Mascots love to be in the spotlight. In fact, using your mascot in social media marketing is an excellent way to build a loyal fanbase, get your company out there, and engage your audience. You want to make sure that any images you share of your beloved mascot are professional looking. Here are some tips to ensure you capture your mascot’s “good side” and that they come across in the best light!
1. Lighting
Lighting is essential to taking a great 'sharable' photo. Make sure you are in a well-lit area before you start taking pictures. We know you're proud of your beautiful mascot, so don’t hide it away in the shadows of a dim photo! Low light conditions will make your photos grainy and will mute the colours of the mascot costume.
Pro Tip: Find a window with some natural light and have your mascot stand near it. The natural white light will be more flattering and professional looking than office lighting. You can use a tripod or steady the camera on a railing if the lighting is low and you want to avoid flash. Flash creates unsightly shadows and can make even the most friendly mascot seem terrifying. Always keep the strongest light source to your back. If you are near a window, position yourself between the window and the mascot. If you shoot into the window, your mascot may end up a mere silhouette of itself!
2. Angles
Just like when you take a picture of your friends and family, angles are important! Yes, you can play it safe by just shooting straight on, but let's get more creative! Make your mascot seem more intimidating by shooting them from below, or get up high and shoot a picture of your mascot in his environment! Experiment with different angles and you’ll be surprised at how fun the images can be!
3. Candid & Set-up Shots
The best mascot shots are often the candid ones. Rather than ask your mascot to pose, follow your mascot around while they are interacting with fans. You can get some incredible shots by just capturing the natural moment! For set-up shots, have your mascot complete different tasks for a fun twist. Photographing your mascot while he works out at the gym, goes to the beach, or reads a paper can really bring your mascot character to life!
4. Backgrounds
Pay attention to what is going on in the background of a photo. Choose a suitable background for the shot to make it more professional. A plain white wall works well, but you could get much more creative with it! What about some family-friendly graffiti or murals outside? Or maybe a local park, or the rustic brick wall of an old building would make an interesting composition. Whatever you do, don’t let the background become too busy or distracting in the photo!
5. Rule of Thirds
Photography 101.. the Rule of Thirds. One simple rule for having nicely composed images is to break the image down into thirds. By aligning the elements of the images up with these imaginary lines, you automatically have a composition that is pleasing to the eye. However, rules were meant to be broken! So play with the composition of your images and you'll be surprised at what you come up with!
In the end, make sure you share your images on different social media websites. Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr are all image focused- but Facebook and Twitter are great places to share your images as well. Don't forget, we love seeing our mascots in action, so please remember to send us some of your favourite mascot photos throughout the year!
If you are looking to create a mascot for your school, team, or business, get a quote today and we can help you make a lasting impact with a custom mascot costume!
Want to know more about how a mascot can help your business? Download a copy of Coqui The Chef!
