Just because it's not broken, doesn't mean you shouldn't fix it.

Do you know the biggest mistake small business owners make with their photos? They wait…

They wait for the photos to lose their effectiveness before they even think about updating them. They wait until customers lose interest before they consider giving them new images with which to engage. The most successful businesses don’t do this, rather they regularly update their photos, continually improve their branding and messaging, and invest in products and services that give them a competitive edge — not just when it’s too late, but while they’re still doing well.

An expert can help reveal the beauty in your brand.

Have you ever tried to take a photo of your business' interior or product to post on social media and come up with something that looks so amateur that you think it's making your brand look bad? If so, you are not alone. Many business owners struggle to photograph their brand as well as they'd like. A professional photographer can be an asset when it comes to conveying the right image for your brand—the right lighting and editing will help bring out the best in what you're trying to show off, and knowing how to stage products can make all the difference in the world between an awkward DIY shot and one that communicates exactly who you are.

Old photos don't match the visual direction of your current brand.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer for how often you should be updating your business' product images. The best way to know when it's time for a refresh is to step back, take a look at your brand's current visual direction, and ask yourself the following questions:

Is my brand’s visual direction evolving? If so, it might be time to update your imagery. A great example of this is Paisley&Gray. When they first launched they exclusively sold suit separates and used one studio-style image on their site. Now, their product range is vast, and they have a wide array of lifestyle, studio, and detail shots.
Have consumer tastes in my industry changed? It’s important that your imagery matches what consumers expect to see in your industry and at your price point. Take the cosmetic industry for example. In the last decade we’ve seen a revolution in the style of imagery that resonates with consumers – long gone are the days of overly-airbrushed “flawless” models photoshopped to near plastic-perfection.
Am I targeting a new audience? If so, your product photography should reflect that! This doesn't necessarily mean changing everything about how you present yourself online—it could just be as simple as choosing different models or using lifestyle photography instead of studio shots to better connect with potential customers who might not know yet how much they love you and what you do or sell!

Example of how the same photo can be edited various ways based on industry trends.

Old images on your website tarnish your brand.

Your website is one of the first places your customers visit to learn about you and your brand. We’ve all visited a website that looks like it was created in the early-2000s. We know what it feels like to be on an outdated site with boring imagery and a lackluster user-experience. As a business owner, you want your customers to feel confident in their purchase with you and trust that you’ll deliver what they need. Investing in new photos sends the message that you’re proud of what you offer and are excited to share more about it with your customers. If your website is full of outdated photos and sparse content, even if you have a killer product, they might not see the value in what you’re offering and leave without buying or contacting you.

Old images on your website cause mixed messages. Outdated, off-brand stock imagery plucked from the internet or iPhone pics are great placeholders while you work on having professional photographs taken, but they shouldn’t stay there long term. Studies show that high quality, custom branded imagery retain customers longer and are far more engaging than stock shots (source).

Chances are that you'll find yourself in need of photos other than just classic e-comm product shots, and it may be time for an update to your photos if:

You want to start writing more detailed product descriptions and/or including more information about features and benefits. Are there product highlights called out in the description without an accompanying image?
You have a limited product catalog, or a few hero products that make up the bulk of your business.
You want to craft informative blog posts about specific topics related to the products you sell (e.g., if you sell skincare, maybe write about how to create a morning routine)

It's crucial to have fresh, new images on your business' Instagram account.

As Instagram moves to be more of an ecommerce platform it has never been more important to have a consistent flow of fresh, high-quality images on your Instagram. If you're still using pictures from the day you started your business, or haphazardly posting random snapshots whenever you have the chance, it's time for a change. Why?

Users increasingly expect higher quality visuals on Instagram.
While candid and user-generated content can perform great, it is only a sliver of the overall strategy of a well-performing IG account
Instagram is quickly moving to become an e-commerce platform and promoting “shop-tagged” posts above regular content. Think of IG as an extension of your e-comm platform.

You use photography in everything you do as a business owner

Think about how often you use images for email marketing, printed flyers and posters, or presentations. How long ago was it that you updated those images? In fact, how many of the photos you're using are still relevant? While a new photo shoot can definitely provide your product pages with some fresh imagery, it also has the potential to supply you with a ton of content for everything else you do. Think about it: there's only so much that you can do with one solitary image of a particular product. Chances are that you'll find yourself in need of content other than just classic e-comm product photos, and it may be time for an update to your photos if:

You want to send an email blast calling out a particular feature of your newest launch
You’re creating a 1-pager or brochure to hand out to potential clients
You want to update your Google Business listing to stand out in search results

Images can make or break a deal when it comes to local searches. Bright Local found that 60% of consumers are more willing to consider local search results that include images and another 23% are more likely to contact a business showcasing an image. (Source)

Bright Local found that **60% of consumers are more willing to consider local search results that include images** and another 23% are more likely to contact a business showcasing an image.

Don't wait until you're desperate to upgrade your photography.

Once you start improving the quality of other elements on your site, such as copy and design, your customers will notice if the product photos are lower quality – don’t let all this hard work go to waste with lackluster imagery. Consider how a one-time investment in professional photography will elevate your brand’s perceived value, increase conversion rates, and help you further stand out from the competition.

If you don't have a clear plan for what kind of images you need or why this will make an impact on your business now and into the future, then here are some questions to get started:

What kind of images do we need? (Product shots only? Lifestyle shots too?)
Where will these images be used? Do we need large enough file sizes for print ads and billboards? Or can we get away with something smaller for our website or email campaigns?
How many products do we want photographed so far? Will we keep adding more products over time?
Will this shoot be done once or should I plan for regular updates going forward so my store stays current?

Ready to elevate your photography?

Looking to get ahead of things and update your photos? We can’t wait to learn all about you and get your business looking better than ever. Fill out our client intake form, linked below, and we'll get back to you tomorrow.

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How to know when it's time to update your business' photos