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September 1, 2022 by Terran Leave a Comment

Why every brand needs product AND lifestyle imagery

In the battle of product vs. lifestyle photography there is no winner. You need BOTH to fully capture your brand’s story. Lifestyle photography is a great way to develop or enhance your brand identity and elevate the look and feel of your business as a whole.

Here are a few reasons why every brand needs lifestyle photos that go beyond simply showing your products.

1. It eliminates over-selling

Your brand is more than just the things you sell. You have core values of who you are and what you want to help your customers achieve. Plus, no one likes to be sold to all.the.time. Photos without products can just as easily tell your brand story.

When you’re focused on selling the lifestyle, you’re creating an emotional connection with consumers. Appealing to their emotions and feelings is vital to turn them into loyal, returning customers.

2. It gets you in your feels

You are your product or service. You feel something. That’s what sells. Show people the feeling behind your brand. Convey the emotions your brand or product stirs in your imagery. Take any of my GoldPaw shoots for example. Even though their products are in the photos, it’s easily noticeable that this company isn’t just selling pet products or accessories, they are an entire feeling. They are speaking to the souls of both adventurous and every-day-dog parents and that connection is what customers CRAVE!

Your customers want to be able to relate to a product or service on a personal level. They want to feel involved and part of something meaningful. Lifestyle imagery gives you another way to be brand-transparent and show off your authenticity.

Kind of feels like throwing some lifestyle content on your social feed is a no-brainer now, huh? Put it everywhere – pick your package and let’s do this!

3. It’s Your Visual Storyboard

This one just seems like such a marketing win: visual storytelling! First, tell stories through your photoshoot locations that will resonate with your target audience. It’s one of the easiest ways to get the most bang for your buck when booking commercial shoots and it can boost your brand’s credibility tenfold!

Think about it…

Is your product geared toward bringing dogs & pet parents together? Having lifestyle images that represent a happy, loving mom and dog, like these commercial shots for JustFoodForDogs, might be just the ticket!

OR

Do you sell tough toys for tough chewers and you want to bring positive energy to big, bully dogs? Use a pit bull type dog as a model for your next shoot. You’re both advocating to end breed stereotypes and connecting with the pittie-loving audience.

Let them see themselves represented beyond just using your products. You want to tell the story that helps your customers make a deeper connection to you. Let them buy in to your brand values by resonating with the photos you’re putting out into the world.


PSSST!

We recently launched a challenge for pet brands to use pit bull type dogs in their marketing campaigns. If it fits your brand’s vibes, I know several pittie models who rock the camera!


Lifestyle photography is such a fun and unique way your brand can connect with your customers. It brings your story to life and promotes the adventure of your brand aesthetic. Look through our commercial portfolio at all the different ways a brand can showcase their products without taking away from the feeling it’s trying to express.


Did you know?

We are traveling the U.S. through November 2022 on our Great American Road Trip and are currently booking nationwide! Learn more about why that is a phenomenal idea here and then get in touch here:

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Home » Why every brand needs product AND lifestyle imagery

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Based in San Diego, CA
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Hi there! In the age of social media, we all scrol Hi there! In the age of social media, we all scroll... a lot. Since we've had a bunch of new followers lately, I wanted to take a moment to say hi, introduce myself, and get to know you a little!​​​​​​​​
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I'm Terran, the Crazy Dog Mom behind Westway Studio. My hubby, senior pup, and I live in San Diego for six months of the year and travel the US in our Airstream for the other six. We love being on the road, meeting new people, seeing new places, eating new foods, and experiencing this beautiful country we call home.​​​​​​​​
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I'd love if you would share a little something about you and your pets with me — like where you're from, your animal companion's favorite vacation destination, a silly story, or anything else! :)
It's your last chance to apply for our upcoming We It's your last chance to apply for our upcoming West Paw photo shoot! The casting call closes this afternoon! Don't miss out - photo shoots are TONS of fun for people and pets! Link in bio or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call
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We're holding an open casting model call for our next playtime-filled shoot with West Paw! Apply at the link in my bio or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call. Let's have some FUN!
Who LOVES treats? 🙋‍♀️ We're holding an o Who LOVES treats? 🙋‍♀️ We're holding an open casting model call for our next shoot with West Paw that'll be all about — you guessed it — TREATS! Apply through the link in my bio or at https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call
YahoOOoOooOoo!!! We are planning our next photo sh YahoOOoOooOoo!!! We are planning our next photo shoot with West Paw at the end of January! We're looking for dogs + their people to participate. Dogs should be well-trained and love treat toys! We are looking for pups of all breeds, mixes, and ages. Link in bio to apply or https://www.westpaw.com/pages/model-call​​​​​​​​​
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Sorry, boss, I'm gonna be late today... or I might Sorry, boss, I'm gonna be late today... or I might not make it in at all... it's National Cuddle Day, which means I can't move 'til my four-legged best friend does. 🤷‍♀️ Does your animal companion love to cuddle or is it more of an exercise in futility?
Hello. It's Wednesday. The holidays are over. Whic Hello. It's Wednesday. The holidays are over. Which way is up? Do you have any treats?
Mid-session puppy kisses always make for the silli Mid-session puppy kisses always make for the silliest and sweetest photos! Do your pups give you kisses, too?
Happy New Year, friends! What are you most looking Happy New Year, friends! What are you most looking forward to this year?​​​​​​​​
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Two things I'm really excited for are (1) getting back out on the open road in the Airstream and (2) teaching at the Shutterhound Conference in September alongside some of the world's greatest pet photographers. Seriously, the speaker lineup is i-n-c-r-e-d-I-b-l-e! Pinch me, I must be dreaming! (Sign up with crazy-special pricing through 11:59pm Eastern time tonight!!!)
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