Why professional photography is important in shaping your brand

The visuals of your brand are the very first impression that people have of you. And you know that you only get one chance at a first impression. Well… per person. But still. You have one chance to make an amazing first impression on your dream client and you want to ensure that it’s a good impression, right? This is where professional photography can come into play, with your brand identity in mind.

Whether you’re just starting out in your business journey or you’re a seasoned entrepreneur and leader, the imagery that you use to show off your brand is crucial and worth investing in. I always recommend that my clients invest in professional photography as soon as they’re able. It will complement their new brand identity the most of any imagery – as long as it’s done with their new brand in mind.

Here are a few reasons that you, as a business owner, should invest in professional photography after working with a brand designer.

First Impressions

As mentioned above, your visuals are the first thing that people notice about you. Having high-quality, professional photography leads to a much stronger first impression than using photos you took yourself on your phone. Don’t get me wrong, phones nowadays can take some incredible pictures. But it’s [almost] always obvious that it was taken on a phone, rather than a high-resolution camera.

Professional photography speaks to a higher quality of service (or product) and increased professionalism that your competition may not have . This is especially true if they’re using photos from their phones. In fact, MIT did a study on how quickly people can process an image – have any guesses as to how long it takes? 13 milliseconds. That means that your visuals (both branding and photography) need to immediately capture and hold your audience’s attention.

Consistency in Brand Imagery

I will never stop saying this – consistency is key. Professional photographers know how to create a harmonious and cohesive look across your photography, ensuring that it’s consistent with your brand identity. This means that when you use your brand photos on your website, social media, and other marketing materials, people who see it will know that it’s you right away. And if they aren’t already familiar with your brand, then they will come to recognize your branding and photography style. This report by Marq (formerly Lucidpress) shows that consistent brand presentation across all platforms can increase revenue by up to 23% – that’s a significant amount.

Boosting Engagement and Conversion Rates

Social media is where so many people live, especially platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where visuals reign supreme. High-quality visuals have been proven to enhance engagement on social media platforms. Posts with professional photography, in general, receive more likes, comments, shares, and saves compared to those without. Additionally, websites with professional photography tend to see higher conversion rates. Check out this article from Moving Traffic Media to read more about how professional photography can increase conversions and revenue.

Where to Start?

In my honest opinion, professional photography is a must. However, for it to have the full effect and return on investment for you, it needs to be branded properly. And it’ll only have a good ROI if your branding is really dialed in and true to you and/or your business. So the best place to start? Your brand identity.

I know some awesome photographers that I am more than happy to recommend, should you want or need suggestions! But before you get to that, reach out and let’s chat about your branding.