One thing that definitely keeps improving from year to year is the technology that we carry around with us. Perhaps it’s because we remember the old phones that came with “Snake” that we can continue to be amazed by the power of these new thinner mobile boxes of wizardry. You can listen to loud and clear music, and you can take beautiful photos.
But are those photos beautiful enough to be able to use on a website?
With so much professional stock imagery available under every feasible search term, do you need to worry about taking your own photos? The worry is, for some, that a photo taken on their Samsung might be professional enough to feature as the home image on their website. So, can we use Smartphone photos on our websites?
Yes, we can; but with a few important caveats:
Modern Mobile Miracles
The contemporary smartphone is equipped with powerful lenses, portrait modes, and some very intuitive editing tools. If you get the lighting right am iPhone or Samsung can capture crisp images that look professional. There’s no reason, at first look, why you couldn’t use your phone for your website videos.
Reasons that mobiles might work!
• Convenience: It is unlikely that you will find yourself without your mobile phone on you.
• Speed: It doesn’t take long to take a photo and upload it. There’s no need for a convoluted production process.
• Authenticity: There is nothing more authentic than a photo taken from within your business. You have a more relatable view of your business and industry than a stock image site will have.
Used correctly, mobile photos give your site a down-to-earth and realistic feel. It is perfect for grassroots businesses that value honesty and authenticity.
But There Are Risks
We can wax lyrical about the phone’s capabilities, yet not all phones are made equally. Similarly, not all photographers are built the same way either.
You may have to worry about low resolution from older cameras. Also, if the scene isn’t set up quite right, you might find that the composition itself is cluttered. Not everyone snaps a photo after taking note of the poor lighting or what is in the background.
Moreover, a photographer that is really a marketing intern with a powerful phone could very well produce inconsistent results. Crazy angles and shaky hands can seriously deplete the photo’s quality.
That said, not every phone photo is ready for the spotlight. Poor lighting, awkward angles, and shaky hands can result in images that look amateurish or unprofessional. And online, first impressions are everything.
How to Make Mobile Photos Work for You
Of course, you may not be able to afford a professional photographer and your stock imagery journey has turned up nothing but boredom and heartbreak. Here is some advice on how to make the mobile photos do the heavy lifting for you.
• Use natural light: avoid harsh shadows or indoor lighting that casts an orange hue.
• Keep your lens clean: a quick wipe can make a surprising difference.
• Think about framing: use the rule of thirds, watch your backgrounds, and avoid extreme zooms.
• Edit smartly: apps like Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed can enhance images subtly without over-filtering.
• Optimise for web: compress images before uploading to keep load times down.
When It’s Time to Call in a Pro or go Stock
It doesn’t matter how powerful your phone is, if you’re the greatest photographer, you might not be happy with your photos. It’s important to remember that your website is the most important marketing tool at your disposal. It needs to be inviting and interesting. Treat your website the same way you would treat your high street outlet. Make it tidy, attractive, and keep people on it for as long as possible.
If you want excellent quality photos that are bespoke and unique to your brand, you might be better off calling in the experts. If you can’t afford a professional photographer, websites like Dreamstime or Shutterstock provide excellent photographs in a variety of sizes so they don’t pixelate.
For a conversation about your website, call us on 01604 698 948 or email us on
hello@tj-marketing.co.uk and we’ll arrange to meet for a coffee.
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