How to Take Photos and Videos That Tell Your Brand’s Story
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “We really need new photos for our social media,” you’re not alone. Strong visuals are one of the easiest ways to elevate your brand online. But when you don’t have a photographer nearby or the budget for frequent professional shoots, it can feel like you’re stuck using the same handful of images, or worse, relying on stock photos that don’t truly show who you are.
Here’s the good news: with just a phone and a few simple tips, you can capture high-quality, authentic content that performs well on social media. Whether you’re a local business with a small team or a larger company with multiple locations, great photos and videos don’t have to be complicated.
At TargetMarket, we work with clients across a wide range of industries, medical offices, restaurants, home service providers, and more, and we’ve seen one thing hold true across the board: people connect with people. The most engaging content usually features the faces behind the brand, the spaces customers recognize, and real moments.
With this guide, you’ll be ready to capture those authentic moments for us to turn into polished, engaging social content that highlights your brand.
Why Authentic Content Wins Every Time
Stock photos can fill gaps, but they rarely tell your story. A smiling model in a generic office won’t resonate like a real photo of your team. Authentic photos build trust and make your business feel approachable and familiar. When people recognize the faces they see online in person, it creates an instant sense of connection.
Even short, imperfect videos can outperform polished, corporate-style ones because they feel real. Social media thrives on authenticity, and that’s exactly what your customers want to see.
Lighting, Framing, and Focus: The Basics That Make the Biggest Difference
You don’t need fancy equipment to take good photos for social, just a few simple tricks.
Find good light.
Position your subject near a window or step outside if possible. Avoid harsh overhead lights or direct sunlight that causes shadows.
Keep it steady and straight.
Hold your phone at eye level and keep it still, making sure it isn’t tilted. Use both hands or rest your elbows on a surface if you can. Slight movement can make photos look blurry or videos shaky.
Clean up the background.
A simple backdrop keeps the focus where it belongs: on your subject. Before snapping the photo, take a quick look around and move any clutter that distracts from the shot.
Capture action, not just poses.
Candid photos of your team working, chatting, or helping customers feel more natural than stiff, staged shots. People love to see genuine moments like these online.
Aim for balance.
If you can, use your phone’s grid setting to help center your shot or follow the rule of thirds. This creates a professional, well-framed image every time.
What to Capture: Ideas for Any Industry
Show your people.
Photos with real faces perform better, every time. Capture your team smiling, collaborating, or doing day-to-day activities.
Highlight your space.
Take wide shots of your building, waiting room, storefront, or job site. Also, take pictures of details like décor, signage, or branded materials. These help people recognize your business/brand in person.
Feature your work.
Show off what you do; for restaurants, that might be a chef plating a dish. For service companies, it could be a before-and-after transformation. For medical offices, it might be your team working together during the day.
Capture details.
Logo signs, uniforms, brochures, or equipment with your branding are small but effective touches. They reinforce brand recognition and make your feed look cohesive.
Document day-to-day.
Your followers love seeing the human side of your business, birthdays, team lunches, outings, work anniversaries, decorating for the holidays, or even coffee breaks. Those “everyday” moments make your brand relatable and help you connect with people.
Video: Keep It Short and Simple
Video content is one of the most powerful tools on social media, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. A few short clips of real moments can go a long way.
Here are some quick ideas that work well across industries:
- A team member introducing themselves and sharing what they do for the company.
- A short walkthrough of your space, showing where customers/clients go when they arrive.
- Someone demonstrating a simple task related to your service.
- A time-lapse of your team setting up for an event or finishing a project.
- Quick “Did You Know?” clips with facts or tips related to your field.
Remember, videos don’t need to be perfect. A little background noise or movement is okay. The goal is to show your audience what your business actually looks and feels like.
Keeping It Consistent
The best social media feeds feel cohesive without being repetitive. Here are a few ways to keep your content consistent:
- Use similar lighting and editing styles across your photos.
- Keep your logo or brand colors subtly visible when possible.
- Balance people-focused posts with space or product-focused ones.
- Try to capture a mix of horizontal and vertical shots for flexibility.
Encourage your team to take and share their photos, too. It helps capture different perspectives and moments you might miss. Create a shared folder or Dropbox so everyone can upload what they capture. This makes it easy to keep everything organized and simple to send to your marketing team
Making the Most of Your Content
The options are endless once you have a library of authentic photos and videos. This content can be used in countless ways, including:
- Social media posts and stories
- Website updates and landing pages
- Newsletters and email marketing
- Print materials like flyers or signage
- Online ads that feel personal and trustworthy
A single photo of your team might work across five different platforms, and that’s the beauty of building a content library.
When to Bring in the Pros
Day-to-day content works great for keeping your feed active and authentic, but professional photography and video can help you build an even stronger social presence. Maybe you’re launching a campaign, or need a mix of polished photos and videos to support your ongoing posts. That’s where we come in.
At TargetMarket, we make it easy to elevate your social strategy with custom photo and video sessions. Our team handles everything from creative direction to editing, so you can focus on running your business while we capture the content that keeps your brand consistent online.
Professional shoots give you a library of high-quality visuals that can be used across platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, your website, and beyond. They help you show up confidently and keep your brand looking cohesive.
We offer ongoing photo and video services if you want to refresh your content or take the stress out of creating it. We’ll make sure you always have everything you need to keep your brand looking its best online.
Read More: What to expect when you work with TargetMarket Studios
The truth is, great content doesn’t always require a big production. Sometimes, all it takes is a phone, good lighting, and a few real moments from your day. When your audience sees the people, spaces, and stories behind your business, they feel closer to your brand, and that’s what builds trust and lasting relationships.
So start small. Snap a few behind-the-scenes photos, record a quick hello from your team, or show off a recent project. You’ll be surprised how far authentic content can take you. And if you ever want help capturing professional, scroll-stopping visuals, we’re here to help.
