How to Choose the Ultimate Marketing Image for ALL of Your Equine and Animal-Based Business Media Needs

Did you know, photos are your highest converting asset? Especially when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of marketing your equine business.

Think about that for a sec. 

It’s true. Photos communicate better than anything else. They are the most powerful tool you’ve got in your toolbox. 

But, I’m not talking about any ol’ image. I mean stellar equine lifestyle images. Photos to draw you in. Where you can’t look away. But envision yourself in the scene. 

Listen, folks when it comes to your brand, you want nothing but the best. Right?

A solid equestrian brand message. Images that tell a story and drive the sale. With consistency across your marketing campaign. 

Because of the bottom line. Conversion. 

So how do you do it? 

Check Out These Simple Tips to Smash Your Marketing Game with Images that WOW!

Capture Your Viewers Attention At First Glance

Yes, right from the start.  

You want to use jaw-dropping equine images that make the viewer hold their gaze for a few seconds. To stop what they are doing and dream about what life would be like if they were in the photo. And, to not scroll past or click off the page.

So, let’s say you are trying to sell a custom tooled western saddle. You could use a brilliant photo of the saddle. Close up. Zoomed in on the exquisite detail. The photo gets oohs and ahhs. But, does the viewer see themselves in the photo? Probably not. Can the photo prompt them into buying a saddle? Maybe. 

What about a picture of you and your best bud dressed in western flair. On a trail with the sun shining and relaxed smiles on your faces. Close enough to recognize the beauty of the saddle. But your smiles and joy from riding steal the show.

Your images should elicit emotion. Make people curious. Help them identify with a dream on their bucket list.

Build a Cohesive Brand Message with Your Images

Keep your images connected to your brand message.  Make sure your images link together. No matter where you use them. With the clear goal of representing your brand. 

The best way to do this is to make sure every photo clearly speaks to your target audience. 

Do you need help narrowing down who your ideal client is for your business? Read right here for great ideas to dial in your ideal client.

Create a plan. A flow if you will, for your brand messaging. Make sure ALL your images align with your plan and messaging. 

Consistency in your message is truly your best friend.

Become a Master Storyteller

Rather than focusing on using images that “look” amazing. Focus on images to share your brand story. Create a visual narrative for your readers to follow. 

Get real. 

Be personal. 

Share from the heart. 

Focus on authenticity. 

Be socially engaging.

Because our brains are wired to respond to visual stimuli, photos tug at us. We gaze at a photo and our heart can’t help but wonder. 

Create a story for your viewer. Take them on an adventure. One that stirs their audacious spirit. Help them dream. Help them discover the possibilities life has to offer. Help them be bold. 

Drive them to see why your product gets them where they want to go.

Be UNIQUE

For starters, don’t copy photos off the internet and use them to market your products. It’s not professional. And it’s not legal. Plain and simple. 

When you design your social media posts, brochures, ad campaigns, or website pages, you want to use distinctive equine images that highlight your brand. So your equestrian business stands out among all the others. 

If you want to draw people in, you need to do something different than everyone else. 

Photos bombard our brains all day long. Everywhere you go. Everywhere you look. Photos and more photos. Think about how many horse images you see on your Instagram on a daily basis. Tons. How many do you scroll past? Tons. What makes you stop and look? Possibly...

• Cowgirls showing off badass skills on a ranch

• A little girl on her tiptoes feeding an ice cream cone to her horse 

• A woman at a full gallop on a stormy beach with the wind in her hair

• Best friends on a trail ride at sunset - brilliant colors streaming across the sky

Exciting ones. That’s for dang sure. 

Use equine imagery that is show-stopping. Horse photos designed specifically to elicit an emotional response. Professional stock images that are unique and well crafted to fit your brand story. 

Quality is a Serious Thing

Using stock images from a professional equine photographer guarantees high-resolution photographs. Suited for all your equestrian brand marketing needs. 

Folks, grainy is out. It’s a thing of the past. 

Gorgeous and clear, high-resolution images with the ability to zoom in tight are what you are looking for. Photos that offer flexibility for different projects — whether it’s for website design or a giant billboard.

Print resolution is crucial. An image taken from Google might look ok on your social media page. But, sure is going to look terrible on a banner or sign. Not to mention the legal issues with not licensing an image. 

If you are looking for high-quality, high-resolution equine images. Sized for your specific project. Look no further than the stock image library of Fast Horse Photography. With equine images perfect for all of your business marketing needs.

Fresh is BEST!

Promise me this one thing and repeat after me, “I will not use dated images to market my brand!” 

Friends, it is so important to use fresh and contemporary horse photography to market your brand. 

People want to see photos that encourage and give hope in this crazy world today. Equestrian images that reflect our individuality. But also our ability to stand up over and over again when life knocks us down. 

Help people remember they are resilient. Creative. Brilliant. 

Show people, imperfection is ok. And being whimsical is fun. Encourage interaction and connection. Don’t shy away from reflecting intimacy. 

Instill the desire to venture out to the unexplored. And see humans connect with nature.

But, I’m telling you, that big ol’ horse show win picture you have from the early ’90s... it’s not doing you or your website any favors. The show clothing, tack, riding style… none of it fits what’s happening TODAY. 

Stay CURRENT.

Helpful Resources

You should routinely seek growth in your marketing prowess. Even if you have a stellar marketing team to steer your equine business direction. A great way to do that is by listening to podcasts. Fresh and relevant ideas, available to you any time of day or night. But, be careful, there are so many to choose from. With the possibility of taking you off course. Focus on building your brand to propel sales in your niche. 

The Business Animal Podcast is my newest venture. A platform I share with my dear friend Kimberly Beer of BeMoreBusiness.com. 

We want to help you train your animal-based business to be successful, profitable, joyful, and sustainable. We started The Business Animal Podcast to share stories, techniques, strategies, and inspiration just for business in the equine, pet, and agricultural space. On each episode, you will find subjects you can relate to and that address the unique aspects of the animal and pet industry. We’ve also packed in a lot of practical knowledge you can actually use to start, grow, and prosper in both business and life. 

If you share your business with animals, serve animal owners, and are in the pet or equine industry, you’ve found your herd, pack, pride, flock, tribe - or whatever you call your collective. (TheBusinessAnimal.com)

Start with Podcast #3 Choosing the Perfect Marketing Image.

Consumers are inundated with hundreds — if not thousands — of marketing images every day. How do you choose images that get noticed, communicate your brand message, and create an action that results in a sale? In this episode, Kim and Cara give you some insight on what you should consider when choosing that perfect image to represent your business.

But, don’t stop at #3. There are plenty of topics and ideas to move your business needle in a positive direction. 

Here’s a tool for you to use right now. The Business Animal Marketing Image Checklist. Start checkin’ off that list to find the ideal images.

Another great resource, Storm Lily Marketing Podcasts with Denise Alvarez. Each week, [she’ll] break down marketing into bite-size bits and give you actionable and doable tips and strategies that you can apply to your horse business.

Plus, you’ll hear from your fellow horse business owners who are in the trenches with you as they share specifics of what’s working for them. And then I'll help you see how you can take it and do it in your business, too! (Stormlilymarketing.com)

Check out this podcast 3 Elements of the Perfect Marketing Image with Cara Taylor Swift. Where I share a simple checklist to help you select the best images for all of your equine media needs.  

So, here’s the nitty-gritty folks… First impressions make the sale. 100% of the time. Your animal-based business images should define your brand messaging goal. Be consistent and unique. Tell a story with your images so people can see themselves using your product. With alluring equestrian photos to drive conversion.

Head on over to my Stock Image Library with thousands of photos that are perfect for your equestrian business marketing message. Guaranteed to get people’s attention. Keep their attention, and make the sale.

Or set up a custom commercial equine photo session to build your own personal photo library. Creating images to use for six months to a year. Taking your equestrian business brand to the next level.

Reach out today!