We can all agree that content marketing is king – from blog posts to Facebook posts and everything in between, creating unique and useful content is the best way to connect with your audience. But content marketing requires more than just well-written text to be effective. It needs to get noticed.

One way to get noticed is to use images that complement the content, catch the reader’s interest and improve your chances of getting found on Google. As a matter of fact, images are one of the most valuable tools for getting better results from your written content. Visitors are

You need images to promote your business. Now the question is – where should you get them? Technically, you have three options: you can either use stock images, snap the photos yourself or hire a professional photographer. We recommend the latter -Because original photography just works better! People respond more positively to images that feel authentic. No matter who your customers are, professional photography is an important asset that will contribute to your business’ success.

1. Professional photos establish your brand identity.

Imagery is an indispensable part of your brand communication, be it through social media or through your website. It shows clients your brand’s personality – i.e. whether it’s casual or corporate, conservative or fun. Plus, they make you look like a professional who is serious about what they do.

2. Professional photos grab the attention of your customers and give a good first impression.

Images on your website and social media are often where your potential customers get their first impression of your business. That’s why it’s necessary to make your business stand out with good quality images that are right for your brand.

3. Professional photos give an authentic visual representation of your brand.

The imagery you use for your business should have a distinct style that is unique to your business but also easy to identify. When customers see the images a few times, they make a mental association that the images belong to one company. You could always use stock photos, but because that don’t show your actual product, service or business, just won’t feel authentic.

4. Ultimately customers want to get to know YOU.

When customers visit your website, they want to get to know you, what you do and why you do it! This is because it’s proven people are more likely to do business with someone they know and trust. Stock photos don’t help them do that – even worse, they could give people a false impression of what you offer. The best way for potential customers to get to know your business is by showing them actual photos of your business, your team and what you do.

5. Stock photography simply feel inauthentic.

In most cases, when you buy a stock photograph, you don’t become its outright owner. You’re only buying the rights to use a photograph that hundreds or thousands of other individuals and businesses could buy as well.Stock photography trades on the themes and clichés everyone’s seen before. Have you ever seen a photo of a smiling person with a headset? Even if you don’t particularly remember it, you’ve probably seen dozens of variations on this picture. It’s the go-to stock photograph subject many companies use to demonstrate the concept of customer service.

The fact that you’ve seen it so many times makes it boring and easy to ignore. By comparison, original photographs have personality.

6. The quality of professional photography is incomparable.

No matter how good your smartphone camera is, you can’t compare the result to the quality produced by professional photographers. Their knowledge acquired over years of learning and practice, coupled with the great quality gear they use, guarantees the final images are high quality with thought-through composition, consistence and appeal. Plus, professional photographers know all the tricks on how to make you look and feel great!

7. Professional photos give your business a competitive edge.

High quality images stand out from the crowd and make your business unique and professional. And which company doesn’t want that?

8. It's so much more than a simple photo shoot.

At Imaginarium, there's so much work that we do together before taking your photos to ensure we get amazing images that maximise your investment and showcase your brand to its full potential. Some of the services provided at no additional cost include:

- competitor analysis within your industry to help you understand how to stand out.

- customer insights research; determining what information your website visitors are looking for and making sure it's presented exactly how they want it to be.

- aligning your visual story to the overall brand narrative you're developing and refining.

Are you now ready to book a professional photography shoot for your company, or interested in learning more about the benefits of professional photography when it comes to promoting your business? Request a free 20-minute business consultation today to find out how Imaginarium can take your business to the next level.

Imagine what we could do!

Uploading new images to your website? Make sure you check out these handy tips - especially if you've been editing your own images, or if you've requested print-quality files from your photographer as they won't be optimised to make your site load quickly. This is becoming increasingly important as Google now ranks slow-loading sites lower than similar sites that load faster than yours!

These are some of my most frequently asked questions - if you have a question that's not covered below, are uncertain or need someone to help optimise your photos I'm only a click away!

1. File Types and Quality

2. Image Size

3. Recommended Image Formats

When deciding which format to use when uploading images to your Wix site, there are a few things to keep in mind, including:

Site loading timeImage qualityTransparency

In general, because JPEG files are compressed, they are the better choice, and help improve your site's loading time. JPEG files have enough image quality for most sites on the web.

If you have special image requirements, and you want to upload high-quality images or images with a transparent background, PNG is the best format. PNG file formats should only be used when necessary, because a large number of high-quality images can increase site loading time.

Note:

You can convert between file formats using RIOT.

Business And Branded HeadshotsWho are you? I've have already mentioned thinking outside of the box in terms of locations and clothing for your business headshot, but what exactly is your brand? Business and branded headshots should boldly state to the viewer what it is you do. Every industry is different, so make sure to get as much from the shoot and walk away with a better understanding of your vision and the images to support it.

Use Your Resources

Many companies use design studios and agencies to help them design the look and feel of their web sites and marketing materials. These professional marketers can also help you plan for your headshots so that they align with your brand’s style. They can help you develop standards that will guide your headshot sessions for now and in the future.

They can also help you to plan the shape of the photographs. Should they be square from the chest up or full length? It depends on where it will appear on the page and if it is going to be used for social media. Remember, planning makes for better headshots! If you are unsure, your photographer should be a great resource for you.

Expressions Express Your Brand

A company’s personality is reflected in your team’s expressions. If your business is serious and stern, softer smiles and closed mouth expressions will win the day. If the company culture is fun and outgoing, then big smiles and playful expressions should be universal. Remember, these expressions should resonate with your target customers and will help them to trust your company with their business.

Setting the Scene for Your Brand

With so many companies having employees all over the place, a simple, clean background and lighting set up can help you to create consistent headshots in multiple locations and at different times. This way, when it comes time to update your team page with new members, they won’t look out of place on the page. We often use a clean, white background so that our client’s can easily replicate the look from location to location.

Picking a PhotographerPhotographers are like snowflakes. There are no two that are alike. Each one has its own individuality including shooting style and editing style. They also have their own, what I like to call, ‘camera-side manner’. Perhaps one photographer is very laid back with their clients and like to keep a casualness to their shoots, while others are more stoic and like to keep a more business-like setting to their sessions. Does either style make one less professional? Absolutely not. It’s all a matter of preference.Photographers also come with different levels of expertise. This should not be confused with how long a photographer has been shooting. In my experience, I have met photographers that have only been shooting for a few short months and have some amazing work under their belt while I have met some photographers that have been shooting for 20+ years and their work can be lacking. Don’t be fooled by the length of time they have been shooting. Judge by the quality of their work.

So, when looking to hire a photographer your best bet is to look at their portfolio. Nowadays any photographer worth their salt has some type of online portfolio that you can view at your leisure. Earlier I mentioned quality. Everybody wants the best quality headshots, right? Well, quality will cost you. It’s like the old saying, ‘You Get What You Pay For.’ This is very true with not just headshot photography, but all specializations. Does that mean you’re going to expect to spend thousands of dollars? Not at all. Most quality headshot photographers will charge anywhere between $350-$800 a session.

Now that social media has taken on such an important role in promoting our professional abilities, having an impact-making headshot is more important than ever. Since every social media platform requires a profile image, your headshot will have a far-reaching web presence in addition to more traditional uses like the staff page of your organization’s website and publication in conference or speaking engagement–related materials.

It conveys your professionalism. If you look professional, potential clients, investors, collaborators, etc. that don’t know you personally are going to be more likely to agree to that first meeting.A good headshot gives people an idea of your personality before they meet you. A smile portrays approachability. A serious look portrays determination. Make your expression match your personality. I choose to smile in mine!It reminds business contacts who you are if they met you in passing at a conference or business function. This little cue makes it more likely they will accept your “friend” or “follow” request.A current headshot gives people an idea of what you look like now. I recently went to a Leadership conference and two of the presenters’ headshots were taken years ago. There was an immediate disconnect. It’s not good to surprise people in this way. It sends a message of inauthenticity.It supports and enhances the skills and experience on your LinkedIn profile, making you stand out from the rest.It makes you feel good to look your best. Having a quality image of yourself to share with your professional peers boosts your self confidence, and it can even inspire you to share more of yourself with others, take a few risks, and overcome work-related challenges.

Professional headshots aren’t just for top executives anymore. Everybody needs one. If you don’t have one already, I encourage you to get in touch and check it off your “to do” list, or seek out a skilled headshot photographer if you're not Melbourne-based. With a great headshot, your professionalism and unique personality will shine through, opening the doors to new opportunity and new business. I can also advise you on the best type of clothing and colors to wear. I believe you should dress as you would in your work environment. If you are a business executive, wear a suit. If you are a doctor or nurse, wear your lab coat. If you are a fishing guide, wear what you would wear if you were on the water.

Investing in a high-quality, professionally taken headshot is an investment in your personal brand. It shows you at your best, the way you want prospective clients to see you. Many of us are not naturally photogenic. As a result, amateur photography can actually end up making you look nothing like you do in person…and definitely not your best. A professional photographer that specializes in headshots knows how to position you, how to choose the best backdrop and how to use lighting to get the best shot possible.

HEADSHOTS MADE SIMPLEEveryone needs a good headshot and the idea behind the widespread use of these images is simple; it's all about connecting. A good headshot should be an extension of your brand and reflect who you are. Since most business is done online, a great headshot is the perfect way to connect with your customer.

1. It’s All About Location:

Your chosen location(s) are extremely important. They essentially tell the story of what you do. To get the best out of your business headshot, give me a good feel for what you are trying to portray. If you are a surgeon for example, you may want to have a couple of pictures taken in the operating room. Although this is the exact location in which the surgeon works, they also might want shots of them working with their team, or of them speaking to a crowd at an educational convention. Specific goals vary by business, but make sure to give some thought to where you think being photographed would create the best image. If you get stuck for ideas, let me know and I can give you some helpful pointers.

2. Choosing The Right Clothing:

Although the clothing you should choose to wear varies on what kind of business you have there are a few rules of thumb.

- Stay away from busy patterns because strong patterns make the eyes go the the clothing instead of the person.

- Dark clothing will slim you down, so if you are concerned about weight stay away from whites and creams.

Plan your outfit in advance. If anything needs dry cleaning or ironing, take care of it. It is the little things that can throw off a great photo. Wrinkles can be distracting, expensive to retouch and can be taken care of in five minutes with a hot iron.

3. Hair And Makeup:Just like clothing, your makeup should compliment your line of business. A makeup stylist should go for a more dramatic look than a fitness instructor.

Makeup: For your general business headshot, go for a natural and even look. You don’t have to stick to super light makeup, but be sure that your face is even. In terms of eye makeup, these should be the main focus of the picture, so or every picture your eyes should be the main focus of the shot, so accentuate them more than you would. In contrast, make sure to stick to more neutral pink or red lipsticks so that you don’t distract from the eyes.Hair: For those with long hair, I usually like to keep it out of the face, particularly for business shoots it's vital that your audience can make 'eye contact' with you. You may also want to hairspray or gel to help keep everything in place. Facial hair: If you want your headshot with a fresh face, shave right before your shoot (remember to use a skin-soothing aftershave). If you want some rugged shadow, groom accordingly! Pluck accordingly! And bring supplies if you want to touch up your chin mane (or eyebrows).

Haircuts: If you plan on getting a haircut for your photo session, make sure you time it accordingly so you come when your hair is at its best form (we all know those hairdressers who think “buzz cut” when they hear “trim”!)

4. Business And Branded Headshots

Who are you? I've have already mentioned thinking outside of the box in terms of locations and clothing for your business headshot, but what exactly is your brand? Business and branded headshots should boldly state to the viewer what it is you do. Every industry is different, so make sure to get as much from the shoot and walk away with a better understanding of your vision and the images to support it.

5. Get some rest

Get a good night rest and plan your shoot for the morning. Nothing worse than being bleary eyed, puffy and tired during a shoot. For that matter, shooting in the morning helps avoid some of the distractions that can kill a late afternoon shoot.

6. Get It All Done

After the business headshot is done, out of convenience, a lot of my clients use the “get it all done” approach. Consider getting some glamour shots or family pictures while you’re there. Since you already have hair and makeup done and clothing picked out, why not take some other types of images? In terms of marketing, a lot of business leaders use different types of shots on their social media. Having a library of images to use for different purposes is beneficial so that you aren’t using the same pictures each time.

A GOOD HEADSHOT MAKES THE BEST FIRST IMPRESSION

Is a professional headshot really that important?

Can’t I just use a ‘selfie’ as my headshot?

How often should I update my headshot?

Where can I get a professional headshot?

Contact Imaginarium Photography & Design in Fitzroy to schedule your professional headshot today! Remember – a picture is worth a thousand words. Make sure you’re using the best words possible.

Come along to the Pop-Up Portraits event in September where you'll get 2 professionally edited and high-resolution images for only $70. Spots are limited so book yours today.

The background might look deceiving, but this was actually an outdoor location shoot at Grattan Gardens off Greville St in Prahran - more specifically this photo was taken in front of someone's back fence which they'd revamped with high-gloss black tiles.

As it was later in the afternoon, it was important to get as much light on my subject in order to get a clear, captivating and professional image - however fill-in flash wouldn't be appropriate as it would bounce off the black tiles making the image look like it was taken inside a nightclub and would not be appropriate for the intended purpose.

The solution - a gold reflector to bring out the warmth in my client's skin tones - helping to create an overall image of warmth, approach ability and professionalism.

The Grattan Gardens actually were the perfect spot for a portrait shoot - all the images below were taken in the same location - so much variety in one spot is really convenient to ensure you get a range of different shots that can be used for different purposes.

Visual storytelling is important more than ever these days, as people are constantly multitasking, our attention span is rapidly shrinking while simultaneously the communications landscape becomes overcrowded and cluttered as new technologies make even more demands for our attention. Some of the stats are mind blowing:

Visual Storytelling is a communication strategy that leverages compelling narratives, placing your customer at the heart of the story, staged with an emotional visual media experience and effectively distributed across your buyer’s journey – in order to empower customers’ lives and drive business results.

A good visual story will follow a classic narrative structure - but a great visual story tugs at the viewer's emotions, be it a chuckle, quiet contemplation, a streak of sadness or complete joy.

In the video below, Google draw us in with a story most of us can instantly relate with, however disaster soon strikes, yet they save the day with one of their product offering. More importantly, the narrative comes from the customer viewpoint - making it all the more compelling, relateable and authentic.