The Basics Of Taking In-Salon Before & After Photographs
Your team are creating the most beautiful, head-turning hairstyles and hair colours, so how can you share their work for new and potential clients to see?
It's widely known that image and video content is the best way for salons to engage on social media. Using high quality images that show off your salon's work on your website is crucial. They serve as a powerful marketing tool allowing you to highlight your salon's unique style and expertise, ultimately enticing clients to choose you over competitors. New clients are most likely look you up online first. Visiting your socials allows them to do a little research and feel confident that you can offer everything that they are looking for.
Producing visual content is what hairdressers do all day every day so make the most of it! We are the visual industry!
All photos taken in the salon can then be uploaded to your website or any social media platform that you use. If you do not want your team to share their in-salon photos on their PRIVATE Facebook and Instagram accounts, this needs to be written into their contract of employment. Alternatively, you can create a Social Media policy for them to sign.
Follow these simple steps to ensure your images best represent your salon and your brand message.
Good Lighting
Good lighting and proper presentation ensure that the details and quality of your work are clearly visible. This not only showcases the skills and expertise of your team but also reflects the professionalism of your salon.
Try to always take pictures with good natural lighting. If the lighting is poor then consider investing in a ring light. You can pick these up relatively cheap or even second hand.
Top Tip! Make sure your model does not stand with their back towards the source of light while you are taking the photo. This can result in darkened images that do not show the hair of in its true glory.
Background
Try to always take pictures for your socials against the same backdrop preferably a plain backdrop which will help the transformation stand out or, blur the background to avoid any mess or cluttered areas from being seen and distracting from the hair.
Consistency is key, make sure you use the same backdrop for any before and after transformations.
Top Tip! Try keeping some distance between your subject and the background. This adds depth and space to your photo.
Photo Quality/Focus
The key to a great photo is focus. Out of focus images will not show off your service in the best light.
Most mobile phones have the ability to do most of the work for you! All you need to do is press on the part of the screen where you need the focus to be and let the phone do the rest.
Make sure you double check the pictures. If they are blurred then try different angles or camera settings.
Top Tip! Removing hair clippings from the outfit and removing the gown before taking the photos contribute to a more polished and professional finish.
Final Touches
Well-styled and flawlessly executed hairstyles instantly capture attention. Therefore, before snapping that "after" photo, take a moment to ensure the hair is arranged just the way you desire.
Use a comb, curlers, straightener, or whatever tools necessary to perfect the hair for a picture-perfect moment.
The opposite rule applies when capturing the "before" picture! Keep the hair untied and un-brushed!
Top Tip! Remove hair clippings & request that all clients wear your gowns (clean and free from hair) for the shot so that attention is drawn to the hair and not brightly coloured clothing.
Host A Free Blow Dry Night To Build Your Portfolio
If you want to promote a certain service or treatment but are short on images for that particular area then consider inviting existing clients for a complimentary service and a little photo session.
For example, if you want to promote perming or curly hair services then invite clients with perms or naturally curly hair to really showcase the fact you are highly skilled experts in this area.
If you do not feel comfortable asking clients to participate then hold a staff get together and showcase a range of looks.
