Photographs are at the heart of marketing, especially for visual-based industries like cosmetic tattooing. Professional marketers often rely on filtered photographs to create eye-catching content for social media, websites, blogs, ads, and other promotional materials. These filtered images are designed to attract and retain the audience's attention, presenting a polished and appealing representation of the brand. But when is it appropriate to use unfiltered photographs? Let's explore the benefits and drawbacks of each and identify when you should use one over the other.
The Power of Filtered Photographs
Filtered photographs have become the norm in marketing because they offer a range of advantages:
Enhanced Aesthetics: Filters can enhance colors, contrast, and lighting, creating a more visually appealing image. This is particularly useful for grabbing attention on social media and marketing materials.
Brand Consistency: Using similar filters across multiple images can help maintain a consistent brand look and feel, reinforcing brand identity.
Improved Engagement: Eye-catching filtered photos often lead to higher engagement on social media platforms, drawing in more likes, comments, and shares.
These benefits are why filtered photos are widely used in cosmetic tattoo marketing. They can make your work stand out, attract new clients, and create a visually consistent brand image. Your image (brand) as an artist is as important as the beauty image you see across all beauty industries.Â
The Case for Unfiltered Photographs
While filtered photographs are great for attracting attention, there are times when unfiltered photos are more appropriate:
Realistic Expectations: Unfiltered photos show the raw, unedited results of a cosmetic tattoo procedure. This helps clients understand what to expect immediately after their session, reducing the risk of disappointment due to unrealistic expectations.
Transparency: Unfiltered photos can build trust with your audience. Clients can see the true results of your work, which is especially important in the cosmetic tattoo industry, where results can vary based on skin type and other factors.
Healing Process: When showing the healing process, unfiltered photos are invaluable. They demonstrate how the tattoo will look as it heals, giving clients a realistic view of what to expect during this period.
When to Use Each
As a cosmetic tattoo artist, both filtered and unfiltered photographs should be part of your marketing arsenal. Here's a guide on when to use each:
Filtered Photos: Use these for your promotional materials, such as website images, social media posts, and marketing ads. They should be used to attract attention and showcase your skills in the best light.
Unfiltered Photos: Incorporate these into your blog posts, within the body of social media content, and when showing the immediate results of a procedure. These images can also be used in client testimonials or before-and-after comparisons, giving a true representation of your work.
By using a mix of filtered and unfiltered photographs, you can create a balanced and honest marketing strategy. The key is knowing when to use each type of photo to best represent your work and build trust with your audience. This approach will help you attract new clients while maintaining the integrity and authenticity of your brand.Â
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Our educational resources, like the insightful blog on filtered versus unfiltered photos, are just one example of how PMU Collaborative helps artists worldwide succeed. Join our community and start building your business today.
Mary Hall ScottÂ
B.S. R.T. (R) CPT MPS