You are proud of your work and you should display it as such and want it to look its very best. When creating a website, Facebook fan page, blog, fliers, or any other form of advertisement, you want it to look amazing! I recommend hiring a professional photographer.
Here are a few tips on why using a professional photographer will enhance your photos:
1. Date Stamp: A professional photographer will not date stamp the picture. Having the date in the bottom right corner brings the quality of the photo down tremendously.
2. Clean Photo: A professional photographer will stage your photo. For example, if you are in construction, the photographer will take the picture so the huge pile of garbage is not in the shot and make sure that the area is clear and clean. If you are a landscaper, hoses will not be drawn across the lawn, shirtless workers or dented trucks will not be in the background. Empty soda bottle and hats will not be on the new island you just installed.
3. Lighting: The photographer can advise on how the weather will affect the shot. They also know what to do to prevent or avoid the extreme shadows and highlights that reduce the clarity of the photo.
4. Clear Photo: A good photographer will keep him/her self out of the photo. It can be difficult to keep the camera flash from blowing out an area, your shadow and your reflection out of a shot. Taking a picture of a room with lots of mirrors is particularly hard, but a professional can do it.
Great photos have a positive impact on your website, social media and other advertisements. If you are unable to hire a photographer or have a friend that does amazing photography as a hobby, there are other options. You can use representations of your work. Stock photography is a great option. I recommend www.IstockPhoto.com for great looking photos (don’t use stock photos in your gallery/portfolio area). Be sure to read the fine print of other photo sample sites. They may have hidden fees where Istockphoto.com does not.
If you want to show off your work and talent, having your own professional pictures is the best way to go.
