Following my previous blog post about the differences between an amateur and professional photographer and why it matters for your business, I was inspired to write on more topics to help as many entrepreneurs and business professionals this year. In this blog post, Martin Creates focuses on the relevance of professional commercial photography in 2024, going through the various pros and cons. Here are a few key points that we touch on:
What to do and not to do when they hire a professional corporate photographer?
What you can use a professional corporate photographer for?
How much does a professional corporate / commercial photographer cost in the UK in 2024?
How do you measure the success when hiring a professional photographer for your business's needs?
This photograph was taken by Martin Creates for a lifestyle photoshoot in London, UK
First, let's start with "Why Businesses Need a Good Photographer to Grow Their Revenue":
First Impressions Matter: In today's corporate landscape, making a strong first impression to your target audience is crucial. Professional commercial photography allows you to present your brand in the best possible light. This has been true for decades. Video plays a big role and I'll discuss this on a separate blog post. At Martin Creates we offer both professional commercial photography and videography. Just remember: whether it's your corporate headshots, product images, or visual content for marketing campaigns, high-quality visuals create a positive and lasting impact on potential clients and customers.
Building Trust and Credibility: Consumers are more likely to trust a business that showcases professionalism and attention to detail. Through visually appealing and authentic professional photographs, you can build trust and credibility with your audience. A professional photographer can capture the essence of your brand, helping to establish a genuine connection with your target market.
Effective Marketing Campaigns: The success of marketing campaigns often hinges on the visuals used. Whether you're running an online marketing campaign, creating brochures, or designing social media content, captivating images can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your campaigns. A skilled commercial photographer understands the nuances of visual storytelling, ensuring that your marketing materials leave a lasting impression. Martin Creates has a strong track record of delivering exceptional commercial photography for businesses and their marketing campaigns.
This professional corporate headshot was taken by Martin Creates for the Don Bar in Mayfair
Do's & Don'ts When Hiring a Professional Photographer
Do: Define your goals to your chosen professional photographer and their team. This will ensure they work towards your goals as well; even they're working autonomously. They'll also feel more fulfilled and perform even better from being more connected to your mission.
Don't: Ignore the basic contractual obligations such as paying invoices on time and making them sign NDAs if needed. It's easy to become "mates" and forget the foundational etiquette when working with professional creatives and commercial photographers especially.
Do: Consider their record and experience on similar projects. It's easy to blindly hire a professional photographer based on referrals alone. I'll write a blog on how to interview and choose a professional photographer/videographer soon.
Don't: Rush. Professional photographers usually charge according to workload, just because you reduce their hours spent on a project doesn't always make it a lighter workload if the objective is the same. Besides, you could also be neglecting quality as well.
This photograph was taken for a lifestyle marketing campaign in London, UK
How to Maximise the Return on Investment When Hiring a Photographer for Your Business:
Know Your Brand: Work closely with your commercial photographer to communicate your brand's identity, its values, and the message you want to convey through the visuals. If you don't know your brand or campaign's story, how will the photographer? Consistency across all visual elements enhances brand recognition and recall.
Invest in Diverse Content: To maximise the return on investment, invest in a diverse range of content. This could include high-resolution product images, professional headshots, lifestyle photography, and behind-the-scenes shots. A variety of content not only caters to different marketing needs but also provides a well-rounded representation of your brand. You can also work with your photographer and discuss ways of recycling the content across different platforms so nothing goes to waste.
Know Your Budget: Communicating a budget to professional photographers sets clear expectations from the beginning. It provides the photographer with valuable information about the scale and scope of the project, allowing them to tailor their services to meet your financial constraints. I will write a blog about this, but in general, professional commercial photographer in the UK can range anywhere between £250 - £25,000 depending on the scope of work, usage rights, number of photos to be edited and more. I recommend gathering various quotes to compare. Ultimately, how much you spend and what you get in return will determine success. Liaising closely with your finance team/accountant will help. Know your numbers.
This photography was from a product lifestyle shoot in London, UK for it luggage
To summarise, professional commercial photography is not just about capturing images as a tickbox exercise; it's about elevating your brand, establishing credibility, and driving profit growth. By understanding the importance of visuals in today's digital age and strategically investing in high-quality photography, businesses can position themselves for success in a visually-driven market where constant content creation is becoming the norm. When hiring a commercial photographer, keep in mind the power of collaboration, consistency, and diverse content to maximise the return on your investment. Professional commercial photography is as important in 2024 as it was in 2004.
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