Our recent series on commercial photography has focused on several topics relating to the whys and hows of capturing your company’s image, shaping your brand, and communicating effectively with your audiences. If you’re looking to gain an updated or improved look through photography, you likely have a lot of questions about your options and what the photography process will look like.
At M&R Marketing, we’re here to answer all your questions about our photography service and walk you through every step to make sure your vision and our strategies come together to produce compelling, brand-consistent, and audience-enticing images.
Why Is Photography Important?
To recap the overall message of the articles in our most recent blog series, photography matters on so many levels because of how dependent our brains are on visuals.
Here are some fast facts about that:
- More than 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual—”A picture is worth a thousand words.” “Show, don’t tell.” “See for yourself.” Humans rely far more heavily on sight than any of our other four senses to navigate through the day. Also, sight is the most dominant sense for processing and decision-making.
- Our brains process images 60,000 times faster than text – When comparing an image to a description of an image, your brain will process the image 60,000 times faster than it will the description. For instance, think of the “Mona Lisa” or take a quick second to look it up on Google Images. Now, imagine you’ve never actually seen the Mona Lisa. Think of how long it would take to read through a description that adequately describes everything you need to know to form a correct mental image of the painting. That would take a really long time, whereas looking at the painting provides it all instantly.
- We retain what we see better than what we read – Memory is primarily visual. Mental images or snippets of memory are what we rely on most often to recall a moment from the past. Within three days of reading or hearing something, the brain only retains about 15% of the information. With a visual like a photograph, after three days, you are likely to remember up to 65% of what the image presented.
We’re visual creatures, which makes photography more important than just an add-on to your marketing. Photography is an essential must-have for your business.
Plus, your photography needs to be well-strategized and captured by a team that understands quality photography production. You know how it’s said that “presentation is everything”? It’s said so often because it’s true. Well, maybe it’s not everything—but it does heavily influence how we interpret what we’re seeing. Again, we rely on visuals so much in life, and the more appealing something looks, the more drawn we are to whatever that something is. Even if the subject of your photos is appealing, if the actual images are low-res, poorly shot, badly lit, and overall lacking in the quality department, your audience is going to likely take a step away from what you’re offering and walk toward something that’s presented better.
Why is photography important? Because good, high-quality photos significantly help you to:
- Control your brand’s image
- Shape your customers’ perception
- Show off who you are and what you offer
- Plant your brand in the minds of your target audience and keep it there
How Does M&R Provide Our Photography Service?
As a full-service marketing firm, M&R knows that photography isn’t the only crucial part of your marketing plan. However, it is one that will (or should) touch nearly all other tactics in the mix, from your website to your social media pages, print pieces, advertisements, and even commercials or videos. When you partner with us for your photography needs, you get more than attractive, compelling photos; you get images that are well-thought-through and designed to enhance other components of your marketing strategy.
Step One: Strategy
Before we begin your photography service, we will meet with you to fully understand your vision, marketing goals, and everything else necessary to provide stellar service. The strategy meeting will shape our direction for your photography and reveal the types of photography your company needs, whether it be candids, headshots, product photos, aerials, or more.
Step Two: Pre-Production
With our strategy in place, we’ll begin the pre-production process, which includes:
- Creating a shot and location list
- Securing any talent, whether it be your team members or models
- Planning/scheduling the photo shoots
Step Three: Production
Here’s where the fun stuff starts happening. All of our strategy and pre-planning lead up to the photo shoot(s), where we and the talent meet at the decided location with our photographer and equipment. Production almost always involves:
- Lighting and staging
- On-site direction from our photographer and assistants, if needed
- Photography
We work thoroughly and efficiently to capture the subjects in a way that remains in line with your vision and the strategy we initially set. Our photography production can include:
- Headshots
- Product photos
- Business environment shots
- Candids of your team or customers
- Architectural shots
- Aerial shots
Step Four: Post-Production
After the shoot(s), we have the post-production process, where we edit your photos and ensure they look as good as they can before finalizing them. Our post-production process includes:
- Photo touchups and edits
- Final images set at 300 DPI
- Copyrights that ensure you have usages rights to your photos
Step Five: Photo Placements
Once your photos are ready to be seen by your audiences, we’ll strategically, creatively, and compellingly incorporate them into your marketing mix. Whether it’s on your website, social media pages, printed pieces, advertisements, or any other marketing collateral that can be improved with new images, we’ll use your images in ways that are designed to enhance appearances and entice audiences.
Commercial Photography Is a Huge Part of Your Overall Marketing Strategy. Capture Your Best Look With Photography Service From M&R Marketing. Call 478-220-4788
We’ve been talking about photography for five weeks now because it’s that important to your brand image and your communication with audiences. Take advantage of our comprehensive photography services that capture your entire business, from your team and products to your values and mission, in a way that separates your company from the rest.
Contact one of our business development managers today to learn more about the benefits of our custom photography services.
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