Well-crafted photography can do more than just capture a moment. A great picture can make a statement, tell a story, or change the way we perceive something. And that’s where the importance of hiring the right photographer comes in. A great beauty campaign often relies on a great photographer – to capture the right angle, the right lighting, and the right vibe.
Are you a beauty brand looking for the right photographer to shoot an upcoming campaign? Maybe you’re already working with a photographer, but you’re not sure if they really understand your brand’s positioning or if they’re making the most of their time with your team.
Choosing the right photographer to showcase your products is one of the most important decisions you will make when it comes to your eCommerce store. Sadly, this decision is often made without knowing how to properly evaluate a potential photographer's portfolio. This can lead to hiring someone whose style isn't a good match for your brand or product. To avoid this mistake, make sure that you know exactly what to look for when choosing your product photographer.
Here are three things to keep in mind next time you're looking to hire a photographer for your beauty brand.
Know Your Brands Visual Identity
At the heart of any successful marketing campaign is a strong, consistent visual identity. Your brand—whether it’s luxury skincare, high-end fashion, or jewelry—needs to have a clear look to define itself and stand out from its competitors. That visual identity is aided by finding a photographer who shares your brand's aesthetic. The key is finding a talented team with the right experience and style for your brand.
As a business you need to have a well-thought-out image for your brand. What is it that you want your brand image to look like? Is it clean, modern, and sophisticated ? Or is it more creative and colorful? Once you establish your brand's visual identity, create a brand bible and then search for a photographer that has experience in that style.
When hiring a photographer, make sure that their portfolio includes photos that are similar to the type of images that you need. If you need photos of your beauty products and their portfolio is only wedding photos then it's pretty simple that they are not a good fit. More about this concept later...
Know Your Placements
The digital age of photography and the Internet changed the way we consume and share images. And as a brand owner you have to be aware of where your images are going to be placed and make sure the style matches with the content, because you draw in new customers by creating a consistent image of your brand.
Banner images should be used to capture your audience attention and offer a brief overview of your brand. Banner ad images should be used to show your brands personality. Get creative with props, colors or even models. This is your world, share it with your audience.
Listing images should be used to sell. Make sure your product is displayed clearly in good lighting to show off quality and craftsmanship. A small touch of luxury can be added by choosing the right lighting. In the world of eCommerce, your listings are everything. They’re the only thing your customers see before they purchase online so make sure you make a good impression.
Know Difference Between Creative vs eCommerce Photography
As I mentioned earlier when it comes to photographers, one size rarely fits all... Just as you wouldn't even think of going to a dentist for open heart surgery, you should think of Photographers in the same way. They all have their own specialties and areas of expertise. While some shoots are simple portraits, others include complex and highly specialized lighting setups.
On white eCommerce product photography is an art and a science. It requires a combination of creative vision, patience, and technical skills to produce the best results for your brand. Creative photography is to juxtapose your product within a scene that demonstrates an aspirational quality or experience.
Determining what style of photography your brand needs is critical to finding the right match. And don’t be afraid to use more than one photographer to get the job done. Just because a photographer says they can shoot both creative shots and on white ecommerce shots doesn't necessarily mean they have mastered both styles.
So many photographers are eager to take on new clients but don't understand the fundamentals of both styles, which can lead to disappointing results.
Find Your Team
There’s nothing more crucial to your brand eCommerce presence than the quality of its imagery. A skilled photographer can elevate your brand and bring out the best in your product, while a mediocre or bad photographer can leave a negative impression. The fact is, you can have the best product in the world, but if it’s shot by a mediocre photographer, it won’t be able to sell itself.
These three tips should put you on the right path to finding the perfect photography match for your beauty brand. If you still feel like this is an overwhelming task you can always team up with a photographer producer and utilize their expertise and network or professionals.
Itís difficult to find experienced people in this particular topic, but you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks