It's not about the tech...
Don’t underestimate the power of that camera sitting in your pocket.
It can create magical visual assets - if you are purposeful and intentional about it.
When I’m talking to speakers, authors, consultants, trainers and other expert-based business owners, the topic of smartphone photos usually comes up.
In most cases, they assume that I’ll poo-poo all over the idea that smartphone photos are worthless compared to their professionally-created counterparts.
It’s at that point that I let them in on a little secret:
It’s not either or , it’s a YES, AND thing.
And once that answer draws them in closer to learn more, I share another little secret:
It’s not about the tech - it’s about the intention and purpose behind the creation of that photo.
Really?
YES!
Cameras - regardless if it’s in a phone, a prosumer or professional model - is simply a tool.
Sure, some tools are more advanced than others, but ultimately, they’re all tools used to carry out an objective.
While technical limits exist, there is a certain amount of creative latitude afforded to the operator of whatever camera is in your hands.
Become aware of the limitations of the camera in order to define how to create a well-composed and flattering smartphone photo while working within those parameters.
Then, learn the basics of the camera in order to leverage all of its abilities to help create photos that you feel good enough to use for professional purposes.
Once you’re comfortable with the tech in your hands, that’s when the real work kicks in.
Before you start firing away to your heart’s content, think to yourself:
For what need do these photos serve? Content? Proposal? Slide deck? Video thumbnail? etc.
What am I doing in front of the camera?
Am I looking into the camera?
What type of emotional sentiment do they need to convey?
What location makes the most sense to convey the desired emotional sentiment?
What am I wearing?
As opposed to taking your smartphone camera out, pointing it towards yourself, and hoping for the best, answers to these questions create a defined purpose and intent behind the activity.
They offer creative parameters and an objective while working within the limitations of the tool in your hand and the space in which you’re working.
Long story short, the heavy lifting when creating valuable visual assets is done in your head, NOT by the camera.
This skill set is invaluable when creating high-quality, self-portraits that you can leverage throughout your online presence.
Your ability to self-shoot comes in handy especially when a professional photographer is not around, too!
It is through a combination of professional-quality images and smartphone self portraits that paints a well-rounded picture of who you are, who you serve, the problems you solve and how, and why you do what you do.
It’s pretty magical when it’s all put together :)
Speaking of smartphone self-portraits…
Are you clueless as to how to operate that camera that’s available to you 24/7? Not sure how to take a well-composed picture? You get lost in all the options, menus, buttons all all the other crap?
Don’t sweat it - you're not alone…
…and you’re not without help!
I’ve created a course on how to shoot high-quality, self-portraits regardless of your skill level.
It’s called, Shoot It Yourself: Develop a portrait photographers eye with your phone.