A Small Business Owner’s Guide to the Selfie

How to Take Photos that Create Connections

Customers have always craved connection, but never more so than now. Potential clients want to get a visual picture of what to expect if they purchase from your store or hire your services. A picture can convey a lot of information in a small space…it’s, you know, the old adage—”a picture is worth a thousand words.” And, if you are a small business, you are the de facto face of your brand! (Unless you are spending all your budget on models or brand ambassadors, in which case, contact us, and we’ll help sort out your marketing strategy. 😇 )

So let’s talk faces. How do you get more images of you and your business out there? 

There’s a time and place for getting professional photos taken—but in between those fancy-schmancy photoshoots, there’s a whole world of opportunity for you to show your clients a bit more about your day-to-day reality and the behind the scenes magic that makes your business unique.

Find Your Light!

The first step is to find a spot that offers the light that you need. You’re looking for soft, natural light—sunlight is great, but you don’t want to go too strong or too direct. Avoid harsh shadows or dim lighting. Once you’ve found a good spot, step into position, and turn to face the light.

Positioning: Put Your Best Foot Forward

Now that you’ve found great lighting, put some thought into what your audience will see behind and around you. What do you want your frame to be? Use a blank wall, or show your workspace to give your customers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what you do. Avoid clutter in the background, though, so you don’t distract from the focus—which is you! Give it a few tries and test out a few different angles. Can’t get the right one? Use a self-timer or a tripod to take the image.

Editing: Less is More

Once you have some good photos to choose from, you may need to edit them—but know that minimal editing is always best. Adjust exposure to brighten or darken photos, and increase contrast if necessary to allow the photo to stand out. Be mindful of using intense filters, especially filters generated by Instagram. And finally, keep your brand in mind when editing photos, especially photos of your face! You are the influencer of your business.

Share the Love

And there you have it, folks. Lighting, positioning, editing—three key ingredients to the perfect selfie. Ready to give it a shot? Post your best takes and tag us on Instagram @dirigiblestudio!

Need coaching? Sign up for a personalized coaching session with our selfie sage, Allie Kelley.