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A 5-minute read to sharpen your business’s visual game.
Why investing in great photos is worth it
Great photos are one of the simplest (and smartest) ways to make your business stand out.
They don’t just look good—they work hard. Good imagery draws people in, builds credibility, and makes your product feel worth paying more for.
That’s why it always surprises me how many businesses—big and small—settle for sub-par visuals. Whether it’s on Google Maps, websites, or socials, the photos often don’t do the product justice.
Running a good business doesn’t stop at the product, it also includes how that product is seen.
Perception matters. We know from lots of research that how people see something shapes how they experience it, and in this case whether they even try it in the first place.
So, great photos don’t just make your business look good, they help it be good.
For small businesses, professional photography is one of the most underrated tools in the marketing toolkit. In a world where 91% of consumers prefer visuals over text (Social Media Today, 2024), high-quality photography is essential.
Whether you're selling sambos in Byron or radishes in Sydney Markets, quality images signal quality across the board and draw in more customers.
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Poor images? They do the opposite—making your business feel second-rate, even when your product isn’t.
People judge fast. So don’t leave it to chance (or your mate with an iPhone). Invest in professional photography.
And if you're wondering how to go about it, I’ve pulled together some practical tips below.
Three upfront Pro tips
"Not in the mood to read everything? Here's some highlights, there's more below"
- Keep your brand front of mind: Every photo is a chance to reinforce your brand identity. Use consistent colours, tones, and styles that align with your values and audience. Always ask - does this feel like us?
- Don’t skimp on quality: Blurry shots make your products look cheap—even when they’re not. A pro photographer helps showcase detail, atmosphere, and your unique vibe.
- Think beyond Instagram: Good photography becomes a reusable asset. Use it across your website, signage, press kits, ads, and socials. One shoot can fuel months of content.
A little introduction
Hi, I’m Jason Tran.
I’m a Sydney based filmmaker and director working across both commercial and documentary spaces. Having a foot in both the business and creative industries, I’ve seen just how much impact great content can have on real business outcomes.
Whether I’m building out a polished campaign or capturing raw, everyday moments, I’ve learned that great photography isn’t just about looking good—it’s about building trust, emotion, and connection.
Outside of work, I’m a climber, nature enthusiast, and lover of food, culture, and music. At the core of everything I create is a commitment to imagination and creativity—bringing stories to life in a way that feels both real and meaningful.
For small businesses, strong visuals aren’t a luxury—they’re a smart, strategic edge that help you tell your story.
Let me show you what I’ve found works best.
Step-by-Step Pro Guide: To leveraging professional photography as a small business
Let’s be honest.
Dodgy photos on your website or Google Business Profile suggest you don’t care. Even if that’s not true. Luckily, a few thoughtful changes and some professional shots can flip that impression fast.
Below are my top tips to help you use photography to build credibility, tell your story, and grow your business.
1. Craft a consistent, cohesive look
Consistency makes your business more compelling and memorable.
So, pick a visual style and stick with it.
If your vibe is warm and rustic, lean into it. If you’re modern and minimal, let that shine through. But don’t mix and match too much—mixed visuals = mixed messages. It can help to choose a consistent colour palette, tone, and framing.
Pro tip: When briefing a photographer or videographer, make sure they understand your style. Share a few examples and be clear on colours, tones, and framing that feel “on brand.”
2. Establish credibility with authentic images
Customers want to see the real business.
Behind-the-scenes shots, your team in action, your space, your product in use—it all helps humanise your business and showcase the atmosphere.
Instead of lifeless flatlays and stock image style blandness, capture real moments: someone enjoying your product, a proud team member packing an order, a glimpse into your process.
📍 Case in point: Stuart Dickson Produce, a B2B fruit and veg wholesaler, updated their photography to reflect their honest, hard-working roots. Real, no-fuss images on their website and Google Business Profile have helped bring in new customers.
SDP’s Style: Raw, honest visuals—showcasing the people, process, and quality behind every box of produce.
Show your story, your people, your process. That’s what builds emotional connection—and that’s what gets people to choose you.
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3. Build a photo library you’ll use again and again
Great photography is more than just a one-off post—it’s an asset.
Start building a folder, a library, of go-to visuals and videos. A well-organised image library means you’re not scrambling for content every time you update your site, launch a product, or do a media push.
You don’t need to have hundreds of images overnight, just add to it with each quality shoot.
📦 Aim for a mix of shots: From product close-ups to team portraits and ambient shots of your space—get a range. These assets will pay off over time.
🧠 Think of it like building visual equity in your business. The more quality images you have on hand, the more consistent (and professional) your marketing becomes.
👉 Bonus: Media outlets and collaborators love a business that has good photos ready to go. It makes it easier for them to feature your story—and you look great when they do.
4. Shoot with purpose: Plan for where photos will live
Before your next shoot, think about where your photos will be used.
Is it for your website? Instagram? Print? All of the above?
Brief your photographer on the final use—it’ll save you money and avoid awkward cropping later. Ask for a mix of vertical, square, and horizontal shots to cover your bases.
📐 Quick tips:
- Website banners need space for text overlays.
- Instagram loves bold square or vertical shots.
- Print ads need high resolution and breathing room
Plan it right, and one shoot can power months of content across multiple platforms.
5. Refresh your key touchpoints
Once you’ve got great photos, don’t let them sit in a folder.
Do a quick audit of your business’s most visible touchpoints—like your Google Business Profile, Instagram, website, and anywhere else a potential customer might find you.
Ask yourself: “Are these images showing my business in its best light?”
📍 For example: If I’m Baloney’s Deli, I’m checking my Google Business Profile, TripAdvisor, Instagram, and Concrete Playground listing. All of them should reflect the same vibe—the sambos, the counter, the buzz of the space.
It only takes one outdated or underwhelming image to lose a customer before they even visit.
Invest in professional photography!
Your visuals are often your first impression. And first impressions stick.
Professional photography builds immediate trust, sets your business apart, and becomes a long-term asset you’ll reuse again and again.
Whether you’re a deli, a dog groomer, or a digital consultant—how your business looks changes how people feel.
Good luck,
Jason Tran
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Need help? Hit ‘Start a project’ with Unjumble, and we’ll match you with a photography and videography Pro who gets your industry. All our freelancers are Australian-based and vetted for quality, so you’re in safe hands.
Want to learn more about Unjumble’s marketplace service connecting Australian businesses to local marketing professionals? Check out our homepage.
Note: The advice shared here should be considered in the context of your specific business needs and circumstances. Every business is different, treat this as additional information to help guide your decisions.
