Instagram is definitely losing that overly curated look.
People are less likely to use all ‘pro’ images or the full on matchy matchy stock photos that were so popular.
We seem to be moving away from flatlay and even brands are using customer content too, which is likely shot with an iPhone.
But does that mean there’s no place for professional images?
Before you even started reading, you knew I was going to say of course you still need pro photos…and here’s why.
Your photos aren’t just for Instagram.
Your Personal Branding photos will be useful across all platforms. So whether it’s Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn. The photos will work for every platform.
Having a selection of professional photos that take into account what works for LinkedIn (professional looking photos) and Facebook (more relaxed and real) and Instagram (where you might want to be more styled).
It is possible to have pro photos that don’t look typically ‘pro’.
How the photos look is entirely up to you.
You choose the location, the props and what you’re wearing. And obviously the photographer…
So maybe avoid the type of photos that are very obvious in Personal Branding.
Go for a more ‘fly on the wall’ type shoot (called reportage in photography), where photos are taken paparazzi style. You get on with what you’re doing and the photographer takes photos without you posing.
PR and print
You’re still going to need high resolution images if you’re going to be featured in magazines or the newspaper.
iPhone photos just don’t have the quality (although they often post these within an article in smaller sizes).
And for book covers, or even guest blog posts a good set of images in high resolution is going to help.
Website
Your website needs professional photos.
High resolution images will be clearer and not fuzzy, meaning you look professional. Plus it shows you’ve invested in your business.
Your web designer will thank you for it and it’s a great way to compliment your branding too!
Product photos for online shops/Amazon
If you’re using a place like Amazon or Not on the High Street (NOTHS), they have very strict guidelines for images. They have to be high resolution and NOTHS in particular actually want lifestyle images too.
The great thing about pro photos is that they should work with and compliment your own photos too. So you avoid that curated look and get to add lots of real life to your social feeds!
Thanks for reading!
And when you’re ready, here are three ways that I can help you:
1) Visit my blog for tips on VISIBILITY.
Every week I discuss strategies to improve your visibility, get over your fear of visibility and my latest shoots. Read here
2) Plan a bespoke photoshoot.
We can plan a shoot based on what you actually need (read more) or you could join me at a Branding Day.
3) Join ‘Visibility School’.
Visibility school is a membership group where you get 12 months of photoshoots, a fab little Facebook group and a Visibility Toolkit (new for 2021 members) . Read more
