Video or Photo? What to Choose And When to Use Both
Should You Choose Video or Photo for Your Brand Content
Choosing between video or photo content can feel tricky. Both have distinct strengths. But the smart approach is knowing when to use each—and how combining them can elevate your brand.
When Photo Content Is the Best Option
Choose photos when you need:
Beautiful still images for your website, brochures or social grids
Professional headshots or team portraits
Product or service features captured crisply in one frame
Branded graphics, quote cards or blog visuals
Photos are quick to consume, crisp, and easy to repurpose with overlays or text on platforms like Instagram, Facebook or your email campaigns.
When Video Content Delivers More Value
Video shines when you want to:
Show transformations or explain how your service works
Tell stories through client testimonials or behind-the-scenes clips
Capture movement, sound or atmosphere—for example at an event or during a live service
Build longer engagement like on YouTube, LinkedIn or your website
Video allows for deeper connection and richer storytelling. It’s memorable and more likely to keep viewers engaged.
Why Using Both Is the Smartest Strategy
When you book a content day you can capture both photos and video in one session. That means:
Hero video clips for your homepage
Short social videos for Reels or Stories
A library of stills for blog posts, email headers, or social carousels
Behind‑the‑scenes footage for informal updates
It offers flexibility and reuse. You don’t need duplicate shoots, and each format supports different platform needs.
Best Practices When Combining Video and Photography
1. Start with a shared theme or campaign
Plan what story or message you want to communicate. Then capture supporting motions and stills that reinforce that theme.
2. Use consistent styling and brand identity
Make sure outfits, colour palettes and lighting are consistent across both video and photo. This gives a polished and unified brand feel.
3. Consider formats during the shoot
Vertical for mobile content. Square for Instagram. Landscape for websites and YouTube. That saves rework later.
4. Repurpose by matching formats to use cases
Turn your main video into mini clips. Use stills to create graphics. Add quotes from your video transcript into carousel posts.
When to Focus on Photos First
If you just want crisp, quick visuals for your site or social
When budgets or timelines are tight
If your product or service is highly visual and doesn’t need motion or sound
When to Invest in Video First
You have a story to tell or clients to showcase
You want higher engagement on social media or your website
You aim to answer questions, demonstrate process or build trust fast
FAQs
Can I get both video and photos in the same shoot?
Yes. A content day can include both formats efficiently and save you duplication costs.
Do I need to edit them differently?
A little bit yes. Video needs subtitling or resizing while photos may need cropping or overlay. But editing tools make that manageable.
What if I only choose one medium now—can I add the other later?
Absolutely. Many businesses start with photos and add video later as they grow their content strategy.
Is video more costly than photography?
Usually video takes more time to capture and edit, so it may cost more. But the payoff can be much greater in engagement and storytelling.
Will photos still be useful if social platforms change format?
Yes. Photos are highly adaptable. You can alter them for new formats, layouts or styles as needed.
Can both help with SEO?
Definitely. Images with alt text and well‑compressed video improve page load time, user engagement and overall search visibility.
Wrapping Up
Deciding between video or photo doesn’t have to be hard. Each format has its own strengths. But the real impact comes when you plan to use both in a well-structured content strategy. That is where businesses gain flexibility, consistency, and better ROI.
Want help planning a content day that captures both photo and video in one go? I’d be happy to walk you through the process.