What is photo content creation?
Creating photo content for social networks means using images to capture users' attention in the news feed. The images (photos, illustrations, GIFs, etc.) must have a link with the brand, the campaign and the subject, as well as being striking and relevant. Creating photo content is essential to achieving the objectives of a social media strategy. To stand out from the crowd, however, the most important thing is to create quality content.

Why do you need it?
-To connect with social platforms. 
The majority of social networks put visuals front and centre.
-Because a picture is worth a thousand words. 
We may have the best publications in the world, but the first thing we see is the image. If the image catches the eye, the accompanying description will be read. The aim is to publish images that stop thumbs, otherwise our content gets lost in all the publications. So our beautiful photos aren't just there to please fans and subscribers; they help our clients achieve their marketing objectives.
-The advantages of a photo bank: 
Less expensive than video production
Reusable content
Internal sharing tool
Fast (less searching)
Less expensive in general because you own the rights
-The advantages of creating photos
Increased brand awareness
Humanisation of the brand
Inspire the community
Establish credibility
Create engagement 
Product promotion
Increase sales
Get traffic through Google Images

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The image you project becomes your brand image in users' subconscious. So it's your reputation that's at stake. 

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Quality first and foremost: 
Beware of poor quality images. Turning corners may be tempting, but poor quality photos are treacherous. Cheap is expensive. Every bad photo can have a huge impact on the reach and engagement of your publications.

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So how does it work? 

Creating photo content for social networks is a complex process that requires much more than taking a few shots with an iPhone.

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The three key ingredients to producing great photos for your brand
→ Strategic thinking
→ Careful planning 
→ Impeccable execution 

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Step 1: Clarify needs, objectives and budget
Although it's an artist's job, creating photo content always takes into account the brand's marketing objectives and resources. 
-The elements for creating a good photoshoot
The product
The brand 
The objectives 
Target audience
Key messages
Available resources (manpower + budget)

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Stage 2: Choosing themes and creating moodboards
This stage involves putting down on paper general ideas that illustrate the message to be conveyed in a relevant and creative way. 
Elements for creating good themes
Seasonality
Product launch dates
New and exclusive products
Current brand image
Target brand image
Brand colours
Other creative elements

-The Moodboard. 
Once the themes have been approved by the client, it's time to create the moodboard, which includes the colours, materials and general look desired.  

Stage 3: Choosing the team and locations
-The team. 
Depending on the budget and resources available, the team may include the following members: photographer, artistic director, stylist (fashion or culinary), make-up artist, extras, production assistants, etc. 
-The location. 

Photoshoot in a studio, outside, in a house or in a shop?

The possibilities are endless. 

Based on the themes and inspiration boards, you choose what's best.
The photographer can help with the location scouting.

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Step 4: Give instructions to the team and plan the pictures.

-Communicate the instructions: 
An initial team meeting is then organised. This meeting is crucial to ensure that each member fully understands the strategy, the objectives, their role and their responsibilities in delivering quality photos. 
-Organising a photoshoot:
It takes a lot of coordination and work on the ground to organise a photoshoot.
For each picture, you specify how you see the photo and you plan the elements needed to produce it. 

What you need for a photoshoot:
-Make a list of the accessories and equipment you need.
-Do the shopping.
-Plan the sequence of pictures.
-Organise the timetable.
-Reserve locations.

-Plan the photo approval system with the customer.
And so on.
Insufficient organisation inevitably leads to failure. You can't be over-zealous when it comes to preparation. The success of your photoshoot depends on it. 

Common photoshoot mistakes:
-Relying on haphazard inspiration.
-Not having a moodboard.
-Not having all the accessories you need. 
-Not having organised the sequence of photos.
-Not having enough time.
-Not having rechargeable batteries (for all the equipment).
-Giving imprecise instructions to your team.
-Giving imprecise instructions to your photographer.
-Not having enough photos taken.
Etc. 

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Stage 5: Photoshoot day
The big day has arrived. Your pictures are planned, your team is in place. It's time to get started.

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Is the client there? 
In an ideal world, yes. 
There's a lot of action during a photoshoot. Decisions often have to be made on the spot, and if the client is there, it makes the job a lot easier! It's a bit like working on an assembly line, you want to thread the pictures together one after the other, without wasting any time. It's a well-oiled sequence that's been rehearsed dozens of times.
If there's a delay for approval, the photoshoot is slowed down.

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The magic of the photoshoot. 
Even when sufficient preparation has been done, a painting may not exactly match the order.
When the customer is on site, adjustments can be made in a matter of minutes.
However, if you go on to the next picture without the previous one having been approved, it will be difficult to go back. Communication is essential to the efficiency of the day's work and the quality of the photos.

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How much time should we allow? 
Depending on the level of complexity of the picture, you should allow between 30 and 60 minutes per photo. Preparing the picture can be very quick, but it can also take a long time, depending on the project and how it has been organised beforehand. 
If there are props involved, particularly when taking photos of food, it can easily take an hour. The same applies if you have to wait for a specific time of day to get the right natural lighting. 
Depending on the complexity of the photos, you can expect to take between 8 and 15 pictures per photoshoot. 

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Step 6: Where will the photos go?It's essential to decide where you want the photos to go. If they are destined for different social networks, different formats may be needed. 
You need to make sure that the format of the photos you take is appropriate (for example, horizontal or square for a Facebook post, vertical for stories and square for the Instagram feed, XY depending on how the photos will be used later) to minimise the number of adjustments you need to make in post-production. 
Of course, all the photos can be used for all the platforms, but you need to plan ahead! 

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Step 7: Selecting and retouching photos (post-production)
Mission accomplished. In the days following the photoshoot, the selected and approved photos are retouched to add the right filters, ensure consistency with the brand image and crop, if necessary, into the right formats.
And that's it. You've got inspiring photos that will help you stand out on social networks.

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 Are you out of breath just thinking about it?
No wonder. A photoshoot is a lot of work, coordinating with all the people involved, going back and forth, shopping, and so on.
It's a panoply of details to manage, most of which can't be sorted out between two emails or two meetings. 
It takes time, energy and a minimum of experience to get professional-quality photos.

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So how do you want us to manage all that for you by providing you with quality photo content?