Looking the part is crucial for any business, big or small. Great photos are your silent sales advisor, telling your brand story and making a stunning first impression. In fact, in my previous post, we talked about all the reasons why brand photography is such an important investment. But, let's be honest, sometimes you can’t see how your budget will stretch to the amazing professional images you want. In this month's blog, we’re going to look at how you can boss your brand with brilliant images without breaking the bank.
Like any investment, you’ll need to make sure it’s the right one for you. If you don’t have the budget for a full-blown shoot, don’t panic. We can make sure your photos work in a way that's perfect for you.
Making Effective Brand Photography Affordable
Be Realistic About Your Budget and Who You Want to Work With
The first step is to think honestly about your budget. Work out what you can afford and don’t be afraid to be upfront with photographers; you’ll find many great photographers who will work with you to find options that work within your budget.
Understand Your Budget and Maximise It
With your budget in mind, it's time to think about what you want to achieve; planning is key! To get the most out of your shoot, be clear about the shots you need and what you’re going to use them for. A marketing plan will be a real lifesaver here, I covered this in my previous post here, so have a look.
Remember that good communication with your photographer is key. Tell them your vision, your budget, and what you hope to achieve. You’re talking to an expert so do listen to their advice, but don’t be afraid to ask questions and explore other ways of doing things.
Within your shoot, take the opportunity to try lots of looks with different outfit changes—even just changing accessories will give you new looks. You should also consider the time of year for your shoot. Spring and autumn bring fewer extremes in weather and, therefore, less distinct outfit needs. In these milder seasons, you can pose in simple outfits and layer with coats and accessories for images which will look good all year round.
You may need ongoing shoots, perhaps for seasonal products or regular service updates. Look for photographers who offer payment plans or package deals. Setting aside a little bit each month can add up and provide you with stunning visuals.
What Are the Alternatives?
If financing a full-blown brand shoot isn’t feasible, there are other budget-friendly brand photography options to consider.
Business Besties: I’m offering an exciting new opportunity where you can team up with a business buddy for a joint shoot. You’ll share the costs and each gets a great variety of shots; it's a great way to support each other and save money. You’ll be sharing a location so a similar style and focus for your branding is recommended - but you’ll both get a shoot focused on you! I’ll have a call with each party in advance to ensure you get what you need - while you’re sharing the costs, this is still your shoot!
Mini Brand Shoots: Another great option is a mini brand shoot, which is a much shorter, more affordable opportunity. With a mini shoot, you will have less control - the photographer picks the venue and you’ll have less time available for your photos. If you choose a mini shoot, find out what you can about the venue and discuss what you want with the photographer—you should still get a great variety of images from your shoot.
DIY: Finally, don’t underestimate the power of your phone! With a bit of practice and the right tools, you can capture some amazing images yourself. I’ve teamed up with the amazing Nathalie Crouch to provide New Shoots Photo Training. We provide in-person and online courses as well as a number of free resources that will help you present yourself, and your products, more confidently online.
You Have Your Photos, Maximise Their Value!
Once you’ve invested in your photoshoot, make the most of it!
Firstly, use the shoot itself on social media. Capture your own behind-the-scenes pictures and talk about why you’re doing this. Use this experience to tell the story of your business, your focus, and your priorities. Telling stories in your business is so important for reaching out to your audience; we explored this further back in March.
When you have your final images, use them across all your marketing channels: social media, website, email, and even printed materials. The right photos will make a huge difference to your brand's perception.
The best brand photography on a budget
I'm running four Business Besties slots in September. As mentioned above, this is a fantastic way to get affordable professional photographs. I’m expecting these spots to fill up fast so get in touch at liz.devonshire@virginmedia.com to discuss your plans, or Book a Discovery call. Be quick!
I hope I’ve given you a bit more confidence to see how - with a bit of planning and creativity - you can boss your brand on a budget. Remember, it’s about quality over quantity; a few great shots are better than lots of average ones. Let’s go ahead and make your brand shine!
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