Simple Tips to Improve Your Website Photos

Let’s talk website photos. So you know, photos can make or break your website, especially if you are service-based business like a coach or consultant who works one on one with clients. I definitely recommend hiring a professional photographer for your website photos. If you are in the Atlanta, GA area and need professional photos, email me at hello@melanielatrelle.com. I specialize in web design, branding, and brand photography. We’ll create photos that bring you and your brand to life.

If you are on a limited business budget, I’ll give you tips to ensure that your website photos look great and make a connection with website visitors. Smartphone camera technology is pretty advanced these days. Whoever is taking your photos, will be able to capture you beautifully with these helpful tips.

 

Wipe the smartphone lens clean

This seems like a no-brainer, however let’s mention it anyway. Our smartphones get dusty and collect fingerprints very easily. Before your photoshoot, take a dry microfiber cloth and wipe and clean the camera lens on the back of your phone. This will ensure your photos come out crisp and not blurry or dusty looking.

 

Location, location, location

Put careful thought into your photoshoot location. It’s best to pick a location that matches the mood of your brand. If your mood is upscale and modern, pick a location that reflects this. If your brand is serene, calm, peaceful, pick a location that aligns with this.  

Also keep your brand colors in mind as well. I’ve had success with my clients in picking locations that actually have their brand colors present at that location or scenery. This is optional, but a bonus if you can make this work.

Ray Grand is a client of mine and his brand colors include orange. At his photoshoot, the location we picked had orange planters, orange doors, etc. It was a perfect fit for his photoshoot and website.

 

 

 

Wardrobe

Plan out your photoshoot attire carefully. It’s a great idea to pick 2-3 outfits that you can change into throughout your photoshoot in order to have a variety of images. Pick outfits that include your brand colors. You can also do accents colors. For example, if pink is one of your colors and you wanted to wear a dress…but maybe you don’t have a pink dress. Think about ways you can pull in accessories that are pink (scarf, jewelry, shoes, etc). Including your brand colors in your photoshoot attire will blend very well with your website brand colors and give your online presence a cohesive look.

Pick clothes that show your personality and complement your body type. Wear clothes that make you feel great and make you look your best. When you look good, you feel good, and this feeling will come across in your photos.

 

Lighting

Whatever location you pick, make sure there is plenty of lighting. I love to capture photos outside and use the sun’s natural light. If you are using a smartphone, I would suggest taking photos outside. If you want to take photos indoors, make sure you have ample light indoors. For indoor photoshoots, I use studio lights to brighten the scene and this makes a major difference. Avoid dark photos of yourself on your website. Aim for bright photos where people can clearly see your face, attire, backdrop.

Remember you can also edit photos after they are taken in order to lighten dark pictures. You can edit photos in Google Photos or Adobe Lightroom. There is a free app for Adobe Lightroom available for your mobile device.

 

Backdrop

During your photoshoot stay mindful of the scenery behind you. Make sure it is free of distracting objects, colors that contrast your brand, other people, or anything else that distracts the viewers eye away from the subject, which is you. 🙂

Make sure to get a variety of photos that show the landscape behind you and also get photos that are close up such as headshots, half body, full body.

 

Show Your Personality

Taking photos can sometimes make people nervous and freeze up. Do your best to relax and have fun during your photoshoot. Be intentional to laugh and have both posed and unposed photos taken of you. You want your personality to shine through so website visitors connect with you, see you, and want to work with you. Be free to be you!

I hope these tips helps. If you’re tired and frustrated with creating your own website and need professional help, I work with solopreneurs to transform their website, brand, and photography. Once you’ve checked out projects I’ve completed, let’s chat and get your website transformed. Fill out this application and I’ll be in touch!

Until Next Time…

Melanie Latrelle Grandoit