How to Create Scroll Stopping Images

In this busy online space, a must have are show stopping images to cut through the noise. To get yourself seen and grab people's attention. Easier said than done to create this wow factor, I know! However, there are some simple approaches that you can adopt that will make all the difference. Here are top 5 tips to creating images that stop the scroll and encourage your audience to dwell and read more.

STORY TELLING

One of the best styles of images to attract attention are those that tell a story. As humans we love a story and crave connection. A picture that encourages you to read into what's happening and often create our own ending, will mean your audience is more likely to move onto your content to hear your side of the story.

In business, the most effective storytelling images are those that show your brand story: how you help guide your clients to the solution for their problems. How you are the expert in your field, how you work differently and are therefore the obvious choice. They will also show how you are relatable and real, building know like and trust with your audience. It's this familiarity that will also get attention. It's your face that people want to see.

EMOTION AND INTRIGUE

An image that shows emotion will definitely get noticed as with our inquisitive minds, we are intrigued to know more. Showing our emotions creates connection which is something our audiences want right now. We want to feel heard by real people who are like us. We want that human interaction in a very technical and often automated online space.

Purchasing decisions are emotional. People buy from people; hence why images that show emotion and create intrigue are so powerful.

COMPOSITION AND FOCAL POINTS

A confused mind doesn't make decisions. This is where composition is key in your images to make it easy for your audience to stop and look. You know when you see something that is pleasing and just looks good, you will take it all in. Often there will be strategy behind this that you may not be aware of: such as the rule of thirds, patterns with triangles and creating focal points.

The rule os thirds is a brilliant photography technique that gives great composition and balance to images. At its simplest, it means having your subject at the left or right third of the image, leaving space on the other side. It’s particularly fabulous for brand images including expression shots, as the negative space is perfect for your marketing messages. An important point to remember is that human nature is to follow the direction the person is looking in the image. To direct people to read the text, it’s therefore best to have the person looking towards the negative space where the messaging will be placed

Consider the rule of triangles in your composition. Our brain loves a pattern and odd numbers; so seeing triangles in an image is pleasing to the eye. It creates a focal point and can give symmetry too which denotes harmony. Whether it is how you arrange your subjects or taking close ups that naturally show a triangle, it changes the impact of your images when you photograph this way.

Having a focal point will make it easier for the eye to land on a part of the visual and draw someone in. In the same way a visual display will be placed at the end of a walkway in a shop to entice you to walk down it, having a feature at the focal point in your image will encourage people to stop and look into your picture

EXPRESSION SHOTS

These brand images are a fantastic way to stop the scroll as they are eye catching and work brilliantly with your marketing messages. Best of all they show you and your personality; and can be full of emotion too. As mentioned above, they also can follow the rule of thirds which creates great composition.

Often these expression shots show big smiles and laughter - another great hook as we are attracted to things that make us smile

COLOUR

This is a fantastic way to get your image noticed as bright primary and secondary colours in particular stand out.

Red gets and holds attention as it denotes power, urgency as well as danger. It can be used really effectively to draw people to look into your image: for example, a red sail of a boat on the horizon will create a focal point to look at in an otherwise pale ocean scene. Blue has been noted as the most often chosen favourite colour of people, so will be quickly recognised as a positive and familiar colour. Green on the other hand is recognised as the colour most easily seen by the human eye so will again, be noticed above others

Many of these tips can work together to create the show stopping images we all crave to have to get ourselves seen. Most important to mention is that it's not about the best equipment or perfect photograph, it's about an image that captures the moment to tell the story with real emotion. Images that show all of you and your personality are key to this to get your ideal client to see you and wanting to know more.

Have lots of fun with this, wowing your audience and stopping them in their tracks

To see lots more examples of scroll stopping brand photographs, here is my guide to the 10 Must Have Brand Images. Click HERE

Thank you so much for reading this article.

Best Wishes

Kier

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