Social Media Marketing: Professional Photography vs. Stock Photos
In today’s era of online marketing, having a strong social media presence has become a must for businesses of all sizes. Social networks have become a great way to reach potential clients and showcase your business. One of the key factors that can enhance your presence on your social media accounts is the quality of the visuals you use. Professional photography, personal photography and stock photography are three different ways to obtain these visuals, and each has its own pros and cons.
In this blog post, we will explore the differences between professional photography, personal photography and stock photography, and the best ways to use them for social media marketing.
Professional Photography
Professional photography is the best way to showcase your best work and to stand out from the crowd. A professional photographer has the skills and experience to create great images that tell your brand’s story and appeal to your target audience. When you hire a professional photographer, you are getting high-quality images that are unique to your brand and are tailored to your specific needs. If you choose to work with a professional photographer, take the time to look at their photography portfolio to make sure their aesthetic matches the brand look you are going for with your business.
Featured Photo: From a branding photoshoot I did for Emily Deane, a Real Estate Agent in the Blue Mountains Ontario. We chose clothing and props that matched her brand colours.
Pros:
- You have complete control over the images and can tailor them to your specific needs
- You can showcase your own work and highlight your skills
- You can use the images across multiple platforms and in various marketing strategies
- You can build a strong online presence and attract new clients with your high-quality visuals
- You receive high-resolution photos that work for all sorts of marketing materials and types of platforms.
Cons:
- It can be expensive to hire a professional photographer, especially for small businesses or individuals
- It can take time to plan and execute a professional photography shoot
- You may need to wait for the final images to be delivered, which can delay your social media marketing strategy
Best way to use professional photography for social media marketing:
- Use high-quality images on your website, social media page banners (e.g. at the top of your Facebook Page), profile pictures and posts to showcase the work you do.
- Share behind-the-scenes photos on your social media channels to give your audience a glimpse into your creative process
- Use relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your content and reach a wider audience
Personal Photography
Smart phone cameras have come a long way, and some now rival the capabilities of digital cameras. If you don’t have the budget for a professional photographer, taking pictures of your business yourself can be a great alternative. With a little planning and a good understanding of how you want present your brand, you can create some top-notch images that your audience will love and that you can use on different platforms.
When I started my nutrition coaching business, it was around the time that the pandemic started, and I didn’t have a large marketing budget. I invested in learning how to take photos of myself that represented my work. I created a portfolio of my own photos to use in my own marketing. The creative work was a great opportunity for me to refine my brand image, but also discovery my love of photography!
Featured Image: Personal photo I took of myself, incorporating fruit as a prop to reflect my work with food, as well as give a pop of colour that worked with my brand aesthetic.
Pros:
- You have complete control over the images and can tailor them to your specific needs
- Lots of opportunity to take pictures that showcase day to day activities and behind the scenes in your business.
- You can use the images across multiple platforms and in various marketing strategies
- It is an inexpensive approach to creating visual for your content.
Cons:
- It can be time consuming to figure out how to pose and angles to take the best shots.
- There may be a learning curve if you want to get into editing your own photos.
- Depending on your photography skills, the photos may not have the same refined or tailored vibe as a professional photographer may provide
- If you are taking the pictures of yourself on your own, it can start to just look like a bunch of selfies (don’t get me wrong, selfies can be some of the best photos on social media, but they may not be quite right for all forms of marketing content)
Best way to use personal photography for social media marketing:
- Use candid photos of you, your business environment and/or your products in social media posts and blog posts.
- The best thing is to have someone that you work with take pictures of you or learn how use your Smartphones hands-free shooting methods (e.g. voice commands, showing your palm), so that they don’t all look like selfies.
Stock Photography
Stock photography is a good option if you do not have the time, budget, or resources professional photography or to take your own. Stock photography is pre-made images that are available for purchase and can be used across various platforms and marketing strategies. Great stock photography can be accessed through sites like Shutterstock and UnSplash. If you use Canva to create your content, Canva has tons of stock photography available for use when you have a subscription. Although most of these services are geared towards using images in marketing, it is always best to read the licensing information beforehand, so that it is appropriate for what you are using the images for.
Pros of Stock Photography for Social Media Marketing:
- Cost-effective: Stock photos are much cheaper than hiring a professional photographer. Many stock photo websites offer subscription plans or pay-per-download options that can help save costs.
- Time-saving: Stock photos can save a lot of time for social media managers who don’t have the time to take their own photos. They can be downloaded quickly and easily.
- Variety: Stock photos offer a wide range of options for social media marketers. There are millions of photos available online, so there’s no shortage of options to choose from.
- High-quality: Many stock photo websites offer high-resolution images that are great for social media platforms, which require high-quality visuals.
Cons of Stock Photography for Social Media Marketing:
- Lack of originality: Using stock photos can sometimes make a social media account look generic or unoriginal. Since these photos are available to anyone, they can be used by multiple businesses, which means that your brand won’t stand out as much.
- Lack of relevance: Sometimes, it can be difficult to find stock photos that are relevant to your brand or message. This can result in using generic photos that don’t accurately represent your brand.
- Limited customization: Stock photos are pre-shot images that can’t be customized. This means that if you need a specific type of photo, you may not be able to find it in stock photography.
- Licensing: Many stock photo websites require licenses for certain types of photos, such as editorial or commercial use.
Best way to use personal photography for social media marketing:
Consider using these images to help highlight what is reflected text that is overlay on top or next to it. When you are creating graphic posts, stock images can help use to represent the ideas in the post.
Choosing the Best Option for Your Social Media Marketing
When it comes to choosing between professional photography and stock photography for social media marketing, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on a variety of factors, such as your budget, time constraints, and brand goals.
If you have the budget and time to hire a professional photographer, it’s often the best option. You’ll get high-quality, original photos that accurately represent your brand and message. Additionally, you can work with the photographer to ensure that the photos are tailored to your specific needs. For more information about my Personal Branding Photography Packages for business owners in the Collingwood & Blue Mountains areas – click here.
However, if you’re on a tight budget or need photos quickly, personal photography and stock photography can be a great option. It’s cost-effective and time-saving, and there are millions of photos available online.
Regardless of which option you choose, relevant images of you and aspects of your business help to create create visual content for you social media marketing, and helps to create a strong personal brand presence online.
Alexa is a personal branding photographer and social media strategist who works closely with entrepreneurs and small businesses in Collingwood, Blue Mountains, Thornbury, Grey Bruce and beyond to help them achieve online marketing success. Click here to find out more about her services.
