Got the picture?

A new posting on your wine blog probably generates an average visit length amongst your readers of two or three minutes. Eye catching pictures – and many pictures – might prolong the stay and ensure your followers actually read the text you put down quite some time in writing.

Lousy pictures though, must be one of the most efficient triggers in not increasing the probability that your followers will be absorbed by the article – no matter how excellent the content is. So, are you a wine blogger desperate in need of some hints on how to shoot the perfect pic? Then here’s my:

10 photographs you should avoid on your site!

1. Never buy any bottles with black background and golden text!

Yes, Chateau Palmer do taste quite nice (even if my wallet don’t agree!) and so does the Ahr wines of Meyer Näkel; but have you ever got a decent photograph out of them?

What was I thinking?

2. Arranged pictures sounds cool – in your mind – but most of the times they end up looking quite lame to be frank.

C’mon – who wants to see your recent pour, Chateau Cos d’Estournel standing in your flowerbed?

3. Pictures of you hugging the winemaker/owner as if you were homies for life, or standing there laughing next to him/her won’t work.

Nope, we all know this is your first visit to them! Show off’s don’t get you any bonus clicks unless you run a celebrity wine blog.

Don’t move stupid bottle!

4. Never post pictures that resembles the exact condition you’re in at the moment the photography is shot.

Read: influenced by alco***

5. Stenciled bottles.

No matter how you try you will somehow always end up seeing either yourself mirrored in the bottle – or your camera. If you don’t mind that and think your readers anyway never clicks on the pictures – think again and please put some pants on when shooting the pictures!

Yes, i like my espresso machine….and the tiles.

6. Variation.

Don’t use the same spot every time even if you’re extremely proud of the outrageously expensive tiles you’ve put up in the kitchen. But please, no bottles in the flowerbed.

7.  Photographs of emptied bottles gives more credibility since it’s nice to see you’ve actually had the wine you’re posting on.

This however don’t have to be implemented by retailers or winery blogs trying to sell the wine. We assume you’ve had it!

Don’t we just love the flashlight – when the sun shines!

8. Charge the batteries!

Otherwise you end up standing in a situation where you’ve just had a great wine experience and the battery shows red light. In panic you press the button because you just need to have a pic for the blog – only realizing, after that final pic and when the camera starts beeping, you’ve used the flashlight, on a sunny day, in a sunny room.

9. Don’t think your cell phone does the job for you!

I know, you’ve put a lot of money on it but please, even an old digital camera with two millions pixels takes better pictures! Also, to the poor picture quality add the fact most cell pics are shot late in the evening not likely doing any improvement…

Champagne next to the glass – not by the glass!

10. Want to shoot a picture in motion?

Well kids, don’t try this at home on your own. Make sure you have some assistance and don’t pour yourself. Otherwise you might end up with pics like this.

Easy peasy right? Now the question is; why don’t I follow these simple guidelines myself?