The old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” couldn’t be more true for the cannabis industry. In the highly competitive world of cannabis marketing, it takes top-of-the-line photography to make your mark.
High-quality images can make a powerful first impression on your customers. After all, your brand’s visual identity is the first thing they’ll notice, whether through product shots on your website or in-store signage.
Mockup photos and other product photography can have a wide range of uses. Use them as a concept design to help you craft your brand’s aesthetic, or put them to use as dispensary marketing materials on your website, social media channels, billboards, and more.
The real question is: How do you get great weed mockups and photos for business? Here are some of the best ways to get powerful shots you can use to elevate your brand.
1. Hire a Professional Photographer and/or Graphic Designer
The quality of your images will reflect on the quality of your product — and ultimately, your entire brand. That’s why so many brands turn to professional photographers or graphic designers to help them elevate their visual branding.
A professional photographer doesn’t just have top-quality equipment. They also have the know-how to take the kind of stunning, high-quality shots that look crisp, professional, and appealing on your website. A graphic designer can also help you take great photos and turn them into quality mockups, concept art, product packaging, and more.
2. Take Stock Images and Make Them Your Own
Not everyone has the budget for professional photography, but that doesn’t mean you can’t access top-quality photos. There are plenty of affordable cannabis stock images on sites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock.
Try editing the photos on software like Photoshop to add a personal branding touch. Keep it simple by adjusting the lighting, contrast, and color. Or, if you have the editing ability, you can go all the way by Photoshopping a whole new background and adding your own branding to the packaging design.
3. Try Your Hand at Cannabis Photography
If you have the time to learn photography basics, why not try it yourself? While a DSLR camera goes a long way, you can also take high-quality shots with a decent smartphone.
Study up on the basics of composition, framing, and lighting before you try to DIY. Make sure the product looks as appealing as possible and that it’s well-lit on a clean, simple backdrop.
4. Leverage User-Generated Content
User-generated content, or UGC, is one of the most effective and affordable ways to promote your brand. If you have customers who have posted photos of your cannabis products online, repurpose those photos (with credit) on your own platforms.
This strategy gives you access to quality, creative photographs at no cost. Plus, these photos come directly from customers, which creates a feeling of authenticity.
5. Explore the Power of AI Design Tools
Artificial intelligence isn’t going to replace photography any time soon, but AI-powered tools can help you take your photos to the next level. AI can automate the editing process, enhance low-quality images, or even create graphics and mockups from scratch.
Using Imagery to Grow Your Cannabis Brand
The power of photography goes beyond showing what your product looks like. It allows customers to imagine the taste, smell, and feel — bringing your offerings to life.
It’s also a way to capture your brand’s aesthetics and values. From packaging mockups to product highlights, the right images tell a story about your brand and what it has to offer.At HIGHOPES, we know what it takes to build a visual identity for your brand. That’s why we work with cannabis companies like yours to create stunning visuals, including website design, packaging design, and logos. Learn more about what we do or contact us today to start your partnership.
