Taking pictures for social media can prove to be a daunting task. Whether it be a lack of professional camera gear, not knowing how to take the highest quality pictures, or even not knowing where to begin taking pictures can be stressful. 

 

Do you have to hire a professional to take your social media photos? 

Fortunately, we're living during the golden era of photography. Most people have access to an excellent-quality camera through their smartphone, eliminating the need for expensive camera gear. Of course, the photo quality will not be as high, but smartphone cameras can produce excellent quality photos with the right technique as well as through the right software.

 

Let's dive into a few ways on how you can take great-looking photos for your social media page(s)

 

 

The Rule of Thirds

 

The rule of thirds is a fundamental and straightforward rule when taking high-quality photographs. Break every photo down into three parts, both vertically and horizontally. The intersecting portions of each line represent points of interest, where our eyes naturally draw towards.

 

Almost every photo you take should be laid out using the rule of thirds, as it will maximize the quality of the picture. Here is a great example below; the main subject is separated into the rightmost section of the photograph while also lying along the second vertical line, incorporating beautiful symmetry that the eye naturally finds appealing. Most, if not all, smartphones have a helpful grid feature so that photographers can take pictures following the rule of thirds. 

 

Lighting

 

Let's dissect the word "photograph" for a moment. The term "photo" originates from the Greek "phōtos," which translates to "light." 

 

Lighting is one of the essential aspects of a photograph, alongside the symmetry or layout of the photo itself. Different lighting situations can set different tones or moods to a picture, and they can also show off certain features of a photograph that would not otherwise be apparent with weaker lighting. 

 

Take, for example, the image of palm trees below. Each setting is beautiful, but the tone of each photo changes due to the variations in light. No picture is "better", but they each capture a different mood and give off a unique tone that could change the essence of the content they represent.

 

Overall, when taking photographs for your company's social media pages, try experimenting with both artificial and natural lighting and choose the option that best suits your needs.

 

Background

 

The background is another crucial factor to be considered when taking a great photo, and a specific backdrop can make all the difference in the quality of the photo. Generally, simpler is better when considering a background or backdrop. Also, it is typically a good idea to make sure there are no features in the backdrop that will take the focus away from the object in the foreground, or what the photo intends to capture. 

 

The image on the left has an object in focus, but the person in the background acts as a secondary focus point and distracts from the main subject: the cup. On the right, the coffee cup is placed in front of a background that is free from distractions, thus acting as a simple backdrop and allowing the cup to shine.

This isn't to say that you can't have bright or bubbly backgrounds! However, when taking photos, make sure the photograph is lined up as much as possible in a way that draws the viewer's attention on the subject you want to focus on. 

 

 

Don't Zoom In

 

It is generally not a good idea to use the zoom feature when trying to capture excellent quality photographs using a smartphone, as this can increase the size of the pixels and decrease the quality of the photo. Try to avoid using zoom features and instead get in the habit of moving the camera closer to the subject. Choosing to move closer will increase the overall quality of your final product. 

 

Take a Variety of Pictures

 

Lastly, try to take many different shots using different lighting, backgrounds, and angles. You likely will not know what photo is best for your social media page unless you try a variety of different photo options and see the results of them, so get that camera snapping and have some fun with it!

 

Using a combination of all the factors we mentioned can make a huge difference in the photographs you use on your social media pages. Remember, you don't have to be a professional to produce high-quality content!

 

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For more information on how your social media presence can be optimized, contact us for a free consultation with our team!