6 Signs You Don’t Need Brand Photography (yet)
BRAND STRATEGY
You may think, as a brand photographer, I would encourage everyone to have professional brand photos taken.
Plot twist: I don’t think every business owner needs brand photos (at least, not yet)!
I work with business owners at every stage of their journey, from just starting out to established and highly successful. And I can tell you from experience that some businesses will benefit from professional brand photography more than others.
But whether or not you’re ready doesn’t have anything to do with how long you’ve been in business!
Read on for some of the signs you may not be ready to invest in brand photography just yet.
Reasons you don’t need brand photography (yet)
1. You have a tight budget.
If your budget is already stretched thin, it may be better to save until you can afford an experienced and knowledgeable photographer whose work fits your brand’s style. It’s completely understandable for a business (especially a new business) to have limited funds! Saving for the right photographer will ensure you don’t end up with photos you’re disappointed in or that don’t accurately reflect your brand.
If a full brand shoot isn’t in your budget, one option is to look for brand photographers that offer mini brand shoots! These can be a great, budget-friendly way to get a limited number of photos that are still highly professional. Join the waitlist for my next mini brand shoot day here!
2. You’re unclear about your brand identity.
If you’re still figuring out how to represent your brand, you’ll want to take the time to decide on your brand identity before scheduling your brand shoot. Professional brand photos are most effective when paired with other clear brand visuals and messaging.
Plus, if you don’t know your brand’s identity, it will be much more difficult to coordinate the elements of your shoot (location, wardrobe, props, etc.) in a way that accurately reflects your brand.
3. You don’t have a marketing strategy.
Without a solid marketing strategy, it’s impossible to know how brand visuals fit into the way you communicate about your business. Brand photos should be part of a plan to connect with your audience… but they’re just one part!
If you don’t know where to use your brand photos for the highest impact, how often you’ll be sharing or posting, or what message you’d like your photos to communicate, you’ll want to develop a marketing plan before having photos taken. As a small business owner, I’ve been loving Enji to create an actionable marketing plan that I can implement myself!
4. You have little or no online presence.
If your online presence is limited or your business doesn’t require you to have an online presence, brand photos might not have the full impact you’d like them to have.
You may want to spend time developing and growing your online platforms before scheduling your brand shoot. With that said, you don’t have to be an influencer with thousands of followers to have a successful business. Focus on solid engagement over follower count!
5. You’re inconsistent in your brand values.
If your brand’s messaging feels scattered, it’s a sign that you’ll need to do more foundational work on your brand before investing in photography. Consistency is a key part of building trust with your audience. Clearly communicated values, paired with high-quality visuals, will have a stronger impact than visuals on their own.
6. You’re indecisive.
If you frequently change your mind about your brand’s direction, you’ll want to wait until you have a clear vision before investing in brand photography. Nothing is worse as a business owner than making a significant investment just to change your mind about your brand direction and have to make the same investment again!
If you’re unsure whether brand photography is the next step for your business, reach out to me here, and let’s chat!