We all need photos for our social media channels that reflect who we are behind the biz. Since our phones are always near us, they are the greatest resource we have to take authentic photos at any moment.
But taking authentic photos doesn’t mean they need to look amateurish. Quite the opposite. Level up your business photos and look like a credible brand that knows what it’s doing in the digital world.
Create High-Quality Photos from Your Phone
Clean your camera lens and only use the camera app to take photos.
Give it a little huff and then wipe it with the inside of your shirt. It’s amazing how smudgy our phones can get from daily handling. Cleaning the lens will ensure that there aren’t any blurry spots in your photos.
Be sure to only use the camera app to take photos. Instagram and other platforms tend to reduce the resolution of the image. This can make it appear low quality and grainy. (Plus, you have better options elsewhere when it comes to editing.)
Get closer & crop.
You might be used to standing at a distance to take photos but get closer to the subject of the picture. You’ll want to crop out any background that doesn’t enhance your photo. It’s better to have less of it to cut because the image quality will be reduced.
Instead of using the “zoom” function of any phone camera, physically move your body to get closer to the subject. You’ll enjoy crisper, clearer images for your social media channels.
Experiment with Lightroom presets.
If you’re wondering how some people are able to get a consistent look and feel on every Instagram photo, the trick is probably a Lightroom preset. This is a configuration of settings that achieve a certain style for photos. For example, you might spot an account where all of their photos have a pink tint.
Download Adobe Lightroom and play around with these presets. I love the Light & Airy Photog mobile preset package which is under $50 and is on sale for 20% off right now. They also include a guide that has even more tips for taking better photos.
There are plenty of other options for presets if you do a quick search. Take your time browsing until you identify a style that you love and works well with your brand.
Conclusion
Our phones are the best resource when it comes to taking photos at a moment’s notice. By cleaning the lens, getting closer to the subject, cropping any excess background distractions, and using a Lightroom preset that fits with your brand, you’re on your way to easily take great photos that work for your business.
