You’re a business owner. You know your products and services. You know your customers. You know that you need a marketing strategy in order to keep up with the competition. What you don’t know…Is how to pick the right Instagram filter!
Photography may not be your business, but it is a big part of making a business successful. Luckily, cell phones, apps, and easy-to-use editing tools make the process a lot more simple that you may realize. Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind when sharing photos on social media.
Make Sharing photos a SnapIt’s All in the Filter
Filters are essentially collections of photo edits — lighting, focus, coloring, etc. Instead of altering all of these elements on your own, a filter allows you to choose sets of edits to enhance your photo. You may not know it, but some Instagram filters work better with certain subjects than others. For instance:
- Lo-Fi enhances vibrant colors. Great for shooting bold and bright colors in your store.
- Kelvin adds warmth to a photo that may have turned out a little bit cold.
- Sierra adds a cloudy, light effect to photos, which makes it perfect for scenes you want to give a dreamy look to.
- Rise does a great job of hiding blemishes and imperfections, so it’s great for snaps of staff members.
Mashable has a great guide on using filters, but as long as you keep a few things in mind, you’re sure to succeed:
- Make sure viewers can easily see the photo subject.
- Make sure the crop is right for the photograph. (Hint: Instagram now allows you to post photos of all shapes! Just pinch the photo and “zoom out” in order to use this feature.)
- Don’t forget the caption! Once you’ve picked the right filter, hashtags can help users find your amazing photo!
Remember that pictures of products most likely won¹t have a filter because you want to showcase the colors of the product. However, the photo should have great lighting, be crisp/clear and, depending on the image, might need text on top of it and/or a blurred background to make the product pop.
Have the Right Tools
Tools can take a photo from bland to grand. Instagram has some great editing tools on its own, but if you ever need a little extra help amping up a particularly great photo (or adding text!), here are some great tool for “photographers” of all levels.
Basic:
- Paint (Resize/add text; Desktop)
- Instagram (App)
Intermediate:
- Canva (Desktop)
- PicMonkey (Desktop)
- VSCO Cam (App)
- Camera + (App)
- Pic Collage (App)
Pro:
- Photoshop (Desktop)
Consider These Creative Twists
- Do a flat lay of new products in-store.
- Consider a DIY light reflector.
- Step back and put yourself in your customers’ shoes. Would you engage with this photo?
- REALLY go behind the scenes. Consider a shot from your perspective, like looking down onto your cash register or tablet.
- Don’t forget that you don’t HAVE to use an Instagram filter. Sometimes a photo speaks for itself.
Pictures are worth 1,000 words! It’s time to feel confident about sharing your photos with your customers.
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