Having quality visuals, whether it’s on your website, social media or sitting in your profiles on Yelp or Google Business, are crucial to attracting new customers. People are visual thinkers when it comes to first impressions, and you want your business to leave a lasting one even if it’s only a cursory glance.

Whether you’re an owner-operator, franchisee or a part of a solo marketer for a larger business, knowing how to snap a good photo can make a huge difference.

Famous photographer Chase Jarvis, said “That the best camera is the one that’s with you.” That’s why we want to serve up a few quick tips for improving your photography skills regardless of what device you’re using.

1. Lighting, lighting, lighting – This is one of the easiest ways to improve your images. Avoid placing your subject with the light to their back. Backlit photos will often times look hazy and you won’t get strong contrast or sharp details of your subject. Don’t use the flash unless you have to. Most smartphones now have excellent low-light capabilities, and your flash will most likely make your photos look low-end when you don’t want them to.
2. Change your perspective and work the angles – Unless you’re a Gen-Zer that grew up on The ‘Gram, you’re probably taking photos the same way everyone else is: Standing at Eye Level. But changing your perspective can make a huge difference in making your photos stand out. Take advantage of getting low or climbing up high to showcase your business or photograph your team. You’ve probably taken a slick-looking wheel well or bumper-level photo of your car at some point, yes? Use that style other places like your inventory shots to make those photos more dynamic.
3. Fill the frame — So often, we default to trying to fit everything into the photo, so we take wide shots that add in a lot of unnecessary detail.
4. Leading Lines — If you’re working in the automotive industry, this should be EASY! Leading lines is the concept of using lines, either real or imagined to draw the viewers eyes across your photo. Think about the sleek lines on the hood of a Camaro, now run those lines from one end of your photo to the other. That’ leading lines. Leading lines can also be really obvious, too. Take a road for instance, that is a very obvious leading line.
5. Rule of thirds - This is the oldest photography rule in the book. Take two lines and imagine them running vertically and horizontally across your screen. Align your subject where those lines intersect. That’s the rule of thirds. When you anchor your subject off center in your photo, you’re making it more interesting.

Here are some great examples of these simple rules in action:

This burgeoning detailing company did a great job of utilizing angles and lines to create an interesting photo. There are multiple leading lines surrounding the vehicle that draw your eye in.