How to Create an Insta-Worthy Photo Gallery for Your Business

By Ginger Abbot

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Photography is an art form capable of capturing experiences and memories many of us only dream about. It taps into our deepest emotions and zings our imagination, encouraging us to explore the world and remember the past. 

As a photography hub and visual medium, Instagram is a place where companies can maximize imagery to build their brand and reach audiences worldwide. However, not just any image will do. Businesses need to understand how to make themselves more Instagrammable with stunning pictures that create an emotional tie between their followers and products.

With over a billion users every month and 50% of people purchasing a product or service on a website via the app, Instagram is the best social network for making that great first impression. Here are four tips on how to create an Instagram gallery for your business.

 

  • Camera Quality

The quality of your photographs significantly depends on the type of camera you use. While a professional model like the Sony A7R Mark IV may be too costly, investing in a decent digital one will make a tremendous difference in how you grow your business's Instagram gallery.

Ask yourself the following questions before making a purchase:

  • Is this camera suitable for both indoor and outdoor shots?
  • Is it entirely digital, or can I make prints if I need to?
  • Does it come with interchangeable lenses?
  • Will specific photos require using a waterproof camera?
  • How much memory does it have?
  • Does it fit into my budget?

If you're only starting to build your online gallery, you may also choose to use your smartphone camera instead. The most current versions of iPhones and Android devices produce quality photos and allow for convenient instant editing and uploads to your business's Instagram account.

 

  • Lighting

You need to use the correct lighting to capture a high-quality, clear image. Natural sunlight is the best — and free — option for displaying your latest product on a table or encapsulating your brand's overall essence and beauty.

For example, the luxury Costa Rican hotel Villa Punto de Vista utilizes natural light to perfectly showcase evocative landscapes surrounding the retreat. It artfully displays its serene hotel bedrooms and amenities that offer visitors breathtaking seaside views.

While natural light offers warmer and better-balanced image quality for food pictures, landscapes, selfies and other happy-go-lucky moments, artificial lighting can enhance images in different ways.

When creating portraits or up-close photographs, you may opt for artificial lighting to prevent overexposure, create fill light for nighttime images and add a spotlight on the subject.

It takes some practice to learn how to properly use lighting to create an Instagram gallery for your business. However, no matter what you're photographing, you can adjust your lighting as needed by taking a few sample photos first. 

 

  • Angles

The angles you take your photos in, matter just as much as lighting. Of course, you don't want an Instagram gallery full of photographs with the exact product placement in every shot. Restaurants will also want to avoid a series of overhead imagery of entrees and tablescapes. 

Switching up the perspective of your photos can create more interest in your feed and brand. Consider the following when capturing the perfect angles for your image:

 

  • Lighting: Lighting and angle can change skin tones, play on natural shadows and highlight what looks best.
  • Rule of thirds: Balance your image by centering or off-centering your subject while still focusing on it.
  • Look upward: Refresh your image vantage by aiming the camera upward at your subject instead of directly at it or overhead.
  • Frame the subject: Tap the focal point on your camera phone or frame your subject to create greater focus.
  • Enhance depth: Include background patterns, colors, and other objects in the background or foreground of your image.

 

  • Aesthetic

A business aesthetic may refer to a product design or brand image. However, an Instagram aesthetic is the pleasure users feel while assessing a picture with all their senses. The goal is simple: Offer your customers an experience rather than solely focusing on selling your products or services. 

There are many ways to play with your business's Instagram aesthetics. For example, use a consistent set of colors, fonts and filters on your feed to set a specific tone. You can create an appealing gallery by uploading purely minimalistic or bold and colorful images. Another option is to create a gallery of black and white photographs, collages, or another theme that resonates with users and draws them in.  

Discovering your business's aesthetic comes down to knowing what your brand stands for, what you want users to feel when they see your photos and what purpose your Instagram feed serves. At that point, you’ll know how to make your business Instagrammable.

 

How to Grow Your Business’s Instagram Gallery

These four elements are essential if you want to know how to create an Insta-worthy photo gallery. However, you can use these tips to create eye-catching photography for any of your business's social media platforms. It doesn't matter what industry you fall under — stellar photography can enhance your overall content strategy.

 

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