Making it through "The Gauntlet."
How do you know if the photos you choose are the best options?
Ask yourself one thing; does it make it through the gauntlet?
When I sit with clients to review photos from their sessions, I can sometimes see their eyes rolling in the back of their heads after the first hundred shots.
It can be a very overwhelming experience to sit and stare at endless photos of yourself, I get it.
When I look through photos of myself, I start to feel a little woozy, too.
But despite the occasional overwhelm, it’s important to be focused on sifting through the pile to uncover the best photos of the bunch.
After all, your photos represent a digital introduction to you and your world.
You’re looking to attract those who not only resonate with your expertise, but also you, as a human being.
You’re in the business of building relationships, and your photos play a huge role in this process by revealing who you are, who you serve and why you do what you do. Based on sharing your business and life through lifestyle and virtual images, they also display aspects of your personality.
As a result, the photos you choose are a key element in the getting-to-know-you process. That’s why they need to pass muster in order to be a part of that process.
What exactly am I talking about?
When you select images taken during a photo session, any photo session, it’s not enough to look good in it. You don’t want to look at the photo and come away thinking, “eh, not bad. It’s useable.”
In order to separate yourself from other experts in your space, you need better. You need to look at these photos through a more refined and critical lens.
When I review and select images with clients or on my own, I have a certain set of criteria that the photos need to pass in order to be selected - I refer to it as “The Gauntlet.”
1 - Is there anything distracting here?
Are there any visual elements within the photo that takes away from the main subject? Is the lighting weird? Are there objects and other people in the shot that take my attention away from the subject? Is the photo in focus? If yes to any of these, toss em!
2 - Is the shot flattering?
Just because I mentioned that it’s not enough to look good in a photo doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look good in the photo. That’s the foundation to a compelling and persuasive image. Plus, if you don’t feel good about how you look in the shot, you will be less likely to use it.
Some things to consider: do the clothes look in order? Hair in place? Is there a weird, double chin going on? Is the lighting doing you justice? Is your posture okay?
If not, you know what to do.
3 - How’s the expression?
This is an extremely important aspect of “The Gauntlet” phase of qualifying your images.
Your audience’s attention starts with your eyes and face. They immediately make a determination from here whether or not they want to get to know you better.
What emotional sentiment does your facial expression represent? Is it a weird expression that’s outside of your personality? Then trash it. Do you recognize that person? If so, then keep it. If you don’t recognize that person, but the expression isn’t unflattering or weird, keep those, too.
You need a variety of photos because the stories you share with your audience fall widely across the emotional spectrum, from joyful to vulnerable. And you want photos that visually punctuate all of those sentiments.
4 - Can you see yourself using this photo?
While a photo may pass through the first three questions with flying colors, the fourth question is the one where the rubber meets the road.
If you feel the photo places all the attention on you, is flattering and the expression resonates with you, but you don’t see this image fitting anywhere into your marketing plans, then it doesn’t pass muster.
If you can’t see yourself leveraging the photo on your website, in a social post or blog article, use it for a presentation slide, or other promotional materials, then toss it because it will take the space of a photo that you can use.
There’s no point in hoarding photos that look good but serve no purpose. Your photos are marketing assets, and need to be dealt with as such.
As you can see, “The Gauntlet” is quite a process to select photos beyond the vanity lens. But, when you do approach selecting photos in this way, you ensure that you’re maximizing the value of you investment in professional image content.
They play a huge role in helping you get the visibility for your services that you deserve. Slapping together a bunch of photos that are shoulder shrugs okay is NOT okay.
Aim to create distinction from those you serve with image content that presents you in the best, and most honest, light possible.
PS - If you found this article valuable, I invite you to join my email list so that you save yourself from commuting to my blog every time I post something new, :)