I’ll bet you’ve done this: you’re writing a Facebook post or designing a brochure. You’ve conceived a brilliant concept or written some snappy copy. You decide you need to decorate it with a photo so you grab whatever’s handy and go with that.
You spent four hours writing 20 words. And four seconds finding the picture – which, as they say, is worth 1,000 words. Ironic?
That doesn’t make sense.
Great photography can make the difference between a lousy brochure and a great one. It’s the difference between a Facebook ad that captivates and an ad no one notices. The tricky thing is that everyone has a camera in their pocket. And that may lead us – especially if you’re the one signing the checks – to think that anyone can take a picture that’s “good enough”. Take a look at the following pictures that your boss might approve, but you know in your heart aren’t quite up to snuff.
Unfortunately, your business portraits have to be distinguishable from your personal profile pictures.
All the components of a great work shot are here, but poor lighting, a frownie face and an oddly distracting post-it note undercut the story.
Are you trying to get my business or my phone number?
The empty chairs beg the question.
I can’t figure out what she’s trying to communicate with those blue eyes. “Help?” or “I really need this job.” or even “I don’t get paid enough to put up with this”. In any case, the unbalanced lighting on her face gives this picture too much drama.
Uh oh. This guy should know better. Even yours truly is guilty of using bad photography from time to time. Finally, last year I decided to put my money where my mouth is and hire Stan Foxworthy to take some professional portraits. Here’s a few of them.
Now I just have to find the time to update my website! Just remember, an amateur photographer will get lucky from time to time. A professional gets lucky every time. It’s important to know when your organization can do things itself and when it should pay for professional help. Photography is one of those things companies often skimp on. A good designer can tell you how much of a difference great photography can make.
So go ahead, give Stan a call.
