It's 2021, people are tired of being talked at and sold to. We crave real connections. But how do you do this? By telling a story. Through storytelling, you can share who you are, what you do, and how you can help. The better you do this, the better you can stand out! Millions of brands are trying to get attention, and too many are focused on what they do or sell and not on what people actually care about…. themselves and their own needs. If you want to tell a good story, it has to be about how you will meet your customer’s needs. Compelling images show your customer what they are missing in their lives and are a must-have to market your business successfully... We know that hiring a professional to do a branded photoshoot is not always in the budget. Your smartphone when used correctly, can produce quality photos for social media and online content. While smartphone photos are not equal to professionally created ones, there are several easy ways to uplevel your pictures using tips and tricks known to photographers. Quality photos do not have to be complicated, time-consuming, or expensive.
Here are nine tips to help make your social media images stand out.
Thru the Looking Glass
Any photographer will tell you their lens is one of their most important pieces of equipment. The same is true for your smartphone. Photographers take time before any shoot to clean lenses of any smudges or blemishes. Before taking any photos, open your camera app and take a few test pictures. Make sure that the image is clear and smudge-free. Keep glass wipes or a microfiber cloth handy anytime you shoot —they’re the best material to clean the lens quickly without any risk of scratching. If you are concerned that your phone lens and camera are not the best quality, a clip-on lens is an option. These clip-on lenses offer macro and wide angles. Perfect for both product and outdoor images.
Shake it Like a Polaroid
Can you hold your breath and stop your heart while steadying your phone for photos? We all know the answer, NO. We are human, we breathe and have a heartbeat. For photography, this poses a problem. A shaky hand can turn an amazing photo into a blurry disaster. While you can steady a camera with a makeshift base, your best bet is to purchase a tripod for your smartphone.
They’re very affordable, and can greatly improve the quality of your photos, especially when shooting at home. No tripod? Try this trick: while holding the phone, keep your elbows close to your body and keep your feet slightly shoulder-width apart. This will help give you a strong base without the use of extra equipment.
But first, let me take a selfie.
Data shows that photos of yourself perform the best on media feeds. People like authenticity and want to know the face behind the business/brand. So let the selfies begin! But, let’s talk about the proper way to take self-portraits. As I mentioned before your lens is your most valuable piece of equipment but are the front and back lens the same? No! The quality of megapixels in the rear-facing lens far surpasses the front-facing lens. The lens quality determines how sharp the image is and the overall detail. The sharper and more detailed the image, the more professional it will look. Whenever possible, use the camera on the back of your phone rather than the front-facing (selfie) camera. The quality is 100x’s better and your photos will show it. (Don’t worry, you can still use filters on the rear camera.) Prop your phone on something stable—like your tripod—open your camera app and find the timer feature. There are generally a few options like 2, 5, or 10-second delay. Use the timer to capture yourself instead of the selfie-lens, trust me you’ll thank me later.
Another neat trick? Most smartwatches have photography apps that can trigger your phone's camera. Use your app and the timer feature to get amazing photos with more than your arm. Also, some tripod kits will come with Bluetooth remotes. These remotes let you have all the time you need to prep for a photo and simply click when you are ready.
Shine bright like a diamond
I’m sure you have heard it before: lighting is everything! Getting the lighting right is not easy! But with small adjustments, it is possible to achieve a well-lit photo. Natural light is your friend. It is the easiest and most “natural” lighting. It also requires no equipment. Find areas in your home or business that are bright- think kitchen, living room, or yard-where natural light is abundant and indirect. Avoid using a flash to create lighting as this will make your photos look flat, cause harsh shadows, and even color distortion.
If you need more light than you can provide naturally, a ring light is a great option. Ring lights are fairly cheap and usually come with different lighting options such as white, natural, and warm. Many also have dimmable options. Place the ring light between your subject and your natural light source. This will boost your light while maintaining a “natural” look.
If you solely shoot products for your business you may want to invest in a lightbox, which is a simple way to produce studio-quality lighting in a very small space. Lightboxes have a plain backdrop and a translucent opening on the top and sides to let light in evenly. There are many premade versions available online or in a pinch you could even create your own with a box, some paper, and a few light sources.
If it bends, bend it
Angles create the illusion of depth, and height, making your images interesting to look at. The one thing I tell my clients over and over is “if it bends, bends it!” Nobody looks natural as a stick. Your goal is to try and make your photos look as natural as possible.
If you are looking to photograph products showing multiple angles is important. Make sure to show every angle- the front, back, side, underneath, above, inside, and any other angle to help recreate the experience of your product.
Off the Grid
Did you know you can enable a “grid” on your smartphone camera? I can see the blank stares. You are wondering how this benefits you. Well, most photographers follow the “rule of thirds”, This suggests that the focal point of any image should be placed at the intersections of these gridlines. In doing this you are creating a balanced image that is appealing to the human eye. To turn on “grid” simply look into your camera settings. If you would like to read more on the Rule of Thirds you can do so here.
I’m ready for my close-up
Zooming is a common mistake made when using smartphones for pictures. The ability to enlarge your subject is very tempting, but in doing so you are diminishing the quality of your overall image. Here are some alternatives to try. Move closer to your subject. Keep in mind “the rule of thirds” and move your subject around to switch up the background or general composition of the image. However, make sure you do not clutter the background or overwhelm the image with props. You want your subject or product to be the focus. If you are photographing a product, show the actual size of the product. You can do this by using other props from reference.
You’re on Candid Camera!
Businesses are run by people. As customers, we like to know who is behind the business we are supporting with our money. Not all of your images need to be of your products or services. Show your audience images of yourself or your team to give them a genuine view of your business. This helps build their trust. You become someone they know, a friend. Not just Craft Inc. who sells necklaces. Showing up is a required part of marketing these days. Your customers don’t just want to see your product or service. They want to know how it can solve their problems. Showing images of satisfied customers with testimonials is an excellent way to demonstrate how you follow through with your services or quality products.
To edit, or not to edit. That is the question.
Once you’ve used these tips to create the perfect picture, then what? You may want to edit some of your photos before using them. Even without professional experience, you can use a quality app to experiment with editing. Some of the apps and programs that are free and designed for novice photographers that I recommend include Adobe Photoshop Express, Snapseed, and VSCO.
However, be careful when editing. There is a fine line between good editing and over-editing. We have all seen those photos that were edited too much. They look fake and lose your attention quickly. At the end of the day, we love to see real people. Flawed and imperfect just like life. It makes your business more approachable, and authentic…. and authenticity is social gold.
Your smartphone camera has everything you need to take amazing photos for your small business. Combine that with these helpful tips and you’ve got an arsenal of tools at your disposal. Just remember a tool is only an extension of a hand, and a machine is but a complex tool. Meaning get out there, use the information you have learned, and start shooting quality on-brand photos for your business. Don’t be afraid! Be creative!
