Do you want beautiful photography of your product to share on Instagram? As a busy marketer, we understand that it might be hard for you to consistently snap great photos for your Instagram account, especially when you want a lot of variety. That’s why we like to have monthly “brand photoshoots” for the Instagram accounts that we manage. We set aside time specifically to capture great photos to use on Instagram, but it takes a lot of planning to be successful at this! If you’re taking photos for your company to post on Instagram, this is a good checklist to use to make the most out of your photoshoots!
- Make a shot list
This is one of the most important pieces of preparation before a photoshoot of your product. Create a shot list to draw inspiration from and lay out an outline of what kind of pictures you want to take during your photography time. This will help you stay focused and get all the pictures done that you need.
- Shop for product/props beforehand
You can’t take creative and fun photos without the appropriate products or props! Get everything you could possibly need ready the day before so you will be efficient in the time you have allotted for photography. This will allow for more inspirational ideas to come to you as you picture the Instagram outcome in your head.
- Lighting is key
Lighting can make or break your photos, so before you start snapping pictures, check the lighting of the area. If you are using natural lighting or artificial lamps and spotlights, take a couple of practice shots from different angles to find out what works best with your product.
- Know how to work your iPhone/Camera specifically for photography
If you are using an iPhone: To get the best representation of how your photo will look, turn your brightness all the way up. Have your favorite photo editor app downloaded and ready for use. Although lighting may be great, a small tweak here and there can make a huge difference in your Instagram. Note: Turning the brightness up on your phone can drain your battery fast, so make sure to bring your charger along.
If you are using a camera: It may seem obvious, but know how to work the camera you are using. You don’t want to show up to your photoshoot thinking the camera will be a piece of cake, and then end up with hundreds of blurry, unusable photographs. Skim over the camera manual and PRACTICE. It will help tremendously.
- Allow for flexibility
Although planning your photographs and creating a shot list is very important, allow yourself some flexibility when it comes to taking the photos. Sometimes the best photographs come from spur of the moment creativity.
Creating photography for Instagram is hard work, and getting the photography accomplished that you have pictured in your mind is even harder. With this checklist however, you can elevate yourself and your brand to a whole new level of photography skills. You may not ever be a professional photographer, but you can make your Instagram photos look like you are.
