+61 3 9803 2588
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Pinterest
Public Relations Melbourne | PR Agent Melbourne
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Reviews/Testimonials
  • Services
    • PR Marketing & Publicity
    • Issues Management
    • Branding & Logo Design
    • Communication Strategy
    • Newsletters & Brochures
    • Event Management
    • Social Media
    • Product Launches
    • Videos & Websites
    • Expos & Trade Shows
    • Advertising
    • Media Tour
    • Community Relations Projects
    • Sponsorship Programs
    • Book Publicity
    • Market Research
    • Copywriting & Storytelling
    • Employee Relations Programs
    • IPO PR planning & publicity
    • Speech Writing, Media Training and Presentations
  • Press Office
    • Latest Media Announcements
  • PR Blog
  • FAQs
  • Contact

Strong visuals are essential for PR

28/03/2017Wendy McWilliams

What has made social media the success that it is, has primarily been driven by great photos and other images/videos.

The same can be said for traditional media. Even though a story may be strong on its own, when it has a fantastic image that tells its own story, it can make it to the front page and/or be given greater space inside a magazine or journal.

And because print media also have a web presence, a memorable and descriptive photo can be used in print and online thereby increasing your exposure.

90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual and visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text.

By way of an example, as editor of a 16-page publication that is just about to go to print (for Knox City Council), a series of photos from one company stood out from the rest.

When deciding what should be placed on the front cover of the magazine, it was their photo that helped make this decision. Yes, it was a great story, but without the impressive photo it would not have made page one.

Knox Business Life PR blog on strong images

Investing in good photography will pay off. And you can use the images in so many places to amortise the cost. For example:

. To accompany media releases
. On websites
. As part of social media posts (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter)
. In your newsletter
. As part of a tender
. In your company brochure (PDF or printed)
. With blogs
. To create posters
. In PowerPoint presentations
. In advertisements

Paying a photographer to capture the right image is usually worth the extra cost and they can fix any blemishes, unforeseen marks on clothing or unsuitable backgrounds in Photoshop if needed.

Needless to say, the image has to be crisp and clear, and high resolution.

Visual content drives engagement: one month after the introduction of Facebook timeline for brands, visual content — photos and videos — saw a 65% increase in engagement.

Resist the temptation to use a Google image. Most are copyright so if you are found using one without permission, you could be sued. But what I do use Google images for is ideas on composition. Giving a photographer an example of what you are looking for in a shot is a great start to creating that special image.

I would also advise against using royalty free images unless it’s a one-off that won’t be republished such as for a blog post or if you are going to modify or tailor it to your needs.

And as a pat on the back to our agency, we have now been producing Knox Business Life for 20 years. To view previous issues visit:

http://www.knoxbusinessdirect.com.au/FlipBook/Pub/flipbooks.asp?lngCollectionID=1&mid=312&t=1

So think strong images next time you want to make an impression and engage stakeholders.

Note: the featured image, which was NOT taken by a professional photographer, shows author Roger Mendelson with his newly published novel, Eliyahu’s Mistress, details of which can be found here:

http://www.mendelsonbooks.com.au/

Wendy McWilliams
Previous post Why you should enter awards – a White Paper Next post Book Reviews of Eliyahu’s Mistress

Related Articles

Thought Leadership

24/03/2013Wendy McWilliams
Knox Business Life, Issue 61 published by WMC Public Relations

Knox Business Life

18/04/2018Wendy McWilliams

New book by PR expert helps SMEs with brand engagement

25/08/2014Wendy McWilliams

2 comments. Leave new

David Simmonds
10/04/2017 10:59 pm

Another good post Wendy and so good to see you promoting professional photography in this age of the DIY photographer.

It’s not the device that makes for the poor quality images as Edward Western said it’s the 10 inches behind the lens that makes the difference, same for a phone camera. The way it’s used, understanding light and composition, not to mention some creative thinking and not producing another cliche` image.

All good photographs are always enhanced or made in post, what used to be the dark room, then PhotoShop, Lightroom and now many Apps on the phone are impressive and very effective, easy to use.

Taking the care to edit the image whether phone or DSLR is so important. One thing an AIPP accredited professional photography should always do is care about the images he or she is providing.

Making the image stand out if not at the time, as some times you only get a second to grab what ever is happening, but certainly in post production.

Take for example the image in your blog of the author with his new book. It’s definitely not a high impact professional image, if I may be so bold. The set up of the books is messy, the smile on the person looks mandatory, nervous and shows little energy, the image has no imagination and overall makes for a very standard shot. Not to mention the frame in the corner and the empty space on the right, and picture leans to the right taking the viewers eye away from the main subject.

Some clients don’t have a budget, sometimes it’s the time and accessibility so they take their own, and you can’t blame them.

One of the things we do now for Vic Parliament, (Members’ parliamentary secretaries) and others is to train people to take better pictures, see better, compose better and edit better so they can supply much more striking images for their social media, newsletters and other feeds.

I’d be happy to do the same for WMC PR’s clients and as always, happy to create images for those who have the budget and the desire for good imagery.

David B Simmonds Photographer APP.L
Commercial & Corporate Photography
Corporate & Fine Art
http://www.simmonds.com.au/

Log in to Reply
Wendy McWilliams
10/04/2017 11:00 pm

Thanks David. I’m extremely appreciative of your comments being one of Australia’s best photographers, and happy to share them with our readers. You are correct of course and I agree entirely. In rushing to get things posted one can overlook the real reason the photo is being taken in the first place: to create an attractive, attention-getting image that is pleasing to the eye, has share-ability, and many other purposes because of its quality. Thanks for your offer; sounds an excellent idea. Wendy McWilliams

Log in to Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Posts

  • New book an essential resource for dealing with the difficult, taboo subject of death and dying
  • Coles needs to stop selling kangaroo meat
  • Calix receives regulatory approval for its safe, environmentally-friendly crop protection product BOOSTER-Mag in Australia
  • New Tiny Home Expo for every Q&A on this movement sweeping Australia
  • Dirty Work series delivers crime fiction with humour on the side

Recent Comments

  • Dave Stokes on Thought Leadership via audio
  • Wendy McWilliams on Generating leads from expos and industry shows
  • Mobile Forms Software on 5 Reasons to Conduct a Survey
  • Wendy McWilliams on How is AI going to affect your industry?
  • Wendy McWilliams on Strong visuals are essential for PR

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • November 2021
  • September 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • October 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • January 2011
  • November 2010

Categories

  • FrontPage
  • PR Blog
  • Press Office
  • RokStories
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Why WMC PR Melbourne?

As one of Melbourne’s leading PR agencies, we are focused on getting results, building your brand and your profile through innovative and creative PR marketing and publicity programs. We hope to hear from you soon and look forward to being your storyteller.
WMC PR We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi wurrung people of the Kulin nation as the traditional owners of the land on which we live and operate, paying respect to Elders, past, present and emerging.

Twitter

Tweets by wmcpr

Search Something

Contact WMC PR Melbourne

E: info@wmcpr.com.au
T: 03 9803 2588
W: wmcpr.com.au

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Reviews/Testimonials
  • Services
    • PR Marketing & Publicity
    • Issues Management
    • Branding & Logo Design
    • Communication Strategy
    • Newsletters & Brochures
    • Event Management
    • Social Media
    • Product Launches
    • Videos & Websites
    • Expos & Trade Shows
    • Advertising
    • Media Tour
    • Community Relations Projects
    • Sponsorship Programs
    • Book Publicity
    • Market Research
    • Copywriting & Storytelling
    • Employee Relations Programs
    • IPO PR planning & publicity
    • Speech Writing, Media Training and Presentations
  • Press Office
    • Latest Media Announcements
  • PR Blog
  • FAQs
  • Contact
© 2015 All rights reserved.