Images Every Business Website Needs, from your Personal Brand Photographer
Make your business stand out
Types of images to include on your website that will result in more than just customers.
We all say we should live in integrity and take our own advice, right? Well it’s not that easy when you are a creative, your own worst critic! As a business owner myself, my {beautiful} website is definitely and always a work in progress, mainly because what I do continues to evolve. THIS is why I am writing this today and spilling ALL my heart into what types images I think are the most important to have for every business owner on their website (that’s you, right?) Okay let’s cut to the chase…
First and foremost…
… HIRE. A. PHOTOGRAPHER (to create for you the images stated below!) !!!!!!
There. I said it. Ha! It makes a HUGE difference in how you attract clients. I’m talking big time difference, friends.
You will need the following, and I will explain each category below:
Portraits of YOU
Lifestyle images
Product/Stock images
Most of these come as no surprise. If you’ve done your research you will find a variation of these three on just about every blog, social media post, websites from branding gurus… you name it. I will tell you, as a creative, as a human, I understand that everyone and every business is different. You will not need the same image, the same content, as the business around the block from you. We are living in a digital world where content is king (a certain type is too but I’ll save that for the juicy ending). You don’t want just any content. You want content made JUST. FOR. YOU. True and authentic, speaks you in every sense- am I’m making sense? 😉 We aren’t talking just beautiful photos here- but I can save that for another post. Okay, okay, back to the images…
PORTRAITS OF YOU (looking at the camera)
I could have just said headshot, but I didn’t. You want more than just a headshot. You want personality. Give your audience a piece of who you are in those images. A solid set of 5 images looking at the camera. This part is key. You want eye contact to connect with your audience. These can be different angles, outfits, and make sure you find a photographer that helps you feel amazing so you feel and look relaxed, and are having fun! These 5 images will diversify your website and even give you options for other platforms.
LIFESTYLE
What in the heck is lifestyle anyway? There are actually many ways to define “lifestyle”. The simplest way for me to explain it is literally photographing the day to day. This means images of you working in and on your business. Yes- both. These images can be action shots, show movement, only parts of you (hands, faceless shots, looking at and/or away from the camera, etc). See bold type below for more product and service based specifics - you might even be both if you have a store front!
This really diversifies what you do, what you offer, and who you serve. These images tell a story. They are the “BTS” of your business life. I cannot explain enough how important this part is for your website! These days you have mere seconds to get someones attention when they pop into your site, make these images count! This part does take a bit of planning and make sure the photographer you hire has this as a part of their pre-shoot process.
Product based business: Lifestyle also looks like your product in use by you, yes YOU! After all, it’s your pride and joy, isn’t it? (pppssstttt… people WANT to see the creator!!! It’s how you connect with your audience!!!) You’ll also want to professionally showcase your products being enjoyed and used by other people. You really may only need 1-2 hero images of this for your website if it really captures the product and joy it brings to consumers, but more will give you posts for social media too! There’s a bonus too!**
Service based business: Lifestyle for you (more specifically) looks like you working with your clients, in action, doing what you do best. Give your audience a taste of what it feels like to work with you.
BONUS: Do you attend events or shows? That is major bonus content and gives people an inside look and feel!!! Capture it- professionally!
PRODUCT/STOCK
It comes as no surprise that if you sell products you need images of them- and most likely many images and on a reoccurring basis! It is still important to have these professionally photographed for your website. You can get away with a smartphone for social media from time to time, but remember- we are talking FIRST IMPRESSIONS here, and a phone just isn’t going to cut it for your website. Trust me. You’ll want styled hero images of your products and sometimes your products at different angles. This creates a more enticing perspective.
If you sell a service, you also need images of your service! Most of this can be moved to the lifestyle category because you want to photograph you in action, performing your service. You’ll also want to add any props you use within your service as your “stock” images. Anything you use while working on your business can make for great stock images too! This includes your CRM, planners, your fave pen- I know it can sound a bit redundant like everyone does this, but if it’s a part of your process- document it!!! You have a story to tell!
Ready for the big time bonus? What will really put you over the top and up with with the content kings???? VIDEO. ☝️
When you are ready- get some video content on your site! Again- authenticity is key- be intentional with what you create. It’s all about feeling the connection, my friends. Your audience, consumers, clients- they all want to feel connected to you, your product, and/or service. As we know there are many, many platforms to connect, but start with your website and let your images be that bridge to connection.
If any of this resonates with you, and you’d love to chat about how to make incredible images happen for your website, I’d love nothing more than to chat with you about it! Click HERE and let’s get you started!