Investing in professional photography is something that gets often overlooked by many businesses when re-branding. Whether you’re a newly launched company or an established organisation with a rich history it’s important to continue to connect with your customers and one way of doing that is by letting pictures tell your story.

Photography is just as important as a logo or packaging when it comes to branding a product or service. The first point of call for many businesses tends to be the website and if the website has poor visuals it creates a bad first impression and can have a negative impact on the customer. Hiring a photographer to create a set of custom images will help tell a story about who you are, what you’re about and what you want to achieve.

Can you do it yourself?

When hiring a professional photographer you are investing in thousands of hours of skills and experience which will mean the job will get done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Not only saving you valuable time but also less stress. Although camera phones and off the shelf cameras have fantastic technology it is not the same as hiring a professional. Photographers have a natural creative talent and they can bring different vision and inspiration that you might have not thought of when marketing your product. They have all the necessary camera equipment and lighting skills as well and correct software such as lightroom and photoshop to produce the best possible high-quality images for your company.

Is the cost worth it?

Professional images will last a few months and it’s important to think about keeping your images up to date and relatable to different seasons and holidays. The key is to plan well and mixing your pictures up. These can be headshots, product photography, pictures demonstrating client and company relationship, as well as general pictures of your business. Scheduling these pictures for social media post to use throughout the year rather than using them all at once will make the investment more worthwhile.

Social media is a great way to interact with the customer. Photographs are a great way of catching the customers attention and make your product or service stand out. It has been proven that images or videos are twice more likely to get engagement rather than text-based posts. Pictures can be used over multiple platforms for marketing. Brochures, website, leaflets, social media, banners, office decor and packaging just to name a few. You want to hire a professional that fits your brand and understands your business. There are thousands of photographers out there but you will need to research and select a photographer that is right for you.

Why use a professional over stock pictures?

Using your own images rather than stock images will create a better first impression, better customer trust and better brand consistency. If a customer is going to be investing in your product and service they are going to want to see the real people behind the brand and portray your company in the best light. Using bespoke pictures is a perfect way to connect with your customer.

To find out how  buiness branding photography can help you and your company please contact me and i can discuss a plan to suit you and your business.

Jo x

Some recent examples of Business i have worked with.

Molly Lou Candles is a local candle company based in Macclesfield, Cheshire. Nicky & Molly Thorpe are a mother and daughter team who set up the company after some inspiration during the lockdown in March 2020. They both have a passion for candles and fragrances and decided to turn their love into an opportunity to create a beautiful business.

I spent the morning at Molly Lou Candles and we sat down and talked about what images we wanted. We built a list of various scenarios of how candles are used, using different locations around the home. Nicky also wanted a few images to use as product images for the website as well as general images to be used throughout the year on social media and marketing campaigns. 

www.mollyloucandles.co.uk 

MollyLou Candles | Facebook

Jo x

2020, no one could have predicted it!

On paper 2020 was meant to be my busiest business year to date. Due to the pandemic, the majority of my wedding bookings got postponed. I have spent hours on the phone to clients, answering emails, putting plans and procedures in place, and working with wedding industry suppliers to reassure my clients they will still have there wedding whatever they decide.
I have had to come up with new business ideas to see me through the last year. 2020 has given me the time and reflection I needed. Time to think about my business future but also time to learn new skills, refocus and challenge myself.

A none essential business?

This is one thing that really got me down during the first lockdown as my business was deemed as a none essential business. My confidence was knocked and I felt frustrated. It wasn’t until the summer that i realised how important my business actually was. Capturing families, micro weddings and creating moments so that these pictures could be shared with extended family and friends to keep everyone connected until they could see each other again.

Doorstep pictures became popular, as well as capturing families and pets. It soon came apparent that photography and sending loved ones photographs were a great way of connecting emotionally but also a great way of increasing people’s moods and bring people together.

Mirco Weddings

I was lucky enough to be able to do some weddings this year. One back in February before any restrictions.
Then the others were restricted to 30 guests and then later in the year 15 guests. With the restrictions, it meant that weddings had to be done differently. No confetti, no singing in church, guests had to wear facemasks indoors, and no evening reception. I have to say all my weddings were amazing. The Micro weddings with just a handful of their closest family and friends were very relaxed and magical. It wasn’t what the couples had originally planned, changes had to be made but it didn’t make it any less beautiful. Love will last forever and no amount of social distancing will prevent this.

Growing my business

At the beginning of the year, I was very excited to announce My partnership with Hillsgreen. Providing their rural clients with business branding photography. I have had the opportunity to work with some great companies this year. Personal trainers, golf courses, agricultural business, holiday cottages, and veterinary services are just to name a few. I was able to provide them with bespoke images for a fresh new look for their websites, marketing and social media.
Another area of my business that I was able to grow further is my family & Pet photography. In a year where we were encouraged to be outside, it gave me the opportunity to remind my clients that outdoor family photography is so much fun! Walk-in local parks, treasure hunts, bike rides, playing in maize fields even people’s front doors became my backdrops.
In November for a bit of fun, I converted my horse trailer into a Christmas pet photo booth. In total I photographed 23 dogs over two mornings from cockerpoos to Labradors we had great fun and even managing to raise some money for East Cheshire Hospice.

I am proud what I have been able to achieved in this difficult year.  At times I have been slightly overwhelmed by the support from my clients. I’m a great believer that everything happens for a reason. So let’s take the positives from 2020 , appreciate the little things and lets never take the hugs and handshakes for granted. 

So here’s to 2021…..
When corona is a beer again, when tiers sit on a wedding cake and when bubbles only exist in champagne.

Jo x

(All photographs taken were in compliance to government guidelines)

In these times now more than ever we value our printed pictures a lot more.  As we are not being able to see our friends and family, printed pictures in the house will remind ourselves of the treasured times we have had together.
My house is full of them. I can sit down all day and go through the old photo albums from when we were younger or, even older photos that have been passed down from generations.
There is something powerful about a print, especially the emotional connection. How many times have you passed a picture on a wall that reminds you of a moment in time, or milestone.
Prints have been proven to increase our mood and improve how we feel. To me, prints make a house a home and it gives me great joy when clients fill their homes with pictures I have taken.  I offer a range of print products, wall art as well and Albums Perhaps, for them pictures that you haven’t got round to printing yet, or a print to send to a loved one to let them know you are thinking of them.

 My wedding Album Brochure link:-

 www.joannaeardleyphotography.pixieset.com/weddingalbums/

Jo x