Horizontal Photos > Vertical Photos

I often get asked why I don't shoot vertical photos very much. 

Long story short, vertical photos cut creative latitude off at the knees. 

When you shoot horizontally, you capture a wider scene, allowing more elements to be included in the frame. This broader perspective provides more context, which is essential for storytelling in visual content. 

When you need a vertical photo, you can crop a horizontal shot to fit the vertical dimensions. But, you can’t reconstitute a vertical portrait into a horizontal one. 

This flexibility ensures that you’re not limited by the original framing and can adapt the photo to various uses after the fact.

Horizontal photos naturally align with how we see the world. Our eyes scan scenes horizontally, making these photos more engaging and easier to digest. This format allows for a richer composition, making it more compelling and engaging for your audience.

While vertical photos perform well on social media, the versatility of horizontal photos shouldn't be underestimated. Horizontal photos work seamlessly across various platforms, from websites and speaker kits to presentation slides and printed materials. They also offer the full breadth needed for banners, hero images, and landscape-oriented designs. 

This adaptability means you can maintain consistency in your visual branding without compromising on the quality or context of your images.

Horizontal photos can still be effective on social media, especially when combined with compelling captions and graphics. Additionally, most social media platforms now support multiple formats, allowing you to use horizontal photos in carousels or as part of a wider content strategy. 

This ensures that your images remain versatile and adaptable to various marketing needs.

By prioritizing horizontal shots, you ensure that your visual content remains flexible, compelling, and consistent with your brand’s narrative. 

So, the next time you’re planning a photoshoot, consider the long-term value and adaptability of horizontal photos and don’t pester your photographer for vertical ones :)