6 types of photos you need on your website
The very last thing you want is a website filled with your headshots only. It will be boring, predictable and lowering the perceived value of your offer. Your website, just like your brand, needs a STORY to show what you are about.
My clients who are coaches, mentors and small business owners need photography, but NOT a stock photography (pretty, but empty vibrationally, perceived as inauthentic, making your website look cheap and not trustworthy). As a photographer with 12 years of experience in the industry, here is how I see the list of images my clients need for their modern websites:
1) THE HEADSHOT: portrait of you looking into the camera, looking at your audience. It creates connection, prepares your audience to meet you, expresses your values, your vibe. Focused mostly on you. Headshots have changed in the recent years, and unless you are in a very conservative industry and doing things in a very conservative way, avoid the “head and shoulders” shot. Go for a modern portrait with a natural expression, background that works with your overall brand, expression that matches your energy. It’s the most important image, but don’t shoot this first. At the start of your shoot, you are likely to be a little uncomfortable and it will show.
Use this shot on your “About” page, and you could also use it as your social media profile to keep your brand consistent. When someone requests your photo for media mentions, collaborations, interviews, this is the one to send.
PRO TIP: Never place your portrait in a way that you are looking away from your website, you need to be always looking into the centre, as if engaged with your own content and not turning away from it.
2) WIDE SHOT including the environment, leaving a lot of space to apply text on if needed. Design this one carefully, it’s the shot that will likely end up on your home page and the first thing your visitors see. It works best if you can be photographed mid movement, which creates fresh energy and takes awkwardness out of the body and picture.
PRO TIP: If your MENU is displayed directly over the homepage image, make sure that the background allows for enough contrast to read the menu easily.
3) PROCESS SHOT: you doing your thing: talking to someone as a coach online or in person, teaching pilates, reading, writing, painting, sculpting, gardening, creating floral display, drinking coffee and journaling, whatever it is that pictures your work process. Your audience loves nothing more than getting behind the scenes of your business. This is what creates trust, makes you personable, likeable and real.
PRO TIP: If you work space is not yet what you want it to be, you can take this part outside into the nature, local cafe, friend’s house or a pretty airbnb.
4) ABSTRACT images picturing what inspires you or how you want your audience to feel. Blue sky for the deep breath, freedom and positive feeling, dark water to illustrate change and bravery, fabric flowing in the wind for the flow, creativity and movement.
Abstract images are amazing for adding personality, interest, break from solid content, invite your audience to feel instead of consume.
5) LIFESTYLE SHOT: on a walk with your puppy, having coffee in a local cafe, browsing books in the bookstore, jogging, gardening. It’s best to include part of your life, that you have in common with your audience, to deepen that connection.
PRO TIP: if you would like to include your family but keep their privacy, they may be in the background blurred with shallow depth of field, or you can use something like toys, children’s book, shoes etc to introduce yourself as a mother without showing your baby’s face if you prefer not to.
6) DETAIL SHOT: photograph of your product, design, work tool or conceptual image creating a feeling or depicting a lifestyle your audience desires. Detail shots bring your story to life, change the perspective from wider to inviting viewers very close to your brand. They are brilliant to use on service or offer pages, newsletter sign up pages, and if shot horizontally, can make powerful homepage images.
and one more: CELEBRATION SHOT! You will have so much to celebrate so have a fun image ready to use when announcing something incredible to the world!
PRO TIP: ask your photographer for a Celebration GIF:)
