6 Benefits of Professional Photography for Your Small Business

Are you looking for ways to make your business look more professional? Although you may be tempted to skip the extra cost and do it yourself, getting help from a professional photographer might just give your business a step up. According to Vancouver-based photographer Lindsey Donovan, professional photography is central to growing your brand early on. 

Here are six reasons you should invest in professional photography for your small business.

1. Appear More Professional

During the start-up phase of your business, the expenses involved in hiring a professional photographer may seem like some of the most expendable. As a result, people often use stock photos or take photos themselves. 

Having professional, personalized photography gives you an advantage over your competitors. Clear and creative photo designs demonstrate your company’s credibility. This will result in customers trusting your brand as authentic and one they want to support. “It’s the old adage, ‘eye appeal is buy appeal,’ and it tells potential clients you are operating with professionalism and dedication to quality,” explained Lindsey.

2. Make a Good Impression

The photos on your marketing collateral represent your business just as much as your staff or the products you offer. Low-quality, amateurish photos are less appealing to the consumer. 

Your social media presence, website, and marketing material are potential client’s first impressions of your business. You want them to demonstrate your professionalism and reflect the essence of your brand. With the rise of digital marketing, visual languages have become the primary means of communication between businesses and customers, and your business is no different.

3. Shareability

The benefits of an engaged social media community that likes and shares your content are impossible to overstate. Displaying professionally taken photos alongside your social posts makes them far more likely to be engaged with by your desired audiences. This leads to your brand growing and reaching more potential customers organically.

4. Less Hassle

Deciding what to convey through your content and how to do so may seem daunting. Fortunately, professional photographers are usually happy to take over or collaborate on the logistics of the creative process. They know what they need to do to address your wants and needs. 

Working with a professional photographer also means you get their lighting, equipment, editing, and retouching skills. Making your product look as good as possible is worth the cost. Lindsey recommends that you “do your research when hiring a professional photographer. You should ensure their imagery style aligns with the feel of your company and brand” so you get the results you envision.

5. Cost-effectiveness

Earlier, we mentioned how it can be easy for small business owners to dismiss professional photography because of the upfront costs. But what if we told you it can become one of the most cost-effective aspects of your business? A collection of professionally taken photos creates free publicity for your business and builds effective brand recognition.

6. Visual Story-Telling

One of the most important aspects of establishing an attractive brand is clearly conveying who and what your business is and offering your customers something they immediately recognize as desirable. Professional photography empowers you to tell a story without saying a word.

How Small Business BC Can Help Your Business

SBBC is a non-profit resource centre for BC-based small businesses. Whatever your idea of success is, we’re here to provide holistic support and resources at every step of the journey. Check out our range of business webinars, on-demand E-Learning Education, our Talk to an Expert Advisories, or browse our business articles.