Pictures are worth a thousand words
This picture is clear and the participants are smiling and engaged. The quality of the photo is fine and doesn't looked scanned.
Look at the pictures on your website, brochures and all of your materials. What are they saying about you?
Let me take the voice of the general public when I answer these questions. Strangers and your friends won’t tell you the truth, they are too nice. I will tell you straight up because I do care about you. Every year, since 2001, I have had the pleasure of being around a unique bunch of people who love people. Don’t get me wrong, I like earthlings too, but the balloon twister group really goes out of their way to dazzle and engage strangers walking by.
This picture is focused on the subjects and they are both smiling. The quality of photo is clear and cropped.
In the jam room, you will find folks studying, researching testing different balloon designs from 9am to 5am. Crazy. This kind of dedication to your craft is not showing through your pictures or through your brand. Many of your pictures, do not represent your quality. You are too talented to lose all this money and respect by looking like an amateur.
I went through my old pictures and I have plenty of old bad pictures to demonstrate. Really, none of these should be used.
Here is the truth…
…about what I have seen on many entertainer sites and what people will think. These are thought of the potential clients reading your websites:
This picture is too blurry and should be cropped
Pixelated or blurry pictures – You can’t afford a good camera or you can’t afford a photographer. Or maybe you don’t have enough rapport with your audience for them to take a picture for you.
Old and scanned pictures – You have been doing this forever and you are old. You won’t get our audience. Did you know we have digital cameras now? Wow, you can’t afford a digital camera or do you electronics confuse you? When was your last audience? Do you see big feathered hair? Mullets? Tails? You haven’t had an event since 1980’s.
Uncropped Pictures -You don’t know anything about computers, you can’t even crop a picture. You must be old or not afford modern software.
This shows unimportant surroundings and the top 2 guys don't look happy.
Show only what is important - the happy people
The most important part of the picture is the couple, not the background. Help the observer focus on the subject.
The observer now knows what to look at and can appreciate the details.
Pictures of strange people or odd expressions – You aren’t mainstream. Our people won’t be able to relate to you. Where did you find these people? What were you doing with these people to provoke that odd expression?
These kids look a bit weird and not so smiley. This picture does not flatter the face painter.
If you have to use this picture, then crop to the happy kids.
This owl is too dark.
Stock photography – You don’t have your own photos, you must be new. We want an expert not a newbie. Or you aren’t creative enough to get your own pictures. Your probably not good because you are not willing to share your photos.
Dark pictures – You can’t afford a decent camera.
Action Items:
- Evaluate your pictures and get fresh eyes to look at them
- Make sure you pictures are clear
- Edit the pictures
- Use the pictures of your target market audience
- Show pictures of your interacting with the crowd
- Show the different events you want to hired for.
By the way, videos are worth more.
Get your pictures to brag about you. “Maximize your Return On Image.”
