Module 3

Taking the Photos

Now it's time to actually take your photos. You don't need to be a professional photographer — these simple techniques will help you capture great photos with just your phone.

Basic Composition Tips

What to do

Good composition makes the difference between an amateur snapshot and a professional-looking photo. Follow these simple rules.

Step by step

  1. Use the rule of thirds. Imagine your screen divided into a 3x3 grid. Place important subjects along these lines or at their intersections, not dead centre. Most phones can display this grid — look in camera settings.
  2. Hold your phone horizontally (landscape). Most of the time, landscape photos work better for business profiles. They show more context and display better on desktop screens.
  3. Get the whole subject in frame. Don't cut off the top of your sign, the edge of your building, or half of a product. Step back if needed.
  4. Leave some breathing room. Don't fill the entire frame with your subject. Leave space around the edges — this looks more professional and gives Google room to crop if needed.
  5. Keep horizons level. Wonky photos look unprofessional. Use your phone's grid lines to keep horizontal lines truly horizontal.
  6. Avoid distracting backgrounds. Watch out for clutter, bins, random people walking through, anything that draws attention away from your subject.

Getting the Lighting Right

What to do

Good lighting is the most important factor in a good photo. Here's how to work with light effectively.

Step by step

  1. Natural light is usually best. Position yourself so natural light illuminates your subject. Avoid harsh direct sunlight which creates dark shadows.
  2. Face towards the light source. If you're indoors, stand with windows behind you so light falls on your subject, not behind it.
  3. Avoid mixed lighting. If you have both natural light and artificial lights on, the colours can look strange. Either turn off artificial lights or close blinds.
  4. For exteriors, avoid midday sun. The best light for outdoor shots is usually early morning or late afternoon. Overcast days can work well too — soft, even light without harsh shadows.
  5. Watch for shadows on faces. If photographing people, make sure their faces are evenly lit without harsh shadows under eyes or nose.
  6. Turn on all the lights for interior shots. Unless you're going for a moody atmosphere, turn on all lights to make interiors look bright and welcoming.

Examples by industry

Photograph your van in open shade or on an overcast day for even lighting. For work photos, make sure the area is well-lit — turn on all room lights plus any work lights.
Natural daylight streaming through windows makes food and drinks look amazing. Avoid flash — it makes food look flat and unappetising. Morning light is often best.
Clinical rooms have good lighting already. For reception areas, turn on all lights. Natural light from windows helps waiting areas look welcoming.
Office spaces look best with all lights on plus any natural light. Avoid photographing towards windows — the brightness will make the rest of the room look dark.

Phone Photography Technique

What to do

How you hold and use your phone affects photo quality. These small adjustments make a big difference.

Step by step

  1. Hold with both hands. Grip your phone firmly with both hands for stability. Rest your elbows against your body if possible.
  2. Brace against something. For the steadiest shots, lean against a wall or rest your phone on a surface.
  3. Tap to focus. Don't just point and shoot. Tap on your main subject on the screen to ensure the phone focuses there.
  4. Tap and hold to lock focus (on iPhone). Holding your finger on the screen locks focus and exposure, useful for multiple shots of the same scene.
  5. Avoid digital zoom. Instead of zooming in (which reduces quality), move closer to your subject. Walk towards it rather than zooming.
  6. Take multiple shots. Take 3-5 photos of each setup. You can choose the best one later. Photos are free — take plenty.
  7. Use burst mode for action. If photographing something moving (staff at work, pouring coffee), hold down the shutter button for burst mode and select the best frame.

Tips for Specific Types of Shots

What to do

Different subjects need different approaches. Here's how to photograph common business subjects well.

Step by step

  1. Building exteriors: Stand far enough back to get the whole building in frame with some space around it. Include the pavement/street for context. Shoot at an angle rather than straight-on for a more dynamic image.
  2. Interiors: Stand in a corner to maximise what you can see. Use the widest lens setting on your phone (usually the default). Make sure vertical lines (doorframes, walls) are actually vertical.
  3. Food and products: Get close to fill the frame. Shoot from above (flat lay) or at a 45-degree angle — rarely straight on. Style the shot: add props, arrange items attractively.
  4. People/team: Have people look at the camera and smile naturally. Photograph at eye level or slightly above (more flattering than below). Ensure faces are well-lit.
  5. Work examples/before-after: Keep the camera position and angle consistent for both shots. Take before photos even if you think you might not need them — you can't go back.

Examples by industry

For completed work: take multiple angles, ensure good lighting (turn on all lights), capture key details (new taps, clean pipework). For before/after: same angle for both shots is essential.
For food: shoot near the window for natural light, use a clean background (table, board), add context (cutlery, napkin) but don't clutter. Shoot from above or 45 degrees.
For clinical rooms: ensure everything is spotless, include modern equipment in frame, shoot wide to show the full setup. Add a person (staff member) for scale and warmth.
For office shots: tidy desks, straighten chairs, remove personal items. Shoot meeting rooms with the table set as if ready for a meeting — adds life to the image.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

What to do

Watch out for these frequent photo mistakes that make businesses look unprofessional.

Step by step

  1. Dirty lens. Creates hazy, blurry photos. Wipe your lens before every photo session.
  2. Finger over lens. Easy to do accidentally. Check your grip.
  3. Cluttered backgrounds. Remove rubbish, tidy surfaces, clear the shot of distractions before photographing.
  4. Poor lighting. Dark, shadowy, or weirdly-coloured photos. Move to better light or add light sources.
  5. Crooked horizons. Use grid lines to keep things level.
  6. Cutting off important elements. Signage, products, people's heads. Step back and get everything in frame.
  7. Using flash indoors. Creates harsh, unflattering light with hard shadows. Turn off flash and use available light instead.
  8. Unflattering angles of people. Shooting from below makes people look strange. Shoot at eye level or slightly above.

Before moving to the next shot: