Marketing Images - what’s out there?
I bet that you have seen a million shots of a coach, a personal trainer, a consultant or a freelancer in your feed.
Sitting with their laptop, out on a walk, posing in various standing and seated positions to look professional…
Used as the placeholder images for a “thought leadership” type post on a blog, to connect and stop the scroll on social media posts so the text doesn’t get lost, or YouTube video cover thumbnail.
It is getting trickier by the day to stand out in the sea of content, except that is, if you are creating value, and showing up authentically.
Because then you are simply trying to create recognition so your followers, your fans, and potential audience who need what you do can quickly recognise you and your message.
Image Creation Tips
Here are 3 fun tips to stop the scroll, connect quickly and create value with your images:
1). Utilise your personality
Personality - we all have one (that is, unless you aren’t aware of it as you mirror everyone else’s… then I recommend un-masking!)
Only you can be you - and that beats a plastic stock image every day!
In a sea of A.I. generated cut and paste beautiful people, your slightly crooked smile and the smile lines it creates are authentic and beautiful!
You may have heard it said, people buy people. Well, it’s true. We want to connect with and work with people we enjoy or see value in.
Let’s face it, people are craving reality - so just showing up and letting your actual facial expressions show in front of the camera is a great start and doing what 80-90% of people are unprepared to do!
So bring your personality, your wink, your coy smiles, your laughs, your scary stares - whatever it is! Just do more of it and let the world see.
You may even start to have fun once you begin!
2). Do something fun!
Adding movement to your shots helps your viewer quickly connect and understand what you are saying.
Try doing something which demonstrates:
who you are (personal brand)
what you or your clients do (business brand)
what it’s like to work with you (client journey)
interaction with your environment (geographical location/work environment)
why you show up for work (heart story)
what you believe (educational)
where you are going (BHAG - big hairy audacious goal)
Fun for you may look like being a bit tongue in cheek and funny with it
Equally fun for you may look more like doing something you are deeply passionate about so we feel your emotion in the process.
Trust me the viewer can tell when you are having fun or find something joyful and fulfilling!
3). Edit your background & surprise people
This is my favourite!
You have seen the importance of showing up authentically by releasing your personality
You have thought about how to play around with action shots and more dynamic shots where you are doing something you love and having fun with it.
So now it is time to learn how to edit your photography to use these in images for added value in promotions, memes, comical posts, educational posts, marketing events, speaking, offers and more!
While I am a big believer in environmental portraits and giving context, there is also a place for utilising negative space, contrast, colour &/or minimalism.
A quick way to achieve this is to upload your photograph into canva -> edit image -> background remove.
Then select your preferred background colour e.g:
to match your brand or marketing project
an ideal location (tongue-in-cheek ‘wishing you were here’ posts!)
do a photomontage of disincongruous images to make people truly stop the scroll.
get educational and teach something
create a fun inviting event flyer with your face on
These are just one idea of applying fun to your marketing photographs for social posts
All the client had to do was add relevant chalk font or drawings in canva and create an expression suitable for every post and belief busted or activity done similar to the quick sketch ideas!
This photo in a photo in a photo idea is simple - background remove each person and layer them
On a side note: for professional precise edits accounting for your hair and wavy or soft edges and lines, you can hire someone, for example, a freelancer on Fiver/Upwork or find an image editing agency online.
Time to create
So if indeed the world is your oyster, nothing is ever set in stone, and other antiquated quotes are true then it is time to release your creativity following these three tips:
1) Photograph real expressions and personality
2) Do something - an action, task or anything so you're not frozen to make the photographs are more dynamic
3) Edit your photographs for marketing media e.g. by using canva / background removal and pretty much anything else you like and have the right to use!
So have fun, get creative and show the world who you really are to stand out from the crowd!
So if you need help creating your images, from storyboarding and creative conceptualisation of your marketing campaign, through shooting and on to the editing in a Done-With-You training and assisting capacity, this service is available worldwide over Zoom.
However, if you are more interested in Done-For-You photography and marketing asset creation, this service is available at local rates in Chester, Liverpool and Northwales. It’s also available with travel in England, Scotland & Wales, UK.
Get in contact via email info@lizzybiggs.co.uk or WhatsApp/telephone +447878437843
