If you’re looking for new ways to win more jobs, consider brushing up on your photography skills. This may seem like a daunting task for some, but quality photos can really help increase your chance of getting more business.

You don’t need an expensive camera to get the perfect shot. If you have an up-to-date smartphone, you can easily get a few accessories and make a few changes to get beautiful images to use on your website or CraftJack portfolio. If you’re ready to get the most out of your job site pictures, here are a few photography tips to improve your portfolio.

Great photography starts with a great job. Get more quality jobs and leads with CraftJack by giving us a call at 866-456-6977.

Photography Is Important

If you haven’t started taking photos of your work, now is the time to start. Photos can be used for more than just your portfolio. In fact, they can perform better on social media as well, especially as Instagram and Snapchat continue to rise in popularity. Over 70% of businesses in the U.S. are now using Instagram to reach their customers, according to Sprout Social. So, it’s more important than ever to perfect your photography skills.

Here are a few tips to make sure you’re taking great photos:

• Invest in Accessories
• Avoid Distractions
• Pay Attention to Lighting
• Wide Photos are Best
• Use Objects for Scale

1. Invest In Accessories

As I mentioned before, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on high-end photo equipment, but you’ll likely want to have a few accessories to make sure photos taken on your smart phone look great. A tripod can help you create clean and clear photos with little effort. Most you can find for $25 or less. This will help to steady your pictures and reduce blur.

Using HDR on your phone will be helpful too, and thankfully, it’s something your smartphone should have the capability to do. You can always invest in an additional lens for your smartphone for even better quality photos, but those tend to have a higher price tag depending on what kind of phone you have.

For small touch-ups and adjustments, PhotoShop express is a great and free option you can use on your phone. Simply download the app and get started.

2. Avoid Distractions

A great rule for contractor photography is to avoid any distractions that may take the viewer away from your work. If you’re taking a photo of a home’s exterior, avoid any cars or dumpsters that may be outside of the house. Inside, you’ll want to make sure the area is clean and maybe even do a little bit of staging to make sure the room looks its best.

Many contractors choose to take before and after photos of their work to highlight the changes. A good rule, especially in the after photo, is to make sure the job site is clean and clear. A potential customer does not want to see the mess you’ve made; they want to know what the finished job looks like. You’ll also want to be sure to stand in the same spot for the before picture as the after photo, so it’s an equal comparison.

3. Pay Attention To Lighting

When you see a photo that looks great, observe the lighting. A quality photo is usually well lit by natural light at the right time of day. Can you guess what time might be best? Noon is a common answer, however, the best lighting for color and shadow is in the morning or before sundown. This natural light will really make the most of your photos.

If you’re in a space where it’s difficult to get adequate natural light, getting a camera light accessory can be helpful to taking better photos. Most are circular and attach to your phone. It’s advised to not use flash as you can’t control where the light goes quite as well.

4. Wide Photos Are Best

For your website, portfolio and social media, the best way to capture your photo is horizontally. You’re able to include more of your work in the photo and have a better ability to crop out what you don’t want there. You’ll also have more control of your shot when using your phone sideways than vertically, so it’s easier to get the image you want.

5. Use Objects For Scale

While this may not go for all contractor photography, using objects for scale can really help to draw the eye to your work. A little bit of home staging can go a long way when photographing a bathroom or kitchen remodel. An accessory can help to focus the eye to the detailed paint job. Consider small, neutral accessories like bowls, plants and trays to give the space something special.

Good Photo Etiquette

While all of these tips are helpful, you want to be sure you can actually get the image you want. Always ask the homeowner before taking any photos of their home. Avoid including any personal objects in your photos such as family photos or calendars. You may also want to check the area to make sure there are no safety hazards you’re about to photograph, as people are sure to catch them if they find your photo on the Internet.

Conclusion

Though professional photography may seem daunting to some, you can start improving your portfolio in a manner of minutes. Try a few of these tricks to improve your photography and start impressing more customers.