Exterior Office <\/td> – Google Business Profile – Maps\/Location Webpage <\/td> Ease of Identifying Office’s Location <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPatient Consent Required <\/h2>\n\n\n\n There are multiple scenarios where photos and videos can benefit your practice. But before you start taking photos of your patients, you need to remember they are considered PHI (patient health information) and should be treated the same as any other patient records that must be in compliance with HIPAA. For this reason, your practice must obtain a signed patient release document for any photos or videos used on your website or other marketing materials. Cropping or distorting images doesn\u2019t waive this requirement. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWe recommend reviewing a patient release document with your local\/HIPAA attorney. This also applies to using patient images from a practice where you previously worked. You must obtain new written consent since those photos are still the property of the previous practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Five Tips for Taking Your Own Photos <\/h2>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t want to spend much money on professionally shot photos, you can take them with a personal camera or mobile phone. Below are five tips to consider when choosing this method: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Lighting makes a difference <\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nGood lighting can make or break your photos.<\/em> We recommend constant lighting, such as ring lights. Base-level lighting equipment can be inexpensive and easy to find on Amazon or similar retailers. <\/li>\n\n\n\nAvoid using a flash when possible. Although a flash can light your subject, it can often cause overexposure and cast shadows. <\/li>\n\n\n\n Avoid being in front of windows or any light source behind your subject. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2. Camera vs. phone <\/h3>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t worry about buying an expensive camera<\/em>. If you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, that\u2019s great! Smartphone cameras often work just as well. If you have a newer iPhone\u00ae or Android\u2122 device, it can capture high-resolution photos suitable for viewing in most use cases on the web. Keep your camera stable by using a tripod or flat surface. A GorillaPod is great for smartphone stabilizing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Orientation matters <\/h3>\n\n\n\n Depending on the use case of the photos, consider the orientation<\/em>. For example, headshots are commonly taken in portrait mode, whereas group shots are often better shot in landscape mode. <\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Aim for Consistency <\/h3>\n\n\n\n When photos are taken at different times, you may experience inconsistencies<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\nFor headshots,<\/strong> each photo you take should have the same background and be taken from the same distance, angles and lighting. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\nReduce the noise. <\/strong>Use a solid background with a subtle pattern or no pattern at all. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n5. Diversify your imagery <\/h3>\n\n\n\n We recommend including subjects that represent a diverse demographic<\/em> and vary in age, ethnicity and race. U.S. Census data can provide information on the demographics of your local market. Consumers connect with brands that they can identify with.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBefore & After Galleries <\/h2>\n\n\n\n Demonstrating services you provide, such as facial plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures, through before\/after photography will help attract and convert new patient leads. We\u2019ve assembled five tips for your team when taking photos for a before and after gallery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAim for consistency<\/strong> Choose one location in your office<\/em> <\/strong>with a plain background and consistent lighting to photograph your subjects. All photos should be taken at the same distance and at the same angles. This ensures that the differences highlighted between the before and after photos show the improvement that the patient experienced post-surgery. Ask the patient to remove their makeup and any large accessories and wear the same clothes in the before and after images. <\/li>\n\n\n\nEnsure adequate spacing <\/strong> Position the subject in the center of the frame, <\/em>with about 15% spacing on either side of the subject and about 15% above the subject\u2019s head.Lean toward too much vs. too little space for cropping during editing. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\nTake photos in portrait style<\/strong>Take all photos in portrait orientation<\/em>. This is a more natural composition for before\/after galleries and makes for the best side-by-side viewing experience on mobile devices. <\/li>\n\n\n\nAvoid using filters or stylizing the photos<\/strong> The goal is to demonstrate the actual results<\/em> of your work, so avoid doing anything that may make the photos look altered or manipulated. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\nCapture all angles<\/strong> Include photos of the subject looking left, right, up, down and directly at the camera. These angles may vary depending on the procedure, so capture the same angle in both before and after photos. If you use a three-quarter view of the subject\u2019s face, ensure that the after photo is taken at the same angle. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOrganize Your Before\/After Files <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nKeep your photos named and organized in folders by type or subject. It will help with the long-term management of files while making it easy for your marketing team to work with them. Use unique identifiers for your images and create folders that your internal team and your external marketing partner will easily identify. A mix of names and numbers works great. Include a subject title without the patient\u2019s name (Patient 1 vs. Sam Smith), the procedure name(s) and whether the image is the \u201cbefore\u201d or \u201cafter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nFolder: Patient 1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n