How to Leverage Photo Shoots for Social Media Content

They say a photo is worth a thousand words—and, if social media trends are any indication, this adage is more relevant than ever as images continue to drive top engagements across all social media platforms. In a world where posts that include images produce 650 percent higher engagement than text-only posts, visual content is king, helping consumers process, understand, and retain information better than text alone. Ready to create stand out content? Read on for our top 5 tips on how to make the most of your photo shoots.

 

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Capture Video

You’ve been sent to a location (or are spending some time in the studio) specifically to shoot photos. While you’re capturing top quality photos, why not use your camera’s record function to shoot some video as well? According to Cisco, by 2019 80% of all Internet traffic will be video. 80%. If that’s not reason enough to start taping, consider that posts with videos attract 3X more links than text-only posts, and people are 85 percent more likely to buy a product after viewing a product video.

Need some tips for venturing into video? We’ve got you covered.

 

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Utilize Different Apps

A beautiful photo is a powerful thing, but you’ll need more than just a series of breathtaking stills to keep fans engaged with your content long term. The good news is that creating eye-catching, custom content is easier than ever before with mobile photo and video apps that turn your phone into a personalized creative suite—no special editing or effects required. By utilizing apps on your phone, a shot of a drink being poured can easily become a hypnotizing Boomerang, while Instagram Stories can transform a series of routine shots into a playful, interactive story. Covering a live-action event? Utilize the Timelapse feature to create a compelling video of the action in addition to traditional still photography. As a content creator (and a person living in the digital age) you have all the tools you need at your disposal to create unique, engaging content. Use them!

Immerse Yourself in Your Surroundings

Whether you’re shooting on site or in a studio, it’s important to take some time to acclimate yourself with your surroundings and truly immerse yourself in your environment. No matter how long you’ve been shooting, or what sort of equipment you’re using, being in the moment helps you become a better photographer. When you focus on what’s in front of you, rather than getting the perfect angle or shot, you’ll be able to produce higher quality photos than you otherwise would have by just checking items off on your shot-list. You’ll also be more open to photo opportunities as they arise, seeking out unique shots or moments you otherwise may have missed.

Capture Behind the Scenes and Candid Shots

Once you’ve captured enough images of whatever it is you were assigned to shoot, let loose and have some fun shooting candid or behind-the-scenes shots. These types of shots are especially useful for live events and promotions, where “making-of” content can often be as interesting as the event itself. Even if you’re shooting product alone in the studio, think of what aspects of your shoot may be interesting to capture behind-the-scenes footage of. You never know when it may come in handy!

 

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Question Your Work

Ask yourself this question when reviewing photos: Would I engage with this content if I saw it in my Feed? If the answer is no, delete it and don’t look back. Chances are that if you don’t find a piece of content interesting, others won’t as well.



Ignite Social Media