As far as digital marketing goes, it doesn’t get any better than Instagram. This is especially true if you are targeting a younger audience and want to gain as much traction as you can. At the same time, there is no denying that this social media platform is rather oversaturated with brands.
This means that you often have to fight for the attention of your target consumers. Unlike other platforms, with Instagram, it is all about the images. Therefore, if you want to make an impact, then you need to take, edit, and publish the best possible photos.
If you aren’t entirely certain about how to go about this, then not to worry. The following guide will teach you all you need to know about capturing the perfect pictures…
Smartphone vs. Digital Camera – What Do You Need?
These days, smartphone cameras are at the top of their game. In fact, many of the pictures that you will see on Instagram are actually taken from these cameras. Therefore, it is easy to imagine that a high-quality phone is all that you need to gain a wide following.
This isn’t necessarily true, though. While the pictures from a smartphone will be more than adequate, they won’t necessarily help you to stand out. This is because smartphone cameras, despite their improvements, are still lacking in certain features.
These deficiencies become especially apparent when it comes to poor lighting or the zoom function. Therefore, you may want to practice with a digital camera to really step things up a notch.
It’s All About the Lighting
Do you want to know the biggest difference between professional and poor photos? Well, believe it or not, that would be the lighting. This is why one of the first photography skills that you need to master is how to shoot in different types of lighting.
If you were to ask an expert photographer, he or she would advise you to take most of your images during the golden hour. Despite its name, this term refers to the time shortly after sunrise or the period just before sunset. It is when the sunlight is at its warmest and all of your pictures appear to glow.
Of course, the golden hour doesn’t give you a whole lot of time to work with. Therefore, you will find yourself having to take pictures during bright sunlight or at night. During the day time, try to locate a slightly shaded area and avoid taking pictures directly in line with the sun.
As for the night time, you shouldn’t necessarily reach for the flash function right away. Instead, try to use various artificial lighting such as LED ring light, Softbox light, Speedlight, etc. to light up your subjects. With this method, the people or the items are less likely to appear washed out.
Plan it Out
Unless you are a professional or experienced at photography, it is unlikely that impulsive photo shoots are going to end very well for you. If you want to create the perfect effect, then you are going to have to plan it down to the last detail. Know where you want to take the picture and what elements you want to include.
Then, actually set it up and see if it works out. Sometimes, what looks good in your imagination will not always translate well in real life. Thus, testing out your theories beforehand will make sure that you are able to get the precise finished result that you want.
Focus on an Experience Not Just Promotion
A major mistake that you can make when taking pictures for your brand is to focus solely on promotion. However, this isn’t what your followers are interested. First, they want an image that is aesthetically appealing. Then, they want a particular product or service showcased in a way that is beneficial to them.
In short, people don’t necessarily care only about how great your service or product is. They are more concerned to know how your items can solve an issue in their lives. At the very least, show them how your product can improve their lives with the help of an image.
This is why creating an experience is always the best way to go. While the subject of the image may be about your items, make sure that it is showcased in a more functional or practical matter. Or, make sure that it is portrayed in a fun and artistic way.
Do Something Different
This goes without saying but many brands can find this rather tricky. This is because there are quite a number of trends on Instagram and most organisations feel pressured to follow them. Now, granted, some of them are for digital marketing purposes and therefore, make sense. However, there are just as many that are passing fads.
If you want your followers to really take notice of your brand, then you are going to have to approach your photographs in an entirely different way. Do something that no one else is doing. Also, consider your service or product and determine how you can showcase them in an unusual way.
Editing is Key
Perhaps one of the biggest secrets to a professional looking image is editing. These days, the editing software is incredible and can reduce on the number of mistakes that you may have made when snapping the picture. Of course, edits aren’t just for flaws. You can also create various effects and textures with these features.
If you wish to post pictures of aged photographs, then editing becomes even more important. Here, though, you may not have the necessary skills to clean up all of the damage. So, you may be better off with a service to repair your old photos instead. Either way, it is important to always carefully edit your pictures before posting them.
Editing can take a while to master so you should start practicing right away. It is going to take you some time to figure out all of the different functions and how they can come together to create an effect that you require.
Take Multiple Pictures
When taking photographs for the Instagram account, make sure to take numerous pictures of the same event. Although this may feel like overkill, there is actually a reason for this. See, it can often be difficult to tell the difference between similar images on your camera or even the screen of a smartphone.
It is only once you have uploaded them to a computer that you will actually be able to discern which ones are the superior image. So, the more pictures that you take, the greater the chance of you ending up with a truly outstanding one.
Keep Your Images Cohesive
The final thing that is going to make your photos pop is if there is a sense of cohesion on your profile as a whole. Someone should be able to visit your page and instantly get an idea of what your brand is about. This can be managed easily enough.
To start with, identify what your brand is all about and what kind of personality you want your followers to see. After this, it is a matter of taking pictures that are relevant to your ultimate message. While this may not seem like such a big thing, you will be surprised by what an impact it can have.
This is everything that you need to know about getting the best photographs for your brand’s Instagram account. Put these to the test and you are sure to notice that your engagement will steadily be going up.
