Social media is all about creating a bond with your images between your brand and your customer. How do I do that you say? Well, it’s not that hard; it’s just a selfie, some psychology, generations and acceptance.

Every wondered why we love to take selfies? I would say it’s a generation issue (with some exceptions of course). My parents who were born in the 40´s and 50´s aren’t that keen of having their picture taken. It’s a necessary (evil) for holidays, special occasions and such. The millennial on the other hand has a more positive approach to have their picture taken. How can this be? Can the answer be how they see and value themself. It’s a sort of acceptance process that can be applied to almost anything, the more you use and see something the more you get used to it and accept it. The millennial has been growing up with the selfie and been having their picture taken by others and themselves from day one, being more used to how they look making flaws not such a big deal or a self esteem killer.

Just selfie and say cheese!

This is why models don’t get stiff and extremely aware of the photographer as soon there is a camera flying around. They are so used to have their picture taken (acceptance process!) that they know how to position themselves, pose and angle their head to show their best side. They say to be a good portrait photographer you should practice by taking selfies. If you are relaxed and comfortable in front of a camera then you can guide your subject to be the same.

So how can my brand use this information in our communication?

It’s about how we relate to things. Many studies show that we tend to remember a picture with a human being better than picture of a beautiful landscape or a car for example. This due to how we can relate to the person in an image (and we don’t relate to being a car that much). If you are a fashion brand spending thousand of and dollars on shooting your garment on a mannequin you should re-think that decision. Not only does the clothing get a better flow and fit on a living person, your customer can relate to the woman/man wearing them. Maybe does the model remind them of themselves and trigger a “I-would-look-good-in-that” urge. Maybe the model reminds them of some one they seen on the street with a great look that they liked.

Don’t abandon the product image

Everything has it’s time and place, and so does the product image. But make the shot the best it can be, hang it on a hanger with a great background so you really see the garment or put it in context like a great-composed food image. Together with your amazing photographed e-com images (featuring a human being) you have great visuals for your website and social channels that will connect to your clients and fans on a more emotional level.

Recap

• Use human beings and not mannequin for your e-com images
• It’s about how we relate to different images
• Portraits is more psychology than you think