please, but I had a professional photographer take my photos vs. my boyfriend.
Anyone can take a photo, but there’s a reason photography is a profession.
Professional photography is an art and well-practiced skill. I was chatting with my photographer, Logan of Kelly and Logan Photography about the importance of professional images. As a professional photographer, Logan has invested so much time and money into honing her craft. Like any “professional development” for business professionals/employees in all industries, professional photographers are constantly learning and growing and perfecting their craft. From the right lighting and editing (that goes far beyond applying presets), to changing and correcting camera settings seamlessly and comfortably, to knowing the small nuances that truly flatter whomever or whatever the subject may be, all the way to simply creating an environment in which the subject looks and feel his/her best—Logan is ALWAYS working to make sure her clients are receiving the best possible experience she can offer and walking away with images they are proud to showcase that truly reflect their brand.
In my last blog post I talked about building your personal brand and part of that was creating your visual identity. What do you want your images to say about your brand? Do they speak to the type of vibe that you want to put off? When someone comes to your website or social channels what are they going to see? How are you portraying yourself and your brand? Your images should represent YOU and your brand and how you want your ideal client to see you.
Logan and I put together a list of 5 reasons why you need to invest in professional photos:
A first impression can make or break you
In today’s digital age, people’s attention spans are SHORT. There are SO many options out there too. You are unique YOU, but if you don’t catch your ideal clients attention quickly, they’ll move on to someone else. Even if your messaging is speaking to all of their problems, if your brand doesn’t look professional people won’t take you seriously. Having photos taken by a professional can elevate your brand to give off the right first impression - whether this be your website or social media channels.
Show the Investment in your own brand
People will take you more seriously if they see that you’re investing in yourself and your business. Professional photos show that your brand is legitimate enough and WORTHY enough of quality photos to showcase you/your company. Elevated images keep things cohesive. Sure, you can use a preset, but the QUALITY of the images vastly differs from an iPhone photo and angle to a professional shot.
This is super important as you look to grow your brand presence. Do you want to pitch yourself to local, or national media? I work with a local yoga studio and I mentioned the need for professional photos - in fact we were in the process of getting them scheduled when a local magazine reached out to feature them in an upcoming issue. They asked for 3-5 high res photos of the studio. We didn’t have any. I tried to take images on my iPhone and with a professional camera but I couldn’t figure out the lighting to not get a grainy shot. We missed the opportunity (to reach a HUGE market and potentially grow the business) because we didn’t have professional photos on hand.
Build Credibility
As silly as it sounds, people are attracted to nice looking things. They stand out. You automatically become more credible. By having professional photos, you will attract people that are willing to pay you for your services, or buy your products. They won’t look at your business and wonder if you’re “legit”. You will be looked at as a business vs. a hobby. When you take yourself seriously, so do your (potential) clients.
Scroll Stopping Photos
This is SO important, especially on social media - if people don't want to stop and look at your photo then they won't even see your content - doesn't matter how good it is. Professional photos ARE scroll stopping photos. Photos with bad lighting (aka light is behind you, or you’re in a poorly lit room, or under fluorescents, etc), or photos that are grainy or just “not pretty” actually hurt you.
Most of this is the photo quality - but also, this is just a subtle reminder that some of this is YOU too. If you’re in these photos (which if you’re a service provider, you probably should be), dress “on brand” - consider your brand colors and the vibe you want to give off. Do you want to share photos of you in sweats, or looking cute? Get your hair done, do you make up. Dress to impress! That’s all part of scroll stopping photos.
The RIGHT photographer matters
You are more comfortable with a photographer you trust and have a good relationship with. As you’re looking for a photographer, interview them - talk with them on the phone, meet in person if you can. Study the type of photos they share from their portfolio. Make sure their photos match your vibe and make sure their personality makes you feel at ease.
Your photographer has the ability to capture the TRUE, natural YOU. Once you find a photographer you like, stick with them! As you grow with this photographer over time, they know your brand well and know how to capture it. You both can collaborate together on what you think the vision of the shoot should be and ideas moving forward instead of you running the shoot. A good photographer will share ideas with you - they are the creative after all :)
At the end of the day, I’m not saying ALL of your photos HAVE to be professional, you can still have the occasional selfie or photo on the beach. The most important piece though is building a cohesive brand and a cohesive look and feel to your website and social feed. Having MOSTLY professional shots will elevate your brand, build credibility and hopefully help you gain new clients, or sell more product.
If you’re looking for an amazing photographer in the greater Nashville area, be sure to check out Kelly & Logan Photography here. They specialize in portrait and lifestyle photography focusing on providing a high-end experience and crisp, natural images. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Also, if you haven’t checked out my latest FREE offer, the Get Your SH!T Together Strategy Workbook, you need to head here to get it NOW. It’s the exact process I walk my clients through, as well as the steps to figure out what automations they need in their business to achieve their short and long term goals, and ultimately grow their business.
Katelyn Hamilton is an Online Business Manager and Get Your Sh!t Together Strategist. She helps busy entrepreneurs organize, strategize and prioritize their business to go from overwhelmed to out-in-front.
After spending 6 years in the corporate world working with multimillion dollar companies, top-rated chefs and celebrities, she launched her own business to find more flexibility and freedom. She matched her corporate salary in just one year of starting her business.
Katelyn is also a soon-to-be wife, stepmom, dog mama of two furry friends, fitness lover, sports fanatic (Go Dawgs) and dreams of living at the beach.
Click here to book a free call to talk more about your business goals and to see if hiring an OBM is the right fit for you.
