How To Take Good Photos and Use Them To Grow Your Business

Are you wondering how to take good photos and how to use photography and videography to better market your business? Great photography and video do more than make your business look good.  They tell your brand’s story, showcase what makes your products and services unique, and give customers a reason to connect.  Whether you’re looking to improve your photography, create professional video content, or build a visual marketing strategy, the right imagery can help you stand out, reach your audience, and turn attention into action.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to take good photos, where to use them, and how to make photography and video a more effective part of your marketing strategy.

In this blog, you will learn:

• Why Learning How to Take Good Photos Matters for Your Business
• 5 Ways to Use Photos and Videos to Promote Your Business
• How Good Photography Builds Trust and Brand Awareness
• How to Take Good Photos That Improve Your Website SEO
• How to Get More Marketing Value From Your Photos and Videos
• Where to Learn How to Take Good Photos
• When to Hire a Professional Photographer or Videographer
• Photographers and Videographers We Work With
• Final Thoughts on How to Make Great Photography and Videography Part of Your Marketing Strategy

Why is learning how to take good photos and incorporating them into your marketing so powerful? It’s simple: we’re visual creatures. Images can communicate ideas, emotions, and information much faster than words alone. Think about the last time you visited a website or scrolled through social media. What caught your attention? Chances are, it was an interesting photograph or video.

In a crowded digital marketplace, compelling visual content helps your business stand out. It gives potential customers a reason to stop, look, learn more, and ultimately connect with your brand. But creating great imagery is only half the equation. Knowing where and how to use those photos and videos is what turns good content into an effective marketing tool.

If you want to learn how our team works with photographers and videographers, and how we might be able to work together, our Photo and Video Production page gives you detailed examples.

How to take good photos? Work with a professional. Photographer Wil Matthews has supported Top Rope Media with beautiful images for major bike brands, professional athletes, and cycling apparel. 

5 Ways to Use Photographs and Videos to Create Brand Awareness and Generate Revenue

Before we dive into how to take good photos and improve your photography skills, let’s look at where those images can make the biggest impact. Here are our top 5 ways to use photos and video for your business:

1- Product Photography for Your Website

High-quality product photography can draw more attention to your products and help turn website visitors into potential customers. From clean, thoughtfully styled flat lays to detailed product shots and lifestyle imagery, great product photography helps bring your website to life.

Customers get a closer look at the highlights, features, and details that set your products apart. Great product photography also helps them imagine how those products fit into their own lives. Consistent, high-quality imagery also builds brand credibility, creates a more polished shopping experience, and gives visitors more confidence to make a purchase.

2- Social Media

Whether you’re posting to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or TikTok, compelling photography and video are essential to creating an engaging social media presence. People scroll quickly. Strong visuals help capture attention, communicate your message, and encourage people to stop and interact with your content.

Think beyond product shots. Behind-the-scenes photography, team pictures, customer experiences, and lifestyle images can all help tell your brand’s story.

Need more help with social?  Check out our Social Media Best Practices! 

3- YouTube and Video Marketing

Every day, people around the world watch more than a billion hours of video on YouTube, making it one of the most powerful platforms for businesses looking to reach new audiences.  From product demonstrations and behind-the-scenes footage to customer stories and brand videos, YouTube gives businesses an opportunity to showcase what they do, build credibility, and connect with potential customers.

Video is especially useful when you need to demonstrate how a product works, explain a service, or show your audience something that a photograph alone cannot communicate.

4- Email Marketing

Email remains one of the most effective ways to reach and engage your audience, with 93% of people checking their inbox daily.  But with so many messages competing for attention, making yours stand out matters.  Learning to take good photos and incorporating those images into your email newsletters can give subscribers a reason to click, explore your content, and learn more about your brand.

Think about using strong product photography, lifestyle imagery, or an engaging video thumbnail to introduce a new product, promote a seasonal campaign, or share your latest company news. Here are more tips on how to make those holiday email campaigns sparkle!

The right visuals don’t just make your emails look better; they can help turn a quick glance into meaningful engagement.

5- Digital Advertising: Google Display Ads and Social Media Campaigns

Whether you’re running Google Display campaigns, social media ads, or video advertising, compelling photography and video can make your ads more effective. Strong visuals capture attention, communicate your message quickly, and help potential customers connect with your brand. The right creative can make the difference between an ad that gets scrolled past and one that inspires someone to learn more.

But simply adding pictures and video to your marketing efforts won’t automatically bring customers to your door. Quality, messaging, and strategy all matter. Professional photography and videography, paired with thoughtful copywriting and a well-managed campaign, can help you get more from your advertising investment.

DROP US A LINE

Whether booking an appointment online, waiting in the shop, or checking out after a haircut, we wanted to create opportunities to capture customers’ attention and drive additional sales for Mister Brown’s Barbershop. Through a strategically planned photoshoot featuring their products, accessories, and apparel, we created a library of versatile images for in-store displays and social media campaigns, helping showcase products and encourage add-on purchases at every stage of the customer experience.

How Good Photography Builds Trust and Brand Awareness

Now that we’ve covered where to use photography and video, let’s look at why investing in good visual content can have such a lasting impact on your business.

A Picture (and Video) Is Worth A Thousand Words

You’re probably familiar with this proverb, but it still holds true.  Anyone who has ever read a set of IKEA instructions understands that pictures can be better than words at expressing complex topics.  Don’t get me started on how long it took to put that bookcase together!

Don’t just tell your customers about the products you sell. Show them.  Static photos of your products are great, but what about a video demonstration showing your product in action? Or an athlete, ambassador, or customer actually using it?

Photography and video give your audience a better understanding of what you offer and how it fits into their lives.

Show the Real People and Products Behind Your Brand

It’s incredibly easy to find great-looking stock photography that costs little or nothing to use. We use resources like Adobe Stock and Canva ourselves when appropriate. However, stock photos have their limitations. If your website and social media feeds are filled with the same generic images your competitors are using, what makes your brand stand out?

Original photography showcases your actual products, customers, team, and experiences. It helps communicate what makes your business unique and gives potential customers a more authentic connection to your brand.

If you want customers to trust your business, show them the real people and products behind it. Learning how to take good photos or working with a professional photographer can make all the difference.

Top Rope Media clients Jeff Huckleberry and Craig Gaulzetti of Summer Cycles in California during a photoshoot we set up to capture their new shop, the high-end bicycles they would carry, and the services they would be offering.

How Professional Photographer Helps You Make a Good Impression

Yes, we hear you. Professional photography can be expensive!  And with today’s smartphones capable of taking impressive pictures, you might wonder whether hiring a professional photographer is really necessary.

While smartphones are great tools for everyday photography, there’s more to creating a compelling image than having a good camera. Lighting, composition, timing, experience, and the ability to tell a story all play a role.  At Top Rope Media, we’ve built relationships with professional photographers who understand our clients’ products, brands, and audiences. Those relationships make a difference when we’re developing campaigns and planning shoots.

For example, when we work with athletes, having a professional photographer on-site helps capture authentic moments while creating opportunities to strengthen the relationship between the athlete and the outdoor brand we’re representing.

Here’s what professional racer Kelly Catale had to say about working with photographer Wil Matthews during our Seven Cycles photoshoot in Monterey, California:

Pro rider Kelly Catale during our Seven Cycles photoshoot at the Sea Otter Classic with photographer Wil Matthews and Jake Orness.

How To Take Good Photos That Improve Your Website SEO

Great photography doesn’t just make your website look better. Properly optimized images can also support your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts.  If you want people to find your products and services, you need to make your website easy for search engines like Google, and even ChatGPT and Claude, to understand.

Image optimization is one part of that process.  Here are a few things to consider:

• Use descriptive file names: Instead of uploading an image called IMG_1234.jpg, give it a meaningful name that describes what’s in the photo.
• Write useful alt text: Alternative text helps search engines and people using screen readers understand what an image depicts.
• Optimize image sizes: Large image files can slow down your website. Compress images appropriately while maintaining good visual quality.
• Use relevant imagery: Images should support the content on your page and help visitors understand your products or services.

Learning how to take good photos and properly optimize them can improve the overall quality of your website experience while supporting your SEO strategy.

How to Get More Marketing Value From Your Photos and Videos

You’ve invested time and money in creating great photography and video.  Now what?  One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is treating a photoshoot as a one-time project rather than an opportunity to build a library of marketing content.

Professional photography can be used across multiple marketing channels, including:

• Website banners and landing pages
• Product pages and online stores
• Social media posts and paid advertising
• Email newsletters and promotional campaigns
• Media kits, brochures, and trade show materials
• Blog posts and press releases

At Top Rope Media, we’ve created dozens of media kits for brands and athletes, including one for skier, surfer, and mountain biker Jeremy P. McGhee.  A well-planned photoshoot can give you a collection of evergreen images that you can use throughout the year, across multiple campaigns and marketing channels.  Check out some of our projects here, and if you need a media kit for the next Outdoor Retailer or Eurobike show, we’d be happy to help!

TOP ROPE MEDIA PROJECTS

Where to Learn How to Take Good Photos

Now we know you didn’t come here for just a good read. You want to take action!  If you’re interested in learning how to take good photos yourself, there are plenty of resources available, whether you’re just getting started or looking to improve your photography skills. Here are a few places to begin:

• Masterclass: Anne Leibovitz
• The Art of Street Photography
• Nikon School Online
• Masterclass: Jimmy Chin
• UCSD Extension’s Photography Program

Here are more recommendations from NY Magazine on online photography and photo editing classes that will make you a better photographer.

My brother picked up a camera in 2025, and hasn’t been the same since. He now shares his content on Refresh Garage, and even brought his camera to visit us in Italy and captured Lucy in her element.

When To Hire a Professional Photographer or Videographer

Of course, not everyone has the time or interest to become a professional photographer.  And that’s okay!  If your time is better spent running your business, hiring a professional photographer or videographer may be the right investment.

A professional can help you develop a creative direction, plan your shots, manage lighting and production, and deliver high-quality images and video that align with your marketing goals.  But how do you find the right person for your project?

What To Look For When Hiring a Photographer or Videographer

Unless you’ve worked with a professional photographer or videographer before, your search will probably start online or with a recommendation from your network.  But how do you know if the person you’re considering is right for your brand?

Here are three things to look for:

1- They Take Photos and Videos You Like

Every professional photographer should have a portfolio of previous work.  Take a look at their images and video projects.  Do you like their style? Does their work align with the look and vision for your brand? If you don’t like what you see, move on to the next photographer.

2- Their References Check Out

Just because an individual is accomplished artistically, it doesn’t mean that he or she is right for your brand.  Just as with any other professional you might hire, you should always check their references before you commit to the project. Ask about their communication, ability to meet deadlines, reliability, and overall experience working with them.

3- The Chemistry Is There

You’ll need to work closely with your photographer or video crew to get your project done.  In addition, you have to communicate your expectations clearly.  Therefore, it’s important to have a photographer or videographer you work well with.  One that understands the overall goal of the project.

Friend and action sports photographer Erin Hogue shot this image of pro snowboarder Charles Reid that won her the X Games ZOOM photo contest!

How Much Does a Professional Photographer Cost?

Budgeting for a photography class to learn how to take good photos, or hiring a professional, is something you need to consider as part of your annual marketing budget.  The cost of a photoshoot will depend on many factors, including:

• Location of your photo or video shoot, studio or venue rental
• Number of images or length of video required
• Shot list and production schedule
• Number of models, athletes, or talent needed
• Style and complexity of the shoot
• Props, equipment, and gear rental needed
• Post-production: photo editing and video final cuts
• Licensing agreements and photography rights

After exchanging an email or two with the photographers or videographers you are considering, pick up the phone.  Discuss the project in detail.  Review your goal and objectives.  Then, shut up and listen to their recommendations. 

Remember, these are the professionals.  Your photographer or videographer may have a better idea of how to get the shots you are looking for.

As a starting point, expect to pay anywhere from $850 – $1,500 to cover the day rate of your photographer or videographer.  However, professional rates vary considerably depending on experience, location, crew size, equipment, and production requirements.  Be sure to request a detailed estimate for your specific project.

Lastly, want to shoot in a remote location or a gorgeous destination?  Well, as with the Amalfi Coast featured in our cover photograph by Kat Reynolds, be prepared to cover transportation and accommodations, and a per diem for your camera crew!

Shooting on location in Positano, Italy with lifestyle and adventure photographer Kat Reynolds.

Action Sports, Lifestyle, and Commercial Photographers And Videographers We’ve Worked With

While I, Meredith Caccese McConvill, shoot almost all the photo and video for Top Rope Media’s Instagram and YouTube channel, we’ve had the opportunity to work with incredibly talented photographers and videographers across the outdoor, action sports, and lifestyle industries.  Below are a few photographers we’ve worked with and the disciplines they cover.  There are literally hundreds of talented photographers out there, so do your homework.  And remember, think of this as the start of a long-term relationship!

• Wil Matthews– commercial and editorial photography with a cycling focus

• Kat Reynolds– lifestyle, surfing, and adventure

• Jack Delulio– commercial videographer

• Celia Miller– action sports photography
• Richard Caccese– auto, lifestyle (while not a professional yet, he’s got talent.)

Final thoughts on how to take good photos and make photography part of your marketing strategy

No matter what industry you’re in, learning how to take good photos can be an extremely valuable tool for your business.  Photography and video help communicate ideas, showcase your products, tell your story, and connect with customers in ways that text alone simply cannot.

Taking a photography class or hiring a professional photographer may seem like an unnecessary expense.  But when you consider how many ways you can use those images across your website, social media, email marketing, and advertising campaigns, the investment can have a lasting impact.

Hopefully, this guide has given you some new ideas for your next photo or video project!  At Top Rope Media, we help brands develop photography and video content that does more than look good. We create visual assets with a purpose, designed to support your marketing goals across digital platforms, advertising campaigns, and beyond.

Until next time, enjoy the beautiful images and give thanks for the people behind the lens.

– Meredith Caccese McConvill, Top Rope Media

What are Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels are short, 15-30 second videos that function similar to Tiktok videos.  And, this is why dozens of Tiktok celebrities have started using Instagram Reels to share their content.  So if you want to keep your TikTok channel going, but grow your Instagram followers, Reels are the way to do it!

What kinds of Reels can you create?  And which ones will get the most love?  We’ll tackle all of that in this blog!  First, here’s an example of a Reel we helped to create with our friends at Frank Subaru:

Videos with animals are definitely some of the top watched Reels, and we had a lot of fun putting this together!

What Can You Do with Instagram Reels?

• Combine several video snippets, editing just the part of the video you want to feature
• That pop/snap outfit change? Yup, you can do it with Reels
• Overlay a soundtrack, and select the specific section of a song you’d like to feature
• Add in text and special effects that fade in and out at certain parts of the video
• Make it look as though you are pointing or revealing the text in your video
• Publish your Reel directly to your main Instagram feed, or just save it to your Reels section
• Generate more views, reach, and engagement than with Instagram Stories!

Where Can You Find Instagram Reels?

Back to Instagram Reels and How to Create One

1. Select Your Video or Take a New Video

• A fun how-to video to teach someone how to use your product
• Videos that share beautiful scenery, mountain top views, crystal clear lakes, etc.
• Exercise videos, but make sure to ramp up the speed to make it more fun! (read below on how to do this)
• Anything with your pets!
• An outrageous or daring video… Brands like RedBull are geniuses for creating those POV mountain biking videos!

Exercise videos or how-to videos are great for Instagram Reels, just remember to increase the speed so you can fit more in and make the video more fun to watch!

2.  Adding Music to Your Instagram Reel

3. Change the Speed of Your Video

4. Add Text and Effects to Your Reel

Adding text and music to your Reel can help you better tell your story!

5.  Touch Up

6. Timer

Why Use Instagram Reels vs. Instagram Stories?

The Downside to Instagram Stories and Reels

Summing Up Instagram Reels