The quality of the images you use in your marketing impacts your audience’s perception of your brand.
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find high-quality, professional images when you need them. It can be even harder to find images that fit your budget.
The good news is that there are ways to create professional-looking images without spending a ton of money.
In fact, you can use free online design tools like Canva to create high-quality images for your marketing campaigns. Here are 10 techniques for creating professional-looking images on a budget.
1. Use a tripod
One of the simplest ways to improve your photography is to make sure your camera is steady. This is especially true when you’re shooting in low light, when your camera will need to use a longer exposure to capture the image.
When you use a longer exposure, even the smallest movement of your camera can lead to a blurry image. A tripod is the perfect tool for keeping your camera steady and making sure your images are sharp.
If you’re shooting with a smartphone, you can use a small, portable tripod to get the same effect. Or, if you don’t have a tripod, you can set your camera on a stable surface, like a table or a wall, to keep it steady.
2. Use natural light (but avoid direct sunlight)
The best kind of light to use when taking photos is natural light. It’s free, and it can make a huge difference to how your images appear.
Try to shoot your photos in the morning or late afternoon when the light is softer, and avoid direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can create harsh shadows and make it difficult to see the details in your photos.
3. Get as close as possible to your subject
The closer you get to your subject, the more detail you’ll be able to capture. This is especially important when you’re using a smartphone camera, as it doesn’t have the same capabilities as a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Smartphones have a fixed focal length, which means they can’t zoom in on a subject. Instead, they use digital zoom, which can result in a loss of image quality. To avoid this, get as close as you can to your subject while still keeping it in focus.
If you’re taking a photo of a person, try to fill the frame with their face. If you’re taking a photo of an object, get as close as you can while still keeping the entire object in the frame. for example, using an address lookup tool to display location-based details or verify service areas. If you’re taking a photo of an object, get as close as you can while still keeping the entire object in the frame.
4. Shoot from the best angle
The angle of your shot can make an enormous difference to the overall tone and feel of your image.
Top-down photography is a great way to give your images a clean, minimalist look. This technique is perfect for capturing flat lay images, which are often used by brands to showcase a collection of products or tell a story.
Shooting from a low angle can also make your subject look far more impressive. This technique is perfect for capturing the beauty of architecture or the scale of a mountain.
5. Don’t use the flash
The more natural light you can use, the better. If you’re shooting indoors, try to position your subject near a window. If you’re shooting outside, try to avoid direct sunlight. Overcast days are ideal for outdoor shoots because the clouds act as a natural diffuser. If you’re shooting on a bright, sunny day, look for a shady spot to capture your images.
If you don’t have access to natural light, you can use a softbox to mimic it. Softboxes are a type of lighting equipment that photographers use to create even, diffused light. You can find affordable softboxes online, or you can use a window sheer or a piece of white fabric to create a DIY diffuser.
6. Create a shallow depth of field
A shallow depth of field is when the subject is in focus and the background is blurred. This technique can be achieved with most cameras and is a simple way to make your images look more professional.
To create a shallow depth of field, you need to use a wide aperture. This will let more light into the lens and create a blur effect in the background. Most cameras have a portrait mode that will automatically set a wide aperture for you.
7. Use the rule of thirds
The rule of thirds is a simple technique that can help you compose your images in a way that’s more visually appealing.
To use the rule of thirds, imagine your image is divided into nine equal sections by two vertical and two horizontal lines. Then try to position the most important elements in your scene along these lines, or at the points where they meet.
For example, you might position a person’s eyes at one of the intersection points, or use the lines to position the horizon in a landscape shot.
8. Edit your photos
Even if you’re not a professional photographer, you can still edit your photos to make them look like they were taken by one. There are lots of free and easy-to-use photo editing apps available that allow you to adjust things like brightness, contrast, and saturation.
You can also use filters to give your photos a more professional look. Just be sure not to go overboard with the filters, as this can make your photos look less authentic.
Another effective touch is to remove background from your images—especially useful when you want to place a subject on a clean, branded backdrop or use it in various marketing layouts. And if your visuals support lead generation efforts, don’t forget to align them with form tracking tools to measure how different creatives impact conversions on landing pages or email campaigns.
For those looking to add a personal touch to their visual storytelling, setting up a lemonade stand as a theme can serve as a creative and engaging backdrop for your photos.
9. Consider black and white
Black and white photography has a timeless quality and can be a great way to elevate your images. It can add a sense of sophistication and drama to a photo, and it’s also a great way to help draw attention to your subject.
Black and white photography is a great option for a wide range of images, including portraits, landscapes, and still life photography. If you’re looking for a way to make your images look more professional, try converting some of your color images to black and white.
10. Take more photos
Finally, don’t be afraid to take multiple photos of the same subject. It’s easy to get home and realize that the photo you took isn’t as good as you thought it was. Taking more photos means you’ll have more options to choose from later.
In the digital age, there’s no such thing as too many photos. You can always delete the ones you don’t want.
Conclusion
There you have it! Now you have a comprehensive guide to creating professional images for your brand without breaking the bank.
