Remember the adage “a picture is worth a thousand words”? It is true and you can use that to make your contracting business look more professional and experienced. By having a collection of before and after photos of your contracting projects, you are not merely telling potential clients what you have done. Instead, you are encouraging them to trust and be confident in your work because you have shown them that you can do tasks they need you to perform.
What to consider when taking photos
Taking pictures is easy but taking pictures that would look professional is oftentimes a challenge. It is all about the set, the scene, and the quality. Here are a few tips on taking before and after photos of your work without making everything look staged.
- Prepare your device.
Whether you are using a smartphone that can take high quality photos, digital camera, or a digital SLR camera, you have to make sure that your device is ready for the shoot. Check if the device is clean and if there is enough space in it. Make sure the battery is fully charged. If you will be using an external flash, make sure that there is an outlet in the area to plug it in.
- Prepare the set.
Make sure the area is well lit. If you are taking a picture of the garden or an exterior paint job, take a picture early in the morning to have just enough light. If you are taking a picture of the interior design, open up those windows and doors to bring light in. Switch on lights as well, if necessary. Sometimes, flashlights will work just fine to light up a space instead of using a flash. Be creative.
- Keep the rule of thirds in mind.
This is a basic principle in photography. By using the rule of thirds, you are placing the item along the points of interest.To do it, you have to virtually break down the image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, to have 9 equal parts. While you have this grid in mind, identify four parts of your image and place them along the lines. Take the shot.The rule of thirds will make your photos interesting. It will also invite more attention to the images compared to pictures which are heavily centered. When taking photographs of your before and after photos, you want people to know that they are of the same place or thing. Make sure to use the same angle and same points of interest.
- No grains, no blur.
High quality photos are always sharp and distinct. Make sure that before and after photos are of the same quality. If your hands are shaking, use a tripod or lean against a solid surface to help stabilize your hands. Using a mobile device is alright, but not all devices are created equal. Sometimes you have to change a few things in its settings to get the right amount of light. Refrain from getting to close to your subject because the device will not focus properly. Also, limit the use of the zoom feature. The more you zoom it, the grainier your photo will be.
- Post process it.
Most of the time, photos need a bit of post processing. A little help from brightness and contrast would do the trick to make colors pop out. If that is the case, you can easily edit it in programs like GIMP, Fotor, Sumo Paint, or Picadilo. If you are feeling competitive, you can even try Photoshop. Editing the photos yourself would take some time though. You can hire a freelancer to organize and make your before and after photos exceptional.
