Why Every Business Needs brand photos.

In almost every case today a website is only as strong as its branding. Yes branding includes a logo, color palette, and font suite, but it also is strongly defined by it’s imagery. Photos, Textures and Videos not only visualize a brand story but they also create a mood.

For example, A photo of ice cream isn’t as straightforward as showing a dessert. It also can create a mood while using ice cream as it’s subject. Look at the following images.

Imagine you told a web designer to “add a photo of an ice cream cone”.

With no photo direction or brand photos of your own, your brand mood is being left to chance.

The first image works well for a children’s brand or an ice cream parlor in a family-friendly location.

The second image works for a gourmet dessert cafe or an experimental restaurant.

The third image could be for a magazine editorial or a shoe brand.

Brand photos are not a luxury, they are a necessity.

Your brand guidelines should define the mood and style of your photography, so that any photographer, videographer, or graphic designer you work with in the future is well equipped to deliver you on-brand images to continue adding to your brand history.

If you define your brand tone as “Playful, Light and Whimsical” you shouldn’t hire a photographer who specializes in nightlife photography. Nor should you use stock photography (if necessary) that doesn’t reflect your defined brand tone.

Creating Pinterest Boards that have your ideal style of images is a great way to stay on-brand while planning photoshoots. Share these boards with your creative team and reference them weekly, so that your brand image becomes second nature to you.