Business Content for Small Businesses in Des Moines: A Complete Guide to Photo & Video

Sep 21

If you run a small business in Des Moines, Waukee, West Des Moines, Clive, Urbandale, Grimes or Ankeny, you already have more content around you than you probably realize.

Your storefront. Your team. Your products. Your customers. The work you do every day. The process behind your service. The food coming out of the kitchen. The project your team just finished.

The problem usually isn't that you don't have anything to post.

The problem is that nobody is capturing it.

Business content is photography and video specifically created around your business, your brand and your goals. It can be photos of your food, location, team, products, customers or events. It can also be short videos, walkthroughs, educational content, behind the scenes footage or longer form video.

Good business content helps potential customers understand who you are, what you do and what they can expect when they choose your business.

For a small business in the Des Moines metro, having a library of real photography and video can give you content to use across your website, social media, Google Business Profile, advertising and other marketing.

Why Does Business Content Matter for a Small Business?

Business content matters because it helps build trust and gives potential customers a better idea of what your business is actually like.

Before someone walks through your doors, calls you, books an appointment or buys something from you, there's a good chance they've already looked you up online.

What do they see?

Your website.

Your Google Business Profile.

Your Instagram.

Your Facebook page.

Maybe a few videos.

Those first impressions matter.

Professional, real photography and video can show potential customers what they're actually getting. It can showcase your products, your people, your location and the experience you're trying to create.

It also adds value to your brand.

A restaurant can show what its food actually looks like.

A gym can show the facility, equipment, coaches and members.

A landscaping company can show the work being done and the finished project.

A salon can show the space, the team and the work.

A local automotive business can show the vehicles, the shop and the people behind the work.

You're not just creating something that looks good. You're giving people a reason to understand and trust your business before they ever become a customer.

What Is Business Content?

Business content is photo and video created specifically for a company's brand, products, services and marketing goals.

It can include:

Product photography
Food photography
Team and staff photography
Interior and exterior photography
Event photography
Short form vertical video
Behind the scenes video
Business walkthroughs
Educational videos
Service demonstrations
Brand videos
B-roll
Drone photography and video

The exact mix depends on the business.

A restaurant in Waukee may need food, menu, atmosphere and team photography.

A gym in West Des Moines may need facility photos, training footage, member focused content and vertical video.

A landscaping company in Ankeny may need project photography, before and after images, equipment footage and videos showing the work being performed.

There isn't one content package that works for every business.

Your Content Should Be About Your Business, Not Just the Latest Trend

One thing I see with local businesses is a tendency to chase whatever trend is currently getting attention on social media.

Trends can work. I'm not saying you should never use them.

But likes, views and shares aren't necessarily the same thing as reaching the right customer.

Think about a local ice cream shop.

They could make a Reel because a particular audio trend is popular that week.

Or they could show how they make their homemade ice cream.

They could show their most popular flavors.

They could introduce the people making it.

They could show the inside and outside of the shop.

They could show what it looks like on a busy summer evening.

That content may not always generate the biggest number on the analytics page, but it tells a potential customer something about the actual business.

The goal shouldn't always be to get the most views. The goal should be to create content that supports the business.

Your content should answer questions your customers are already asking.

What do you sell?

How does it work?

Who works here?

What makes you different?

What does the experience look like?

Why should I choose you?

Those are questions worth answering.

What Photos Should a Small Business Have?

There isn't one universal shot list for every business. A restaurant doesn't need the same content as a construction company, automotive shop or gym.

But there are some basics almost every business can start with.

Exterior Photography

Show people what your business looks like from the outside.

Your building, storefront, signage, entrance and surrounding area can all be useful.

If someone is visiting you for the first time, you want them to know what they're looking for.

Interior Photography

Show the space.

What does it feel like when someone walks through the door?

This can be especially important for restaurants, gyms, salons, retail stores, bars and other businesses where the environment is part of the customer experience.

Product and Service Photography

Show what you actually sell.

For a restaurant, that might be food, drinks, the menu and your best sellers.

For a gym, it could be equipment, classes and training.

For a contractor, it could be the work being performed and the finished project.

Team Photography

People connect with people.

Show the people behind the business.

That doesn't mean every photo has to be a formal headshot. Staged and candid photos can both be useful.

Detail Photography

Don't overlook the small things.

The sign.

The equipment.

The packaging.

The tools.

The decorations.

The ingredients.

The details that make your business different.

These photos can be incredibly useful when you need something to post but don't necessarily want to make every post a sales pitch.

Customer Experience Photography

When appropriate, show the customer experience.

People want to see what it's actually like to do business with you.

Aerial Photography and Video

For some businesses, aerial photography can provide another perspective.

It can show the location, property, surrounding area or scale of a business in a way that ground-level photography can't.

Not every business needs drone photography, but when it makes sense, it can be another useful piece of the content library.

What Types of Videos Should a Small Business Create?

Video doesn't have to mean producing a five-minute commercial.

A short vertical video can be just as useful for certain goals.

Here are a few ideas almost any business can adapt.

Business Walkthroughs

Show people your business.

Walk through the gym.

Show the restaurant before opening.

Walk through a finished landscaping project.

Show the inside of your automotive shop.

Give potential customers a look at what they can expect.

Tell Your Business Story

Why did you start the business?

Who owns it?

How did you get here?

What do you care about?

These videos give people a reason to connect with the brand beyond the product or service.

Show the Process

People are interested in seeing how things are made and how services are performed.

A butcher could show how to prepare a particular cut of meat.

That video could naturally include the meat, seasonings, smoker, pellets or wood chips being used.

A contractor could show the process of building a deck.

A detailer could show a vehicle going from dirty to finished.

A landscaper could show the process of transforming a property.

The work itself is the content.

Educational Content

Take something you already know and explain it in a simple way.

Answer a question customers ask you all the time.

Explain something people commonly misunderstand.

Show someone how to use your product or service.

Good educational content can demonstrate your expertise without feeling like a traditional advertisement.

Promotions and Specials

Have a sale?

Launching something new?

Adding a new menu item?

Running a special?

Video can help you get that information in front of people quickly.

Does Every Small Business Need Video?

Every small business can benefit from having some type of video presence, but not every business needs a cinematic commercial.

A short vertical video, walkthrough, educational video, behind-the-scenes clip or simple video showing your business in operation can all be useful.

Your customers are already consuming video. Having something that shows the real people, location and work behind your business gives them another way to connect with you.

The goal is to create video that makes sense for your business and your customers.

Does Every Business Need Professional Photography?

Not every business needs professional photography right away.

If you're opening a business and have a limited budget, getting started is more important than waiting until everything is perfect.

Your phone can take good photos.

If you know how to use it, an iPhone can be an extremely useful business tool.

But as your business grows, your marketing should grow with it.

When you're trying to scale, you're competing for attention. The quality and consistency of your brand's marketing become more important.

This is where professional photography and video can help.

Professional production gives you more control over things like:

Lighting
Composition
Camera movement
Perspective
Depth
Color
Consistency
Storytelling
Editing

The goal isn't simply to make something look "professional."

It's to intentionally create something that represents your business.

And today, there's another reason I think real photography matters.

Real images give your business an opportunity to create its own visual identity.

Instead of relying entirely on generic graphics or AI-generated imagery that can make businesses look similar, you can show your actual location, actual employees, actual products and actual work.

That's your business.

Nobody else has exactly that.

How Much Content Does a Small Business Need?

There isn't a magic number.

It depends on the business, its goals and how frequently it wants to communicate with customers.

But I think businesses should work toward having enough content that they aren't constantly asking themselves:

"What are we going to post today?"

A good content library can include:

Photos
Short vertical videos
Longer-form videos
Educational content
Product photos
Team photos
Behind-the-scenes footage
B-roll
Location photos
Customer experience photos
Event coverage

For some businesses, one well-planned photography session could provide enough usable imagery for weeks or even a month.

Video can add even more possibilities.

A single session could include walkthrough footage, generic B-roll, service demonstrations, vertical videos and other clips that can be used across multiple platforms.

The key is planning the shoot around what the business actually needs.

How Often Should a Small Business Update Its Content?

There isn't one answer for every business.

For many businesses, quarterly content sessions can be a good starting point, while businesses that rely heavily on fresh social media content may benefit from monthly sessions.

Businesses change.

Seasons change.

Menus change.

Employees change.

Products change.

Projects get completed.

Your customers change.

You want your content to reflect what is actually happening in your business.

Smaller, regular content sessions can also give you more variety throughout the year instead of having one large collection of photos that all look like they were taken on the same day.

The important thing is consistency.

How Do You Create a Month of Content From One Shoot?

It starts before the camera comes out.

For a content session, I want to understand what the business is trying to accomplish.

What are you trying to promote?

What questions are customers asking?

What products or services need more attention?

Are you launching something?

Do you need new website images?

Do you need social media content?

Once those questions are answered, we can build a general shot list.

For example, a restaurant might need:

Interior photos
Exterior photos
Menu photos
Top selling dishes
Drinks
Staff
Customers
Behind-the-scenes kitchen footage
Vertical videos
General B-roll

That one session can create a library of content instead of just a handful of random photos.

The same approach can work for a gym, salon, landscaping company, automotive business, contractor or other local business.

Is One Big Photoshoot Better Than Regular Content Sessions?

For most businesses, I think smaller and more regular content sessions can be more useful than one giant production once a year.

Businesses change.

Seasons change.

Menus change.

Employees change.

Products change.

Projects get completed.

Your customers change.

You want your content to reflect what is actually happening in your business.

A quarterly session can be a good starting point for some businesses.

For businesses that rely heavily on fresh social media content, monthly sessions can make more sense.

What Happens During a Professional Content Session?

I start with a consultation.

Before anything is scheduled, we talk about what you're trying to accomplish and what you need.

Once the scope is clear, the project is contracted with defined deliverables and a completion date. A 50% deposit is required to reserve the date.

Before the scheduled session, I create a general shot list based on the project.

Then we shoot!

After the session, I edit the photos and/or video according to the agreed scope.

You'll have an opportunity to review the work and request revisions where applicable.

Once everything is complete, your final deliverables are uploaded to cloud storage for you to download and use.

The process isn't meant to be complicated.

You have a business to run. I have a business to run.

The goal is to make the content process straightforward so you can get back to doing what you do best.

What If You Don't Know What Content You Need?

That's normal.

You don't need to show up with a 30 page shot list.

That's part of the conversation.

We'll talk about your goals, what you're currently doing, what customers are asking about and what you're trying to improve.

Every business has different needs.

A gym might need to show its equipment and community.

A restaurant might need better food photography.

A contractor might need to document projects.

An automotive business might need service demonstrations and shop footage.

The content should be built around the business, not the other way around.

What Should a Small Business Post on Social Media?

Start by posting something.

You don't need to have the perfect content strategy before you begin.

And you don't necessarily need to chase every trend.

Think about what your customers are asking you.

What do they call about?

What questions do they ask?

What do they misunderstand?

What do they want to see?

What are you working on?

What makes your business different?

Those questions can create a lot of content.

AI can also be a useful tool for brainstorming ideas, organizing a content calendar or turning your existing knowledge into potential topics.

But the information still needs to come from your business.

AI can help you organize the story. It shouldn't replace the story.

Why Is Behind the Scenes Content Important?

Behind the scenes content shows what is actually happening inside your business.

A photo of the finished product is useful.

A video showing how you got there can be even more interesting.

People get to see the employees.

They see the process.

They see the work.

They see the personality behind the brand.

That can create a connection that a simple product photo doesn't always provide.

You're showing that there are real people behind the business.

Should Small Businesses Chase Social Media Trends?

Not necessarily.

Trends can be useful, but a small business shouldn't rely on trends as its entire content strategy.

Focus on what your customers are asking, what they need to know, what you're working on and what makes your business different.

A good business Reel can be simple:

Start with a hook.

Address a problem or question.

Provide something useful.

Show how your company can help.

For example:

Hook: "Your deck shouldn't look like this after two years."

Problem: Show the issue.

Value: Explain what caused it.

Solution: Show the finished work.

You just created a piece of content that demonstrates expertise, shows your work and gives a potential customer a reason to contact you.

That's more valuable than simply making a video because a particular trend is popular.

What Makes Business Content Valuable?

One question I like to ask is:

Can this content be used more than once?

A good photo shouldn't have to live on Instagram for one day and then disappear.

It might be used on your website, Google Business Profile, social media, an advertisement, a flyer, email marketing, a menu or a future campaign.

The same applies to video.

When you plan content intentionally, you're building an asset for your business instead of simply making another post.

Professional Content Should Still Feel Like Your Business

Professional doesn't have to mean corporate.

I don't want a local business to look like it belongs to a giant corporation if that's not who they are.

The goal is to show your business as it actually is, while presenting it in the best possible way.

That means showing the real space.

The real people.

The real work.

The real products.

The editing should match the brand rather than forcing every business into the same visual style.

Authentic content doesn't mean pointing a camera at something and calling it good.

It means the finished content still feels like the business.

Your Business Isn't a Hobby. Neither Is Mine.

This is something I think is important to say.

I'm a small business owner too.

There is a lot that happens behind the scenes of a professional content business.

Camera equipment costs money.

Computers cost money.

Software subscriptions cost money.

Insurance costs money.

Cloud storage costs money.

Experience matters too.

I'm not running Justin Gora Media as a hobby.

I'm building a business just like you are.

My goal is to create content that helps your business grow while building a sustainable business of my own.

If you grow, I grow.

That's a win for both of us.

I also believe pricing should be straightforward.

You shouldn't have to jump through hoops, schedule multiple calls or wait for someone to finally tell you what something costs just to decide whether it's within your budget.

You have a business to run.

I do too.

Why Work With a Local Des Moines Content Creator?

One of the reasons I focus on businesses around the Des Moines metro is simple.

I like local business.

When local businesses grow, that money stays in the community.

Business owners hire employees.

They work with other local businesses.

They sponsor events.

They participate in their communities.

They create places people actually want to visit.

That's why I want to work with businesses in Waukee, West Des Moines, Des Moines, Clive, Urbandale, Grimes, Ankeny and the surrounding communities.

I'm not interested in making content just to make content.

I want to help local businesses show people what they're building.

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Content

What is business content?

Business content is photography and video created specifically around a company's brand, products, services, people and marketing goals. It can include professional photos, short-form video, product photography, team photos, behind-the-scenes content, event coverage, educational videos and more.

How much content does a small business need?

There is no universal number. The amount of content a business needs depends on its goals, industry and marketing schedule. A well-planned content session can provide enough photos and video for weeks or even a month of marketing content.

Does a small business need professional photography?

Not necessarily when starting out. A smartphone can be useful for creating content, especially when a business is just getting started. Professional photography becomes more valuable as a business grows, needs higher-quality marketing materials or wants more control over lighting, composition, consistency and brand presentation.

Does every small business need video?

Every business can benefit from having some type of video presence, but not every business needs a large commercial production. Short vertical videos, walkthroughs, educational content, behind-the-scenes footage and service demonstrations can all be useful.

How often should a business get new photos?

For many businesses, quarterly content sessions can be a good starting point. Businesses that rely heavily on fresh social media content may benefit from monthly sessions. The right schedule depends on how quickly the business, products, services and seasons change.

Can one photo and video session create a month's worth of content?

Yes. A well-planned session can capture website photography, product or service images, team photos, behind-the-scenes content, B-roll and multiple vertical videos. The exact amount depends on the business, scope and goals of the project.

What should a small business post on social media?

Start with content that answers customer questions and shows the business in action. This can include products, services, educational content, behind-the-scenes footage, team members, customer experiences, business walkthroughs, projects and frequently asked questions.

Should a small business use AI-generated images?

AI can be useful for brainstorming, planning and other creative tasks, but real photography gives a business something AI-generated imagery can't: its actual people, location, products and work. Authentic visual content can help a business create a visual identity that is specific to them.

Final Thoughts

You don't need to have the perfect camera.

You don't need a huge marketing budget.

You don't need to post every trend that shows up on Instagram.

You need to start showing people what your business actually does.

Show the work.

Show the people.

Show the products.