No matter what you are looking to do with your phots, it’s inevitable that they will end up on Social Media. You may be promoting yourself, doing event photography or brand photography. Whatever it is, you can count on it being on somebody’s news feed at some point.
If you’re on Social media, you want to get a reaction. When people are scrolling their pages you want your images to stand out in a crowd. So what’s the secret to success? Read on to find out.
Do Some Research
Before you start posting, decide what kind of aesthetic you are going for. Then look at accounts that have a similar vibe. Consider the colors they are using, their angles and their subject manner. Get inspired by these elements when creating your posts.
Note, this is also a great tip if you are doing brand photography. Review accounts of businesses in the same industry as your client’s to find what works. Incorporate elements into the images you take for their products and you are sure to get terrific results.
Get the Lighting Right
When people are scrolling through small social media images, a dark picture just isn’t going to stand out. Make sure your pictures are well lit.
Natural lighting is the way to go so shooting outdoors will be your best bet. However, if you are forced to shoot indoors, do so in front of a window that brings plenty of light into the room.
Use artificial lighting to eliminate shadows and ensure your pictures are nice and bright. Note that the camera should never face the light source.
Pay Attention to Detail
The devil is in the detail. Make sure every part of your social media photos look terrific. See to it that your subject is in focus and go with a complementary background that is not overly distracting.
Framing is Important
The framing and composition of your photos will also help them look more eye catching. A good way to ensure your photos come out well framed is to use the rule of thirds.
The rule of thirds encourages photographers to see their frames in a grid of three vertical lines and three horizontal lines. The subject or subjects in the photo should be where the lines intersect. Some cameras even have a grid so you can see how the rule of thirds will play out before you take your photo.
If you use the rule of thirds, your subject will not be in the center of the photo. Rather they will be to the right or the left, the perfect positioning for adding interest.
The rule of thirds will also make for more dead space on the sides of your photos so they will look better as a collection on your social sites and web site.
Never Zoom In
A visually attractive photo that catches a user’s eye is well framed with both the subject and background in balance. Therefore, zooming in is not preferable. If you require a zoomed in picture, consider adding it to a collection alongside other pictures that have better framing.
Edit
Photographers have the advantage of making their photos look better in the editing process. Use your software to adjust color, contrast, saturation and other elements to give your pictures the desired effect before posting. If you have a certain filter or setting that you love, consider using it on all your images to provide a consistent brand image.
Now that you know what you need to do to make your pictures look great on social media, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start posting!
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