Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/333548
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m J u l y - A u g 2 014 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 9 3 have the ability to include up to four pictures in a tweet, which Twitter automatically turns into a collage. Facebook brand pages are more image-focused than earlier itera- tions (and changing every few months). According to Kissmet- rics, a web analytics agency, pho- tos account for 93% of the most engaging posts on Facebook. They also receive 53% more likes, and 104% more comments than the average post. Pinterest and Instagram both started as visual networks, and continue to grow. As new iterations of smartphones come out each year, the camera fea- ture has become one of the main selling points for many users. While professional photogra- phy is often the best option for winery websites and marketing collateral, smartphones provide an easy and affordable way for any- one – from the tasting room man- ager to the winemaker – to capture compelling images for social media applications. Hiring a professional photogra- pher for lifestyle images and bottle shots for websites, sales sheets n today's digital world, brands only have a moment to capture attention, so it's only natural that the social media marketing land- scape has grown into a medium where imagery has the same value as copy. Photography has become an essential element for telling a brand's story, connecting with cus- tomers and selling a product. More than ever, social networks embody the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." In fact, the social networks that started out as purely text-based are now jumping into the visual story- telling space. Twitter recently released several new features and its design now includes a dynamic layout with a larger header and a greater focus on tweets with images. Users also + Photos capture attention in social networking. + While professional shots are preferred for winery websites and marketing materials, smartphones can take excellent shots for social media. + Natural light is best, and colorful, simple pictures capture attention more than "busy" shots. + Get behind the scenes of your vineyard or winery; take photos that are per- sonal to your business. AT A GLANCE BY SHANA BULL How to shoot better, more compelling photos with a smartphone Add interest to photos by experimenting with different angles. Photo: Shana Bull