The ins and outs of social media photography

With the abundance of smartphones using excellent camera technology and a few editing apps, some might think shooting for social media photography is a piece of cake. This cannot be farther from the truth as images meant for social media go through the same process as any other images would in other disciplines.

Social media is the most effective platform for engaging with clients and audiences. When it comes to social media, the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” is true. Capturing excellent images is not enough. Social media managers must partner their images with catchy captions or blurbs to keep audiences engaged in the conversation. For San Diego-based photographer Arie Eric De Jong, images for social media posting can be captured using smartphones for at-the-moment updates and easy uploading.

Be sure to use lighting efficiently and effectively. Most shots in cafés and restaurants look best using natural light. Social media audiences love playful angles when it comes to mundane subjects. For easier composition, make use of grid lines. Applying the rule of thirds is a classy and timeless move. Group shots look best candid. While a few good directions make a social media shoot look authentic, candid shots appear more joyful and exciting.

Arie Eric De Jong reminds his readers that when it comes to editing, it is important to not overdo it. It can be tempting to use an editing app until the original image does not look like its untouched version. While social media photography plays by the rules of photography, it can be a different field to navigate.