That old saying that a picture paints a thousands words is not just an over used cliché for nothing you know. Photography can be a powerful way of promoting your business, brand, product or service. It is a powerful marketing tool. We live in a world where anyone can take a picture from their smartphone and businesses can access a libraries containing thousands of stock photos.
Chris Seed from Manchester based creative studio Pine offers his view on why businesses should be using professional photography and how to go about commissioning a professional shoot.
Why use professional photography over stock photography?
Stock photography always looks like stock photography. Even more so if the photography includes people. Nobody smiles as much as the actors in stock photos. And their teeth can't be that white surely? I recently highlighted the benefits and drawbacks to using stock photography in our blog.
Here’s a quick breakdown of why professional photography trumps stock photography:
- A professional photographer will get the exact shots that you’re looking for.
- You’ll get unique photos that nobody else in the entire world will be using.
- If you’re a business with a personal approach then a professional photographer can photograph you and your team.
- A lot can be photographed in a half-day or full day of shooting. Giving you a bank of images that you can access as and when you need them.
Before you commission a professional photography shoot
- Have an idea of what format you’re likely to be applying the photos to. If you’re looking for photography for your website then the requirements might differ to those for your printed product catalogue.
- Get together an idea of what you want to shoot, when you want to shoot it and if you have a specific location for the shoot.
- Do your research. Pick a photographer that has similar work in their portfolio that you’re looking for from your shoot.
What to expect during a professional photography shoot
- A professional photographer will work closely to your requirements and will offer a few added extras that you may not have thought about.
- A good photographer will be a ‘people person’, so expect them to work well with your photography subjects if people are involved in the shoot.
After the shoot
- Editing: The editing process is where a large chunk of project time is taken up. This separates the good photographers from the bad. Editing photos takes a lot of skill and good photographers will use specialist software to get the best out of each photo.
- Release: The photographer will release your images to you. Then they’re yours to keep and use as you wish.
Hidden costs
- Photograph release fees: Some photographers will charge per image for releasing them to you. It can get costly. So it’s best to check whether this is their policy or not. We’d advise going with someone who doesn’t charge release fees.
- Travel costs: Most photographers will factor in travel costs to the location of a shoot. Which makes sense, as a shoot could be a 6-hour drive away.
As with commissioning any piece of work, do your research and you won’t go wrong.
