By Kylie Stanley, PR Technician
In today’s digital landscape, capturing content is more important than ever. Businesses are trying to tell their stories, engage with customers and showcase products or services in a way that resonates. And the easiest, most immediate tool we have to capture this content is right in our pockets: our smartphones.
While phones have made content creation more accessible, it’s crucial that we don’t overlook the power of each shot we take. Every photo represents your brand and communicates your message. The way we capture content on our phones can make a significant impact on how your business is perceived. Here’s how to approach using a phone to capture content.
Know the Purpose Behind Every Shot
When you’re capturing content for your business, it’s essential to have a clear idea of why you’re taking the photo. Is it to showcase a product? Highlight a behind-the-scenes moment? Or share an event or promotion? Understanding the purpose behind each shot will guide how you frame the image and what elements to focus on.
Consistency in Branding Through Composition
Your business’s content should feel cohesive across all platforms, whether it’s on your website, social media or email marketing. The composition of your photos plays a big role in maintaining that consistency.
Use composition techniques like the rule of thirds to create balanced, visually appealing images. The “rule of thirds” divides the frame into a three-by-three grid, creating intersections that are areas to place your focus.
The rule of thirds is where you mentally divide the frame or screen of your phone into thirds, both vertically and horizontally. This grid overlaying on your screen will help you to place your key subject where the lines intersect. This means that placing your subject into the center of the screen will create a less interesting composition.
Leverage Lighting
The importance of lighting can’t be overstated when it comes to using your phone. Good lighting can elevate a basic product shot into something eye-catching, while poor lighting can make even the best product look unappealing. For businesses, consistent lighting is key to maintaining quality.
If you don’t have enough natural light, then your content may look dark and grainy. Too much light will lead to harsh lighting on your subject. When using natural light, work with the sun and overhead lights to make your content look the best. Consider investing in an affordable lighting kit to ensure products and people are well lit.
By taking a thoughtful, intentional approach to how you capture content, you ensure that every shot speaks to your brand and communicates your message clearly.
So next time you grab your phone to capture a moment for your business, remember to consider the composition, lighting and story behind each shot.
