Why contracting a professional photographer is important for your business
Let’s face it we all know how much social media has taken over our lives, we all use at least one platform to communicate. With Facebook and Instagram being 2 of the most used platforms.
It is therefore a no brainer that businesses are now starting to catch on to the fact that these platforms also have great advertising potential. So, it makes sense that if you are a business your online presence is crucial if you want to stay competitive and get your business name/brand out there.
This is where professional photography becomes one of your biggest assets. Sure, technology has really improved over the years. Smartphones have better cameras on them than ever before, but they will never compete with what an SLR camera can do and what a professional photographer can achieve with both technical experience and post-production knowledge.
In regard to photography in my chosen field predominately Architectural and Interiors, professional photography is definitely a must. The main reason being that certain techniques and equipment need to be used to be able to capture these spaces. In a future post I will explain how I go about capturing these beautifully designed spaces and all the behind the scenes (post-production) work that goes on that clients are paying for but may not know about or even consider.
So back to the reason professional photography is so important in the Architectural/Interiors and Building industry. Let me put it this way you have spent countless hours of hard work completing a project and you are proud with what you have achieved. You then want to be able to show this work to potential clients so they can see what you are capable of.
Most people are visual, they like to see something rather than it just be explained to them. Showing future clients some photos taken on a phone is not really doing your project any favours. You want to be able build up a portfolio that showcases only your best projects and those are the ones you should be getting professional photography for.
When people are after a service the first place they go to is a website and if the first thing they see are outdated, poor quality or even worse only a handful of images they might not even bother looking at anything else. Unfortunately, perception is everything and if a potential client see’s this it is not doing your brand/business any favours.
I know that professional photography can seem expensive for some but allowing a budget for what is essentially the face of your business is what will set you apart from the rest.
As we all know cheapest is not always the best way to go about choosing a photographer, this can really damage your brand more than not having any photography at all. Do your research if you are going to be spending the money on professional photography. Look for a photographer that specialises in the field of work that you want to get photographed.
For example, don’t contract someone who mainly does portraits/weddings to take photos of your architecture or interiors.
It is important to look at their portfolio does it fit in with the aesthetics of your business? Give them a call to talk about what you would like to get photographed and what their services include. Some photographers charge less because their time on site at a shoot is minimal and so is their post-production work.
In one of my future posts, I will talk about what a photographer should offer for the price range they are charging. Having a conversation on the phone also helps to see if you feel comfortable with your chosen photographer and whether you think you might be able to build up a rapport with them if you intend on working with them on future projects.
In conclusion, make a budget for photography (this is your reputation at hand). Do your research so you are not disappointed with the end results. Make your online presence known with quality photography.
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