When you book time with a photographer to capture photos for your small business, it’s your responsibility to make the most of the photo shoot. How can you do this?

1) Know how you will use your photos
Your photographer will bring their skills and their equipment, but you need to think about the various ways you are likely to use photos. Will they go on your website? On brochures? On fliers? Banners? What size will they need to be reproduced to? This sort of information will be important to your photographer.

2) Pick the right photographer
Photographers are artists and they specialize in areas – some do portrait, some do event, etc.  Will the bulk of your photographs be of individual objects? Will they be of people interacting?  Choose an artist whose technical skill matches what you’re hoping for and whose style meshes with your brand. For example, one of my fitness clients chose a photographer with a gritty style that emphasizes the sweat, muscles, and action in their shots. A soft wedding photographer wouldn’t be a match.  If you can do so, show your photographer some examples of a style you’d like to emulate.

3) Know what photos you need
Don’t go into a photo shoot without a shot list. You’ll make better use of your time (and the photographer’s!) by thinking ahead.  Don’t confuse this with micromanaging, which you shouldn’t do-the photographer is the professional for a reason.

-People (individual & specific groups)
-Places
-Objects (products, product sets)
-Situations (interacting with clients/customers, clients/customers using what you do, meetings, etc.)

Remember to include photos that depict the end result you want the client to feel (Relief? Happiness? Family togetherness? Success?)  You’re not just selling your product or service, you’re selling how it will affect their lives. Show that.

4) Think ahead
A photo shoot can be good for much more than just the immediate project. For example: if the photographer is coming to your office to shoot executive photos for your website, find out [ahead of time] if they’re open to helping you with creating some basic stock photography you can use and reuse as needed (office space, desk photos, etc.).  I always recommend that a business own its own bank of photography. Purchased stock photography is extremely helpful, but isn’t tailored to your business and the rights aren’t endless.  It’s much easier to work with what you know is yours, all yours.

If you’re a San Diego small business and have a marketing question or would like guidance on your photography for marketing pieces, feel free to contact me.