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