Making the Most of Your Personal Branding Session – A Brief Guide

When you schedule a personal branding photoshoot, you’re investing in showcasing the very best version of you and your business. These photos will help you market yourself by telling your story in a unique way.

We live in a visual world, and it’s important to make a good impression right away. When you use photos that look authentic, you make it that much easier for people to trust you.

So, how do you ensure you’re making the most of this opportunity?

Connect with your photographer.

When you work with a photographer you love and connect with, your images automatically turn out better. Find a photographer whose work inspires and excites you. Scroll through their online portfolio and social media feed to get an idea of what they’re capable of and if it suits your personal style. Don’t forget to meet with them in person too, as this will tell you a lot about whether you connect or not. At the end of the day, you want to feel completely comfortable in front of your photographer.

Communicate what you want.

A photographer can’t give you the results you want if they don’t know what you want. Clearly communicating your ideas to your photographer is essential. Provide them with details on the first impression and message you want to portray. Share your ideas and examples with them. They may even be able to give you suggestions you haven’t thought about yet. 

Think carefully about your location(s).

Your location will help set the tone for the session, so choose carefully. There are so many options to choose from that go beyond a basic studio setting. Just make sure that your photographer has actual experience with the setting you have in mind. 

Plan your outfits, hair, and makeup.

Don’t leave your outfit, hair and makeup arrangements to the last minute. If possible, get a professional to assist you so that you look your best. In fact, your photographer may even be able to give you a few suggestions (I know I definitely assist my clients in all the details). The outfit you choose will also play a major role in the message you send when people see your photos, so think twice about what you want to wear. Better yet, have a few options available. Keep in mind that you want to be able to use these photos for a few years, so rather opt for a timeless look.

Planning is the key underlying factor in making the most of your personal branding photoshoot. Don’t be scared to ask your photographer for additional guidance, too.

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Personal branding photos ensure that you’re showing up professionally and consistently online. It also gives your marketing and content a personal edge that will help you stand out from competitors. A small investment can give you the boost you need to grow your business in a big way.

How are you going to add to your personal branding marketing strategy this week? Take it to Instagram and tag me @StyleBrandPhotography

Can Personal Branding Photography Really Help You Grow Your Business?

If you haven’t heard of The Great Resignation, it’s real. More and more people are quitting their jobs and starting their own businesses. You might be one of those people if you are reading this and trying to grow your business. If you are, branding is probably a big buzz word you have been hearing. It’s for this reason that personal branding photography has also grown in popularity.

You might not realize it, but personal branding photography is an investment and a tool that can help you grow your small business. Why take a chance that people will know what your brand is all about when you can tell them yourself?

You won’t always be able to control how potential customers perceive your brand, but you can take steps to ensure that your story is as clear as possible.

Here are 6 ways personal branding photos can boost your business:

1. Add compelling images to your website. 

If you want to grab a website visitor’s attention in an authentic way, you’re going to need engaging photos. They don’t want to see generic stock photos either – they want to know who they might be doing business with. Copy is definitely still important, but people are also very visual, which is why quality photos matter. The photos on your site should serve a purpose and not simply be placeholders.

2. Personalize your marketing material.

If you print business cards, leaflets, or design any other marketing material to promote your business, it’s important to have professional images that you can incorporate. By adding photos, your brand also becomes more recognizable to clients – an important factor in building trust. 

3. Create unique social media content.

Social media can give your brand a lot of exposure and adding your photo to some of your posts will help boost your credibility. Social media is personal, which means existing and potential customers need to be able to relate to you. Knowing who you’re engaging with online automatically makes them more trustworthy and believable. 

4. Liven up your email signature.

An email signature that has a photo automatically stands out more. It also solidifies that you’re a professional who is transparent and confident in what they do. Plus, if you chat to a client over email for several weeks, it makes meeting you for the first time more comfortable and natural because they know what you look like.

5. Send your photo along with guest posts.

If you are a blogger for other websites, you should always be adding a professional photo to your bio. A bio photo might be small but it does help create a more consistent and trustworthy online image, especially once you start writing for multiple websites.

6. Enhance your PR efforts.

Approaching publications and PR firms about publicity opportunities? Professional branding photos are a must! If you want to position yourself as an expert in your sector, a good photo goes a long way. Plus, a reputable publication or firm will always ask you to send a photo anyway. When you take your business seriously, others will too.

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Personal branding photos ensure that you’re showing up professionally and consistently online. It also gives your marketing and content a personal edge that will help you stand out from competitors. A small investment can give you the boost you need to grow your business in a big way.

How are you going to add to your personal branding marketing strategy this week? Take it to Instagram and tag me @StyleBrandPhotography

4 Prop Ideas to Consider for Your Personal Branding Shoot

Props can be just what you need to bring your personal branding shoot to life. Even the smallest prop can help tell your story. It can also reflect your personal style, which will give people a better idea of what you’re all about.

Pinterest is a great resource if you’re looking for personal branding prop ideas, but it can be a little overwhelming too. It’s for this reason that I’ve created this list of the most popular props for personal branding shoots.

1. Make a Mood Board. 

If you want to get really clear on your goals, ambitions, and story, create a deconstructed mood board for your shoot. You can use anything you like for this, let your imagination run wild. Make it interesting by using different textures, paints, materials and photos. Naturally, make sure that it looks professional and not like something your child brought home from school – it is going to be in your professional photos after all. You should also ensure that every element you use fully represents your brand.

2. Consider Your Morning Routine.

What do you do to get your day started? Are there any props or rituals that you can incorporate into your personal branding shoot that represent what you’re all about? Perhaps you enjoy journaling with a cup of tea in hand? Others prefer to cuddle their pets or spend time meditating. Whatever you do to get going in the mornings, these are all potential prop and setting options for your personal branding shoot. 

3. Add in Some Food and Drink.

Another way to connect with your audience is to incorporate food and drink into a few of your shots. Having something as simple as a cup of coffee in your shot can help your audience connect with you. This might sound a little cliched, but there’s no rule that says you need to take these shots in a stereotypical way. Add in other personal objects to ensure the photos relate back to you and don’t look like generic stock photos. For example, adding in a copy of your favorite book or one of your products is the perfect way to make the shot more personal. 

4. Use Your Tools of the Trade.

What do you use to get your job done? These can all be used as props too. This can be anything from a laptop and smartphone to scissors, flowers, or a microphone – there are really no limitations. If you do offer a service, try and incorporate your tools of the trade with an appropriate setting. For example, if you make wedding cakes, take photos in your kitchen.

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Finding a prop for your personal branding shoot doesn’t need to be difficult. In fact, you’re surrounded by potential props every day, you simply need to look hard enough and think outside the box.

Which props will you use to represent your brand? Take it to Instagram and tag me @StyleBrandPhotography

10 Tips to take your personal brand to the next level (2-part series) – Part 2

Here are the tips to help you while you are implementing your plan along with some examples to get you started.

1. Be genuine. 

Because being someone else is lame. Being “authentic” (such and overused word but actually is what we need to be) is essential. First of all, it’s just easier. You don’t have to keep up a charade. Second of all, it will really help people connect with you. I love working out and add that as part of my personal brand. What is unique about you?  Are you obsessed with dogs/cats? Do you sing showtunes in the car? Is your fashion style a little different than others? What makes you quirky is what will make you stand out. Own it.

Think about the most authentic person that comes to mind. How do they show up?

2. Blog.

I’m doing it right now. Why did you come here to learn? It is the same reason others will come to you to learn.  Consistently creating content is another way to stand out, because people are going to come to you for advice on your chosen topic. You will build an audience around you and your expertise. Create your own or maybe ask others if you can write for them as a guest poster on top blog in your niche. 

Check out Rachel Parcell of Pink Peonies. She writes about lifestyle, fashion, and beauty. She has built up her reputation as an influencer and has over 1 million followers. She now has an online store selling fashion. Her self-branding paid off. Build your audience with blogging about topics close to your niche. 

3. Step out of the spotlight.

It may seem counterintuitive. We all know that being “on” all the time can take a toll on your life and drain you. And sometimes people need to miss you for a minute to realize how much they love you! Kylie Jenner kept her pregnancy secret even though she is a public figure. She wanted that to be a private, special moment. It’s ok to not share every piece about you and to take a step back sometimes. 

4. Provide value.

Help people that you eventually want to sell to. Don’t always be selling and use the 80/20 rule – provide awesome value 80% of the time and sell 20%.  Be the brand that educates your audience. Create the video, write the articles, host/speak at the events. When you share your knowledge, you become the expert. When you are the expert people want to buy from you. 

5. Be consistent.

This is one I struggle with. I did not start with the plan mentioned from last week. This is the secret sauce though! It’s not just about posting consistently every day – it’s also about having a cohesive look. Some places you will read that your posts need to look the same and others say the opposite. The more consistent it is, the better people will resonate with you though. They will know your brand, and know it is you in a lineup of other businesses.

6. Network.

When you don’t put yourself out there, you won’t be able to practice and master your brand’s voice.  Find that networking group (I love Reservoir Career Women, Flowood Chamber, and Madison County Chamber locally).  Go to a conference or ribbon cutting.  Grab a cup of coffee with someone you don’t know well.  Interact with others on social media.  The more you interact with others, the more your network will grow.  It’s ok to expand into other categories. Someone may be able to offer a different perspective and may be able to offer advice somewhere down the road. 

Check out Doug the Pug for an example. Yes, I’m using a dog as an example. Doug has over 3.8 million followers on Instagram.  He attends dog events, media interviews, concerts, etc. He takes pics with other “influencers” who share it on their account which extends his network even more! All this to say, when you are with other “brands” make sure to post an image of you two+ together which could strengthen your own brand.

7. Be an expert.

I mentioned this earlier about being an expert. What is your area of expertise? This will help you figure out your niche. If you have an online store selling buttons, make sure you know how to sew and share that info. Become the expert on buttons – how they are made, where they are from, all the uses, types of stitches. 

8. Amplify you.

At the beginning of the tips, we talked about being real and authentic. How do you make yourself stand out in a crowded world? Make whatever it is you do, BIG! Take something that is at the essence of your brand and blow it up! If you like fitness, then start competing in competitions and sharing your journey. You don’t have to do something extreme out of your comfort zone necessarily, but you do get bonus points if you do!

9. Be social.

You need human interaction to actual build your business. Respond to messages and comments, send messages including video messages. Take the time to interact with those who are showing you love. They will become your biggest fans. I personally love thanking everyone.  It’s one of my core values as a person and business owner. I want to take the time to say “thank you” for anyone who goes out of their way, and I never take it for granted. When someone has a question, answer it. And do it quickly. That’s what the people want. If you post something, make sure to stick around to respond to feedback. While you are waiting for the responses to roll in, reach out to others in your niche and interact with them. It’s very important to show the human behind your brand. 

10. Become a creator.

Creators and doers are the ones who have the most success in personal branding. Being controversial can backfire. Ask the toilet-seat licker girl. The safer route is to create something. Create a unique product, have an online store, photograph, etc. This also give you more content to share and builds your reputation as an expert. See how all of this works together.

Bottom line, there are many ways to take your brand up a notch, but they all work together and can create the kind of relationships and buzz to help your brand soar. It may have seemed too big, but even implementing a few of these ideas hopefully makes it feel a little more doable. 

Which combination of tips are you going to focus on first? Take it to Instagram and tag me @StyleBrandPhotography

10 Tips to take your personal brand to the next level (2-part series) – Part 1 – Planning

What Is Personal Branding Photography?

In a nutshell, it is how you show the person behind the brand. It’s more than a headshot that lacks personality. Absolutely, you want to look professional, but who is the person that makes things happen on the “business” side?? 

When you take ownership of how you present yourself and what makes you unique, you resonate more with your target market. Having an active presence online through photos can help others “see” what your brand is made of and in return, they will want to buy!

You probably already know why it is important or you wouldn’t be here. But just in case, personal branding gives you more credibility and will help you get noticed. With so much noise in the world today, you have to stand out (even if you think it might be hard).

This two-part series will walk you through a plan to get started and then 10 tips to building a better brand of yourself and how to make it “not hard”.

Planning Phase:

1. Create a Personal Branding Statement.

What are you trying to accomplish? Define your audience and do an analysis of a competitor that may exist. What would you do similar? What would you do differently to accomplish your goals?

2. Build a Personal Branding Strategy.

Plan out how to engage with your target audience and define what success will look like for you in 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year.

3. Monitor Your Personal Engagement.

It is all about the positivity. You want to encourage receiving positive feedback and give others the same. Be ready with a plan of action for any negative remarks that may come your way. 

4. Develop Your Personal Brand.

This is where I come in. I help you plan your whole session from start to finish. I listen to what you have accomplished and defined in the previous 3 steps. We will discuss props, outfits, poses, ideas, and strategies to take your brand to the next level. You will want to share your brand’s personality through social media, networking, outreach, and speaking opportunities. Consider a blog (like this one), vlogging, podcasts, or other ways that you could promote your personal brand in a way that will resonate with your ideal customer. 

5. Have a Communication Plan.

Controlling your online presence can be time-consuming, so having a plan will help negate any overwhelm you might feel. You will want to be able to easily provide information to potential partners that will want to work with you down the line.

6. Measure Your Success.

Set measurements for your personal brand success so you know where you are headed in your goals. Did a blog post convert to a sale? Were you asked to speak on a podcast or event/write for a partner’s blog? Has someone referred you to a potential client? Is anyone “@ing” you? 

Stay tuned for tips to help you in implementing this plan coming at you next week!