Your new letterhead and business cards are back from the printers; your exquisitely designed website is all ready to go. All you need now is some photos of yourself, your team and your products.
So, grabbing the digital camera you make a quick tour of the office, snapping everyone at their desks, take a few shots of your products and post the photos onto your website; maybe you even use some in your leaflets. That’s the great thing about digital photography isn’t it? Now, anyone can take photographs like a pro without having to go to the time and expense of hiring a pro, right? Wrong. If only it were that simple. Unfortunately, owning a digital camera is not the only prerequisite for taking professional-looking pictures; if it was, not only would everyone be doing it, they’d also be doing it well; which is certainly not the case, as a glimpse at many companies’ websites and brochures will show! As the photographer Ansel Adams said “You don’t take a picture, you make a picture”.
So, why should you use a professional photographer?
Your brand values are reflected in everything from the words you use to the design of your marketing materials. A mismatch between any of these will weaken your business image.
Whilst it’s tempting to go for the instant result at no cost, will that result send out the desired message about your business?
Don’t forget that it takes seconds for someone to make up their minds about you and your company. How many times have you looked at a website, business card or brochure and been put off by the unprofessional quality of the design, graphics or typeface?
Photographs speak volumes - if you and your people are at the forefront of communicating your business message, then it’s vital that your photos create the right impression first time. And if you have a great product, you should be doing it justice by presenting it in the best way possible. Using the services of a professional photographer will help you send out the right message about your business. Good photography can enhance an already great brand; poor photography can destroy that brand’s credibility in seconds.
Here are just a few of the ways in which a professional photographer can help you create the right business image :-
• By identifying the best locations and backgrounds and “designing” the shot
• Using professional lighting techniques at all times
• Matching the style of photography to your business image
• Advising on the type of clothing that will work best for a portrait session
• Posing subjects in the most flattering way
• Being aware of and sensitive to the feelings of those being photographed and being able to put them at ease within 5 minutes of meeting them
In return, you will benefit from:-
• A consistent style for all your marketing material which supports and enhances your business image
• Professionally lit portraits and product shots at all times
• An ongoing relationship with a fellow professional who, in effect, becomes another member of your team whom you can call on whenever you need to
• Professional presentation and post-production of all your images
• More time for you to spend on your business
Anna Saverimuttu is a Guildford-based photographer, specialising in portrait and event photography for businesses and individuals. To see more of her work, visit www.annasaverimuttu-photography.co.uk
Or, contact her for an informal chat and further advice on 01483 571119 or at annasaverimuttu@aol.com

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