A picture is worth a thousand words. This is especially true when it comes to photos used on tour operator websites. ResmarkWeb, a digital marketing agency built specifically for tour and activity providers, provides a list of best photo practices for maximum results.
“A stunning image will pay for itself over and over,” advises Nikki DeSantis, ResmarkWeb’s Marketing Director. “Great photos can make or break your tour business. They don’t just tell stories…they can generate desire and sell experiences.”
The following are RemarkWeb’s top photo tips for how to capture the best moments that encapsulate a tour and generate a yearning to go. Tips include how to seamlessly incorporate
these images with the right resolution to help a website come alive.
Know Your Tour’s Story and Think Candid: Plan shots to highlight the journey from beginning to end, like a storyboard for a film. Is the tour fun and energetic? Calm and scenic? Capture guests in awe, surprised and laughing, exploring hidden gems and admiring breathtaking views. Candid, uncluttered photos show authentic experiences, building trust with potential customers. Stay alert for spontaneous, unscripted photo opportunities. Describe local life in photos. Be sure guests and local subjects sign consent forms allowing you to use their photos.
Learn Your Camera – Phone or Pro: Smartphone cameras have settings like portrait mode for beautiful depth, HDR for balanced lighting, and burst shots for action moments. Most phones let you turn on a grid. Place your subject along the lines or at intersections for balanced, dynamic photos. This draws the viewer’s eye naturally to the most important part of the photo. Professional cameras require familiarity with ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. Always bring a charger, extra memory cards, and backup batteries. Use a microfiber cloth to clean lenses frequently.
High-Resolution Photos for Websites: Think crisp and fast-loading. For full-screen (hero) images, aim for 1920 x 1080 pixels at 72dpi; for gallery images, 1200 x 800 pixels. Use tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh for compression without losing quality.
Horizontal vs. Vertical Shots: Plan your orientation based on the platform where the photos will be displayed. Websites and banners prefer horizontal shots; social media and mobile viewing embrace vertical. Plan shots for platform needs: square for Instagram, vertical for Instagram Stories and TikTok, and horizontal for Facebook and Twitter.
Try Different Angles: Experiment with high, low, and side angles. Unique perspectives stand out on social media.
Focus on Details: Think local dishes, intricate architecture, and unique textures, all details that tell richer stories and highlight what makes your tour stand out.
Utilize Natural Frames: Doorways, windows, and trees help frame subjects naturally.
Mind the Background: Check for background distractions and reposition the shot for cleaner, more professional results. Position subjects with foreground and background elements for a 3D effect.
Use Burst Mode for Action Shots: Capture fast-moving action like rafting, biking, and hiking with burst to achieve multiple frames to choose from for the perfect action shot. Remember that motion, like crashing waves, adds energy. Fast shutter speed equals sharp action shots, and slow shutter speeds yield creative motion blur.
Master Lighting Techniques:Light dramatically affects photo quality. Experiment with backlighting, silhouettes, reflections, water surfaces, mirrors, and even sunglasses. Accommodate overcast skies, rain, and snow that add drama and mood.
Invest in Accessories: Tripods help ensure steady, blur-free images when shooting group shots, long exposures, and time-lapse videos. Polarizing filters reduce glare; external lenses widen shots.
Edit Thoughtfully: Consistent edits build a recognizable visual identity. Editing apps like Lightroom or VSCO keep photos looking professional but natural as you adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation.
For more detailed recommendations and tips, see the online blog at: https://www.resmarkweb.com/
Visit ResmarkWeb at
https://www.resmarkweb.com/ or call 435-268-3747.
