Introduction
Many entrepreneurs overlook what they can do with photography to support the experience of their consumer. This is a mistake. Photography can be a very useful tool to catch people’s attention and draw in potential consumers. It is a visual medium for sharing and connecting your story with consumers!
In this blog, we will explain the importance of photography, the different types of photographs, and how to take the best photo possible. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll have a fair understanding of how you can use photography to further your business.
Why is photography important?
Statistical evidence overwhelmingly shows that consumers engage far more with content that contains an image than those that do not. For example, social media posts containing an image are far more likely to be retweeted and shared. Meanwhile, blogs with pictures receive, on average, 94% more total views than those without images. Finally, 67% of customers reported that the “quality of a product image is very important in selecting and purchasing the product.” These numbers are far too telling to be ignored, and the message behind them is clear. Photography should be an integral part of your marketing strategy. Effective photography will differentiate your product in an increasingly competitive market setting. Now that you understand the importance of photography, it’s time to learn the different types of photographs and how best to use them.
Types of Pictures
Blog Photos - Those looking to get the most out of their blog photos should make sure that they are simple, straightforward, and on message. They should always complement the rest of the text. You don’t want to upload a photo that is irrelevant to the blog, as this would just confuse the reader.
Social Media - Social media pictures should be able to stand alone without any accompanying text. Behind-the-scene production is a great example of a dynamic social media post that will intrigue audiences into learning more without explicitly spelling out what is happening in the photograph. Snap a few action shots the next time you are manufacturing your food product.
Sell Sheet - Your sell sheet must include a picture of all of your available products. Buyers expect to see a visual and written listing of goods. Use the best practices below to best represent your product.
Taking Pictures
Check out our tips for taking great pictures!
Lighting - Always shoot your product in adequate lighting and, when possible, use natural light. Natural light directs soft shadows and keeps your product looking fresh and clean. Line up with the source of lighting (natural and artificial) coming over the shoulder of the photographer for best results.
Accessories - Add one or two extra elements (glass, utensils, napkins, etc.) in secondary positions in the foreground or background to add dynamism to the picture.
Arrangement - Be conscientious of the shapes and colors of the food and/or drink, and how it looks on the plate. Add garnishes for an additional splash of contrasting color. Brightly colored foods, like chives (green), chillis (red), or parmesan (white) work particularly well.
Background - The background in a picture impacts the mood and feel of the shot. Make sure it goes well with your product and works with your brand’s personality. Use the Rule of Thirds to balance the composition and keep attention on the product. Remember, less is more, but too little is also boring.
Shot Angle - The most common angles for shooting food and beverage products is from above - for closeups and aerial map of the placement setting - and from the side to include foreground and/or background. Play around with the angle of the shot. Photograph the product from the sides and above to see what works best.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of photography. In this blog, we went over the importance of photography, different types of photos, and how to best take a photo. We strongly encourage you to use the lessons learned here and apply them to your next photo shoot! For more business resource blogs, head on over to Union Kitchen’s resource page.
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