What is personal branding?
According to the website BrandYourself, a personal brand is the unique combination of skills and experiences that make you..you. Effective personal branding will differentiate you from other professionals in your field. I've also heard it explained simply as "your reputation." What do other think of, when they think of you or your business. When I think of it in terms of photography, I think of taking those unique qualities and bringing them to life. Rather than just getting a headshot, you are showing a little bit more about you or your business through the photos.
What are the keys to a successful personal branding shoot?
Aside from the obvious need for a great photographer who connects with you and understands your brand, planning is the key. Great communication beforehand includes what you want your pictures to look like (formal, casual, stylized) and where they will be used (website, marketing materials, billboards.) This is really important for the photographer to know because this will affect whether they shoot your photos vertically or horizontally. The desired number of photos is also good to know so you can allocate the proper amount of time. Additionally, if there are a combination of indoor and outdoor photos, you can plan for the sun accordingly.
My personal branding shoot
I put my money where my mouth is and I had my own pictures taken. I needed photos for two websites. My photography website (which you are on right now) and my new venture, The Big Girl School. I met a fabulous photographer at a photography conference in Palm Springs and I knew that I wanted her to take my photos. Her name is Heike Delmore and she is based in Canada! But before you scratch your head on that one, she just happened to live in the same town as my cousin. I was able to visit family AND get my photos taken. Win/win.
Heike and I met twice on the phone to discuss at length what I was looking for. We went through my website together and then I made her a Pinterest board of photos that I like. I want to walk you through exactly what we discussed and show you the outcome.
My shotlist
My prop list
Wardrobe
Additional information
At the time of the shoot, I was still developing the branding for The Big Girl School and I sent her my branding guide to give a good idea of the colors and look and feel of my brand..
The Results
I could not have been happier with my photos. Heike spent a lot of time with me and delivered on every level. Let me share the photos below. Her photos even turned into a branding package for The Big Girl School. The colors and look and feel are throughout my new website.
I love the casualness of this shot!
We planned ahead on props and wardrobe.
Reflection shots were something I specifically requested. The pink flowers in the reflection? BONUS!
I wanted photos interacting with clients.
And showing clients their prints.
I got these pink pants specifically for my Big Girl School Brand and wanted to incorporate into my shoot.
This shot has everything...brand colors, my camera, and reflections!
I loved this shot because it completely goes with my brand. This is somewhere I would actually shoot senior pictures. It felt very true to me and what I sell.
Peace Out! This is just a super fun shot!
Do you own a business? Are you an author? Do you need more than the average headshot?
I specialize in personal branding in Cumming. Call me and we can meet for a coffee. We can discuss your needs and bounce ideas off of each other. You can decide later if you want to hire me. I love the creative process. I loved seeing MY brand come to life and would love to do the same for YOU.
Download your FREE Personal Branding Photo Shoot Planner
Download this free resource to help you define your brand and plan your shoot.