When it comes to images there are two things that every food business MUST have. No exceptions. The first is a professional logo. The second is professional food photography. Both of these items will differentiate your brand from the amateurs.
Today, we dig into food photography and why you need to find yourself one (maybe even two) reputable photographers to count on often.
1. Product packaging is at the crux of your brand.
Your packaging is how your customers will recognize you on the shelf…and then again in catalogs, websites, and other marketing collateral. Your package should always be front and center.
2. You aren’t equipped.
A food photographer will have the lighting equipment, the right lens, and the food styling props needed for awesome pics. You might have a nice camera and a keen eye, but it’s not enough. Plus, don’t you already have enough on your to-do list?
3. Food photographers are smarter than you.
Don’t get me wrong. I know you’re smart. You’re brilliant in fact. But a professional food photographer has training and years of photography experience that you do not have. A food photographer understands and can employ the techniques required for great food photography.
4. Social media profiles are starved for images.
Sure, you can keep using the same five product photos and turn to stock photography sites for the rest, but is that genuine? Are those photos engaging? A marketing savvy food photographer can work with you to create those perfect product photos AND those fun, on-the-fly images you need to showcase your company culture in your social media, blog, newsletter, and on and on.
5. Events come up fast!
Get a late-night phone call from a friend inviting you to a huge food festival tomorrow? Don’t miss the opportunity to capture the event. Call that friendly food photographer you have on speed dial.
6. Give a darn about your SEO.
Successful search engine optimization is achieved through a number of things, but the bulk of it comes down to links and content. Images are content. When titled and tagged properly, your fans will find your images through a Bing or Google images search. Check out this SERP for Denver artisan grape jam to see what I mean.
7. Customers are hungry for serving suggestions.
A recipe can make me hungry, but it’s the photo of the recipe in action that really makes me want to bite. Are you with me?
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Why do you choose to hire a photographer or choose not to hire a photographer? There’s more than what I listed here to consider, and I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
By the way, if you’re in the Denver area, I’ll be hosting a food photography discussion on March 19th. Join us!
Photo courtesy: Visitor7 [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
About Sara Lancaster
Sara is The Condiment Marketing Co.’s founder and creative director. She oversees client relationships, strategic marketing plans, as well as a bit of copywriting and social media management.
