{"id":1022,"date":"2021-03-26T06:00:07","date_gmt":"2021-03-26T06:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovativepixel.com\/IGIN\/?post_type=columns&p=1022"},"modified":"2021-12-22T22:55:06","modified_gmt":"2021-12-23T03:55:06","slug":"build-your-portfolio-with-photos","status":"publish","type":"columns","link":"https:\/\/innovativepixel.com\/IGIN\/columns\/build-your-portfolio-with-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"Build your portfolio with photos"},"content":{"rendered":"

You spend your days creating innovative landscapes. Clients are happy. You\u2019re happy. You turn over the project and go on to the next.<\/p>\n

But wait. Before you leave the job site for the last time, are you forgetting something? If you\u2019ve completed a successful project and not taken photos of it, you\u2019ve lost an opportunity. When you take photos of your work, you create a resource to help you sell the next job. However, capturing that photo isn\u2019t enough. You\u2019ve got to put it to work for your business. Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n

Website portfolios<\/h2>\n

Does your website feature a gallery or portfolio of photos showcasing your best work? It should. Create an online portfolio of photos that highlight exemplary projects. Choose examples that make you feel proud. And don\u2019t just throw a photo up there; tell a story about it. Write a description that explains what we\u2019re seeing. Explain what the goal of the project was and how you accomplished it. If the client wanted a certain feel or theme, describe what you did to bring that to life. If there were special challenges you had to overcome, obstacles that you developed a creative solution to fix or circumvent, spell it out. Use your website as if it were a 24\/7, full-color brochure on the internet. Be sure that the photos are high-quality, with professional lighting, if possible. Hiring a good photographer is worth the investment. It\u2019s your website. Anyone visiting it wants to see examples of your work. That\u2019s why they\u2019re there! Remember to update your portfolio regularly. Don\u2019t let it look outdated.<\/p>\n

Social media<\/h2>\n

Instagram and Facebook are visual platforms. You need good pictures. The photos you put on your website portfolio can also be used on social media. What you can do on social media that you might not want to put in your portfolio are in-process shots. If you\u2019re working on a cool project, and the client doesn\u2019t object, you can show the progress of a landscape job from groundbreaking to installation to completion. Post photos right from your cell phone onto your business (not your personal) Facebook or Instagram accounts. People visiting these platforms expect cell phone photos, so professional-quality shots are not required. Posting job photos in this manner shows off your process and gives potential clients an insight into how you work and what they might expect if they hire you.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not on Houzz.com<\/a>, put it on your calendar to create an account soon. Houzz allows you to post a comprehensive portfolio of your landscape design work. This social media site is dedicated to home project ideas and local sources for materials and services like yours. Write an extensive company overview here that tells potential clients exactly what you do, along with any other qualifications. Then create project portfolios that show your very best work. You can list your contact information, link to your website and even get messages and calls through the site. Potential clients can search for landscape contractors by location, so it\u2019s an online resource for customers to find you. But first, you\u2019ve got to be on there.<\/p>\n

Brochures and print ads<\/h2>\n

Any printed content you create also needs good photos. Using photos of your actual projects, as opposed to buying stock photos, lends credibility. However, cell phone photos generally will not work for print pieces. Only professional photos should be used in printed brochures and ads. They need to look great and be high resolution for them to print properly.<\/p>\n

No matter where you use photos of your projects, be sure that the photos are not only flattering of the project but also that the work site is clean, your staff is wearing any required safety equipment and that there isn\u2019t anyone in the background doing anything odd or unseemly. If the client doesn\u2019t want their project photographed, honor that. If you have permission, go ahead and put those photos to use to help you grow your reputation and your business.<\/p>\n

Like what you read here? Please follow me on Twitter @whatsyouravocad<\/a> and thanks!<\/p>\n

This column originally appeared in Irrigation & Green Industry magazine.<\/em><\/h6>\n
Stacie Zinn Roberts<\/strong><\/a> is an award-winning writer, marketing expert and founder of What\u2019s Your Avocado? Marketing and Public Relations, Mount Vernon, Washington, which specializes in green industry marketing. She can be reached at\u00a0stacie@whatsyouravocado.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you take photos of your work, you create a resource to help you sell the next job.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1762,"parent":0,"template":"","columns-categories":[46],"main-categories":[50],"class_list":["post-1022","columns","type-columns","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","columns-categories-business-to-business","main-categories-business-development"],"yoast_head":"\nBuild your portfolio with photos - Irrigation & Lighting<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When photographing your work, you craft resources to help sell next jobs. 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