Websites should present an image of quality to the public. Nowhere is this more apparent as in the area of website photography. A common mistake made by many website owners is undervaluing this very important facet of a website’s overall presentation. A professionally designed website can be made to appear not-so-professional by the careless use of less-than-optimal photography.

With today’s increasingly capable camera’s in terms of storage and megapixels as well as features, many amateurs mistakenly believe that high quality equipment can replace the experience and skill of a professional photographer. This is rarely the case. You may shoot wonderful photos of your children or pets or your favorite vacation spots, but that seldom qualifies you to take quality photos that truly represent your staff, your products, or your location well.

Nonetheless, with all the preceding disclaimers, you might decide to give it a whirl. If that’s the case, here a few tips to consider.

Ten Tips to Great Photography

1. Hire a professional. If you have the budget, this is usually the best choice.
2. Use a high quality camera. It’s less about megapixels than it is about the lens. Generally, a name brand camera with a large lens will give the best results. Consider renting or borrowing a good camera rather than using your personal pocket-sized camera.
3. Provide sufficient lighting. Either indirect sunshine (shade on a bright day) or lots of artificial lights are best. Don’t depend on the camera to compensate. Light your subjects well.
4. Use a tripod and the camera’s timer. A decent tripod can be purchased at your local discount store for less than $50. This will reduce the blur caused by
   the camera’s movement while the shutter is open. This becomes increasingly more important in lower light and increased distance.
5. Using the timer. Using the camera’s timer will reduce the blur even more when on a tripod.
6. Acquire the right tools. Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, and PaintShop Pro are a few products worthy of consideration at different costs and capabilities.
7. Take the time to learn the tools. Depending your preferences and learning style, courses, books, and online courseware are all viable choices.
8. Add appropriate text over the image as a call to action. Photos add life to a website. Text can add value to the photo by leading your customers to the next step of contacting you or making a purchase.
9. Purchase stock photography. If you can’t afford a professional, many websites sell high-quality photos at reasonable costs, many less than $10 per photo. Read the licensing details carefully.
10. Hire a professional. If you have the budget, this is usually the best choice.

Good presentation of good photos, along with quality copy and solid layout, can add real value to your website. Your website is indeed the only view of your company or organization that many potential customers, suppliers, and employees will ever see. Don’t make the mistake of skimping on photography.

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