Good photos are the difference between a story that gets read and one that gets scrolled past. The good news: the phone in your pocket is more than enough. Here’s how to get photos you’ll be proud to send to any publication.
Light first, everything else second
- Shoot near a window. Soft daylight from the side is the most flattering light there is.
- Avoid overhead fluorescent lights when you can. They flatten faces and turn colours green.
- Morning and late afternoon give warmer, softer light outside. Midday sun creates harsh shadows.
- Turn off the flash. Almost always.
The five photos every business needs
- The owner portrait. You, in your space, looking at the camera. Stand a few steps in front of a background that says what you do.
- The storefront or workspace. Straight on, level, with the sign readable.
- The interior. Shot from a corner to show depth. Tidy up first.
- The product or service. Close up, on a clean surface, with one hero item in focus.
- Hands at work. Kneading, cutting, pouring, fixing. These are the photos editors love most.
Framing basics
- Turn on your camera’s grid and place the subject on a third, not dead centre.
- Hold the phone level. Tilted doorframes make a space feel off.
- Shoot horizontal (landscape) for websites and articles, and a few vertical for social media.
- Step closer instead of zooming. Digital zoom reduces quality.
- Wipe the lens. Seriously.
Portraits that feel natural
Ask a friend or employee to take the photo while you talk to them. Real smiles happen mid-conversation, not on “say cheese.” Take twenty shots; one will be great.
Editing, lightly
Use your phone’s built-in editor to straighten, crop and brighten slightly. Skip heavy filters. Publications want photos that look like real life.
Sending your photos
Send the original files, not screenshots or photos saved from social media, which are compressed. Use email attachments at full size or a shared folder link, and name files clearly, like “business-name-owner.jpg”.
When you apply to be featured, these five photos are all we need.
