Tips on How to Take Photos for Social Media Posts

You should never underestimate the visual component of your social media posts.  People will always gravitate to great imagery, be it in the form of quality photos, videos, infographics, or oil paintings (if we’re talking the 19th century.) In the world of social media and digital marketing, as a whole, good, quality photos translate to more customer engagement, more traffic to your website, more brand recognition, and ultimately, more sales.

And luckily, you don’t need any sophisticated equipment or fancy cameras to create quality photos intended for social media use. All you need is an above average smartphone or a camera, the necessary know-how, and a bit of trial-and-error.

Below are some easy-to-do tips on how to take great photos for social media posts.

Using Natural Light

If you’re not using any fancy equipment, natural light is your greatest ally. But when using the sun as lighting, always stand with your back to the sun and have the subject face the light. Also, do your best to avoid direct sunlight as it can increase the glare and decrease the quality of your photos.

It also makes most people squint their eyes – which doesn’t look good. If you’re taking photos indoors, try taking them near large windows. This type of shaded light will eliminate any unwanted shadows and will look great on the soft skin.

The Resolution

For some reason, many upload images that have too small of a resolution. A small resolution may work on smartphone screens, but if people watch your photos on a desktop screen, the poor quality will immediately become apparent.

And in a digital environment dominated with imagery, a low-resolution image may not only cause the person to disregard your post but your entire brand, altogether. To avoid this issue, consider taking photos with a minimum of at least 1,000 pixels (preferably 2,000).

#NoFilter

In more recent years, photo editing has become mainstream. Instagram filters are great for the uninitiated, but if you rely too much on them, people may begin to notice.

What’s more, your photos can become oversaturated, which also diminishes their quality. The hashtag #NoFilter does exist for a reason, after all. There is no problem in using filters, mind you, just don’t overdo it.

You can try adjusting the vibrancy of a photo, in an attempt at making it more colorful. Changing the saturation, on the other hand, may indicate an over-edited photo. You can also try working on the photo’s shadows and highlights to give it a more real-life feel.

Other Useful Tips

• When you take a photo, try keeping the subject in the middle, both vertically and horizontally. It will avoid having their heads chopped off when users see the picture in their Twitter timeline.
• Most smartphones allow you to focus the image on different subjects by merely tapping the screen.
• Always try to take horizontal photos and videos. It means that you should turn your phone sideways. Except for Pinterest, all other social platforms prefer their formats this way.
• If you’re planning to post on Instagram, square photos work best.
• You can set your phone to use the volume button to take selfies. It’s better and much more natural.
• Don’t forget about the timer option if you have a group photo or a selfie. You’ll have between 3 to 10 seconds to prepare.

Conclusion

Social media photos for your marketing requirements don’t need to be of the highest possible quality or necessarily taken by a professional. With a bit of experimentation and these tips presented here, you can make good photos yourself to avoid breaking the bank.

For more information on social media marketing and tips on driving better customer engagement, feel free to visit our website or contact us directly.