Before a customer messages you, your profile is how they judge your work. Your description tells them what you do. Photos and videos show them, and seeing real work is one of the quickest ways for a customer to trust you.
What makes a photo work
A few simple choices make the difference between a photo customers scroll past and one that shows them your standard. You don't need special equipment, just an eye for what a customer wants to see.
- Real work, not stock images. Customers are choosing a specific person for a specific job. A stock photo tells them nothing about you, and it can put them off if it looks staged.
- Good light, in focus, nothing cluttered. You don't need a professional camera, because most phones are enough. Shoot in daylight where you can, and crop out anything distracting in the background.
- Let the image speak for itself. Choose images where it's clear what's happening, like a before-and-after, a finished result, or you at work, rather than ones that need explaining.
- Lead with results. Photos of your space, tools, or team are useful, but open with what your finished work looks like, since that's what customers want to see first.
What to show depends on what you do
Think about what would help a customer picture hiring you:
- Before-and-afters. If your work has a visible result, such as cleaning, landscaping, renovation, or styling, these are usually your strongest option.
- Finished work. For creative or project-based services, a small set of your best pieces shows your standard at a glance.
- Your team. If customers are inviting you into their home or trusting you with something personal, photos of the people who'd actually show up help them feel comfortable.
- Your workspace. A studio, shop, or office photo helps when the space is part of what customers are paying for.
- Video of past events or performances. For music, events, or other live work, a short clip lets customers see and hear what they'd be getting.
Choose the ideas that fit your work best, and put your strongest image first, since it's what customers see before anything else.
Getting it right
Treat this section as one of the most valuable parts of your profile, not a box to tick. The more clearly your photos and videos show real, good work, the easier it is for the right customers to choose you.
Before a customer messages you, your profile is how they judge your work. Your description tells them what you do. Photos and videos show them, and seeing real work is one of the quickest ways for a customer to trust you.
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