How much time do you spend scrolling through your phone looking for something vaguely relevant to post on your social media? I bet the answer is too much time!
It an attempt to solve my content woes and have some beautiful images I could use on my new website (stay tuned), I took the plunge and had professional photos taken for my business.
Despite me already having a professional relationship with Matthew Duchesne from Fancy Boy Photography (he took our family photos), it took me a loooooong time to come to a decision to have my business ones taken, and then an even longer time procrastinating on booking it in.
Why? Because I was inside my head about visibility issues.
I eventually got over myself and I’m glad that I did. I now have a suite of beautiful photos that I can share with pride and will help me connect with my ideal client. Here is my strategic reasoning around having professional photos taken and now having enough content for more than 30 days!
People connect with people
First and foremost, people connect with people and the story behind the people. As a small business owner, I am the business, so creating this connection is really important. Matthew believes “images can most clearly tell the story about you and the way you do business. It’s the quickest way to convince your prospective clients of your presence, quality and purpose.”
I love how my photos allow me to portray myself as professional, but personable at the same time. The photos tell a story of who I am, what I look like and what I do. Potential clients get to see my face and get a sense of my values through the visual connection.
People then connect with brands
Once your ideal client has connected with you, they will then start to expand that connection to your business’s brand. My photos facilitate that connection through the backdrop, colours, lighting, props and positioning. They tell the story of my brand – strong, slightly unexpected, approachable, professional and mobile.
This worked perfectly with Matthew’s style. He believes that “a less traditional, more engaging and real (if casually elegant) style of photography which works better for you and your brand.”
People connect with consistency
Like a fashion collection, a photo suite creates cohesion with your content. People start to identify a style with your brand which gives them subconscious comfort in that they know what to expect from you. Just like fonts and colours, images should also be used in a consistent way with your branding.
Professionals get it
Matthew spent time talking to me about my brand and how I wanted to show up in the business world. The issue: I didn’t even know myself. In true detective style though he managed to ask the right questions to get a good sense of what I wanted.
Matthew believes that this detective work is just as important as the photo shoot itself. “Getting to the heart of a brand helps me to understand the artistic direction of a shoot. There is no point choosing an industrial setting for a brand that is about softness. Their ideal client is not going to connect with the photos and therefore will feel no association with the brand.”
Taking up the 30 Days of Content Package was absolutely the best thing I ever did. Not only did I get some amazing photos of me, but plenty of relevant situation photos that I can use on my social media. “The idea of the package is to help businesses with content for their social media and website. Moving away from stock or library photos gives them an added advantage over competitors.” Tick!
I’m all about personalised content, so having my very own situation images (think coffee cups, laptops and walking shots) is an absolute point of difference for my brand.
My photos have been a game changer for me. Not only do I get more interaction on posts that contain the new photos, but it’s also made me want to be more visible!
I truly believe that the investment in quality photos is worth every cent. If you’re in Sydney and you’d like to get you next 30 days (or more) of content sorted, then check out Fancy Boy Photography. Tell Matthew you know me. He might just buy you a coffee. 😊
