You’ve probably heard the phrase that “A picture is worth a thousand words.” With a professional photographer, that phrase proves true. It also ends up being one of the most powerful tools in marketing. But before you break out the camera on your phone, snap a couple photos, and call it a day, you should consider how having a professional photographer can be an even greater advantage for your business growth.
The fact is that you stand a lot to gain from working with a professional photographer to promote your business:
- High-quality photos are more shareable (meaning greater word of mouth for your business)
- They help people visualize life with your product or service, which is a large factor when deciding to buy
- Photos raise the chances of people remembering your company, thus increasing familiarity and the chances of purchasing from you
- They give a higher reflection of the quality of your services than photos shot on your phone
Let’s go more in-depth into each of these benefits.
Professional Photography Creates Highly Shareable Marketing Assets
Pretty much every single form of social media gives you the option to post and share photos. In fact, several of them are centered around photo or video (TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest).
- As of 2025, over 4.5 billion people use social media globally. That’s more than half of the global population liking, commenting, and sharing content
- It’s estimated that most Americans encounter between 4,000-10,000 advertisements daily. In other words, you need to catch people’s eyes and catch them quickly
- Professional photography dramatically increases engagement rates compared to amateur photos—by as much as 352% according to recent studies
What does this mean for you? It means that making use of a professional photographer holds massive potential for generating engagement from your audience. This in turn expands your reach even wider and presents your services to even more potential customers.
Think of it this way: Imagine you’re scrolling on social media and you come across a post from a home service business. The before-and-after photos of their work are so impressive that you immediately take notice. You send the post to a friend who’s been dealing with a similar issue at their home. By that evening, they’re scheduling an appointment with that company, and the next week you’re seeing their positive review on social media saying, “You’ve got to try this service!”
In this example, not only did the work of a professional photographer trigger the desire to try out this service, but it facilitated shareability that brought in additional business. Photography created by an expert has the potential to evoke those emotions about your brand as well, and comes with the benefit of natural, organic sharing.
Professional Photography Helps Customers Visualize Your Service Value
Imagine you’re browsing for a contractor to remodel your kitchen. As you’re scrolling through company websites, you find one that catches your eye. The images show immaculate workmanship, attention to detail, and beautiful lighting that showcases the transformation. Though it’s someone else’s kitchen in the photo, it’s not difficult to imagine your own space transformed in a similar way.
Why did this work? A professional photographer did a great job adjusting lighting, editing, and capturing the details that help you see what your life would be like after using that service. In other words, they helped your imagination visualize how your life would improve by hiring that company.
- According to research, 67% of consumers say that the quality of product or service images is “very important” when making a purchase decision
- Professional websites with high-quality photography convert 108% more visitors than those with lower-quality images
- The decision to hire a home service professional is heavily influenced by the quality of their portfolio images
The better the quality of the photo, the more you’re going to touch that part of a customer’s imagination that will help them visualize their life after using your service.
That’s why successful plumbing companies feature professional images of their completed work. It is why HVAC contractors show pristine installations. It’s also why landscaping businesses showcase perfectly framed before-and-after transformations. They are creating a vivid idea of what could be your reality if you were to go with them.
Professional Photography Makes Your Business More Memorable
Science has proven that images stick in people’s minds. Utilizing this aspect of marketing increases your chances of building a recognizable brand. Here are some statistics that show how much a professional photographer’s skill can help:
- Studies show that people remember only around 10% of something they learn after 72 hours. If the information is paired with a great image, that retention increases to 65%.
- Scientists have discovered that the brain can recognize things it sees within 100 milliseconds. This means that the better photography you use, the more recognizable your brand can become.
- According to research, around two-thirds of people are visual learners. This means that if you’re wanting people to learn about your service, and do so quickly, then professional photos are essential.
The more eye-catching your photos are, the more they are going to cling to people’s memories, and the higher the chances that they’ll remember how you have the solution to their problem. Professional photographers are specially trained to craft photos that will stand out among the rest and establish your brand identity.
Professional Photographers Use Equipment That Delivers Results
Lots of phone brands advertise how professional the cameras on their smartphones are. But here’s the deal: nothing takes better quality photos than equipment that is built singularly for that purpose.
In the case of phones, taking pictures is just one tool among many, meaning that while it comes with the advantage of convenience, you’re going to have to compromise on many aspects of quality (focus, color, lighting, etc.). Let’s be honest, imagine hiring a photographer for your company portfolio and having them show up with just a smartphone as their main picture-taking device.
Meanwhile, a professional-grade camera has been specifically designed with the sole purpose of taking visually-stunning photographs. While they can be bulky and require expertise to operate, they give unmatched quality consistently, which a pocket-sized phone simply can’t match.
Thankfully, professional photographers have put in the time and research necessary to hone their skills, and you get to reap the benefits when you’re sharing high-class photos of your business, your team, and your services.
Real-World ROI of Professional Photography for Home Service Businesses
Let’s talk about measurable returns on your investment in professional photography:
- Listings with professional photos receive 47% more inquiries than those without
- Businesses that invest in professional photography see up to 35% increase in engagement on their social media posts
- Website visitors spend 10% more time on pages with professional images
- Service-based businesses with professional images command 3-7% higher prices than those with amateur photos
For home service businesses specifically, professional photography creates trust—which is essential when you’re asking customers to let you into their homes. It demonstrates attention to detail and quality workmanship, which customers naturally extend to your actual service expectations.
Make Your Brand Picture Perfect With Rebel Ape Marketing
If you’re ready to get photos that will reflect the quality of your services, build trust, and catch the attention of your customers, then start today with Rebel Ape Marketing. Our photographers spend countless hours practicing and perfecting their skills in order to present your business in the best possible light.
Schedule a time today to meet with our team. You can find all the ways that your business can benefit from having a professional photographer on your team. You can contact us through our website or give us a call.
