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If one of my previous blogs did its job, you’ve been convinced that you need to have branding photos. You’ve scheduled a session and are ready to look and feel your best.

Or maybe you just got your branding photos back from your photo session with a professional photographer. They look great, but now what? 

Do you know what you’ll do with the photos once you have them?

If this is your first time getting brand photos taken, fear not. This blog will walk you through putting your branding photos into action for the first time and offer new ways to use them that you hadn’t thought of before.

If you’ve recently gotten a fresh new batch of brand photos taken (remember, it’s good to do it every 1-2 years!) this blog is for you too, because the ways they can be put into action have likely changed with the times since you last went through this exercise.

Homepage

The Takeaway: Use brand photos on your homepage as a hero image or as a section background.

The Explanation: Your homepage is your chance to introduce yourself to the online audience who has navigated to your rest stop on the information superhighway. To do this, you can use brand photography in two ways. 

Firstly, you should give your visitors a nice big hero image to draw them in, make them feel welcome and get them excited about the rest of the website they are about to explore.

Think of this like the front door to your business. Do you want a rickety old screen door that’s falling off the hinges? No. You want the gates at the entrance to Jurassic Park!

For example, check out how Ford uses one big hero image at the top of their homepage.

The dramatic picture of a Ford Bronco perched on some rocks at a backcountry campsite not only showcases a popular model from their lineup, it also tells a story about the lifestyle drivers can achieve when owning this off-road capable SUV. 

Now contrast that with the multiple videos General Motors uses. Still great big dramatic stuff, but there’s more going on.

Everything is moving. There are more words covering the pictures and where to start is a lot more fuzzy.

On Ford’s site, you can comfortably scroll down to see sections offering info about the current sale, powertrain options, new technology, the three most popular Ford models and useful owner services. 

Ford also does a nice job of illustrating the second way to use brand photos on your homepage. As you scroll down on their simple and clean homepage, you see images for each of the sections.

The “front door” is now open and we get to see what’s inside. It’s not King Kong, but the curiosity fostered by the main image has been rewarded with the lineup of models.

Then we see people in a Ford having fun with the new hands-free driving technology, followed by images of a sports car, an SUV and a truck corresponding to three types of vehicles to learn more about.

Last, there’s one image each for two of Ford’s services offered for drivers who want to enhance their ownership experience and protect and maintain their new purchase.

There’s a total of just eight photos on the Ford homepage, but each one has a job to do and it’s done well. Ford has certainly put their brand photos into action, and this is a good example of how you can use your new brand images on your homepage.

About Page

The Takeaway: Use a combination of portraits, lifestyle photos and behind the scenes shots on your about page.

The Explanation: The “About” page on your website informs customers about your company’s roots through sharing your brand’s story vision, history, values and achievements. It’s also a place to introduce team members.

There’s no better way to make this story more emotional and easier to connect with than by using well-placed brand photos.

One “About” page that does an effective job of using portraits, behind the scenes and lifestyle shots to connect with their audience on their about page comes from FedEx.

They are using a diverse mix of photos to show the human side of their package delivery business.

When they pair portraits and behind the scenes photos with copy such as “Our world revolves around you,” it’s clear they care about customers by showing employees that take pride in their jobs.

There are also a couple of headshots to show the leaders of the company.

The business-like formality of these two photos express seriousness and professionalism and contrast with the softer, less rigid poses in the other images.

FedEx’s story feels more human and becomes easier to connect with when the page utilizes smiling faces doing work, making connections and being charitable.

Services & Products Pages

The Takeaway: The types of photos you’ll use depends on what type of business you have. Behind the scenes and action shots are ideal for service businesses, while retail requires product shots for items you have for sale in your online store.

The Explanation: Service-based business like personal trainers, life coaches, productivity specialists, landscapers, financial advisors or dentists may have a few examples of their finest work to showcase their portfolios on their website, but they also want to be able to appear trustworthy and generally just likable as people.

This is where lifestyle and behind the scenes action shots are preferred.

For example, if you’re a yoga instructor you may want to show yourself teaching a class or in your studio demonstrating poses. Using images that show you dressing, looking and acting the part will let potential customers know you actually eat, sleep and breathe your profession.

I’ve shot a number of these types of images over the years. Amber De La Garza, a productivity specialist, has used them to great effect in a service page section on her website.

Her “Speaking” page shows her in action in front of a crowd, on a stage and engaging with an audience. Giving website visitors visual proof that she’s experienced greatly boosts the likelihood of booking more speaking engagements in the future.

If your business is more geared towards selling products, you need photos of your products so your customers know what they’re getting. I’ll cover product photos more below!

Testimonials

The Takeaway: The ideal way to use behind the scenes photos of yourself interacting with customers is to sprinkle them into your page next to testimonials that you’ve placed in between other sections of pages. This effectively breaks up sections with visual reminders that your company is the best embedded throughout.

The Explanation: There are two ways to use pictures with testimonials on your website. One way is to show people using your products, and the other is to show you interacting with your customers.

If you’re a coffee shop owner, it’s good to show the baristas in action as they hand off a beautifully crafted latte to a happy waiting customer or a waitress delivering some fresh baked muffins to a table of diners. Photos capturing that owner and customer interaction are great to post alongside testimonials from satisfied customers.

Shots of people holding warm mugs of hot cocoa are enticing and elicit the sensations and emotions that go with experiencing your services. Telling this visual story alongside a well-positioned testimonial is powerful in more ways than one.

I like the way Culture Espresso places testimonials near photos; the photos are overhead shots of their coffee shop dining spaces that are filled with coffee drinkers and diners relaxing and sipping their coffees.

Ready for branding photography that’s optimized for your website and marketing materials? Reach out — let’s chat!

Your brand is the first impression you make with potential customers. It’s essential you make a positive and lasting one.

Branding communicates through visual elements like your brand photography. Brand photography quickly communicates your brand’s essence and values, piquing the interest of potential customers.

As a small business owner, your brand photography is especially critical. Professional photography builds trust with your audience and helps you stand out against the big competitors. Customers will understand what you are about and feel confident buying your products or services. 

Unfortunately, most small business owners are extremely busy running their enterprises. They don’t always have the time to create memorable brand photography.

That’s where a professional photographer comes in. We can help you create stunning images or improve your current brand photography to maximize your marketing efforts.

To get started, here’s how to avoid the five common mistakes small businesses make with their brand photography. 

1. Poor Image Quality

Small business owners often underestimate the impact of image quality in brand photography, leading them to use low-resolution photos. High-quality images are essential to conveying a sense of trust and quality to potential customers.

Low-quality images do the exact opposite. They create the impression of a lack of attention to detail or a disregard for the customer experience.

High-quality photos are especially important for online marketing, where visual content is the primary form of communication with customers. Poor-quality images fail to capture the audience’s attention or to represent your brand’s quality and value accurately.

To overcome issues of poor image quality, hire a professional brand photographer. A professional brand photographer expertly manages the lighting, exposure, and retouching to ensure high clarity and high-resolution images.

Brand photography expertise ensures every photograph is visually appealing and reflects the brand’s essence with clarity and professionalism.

2. Lack of Relevant Images for Your Brand

Often, small businesses rely on generic or stock images to market their brand. Though functional, these images don’t resonate with their unique brand identity or fail to capture the essence of their products and services.

The lack of relevance then leads to a confusing and unclear brand image where the visuals don’t make your brand’s values.

As a small business owner, it’s crucial that your branding is carefully tailored to communicate your unique selling proposition (USP).

Relevant, authentic, and thoughtfully chosen brand photography attracts the right audience and strengthens brand recognition and loyalty. We work with you to understand your brand, audience, and photography needs.

Once we understand your vision, we’ll plan themes, locations, props, and styles that best convey your brand’s message. We’ll help you create an impactful and cohesive visual story customers will remember.

3. Not Enough Variety in Your Photography

Having a variety of photographs helps you tell a complete story about your brand and your offerings. By highlighting various aspects of your business, like products, services, behind-the-scenes, team members, and customer experiences, you’ll build trust and loyalty with your audience.

Varied imagery is also functional. Having a wide variety of shoots, angles, and dimensions helps you look great on any platform, from social media to websites to listings. Further, it helps you adapt to seasonal promotional and different marketing campaigns.

Working with a professional brand photographer ensures you get a diversity of images. We’ll use a variety of props, posts, and settings to create a wide range of photographs.

Then, we’ll create agile photographs that can be used for a variety of business needs. Finally, we’ll create fun, versatile photographs with room for text and design elements.

Working with a professional brand photographer ensures you have images for every opportunity.

4. Not Having a Consistent Photography Style

One of the keys to small business success is creating a lasting and memorable brand that will keep customers coming back.

Consistent photography reinforces the brand’s identity, message, and values, creating a cohesive visual narrative across all platforms.

Uniformity in style, tone, and photo quality makes the brand easily identifiable and memorable, which is essential in competitive markets.

Consistent brand photography ensures that every customer interaction with your brand, whether on social media, websites, or print materials, strengthens their overall brand experience.

Work with a professional photographer to create a style guide to create more consistency in your photography. A style guide contains specific guidelines for imagery, such as color schemes, tones, and composition, to maintain a cohesive and recognizable brand identity. Another strategy is to work with the same photographer every time.

We’ll also provide information and resources for editing your existing photography to match your new, consistent photography style. 

5. Not Optimizing Your Brand Photos for Maximum Social Media Engagement

Social media is one of the most important marketing channels for small businesses. However, it is an extremely competitive platform. Standing out requires optimizing your photography for social media.

Social media platforms are visually driven. So, your brand photography must be correctly sized, formatted, and styled for each platform to ensure maximum visibility and engagement. 

Optimizing your photography enhances user experience by ensuring quick loading and proper display across devices while also boosting your brand’s reach. As a result, you’ll have increased brand awareness and a higher ROI on your social media marketing efforts. 

Brand photographers don’t just have photography skills; we also have photo editing and graphic design skills. We use the recommended photo specifications, while also considering aspects like composition, resolution, and color schemes that resonate on these platforms, to optimize your photography. Your brand images will be formatted correctly for optimal display and engagement. 

Avoiding these mistakes is easy with the help of a professional brand photographer.

Let’s Chat

At Taylored Photo Memories, our brand photographers specialize in helping small businesses create impactful photography. We work closely with our clients to understand their brand, their values, and their goals.

We’ll help you create high-quality, agile brand images that will ensure you stand out online and lead to a loyal customer base. We’ll also aid in the creation of a lasting brand impression to help you grow your brand!

To get started, fill out our inquiry form. 

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, the emergence of micro-influencers has marked a significant shift in how brands connect with their audiences.

Unlike their macro counterparts, micro-influencers offer a more authentic, relatable touchpoint for consumers, making them invaluable assets for businesses of all sizes.

If you’re an aspiring influencer, leveraging brand photography is no longer an option—it’s a necessity.

Using personal brand photography will allow you to carve out your niche and establish trust and authority.

Are You a Micro-Influencer?

A micro-influencer is someone with a relatively modest following—typically between 1,000 to 100,000 followers—who holds significant sway within their niche.

What sets them apart is not the breadth, but the depth of their influence; their followers are often more engaged, more loyal, and more likely to take action based on their recommendations.

If this potent mix of authenticity and reach sounds like you, then you can become highly sought after by brands looking for meaningful engagement instead of the old standard of just getting exposure.

The Journey to Becoming a Micro-Influencer

Embarking on the journey to becoming a micro-influencer begins with a clear understanding of your unique value proposition. Identifying your niche is about recognizing where your passions and expertise intersect with a gap or need in the market. 

Once honed, your focus needs to shift to cultivating a community—building a following that’s not just large, but engaged and invested in your content.

Consistency is key.

Providing quality content that resonates with your audience is what will set you apart in a crowded digital space.

The Power of Authentic Brand Photography

In the visual-centric world of social media, your imagery speaks volumes.

Authentic brand photography does more than just showcase your products or services; it tells your story, conveys your brand ethos, and builds a real connection with your audience. 

There is no substitute for real photos and you can’t fake authenticity. No stock art or artificially generated images can ever replace the real thing. You’re doing yourself, and your customers and clients a disservice by taking short cuts.

Put in the work, hire the professional photographer and get the genuine images your audience craves.

It will absolutely pay off in the long run.

The visual narrative you build by using authentic photographs in your personal branding and marketing efforts is crucial not just for attracting followers, but for establishing the kind of trust and authority that brands look for in a potential influencer partner.

If they wanted to fake it, they could.

Big brands have the resources to do it and could pull off a convincing facsimile of a real person (for a while) if they wanted to.

But they don’t. Faking it is a minefield they don’t want to step in.

In the end, they’ll always be found out and it’s too hard for them to gain back the public’s trust.

Sports Illustrated, one of the most trusted names in sports journalism since 1954, tried, and it backfired horribly.

Big brands needing to connect with their audience authentically are coming to you because you’re real.

Here’s the lesson: use only authentic personal brand photographs.

The Essential Media Kit for Micro-Influencers

A media kit is essentially your influencer resume—a compilation of your best work, your audience demographics, and your unique selling points.

Professional brand photography is the cornerstone of an effective media kit.

It not only demonstrates your commitment to quality, authenticity and professionalism but also gives potential brand partners a glimpse into how their products or services can be integrated into your content narrative.

Further reading: Creating an Effective Micro Influencer Media Kit [+ Checklist]

Professional Photographs Are Attractive

In the digital world, where every scroll brings a new image and every click unveils a different story, standing out as a micro-influencer takes more than just consistent content—it demands exceptional visual appeal. 

Professional brand photography transforms ordinary posts into captivating narratives that engage and enchant your audience.

For brands scouting for potential influencer collaborations, these high-quality visuals act as your portfolio, showcasing your ability to craft content that not only aligns with their aesthetic but also has the potential to amplify their message in a crowded marketplace.

Plus, the investment in professional photography signals a level of professionalism and dedication that shows you’re better than the average content creator.

It reflects a commitment to quality and a deep understanding of visual branding, both qualities that brands highly value.

Being dedicated to using professional brand photography can set you apart in the competitive world of influencer marketing, making you a more attractive partner for collaborations.

Brands are not just looking for influencers; they are looking for creative people who can contribute to their visual storytelling in a way that feels both authentic and aspirational.

The right photograph can convey the essence of a product or service more effectively than words ever could, creating an instant connection with the viewer.

When a brand sees that an influencer can achieve this through their content, it opens up opportunities for collaborations that are symbiotic, where both parties benefit from the influencer’s ability to translate brand messages into visual stories that really resonate.

Influencers who are adept at using authentic photography to enhance their storytelling are more likely to attract collaborative opportunities that are both lucrative and creatively fulfilling.

By investing in quality visuals, micro-influencers can differentiate themselves, demonstrate their commitment to their craft, and open doors to partnerships that offer mutual growth and success.

Make Brand Photography Work For You

Getting started with brand photography doesn’t have to be scary.

When collaborating with a professional photographer the key is to ensure your visuals align with your brand story.

Teaming up with a pro photog who knows what it takes to appeal to your target audience is the absolute best way to get the images you need.

From there, integrating these images into your content strategy—from Instagram posts to blog visuals—can enhance your narrative and deepen your audience’s engagement.

My team and I are ready to help you score the personal brand images you need and the authentic photos your audience is craving.

Getting your photos taken and using them consistently will open up a whole new world of collaboration for you down the road. 

When you’re ready to boost your micro influencing small business please reach out to us to schedule a session.

You can start by filling out the form below. 

In the ever changing landscape of digital marketing, micro influencers have emerged as powerful conduits for brand messages, thanks to their highly engaged, niche audiences.

These individuals, often characterized by their smaller, but more devoted follower bases, wield influence that can rival that of their more populous counterparts.

Central to harnessing this influence effectively is the creation of a media kit—a tool that not only encapsulates the essence of the influencer’s personal brand but also serves as a pivotal touchpoint for potential collaborations with brands and businesses.

A media kit, at its core, is a curated collection of information and statistics that highlights an influencer’s reach, engagement, and demographic appeal.

It is your professional portfolio that communicates not just who you are, but also the value you can bring to partnerships.

This document goes beyond mere numbers; it tells a story, weaving together data, a personal narrative, and previous successes to present a compelling case to potential collaborators.

The Essence of a Media Kit

A media kit is not merely a document; it is a strategic asset.

When done correctly, they can really do wonders.

It serves as a bridge between yourself as an influencer and your potential brand partners.

Your media kit tells interested partners about the essence of the influencer’s personal brand and the tangible value they offer.

A media kit is an indispensable tool in any influencer’s toolkit.

Why a Media Kit is Crucial for Micro Influencers

Professionalism and Credibility

A well-crafted media kit reflects professionalism and establishes the influencer as a serious contender in the industry. It lends credibility, showing brands that the influencer is committed and business-savvy.

Efficient Communication

The media kit succinctly conveys key information. It highlights relevant metrics and achievements, making it easier for brands to decide if  the influencer is a fit for their campaigns.

Brand Alignment and Personal Story

Beyond numbers, a media kit showcases the influencer’s personal story, values, and niche, enabling brands to gauge alignment with their own identity and goals. This personal touch can be the differentiator in a sea of potential collaborators.

Showcasing Success

Including past collaborations, testimonials, and success stories in the media kit serves as proof of concept. It convinces brands of the influencer’s potential to deliver results, based on a track record of successful partnerships.

The Role of Your Media Kit

A media kit is an extension of the influencer’s personal brand.

It encapsulates your unique voice, aesthetic, and ethos, presenting a cohesive brand image to potential collaborators.

This consistency in branding helps in attracting partnerships that resonate with the your values and audience preferences, leading to more authentic and effective collaborations.

A media kit also facilitates targeted outreach.

By clearly defining your audience demographics, engagement rates, and content themes, you can attract partnerships that are more likely to succeed, ensuring mutual benefit, a likelihood of long-term success and maintains audience loyalty.

In essence, your media kit should be a testament to your potential as a collaborator and a creator.

Key Components of a Media Kit

A compelling media kit is both an art and a science.

It blends essential data with personal storytelling, creating a narrative that appeals to potential partners.

Below are the key components that should be thoughtfully included to make your media kit informative and engaging.

Personal Bio and Influencer Journey

Purpose – To humanize the influencer

Content – A brief narrative that highlights the influencer’s background, niche, and what sets them apart. It should encapsulate their journey, passion, and the essence of their personal brand.

Audience Demographics and Engagement Metrics

Purpose – To provide a clear picture of the influencer’s reach and the active engagement of their audience.

Content – Detailed statistics including audience size, age range, gender distribution, geographic locations, and average engagement rates (likes, comments, shares)..

Content Themes and Collaboration Examples

Purpose – To showcase the influencer’s content style and versatility in partnerships.

Content – An overview of key content themes or topics covered, supported by examples of past collaborations or notable content pieces. This section demonstrates the influencer’s ability to integrate brand messages seamlessly into their content.

Testimonials and Previous Successful Partnerships

Purpose – To build trust and credibility through social proof.

Content – Positive feedback from previous collaborations, highlighted partnerships, and case studies that show tangible results from past campaigns.

Contact Information and Social Media Handles

Purpose – To make it easy for potential partners to reach out and connect.

Content – Up-to-date contact details, including email, phone number (if applicable), and links to all active social media profiles. Don’t make brands you want to work with hunt you down. Make it easy for them to get in touch..

Make sure your media kit is a persuasive tool by incorporating these components clearly and creatively. 

Be informative and engaging.

Format and Accessibility of a Media Kit

The format and accessibility of your media kit are pivotal in determining its effectiveness and reach.

Making strategic choices in how the media kit is presented and shared can significantly impact your ability to attract and secure brand partnerships.

Choosing the Right Format

PDF Documents

The most common and accessible format, PDFs are easy to create, share, and view across different devices and platforms. They are ideal for detailed, multi-page media kits that include rich graphics and text.

Websites or Dedicated Landing Pages

An online version of a media kit can be more dynamic, allowing for interactive elements such as video content, direct links to social profiles, and real-time updates. This format is particularly effective if you have a strong digital presence and want to offer a more immersive experience.

Interactive Presentations

Tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides can be used to create interactive media kits that are engaging and easily navigable. This format allows for creative storytelling through slides, clickable content, and multimedia integration.

Public vs. Upon Request

Public Accessibility

Making a media kit publicly accessible, such as through a link on your website or social media bio, can increase visibility and ease of access for potential partners. It invites unsolicited partnership inquiries and can broaden the your reach.

Upon Request Only

Keeping the media kit private and providing it upon request adds an element of exclusivity and control. It allows your to tailor the kit to specific inquiries and maintain privacy over sensitive information like detailed analytics or pricing.

Strategies for Distribution

• The decision between public access and upon-request distribution should align with yours overall branding strategy and comfort level with sharing information.
• For a more controlled approach, you can opt for a hybrid model, offering a basic media kit publicly while reserving a more detailed version for serious inquiries.

Considerations for Accessibility

• Ensure the media kit is optimized for both desktop and mobile viewing, as potential partners may access it from various devices.
• Consider the file size, especially for PDFs, to ensure it’s not too large to download or share easily.
• Accessibility features, such as alt text for images and a readable layout, can make the media kit more inclusive to all audiences.

The choice of format and how the media kit is made accessible can significantly influence your professional image and partnership opportunities.

It’s essential for you to consider the target audience, the nature of the content, and personal branding goals when making these decisions.

Tools and Resources for Creating a Media Kit

Creating an impactful media kit doesn’t necessarily require advanced design skills or expensive software.

There are numerous tools and resources available that cater to varying levels of expertise and budget, making the process accessible to all micro influencers.

Here’s a look at some popular options.

Canva

Features

Canva offers a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, making it ideal for those without a design background. It provides a wide array of templates specifically for media kits, which can be customized to fit your  brand aesthetics.

Benefits

Free and paid versions, extensive library of graphics and fonts, and easy sharing options.

Google Docs

Features

For those seeking simplicity, Google Docs allows for the creation of text-based media kits that are straightforward and easy to edit. While it may not offer the advanced design features of other tools, it’s highly accessible and collaborative.

Benefits

Completely free, cloud-based for easy access and sharing, and familiar to most users.

Adobe InDesign

Features

For influencers with more advanced design skills or those willing to learn, Adobe InDesign offers professional-grade features for creating high-quality, detailed media kits.

Benefits

Professional output, extensive customization options, and compatibility with other Adobe Creative Suite tools.

Piktochart

Features

Piktochart is another intuitive tool that’s great for creating visual content, including infographics, which can add a dynamic element to any media kit.

Benefits

Easy-to-use interface, templates tailored for infographics and reports, and both free and paid plans.

WordPress or Squarespace

Features

For influencers opting to create an online media kit, platforms like WordPress and Squarespace offer templates and plugins designed to showcase portfolios and media kits on websites.

Benefits

Professional web presence, customizable templates, and no need for separate PDF or document files.

Tips for Using These Tools

• Start with a template that aligns with your brand identity and customize it to make it uniquely yours.
• Use your brand colors, fonts, and logos to maintain consistency across your media kit and other branded materials.
• While design is crucial, the content remains king. Ensure your media kit is informative, concise, and tailored to your audience.

By leveraging these tools, you can create a media kit that not only highlights your unique value proposition but also resonates with potential brand partners.

Whether you prefer a simple, text-oriented layout or a more elaborate, design-centric approach, there’s a tool that will meet your needs.

Updating and Maintaining a Media Kit

For micro influencers, a media kit is not a static document; it’s a living representation of their brand and influence.

As such, regular updates and maintenance are essential to ensure that it remains accurate, relevant, and reflective of your growth and achievements.

Here are some key considerations for keeping a media kit up-to-date:

Regularly Update Metrics

Audience size, engagement rates, and demographic information can change rapidly. Updating these metrics every few months ensures that potential partners receive the most current and accurate data.

Refresh Content and Design

As you evolve, so too should your media kit. Refreshing the content to include new collaborations, testimonials, and content themes keeps the media kit fresh and engaging. Periodically revisiting the design can also help maintain a modern and appealing aesthetic.

Incorporate New Achievements

Any new milestones, awards, or notable collaborations should be promptly added to the media kit. These achievements can significantly enhance your appeal to potential partners.

Adapt to Feedback

If feedback from potential or past partners suggests certain information is missing or unclear, you should consider incorporating these insights into your media kit to improve its effectiveness.

Review Contact Information

Ensuring that contact information is up-to-date is crucial. An overlooked change in email address or social media handle can lead to missed opportunities.

Consider Seasonal or Thematic Updates

For influencers whose content aligns with specific seasons, trends, or events, tailoring the media kit to reflect these themes can make it more compelling during relevant times.

Best Practices for Maintenance

• To avoid the media kit becoming outdated, set a regular schedule for reviewing and updating your kit. This could be quarterly, bi-annually, or annually, depending on the rate of change in your metrics and content
• Documenting updates and changes can be helpful for tracking the media kit’s evolution and ensuring no aspect is overlooked during updates.
• Regularly seeking input from peers, mentors, or industry professionals can provide valuable insights into how the media kit can be improved.

Maintaining a media kit is an ongoing process that reflects an influencer’s commitment to their personal brand and professional growth.

By dedicating time and effort to ensure your media kit is current, you can maximize your opportunities for meaningful partnerships and collaborations.

If you’re ready to get started on your micro influencer media kit, download our checklist that will help you follow all the necessary steps.

Social media is essential for small businesses to market and grow their brand online.

By offering a direct line to your audience, social media is an ideal format to share your brand’s story, highlight your products and services, and connect live with your customers.

Unfortunately, the challenges small businesses face on social media are as significant as the benefits. With all brands taking advantage of the benefits of social media, it’s really easy for your business’ message to get lost in the noise. 

Good brand photography will help you stand out online. Social media is a visual medium where compelling imagery is pivotal in capturing the audience’s attention.

Your brand photographs impact customers’ perception of your business. Creating high-quality, relevant, and visually appealing images will grab attention, helping you stand out from the competition.

Further, well-shot photos are more likely to be shared, extending the reach and impact of your social media efforts. 

Planning Brand Photography for Social Media

To optimize your brand photography for social media, you must first create a social media strategy. Start by identifying the message and emotion you want to convey to your audience.

Consider the aesthetics, color schemes, and compositions that reflect your brand’s personality.

Next, plan a diverse range of images, from product shots to behind-the-scenes, to have a variety of agile image options.

Lastly, create a content calendar to schedule and maintain a consistent and engaging online presence, keeping your brand photography fresh and relevant. You can read more about using brand photography on social media here. 

Hire a Professional Photographer

A professional brand photographer will ensure that your photographs are optimized for social media success.

Professional photographers offer the expertise to capture your brand identity visually but appeal to your target audience on social media. When selecting a photographer, choose someone whose portfolio resonates with your brand’s aesthetic and ethos.

A good professional photographer will have a diverse portfolio showcasing their ability to capture various styles, moods, and subjects. Look for a photographer who can adapt to your specific branding needs.

Professionally taken photographs capture the subtleties of your brand’s personality, from the seriousness of your craftsmanship to the lightheartedness of your customer interactions.

By offering a variety of images, professional photographers provide a rich library of content for your social media marketing strategy, ensuring that every post is seen, felt, and remembered by your audience.

You’re not just getting optimized social media images with a professional brand photographer. You’re investing in a visual identity that speaks volumes about your brand.

Format Brand Photographs to Social Media Specifications

Every social media platform is different. Each offers a unique set of photography specifications to ensure the highest quality display on their platform.

Unfortunately, these specifications are not uniform, and they often change. To ensure full social media optimization, you must understand these specifications. You can find guides online with the specifications, but here are some of the most common:

Facebook:

● Profile Picture: 180 x 180 pixels

● Cover Photo: 820 x 312 pixels

● Shared Image: 1200 x 630 pixels

● Shared Link: 1200 x 628 pixels

● Event Image: 1920 x 1080 pixels

Instagram:

● Profile Picture: 110 x 110 pixels

● Square Photo: 1080 x 1080 pixels

● Landscape Photo: 1080 x 566 pixels

● Portrait Photo: 1080 x 1350 pixels

● Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels

X (Twitter) :

● Profile Picture: 400 x 400 pixels

● Header Photo: 1500 x 500 pixels

● In-Stream Photo: 1600 x 900 pixels

LinkedIn:

● Profile Picture: 400 x 400 pixels (minimum)

● Cover Photo: 1584 x 396 pixels

● Shared Image: 1104 x 736 pixels

● Shared Link: 1200 x 628 pixels

Professional photographs work with these specifications every day. We know not only how to take photographs that will resonate on these platforms but also how to format them for optimal quality and engagement. 

Create Consistency with Editing 

Consistency in brand photography establishes a recognizable and coherent visual identity across all your social media platforms.

Visual consistency builds brand recognition, making it easy for your intended audience to recognize and remember your business.

Consistent styles, color palettes, and overall aesthetics reinforce your brand’s message and values, creating a strong and unified brand story.

For small businesses, this uniformity in visuals enhances credibility and professionalism, fostering trust and loyalty among the audience.

Professional brand photographers play a crucial role in building a consistent brand presence for your business.

We leverage our artistic and technical expertise to create images that align with your brand’s aesthetic and message. We’ll use backgrounds, props, and poses to maintain uniformity in style, tone, and quality, no matter the shot.

We don’t just stop there. We’ll help you create a photography style guide to ensure consistency now and into the future. 

Leverage Technical Optimization Strategies 

Beyond the visual appeal and aesthetics of your photographs, to truly succeed on social media, you also need to leverage technical optimization strategies.

One often overlooked strategy is to optimize images for search engines. Search engines index images from social media. Utilizing alt tags and title text with relevant keywords can significantly improve your content’s visibility both on and off your social media platform.

Furthermore, alt tags are essential for accessibility, especially for users who have visual impairments, rely on screen readers, or have their images disabled. Alt tags should accurately describe the image content, while title text can provide additional context or call to action.

Your brand photography should also be optimized to engage your audience actively. Integrating relevant hashtags can expand your content’s reach to a broader audience and build community. Including a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA) in your posts encourages user interaction.

Compelling CTAs boost engagement rates and increase the ROI on your social media marketing efforts. Every social media platform uses a unique algorithm and best practices for image and text optimization, so tailor your strategy accordingly. Your brand photographer can help. 

If you’re ready to get more out of your social media efforts, our expert brand photographers are here to help. We specialize in social media photography. We’ll ensure that you make a lasting brand impression online. Get started now by reaching out below.

Sometimes, it becomes necessary to rebrand your company. As a brand photographer I’ve worked with people on many branding and rebranding projects. They can be a big undertaking, with photography as only one aspect of the updated brand.

There’s a lot to consider when choosing to do a rebrand and lots to take into account to be sure you do it right.

You may be doing so for one of several reasons. There are certainly times when you need to, such as:

Replacing Outdated Branding — Trends change, and if your branding doesn’t keep up, you may start to lose customers to competitors.

Company Restructuring — A merger, acquisition or demerger may necessitate a change.

Trying to Reach a More Specific Audience — A rebrand can ensure that your brand identity resonates with your audience.

A Product or Service Change — If your business has changed what it offers, the old branding needs updated.

Internationalization — The brand identity may not translate to other countries if you’re growing internationally. 

Strategy Shift — If your company has grown and shifted from its initial vision, a rebrand will help with continued success.

Correcting a Recent Failed Rebrand — If internal and external stakeholders aren’t happy with a rebrand, they may influence leadership enough to rebrand the company a second time or revert back to the old branding. 

Rebranding is not an exercise to take lightly. You should take a holistic approach when rebranding. Don’t spend all your time and resources on just a new logo or a fresh gallery of brand photography. A smooth and successful rebrand has to be synergistic.

Parts of a Rebrand

Doing a full rebrand takes months and consists of many steps, only one of which is brand photography.

Audit

This is an essential first step. Knowing your company inside and out, and the brand you already have in place, is critical. To rebrand, you must understand your brand as it stands now. Only then can you improve your brand for the future.

Ask yourself, what’s working and should be kept, what’s not working and can be eliminated and where can you improve?

Looking back at your old brand can also act as inspiration and ideas for your rebrand. You may see something that you abandoned years ago and decide to revive it, or perhaps there are elements of your current brand that can morph into something usable now.

Establish Who You Are

The next stage of rebranding your business is to remind yourself of the core aspects of your company. You should review and plan out everything, down to the company name.

Revisit your mission and vision. What do you do, why and how does it improve the lives of your customers, clients and audience?

Set your values in stone — what do you believe in as a company? These guiding principles your company lives by should give you a foundation for everything else you do.

Add a slogan. An effective slogan should highlight what’s beneficial about a product or service, prompting consumers to buy into the brand.

Think long and hard about who you are. It will lead you into the future of your company and make the rebrand go more smoothly.

Know Your Audience

Your rebranding efforts won’t do a bit of good if you create a brand that doesn’t appeal to your audience. Ideally, you’ll want to be a customer of your business as much as your customers want to be. If you and your team don’t have buy-in, how will your audience feel?

Make your brand authentic. Make it you. Make it part of your soul. Eat, sleep and breathe your brand. Have passion for your brand.

This is the way you’ll truly come to know who your audience is. Speaking with and selling to like-minded people is what it’s all about.

A good way to start to get to know your audience is by defining their demographics and expanding to their interests and what makes them tick.

When you know this, you will be able to do a rebrand of your business that they will love, support and want to connect with.

Lock in the Logistics and Legalities

Before doing any of the creation — new logos, fresh photography and all the rest of the visuals — you want to create a plan for how to do it effectively. 

The two most important parts of your plan are communication with stakeholders and securing the trademarks that will protect your work. Understand the hoops you have to jump through before you get to them. 

Make a plan for notifying internal partners. You’ll want everyone working together and no confusion, so plan how you’ll set expectations and give instructions. Then keep people in the loop early and often.

If, as you progress through your rebrand, you want to release bits and pieces as part of a soft launch, then guard the elements you want to hold back for later.

Embargo them or keep them out of places people have access to just in case they see something cool and make a rogue decision to use it earlier than planned.

Just as important is knowing what you’ll need to do to trademark your new rebrand. It’s good to get an understanding of this before you start so that you aren’t surprised by what you need to do later on.

You certainly don’t want to go to all the hard work of creating something brilliant only to see your competitors or other companies steal it.

Create Visuals

For me, this is where the fun starts. Photographers, artists, designers and writers love making new brands. We get to open up the toy box and go nuts for a few weeks or months as we create something new. 

This is where all the earlier hard work starts to pay off. Check out my brand checklist for more details, but you’ll want to address each aspect separately and wholly, including:

Brand Mood Board

Make a collection of ideas, pictures, color swatches and other things that you see fitting your brand.

Brand Voice

Pick out the words you will use that will define your brand through thick and thin.

Brand Colors

Colors go a long way to giving your brand a personality and making your content recognizably yours.

Fonts and Typefaces

Don’t let fonts become an afterthought. Pick ones that match your brand’s personality.

Brand Logo

This is arguably the most informed piece of your branding arsenal. It’s what customers see and think of first when encountering your brand.

Brand Photos

Single-owner businesses, small businesses and medium businesses will benefit from a gallery of useful brand photography because it increases your conversion rate.

I’ve seen the impact that fresh brand photography has for small businesses owners. Many times it’s the difference between success and failure.

Don’t skimp on photography. Hire a pro and get it right. If you’re serious about your brand then you need to take your branding photography seriously.

Launch 

Update Your Website

Take your visual style guide and implement the changes on your website. This is the first place many people encounter your brand, so consider updating the website before you launch anything else. Don’t forget to update the URLs if you’ve changed the name of the company.

When you do a full rebrand, you’ll want to purchase a new domain and set up redirects from your old site to your new website. This step is less intense if you’re only doing a refresh or a partial rebrand.

Be sure to test your site and make sure everything functions as intended. It’s easy for things to get mixed up or broken when you’re making significant changes so test, test and retest, and make sure to get several fresh pairs of eyes on it.

Update Marketing Channels

Update every touch point you have, and maybe even add new ones. Everything you distribute, post online or share with your audience in any way must match your new brand style and positioning.

Things to update may include: flyers, handouts, pamphlets, brochures, letterheads, business cards, advertisements, billboards and more. Build templates to make this easier and quicker.

Create a template for each of these things by knowing what you used in the past and what you’ll need right away when you launch your rebrand.

Eliminate Old Branding

It can’t be “out with the old and in with the new” if there’s still some of the old stuff floating around. You’ve got to purge your brand assets of all the old creative visuals. This can be hard to talk yourself into if you’ve still got a couple boxes of unused business cards sitting in your supplies closet, but it must be done.

Your new brand can’t fully take off if it’s being anchored by the old stuff. Make sure to eliminate the old and replace with the rebrand materials everywhere you’ve got anything, including:

• All Digital and Traditional Marketing Materials
• Signs
• Posters
• Banners
• Checks
• Invoices
• Letterheads
• Business Cards
• Tradeshow Giveaways
• Merchandise
• Company Uniforms or Clothing

This is not an exhaustive list but should get you thinking about all the places your brand exists now and where you’ll want the rebranding for your business to be after launch.

Rebranding your business isn’t an easy undertaking — a lot goes into it. But as long as you’re doing it for the right reasons and with the right attitude, it can be a fun, inspiring experience.

Making your brand new and fresh again is exciting and will pump some energy into your company.

With access to so many brands online, choosing a brand that you trust and represents your values is tough as a shopper. We all work hard for our money and want to spend it intentionally, with trustworthy companies that make high-quality products that match our lifestyles. 

That’s where professional brand photography comes in. Authentic brand photography captures the essence of your brand by communicating your mission, vision and values to potential customers, while also piquing their interest in learning about your offerings.  

Authentic brand photography also helps you build brand recognition online by providing a consistent and recognizable identity.

As customers begin to recognize you across all marketing touch points, they also develop a deeper connection to your brand. You’ll build lasting customer relationships while also building your professional reputation to attract new ones. 

If you want to stand out in the marketplace, professional brand photography is the best way to get noticed. 

Five Professional Photography Tips for Building Brand Trust

Authentic brand photography is a game-changer for your brand. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as snapping a few cute photos. Here are five tips we recommend as a professional brand photographer to get started: 

1. Work with a Professional Brand Photographer

Of course, as brand photographers, we recommend working with a pro because it’s what we do. However, there are some serious advantages to working with a professional brand photographer. 

First, image quality is critical to building customer trust because it shows you are professional and pay attention to details. Professional brand photography showcases intricate details, colors and textures, providing a more accurate representation of your products or services. 

Secondly, for high-quality brand images, you must invest in high-end photography gear like a high-resolution camera, professional lighting, and other equipment like lenses, tripods and backdrops. 

Then, you’ll also need editing software to retouch and format the photographs for marketing purposes. Brand photography costs can add up quickly, especially for small and midsize businesses. With these expenses, hiring a professional photographer is far more affordable than taking photos in-house. 

Plus, you’ll brand photos that will resonate with your customers and support all of your marketing effects. 

2. Showcase Authentic Brand Images

Taking the right brand photographs is also crucial to your brand’s success. Authentic brand images offer a genuine portrayal of your brand, creating a connection with customers based on trust and transparency. 

Choose brand photographs that show your brand is more than just a business and help your customers get to know you. Include behind-the-scenes snapshots of your team at work, team member portraits and stories, and your office or workspace.

To help you strategize your photos, here are seven key types of product photography to plan.

An authentic approach to brand photography also builds customer trust because it helps you stand out in a sea of overly polished or misleading visuals. Your brand’s refreshing authenticity will set you apart, especially online. 

3. Align Your Photography with Your Brand Identity

A solid strategy to build trust with your brand photography is to create a compelling and memorable brand story. Think about what you’d want everyone to know about your brand. What story would you tell? 

Then, you can start capturing visuals that tell your brand’s story. Highlight what traits set you apart from your competition and make your brand the best choice on the market. 

Every image should reflect the essence of your brand and connect with your target audience. Incorporating human elements and emotions that resonate with your brand values is a great way to do this. 

By aligning your brand identity with your brand photography, you’ll build an emotional connection with your customers, leading to lasting relationships. 

4. Use Images Strategically to Grow Your Brand

Capturing your brand images is only half of the strategy. You also need to make a plan to deploy them strategically in your content marketing. How you use the photos in your marketing campaign depends entirely on your goals, industry and products. 

However, no matter the marketing strategy, the key to success is consistency across all platforms, including websites, social media, and marketing materials. No matter the marketing challenge, your brand images must be coherent with your messaging and aesthetics. 

By consistently delivering authentic, on-brand visuals, you’ll foster a sense of familiarity and trust that encourages engagement and loyalty.

5. Add Copy and Captions That Add Value and Encourage Engagement

Your brand photography will capture their attention, but your copy drives engagement. Strategically using copy can add context, reinforce messaging and create a narrative connecting emotionally with the audience. 

Always craft copy that adds intrinsic value to your audience’s experience. Encourage engagement by posing questions, sharing stories, and inviting feedback. Focus on captions that create a two-way conversation with customers that can grow into a lasting relationship. 

With these tips, you can create authentic brand photographs that build trust and connect deeply with your customers. 

Capturing the perfect brand photography is challenging when time and resources are limited. Hiring a brand photographer will help you save time and money and ensure you have brand images that attract and convert. 

If you’re ready to get noticed online, we’re here and excited to help boost your brand.