Why Professional Livestock Photography is Key When Selling Bulls.
Preparing for a bull sale takes quite literally years of work - from the time you select who you’re breeding your cows to, through weaning and then into bull development you have a lot invested in these cattle. When it comes time to sell your bulls, you want to make sure they get the attention they deserve. That's where professional livestock photography comes in.
Today's bull buyers are browsing online, looking for animals that stand out in photo and video and then looking to pedigree. The same is true when someone receives your bull sale book in the mail, if the photos are not quality and the bulls don’t look the part, the book may unfortunately hit the trash rather than taking up space on a countertop. High-quality professional photos can be the difference between catching attention and being passed by.
Things to think about when contemplating hiring a professional livestock photographer:
First Impressions Matter: A bull's first impression is made through his photograph. A quality image can immediately grab a buyer's attention and make them want to learn more.
Put Your Best Foot Forward: Professional photographers know how to capture cattle at their best and have the proper equipment to do the job. While cell phone photos help build trust on social media, grainy, poorly lit, cell phone photos taken at improper angles aren’t what you want to use to present cattle in a sale book.
Tell a Story: Sale cattle lot photos alone don’t tell the full story. Consider having a livestock photographer out at other times of the year to take reference photos of your top cows or herd bulls you have on site. It’s also beneficial to have someone out to take scenic photos of your ranch and family or crew working; these images can be used in the design of your sale catalog and also on your website and social media.
Stand Out from the Crowd: Professional images tell the story of your ranch and also help “stop the scroll” when customers browse social media - there is endless competition online so quality social media posts help you stand out. Let's face it, many bull sale catalogs look the same. Professional photography allows you to create visually stunning materials that will make your bulls stand out from the rest.
Finding the Right Photographer
With so much riding on your bull sale, it's important to choose a photographer who understands the livestock industry and can capture cattle correctly. Sale photos are not a job that should be done by anyone with a camera, and taking photos of people doesn’t mean that you can take cattle sale photos. As someone who has actively worked in the livestock industry for over 10 years, I know when cattle do or don’t look their best and I can capture images that show the animal at their best.
Investing in professional livestock photography is an investment in your bottom line. By showcasing your bulls in the best possible light, you're increasing your chances of attracting serious buyers and getting higher prices for your bulls. In the competitive world of cattle sales, professional photography is a game-changer.
Bonus Tip: When working with your photographer, discuss your specific goals for the photo shoot. What are you hoping to communicate to potential buyers? What has gone well or not well in your past marketing efforts? I will work with you to make sure that your day goes as smoothly as possible helping us to be the most successful that we can be in marketing your bulls.
Work with Tierra: Ready to chat more about your upcoming cattle sale or move forward with planning? Reach out to me via email at tierrakduke@gmail.com or on the Contact page of my website.