What if your personal brand was a book? How would it look? What would be the content of that book?
There are two key parts to creating this book. You would need the cover, which encompasses your visuals, logo, colours, fonts, and image. And then there is the content: your core, the heart of your brand, what you stand for, and who you help.
As an entrepreneur who has spent the past 20 years of my life trying to define who I am, I understand what it means to feel lost in terms of direction and how to connect all the dots so that you finally get your aha moment. It’s beyond what you do; it’s about who you are and how you show up in life. I’ve helped my clients not only define the ‘cover’ of their book by taking beautiful photos and videos that tell their brand story, but I’ve also brought them on a journey.
It is a journey where my clients:
a. Learn how to connect authentically to who they are and show up courageously as themselves.
b. Gain clarity about who they are and their purpose in life.
c. Position themselves confidently in front of and behind the camera so that they can reach their potential clients.
d. Discover how to create their personal brand purpose statement.
Once my clients identify the core of who they are and how they want to show up, my team and I will guide them in creating the visuals that represent their brand. In this article, I will focus on a personal branding photography session and what it is. Branding sessions are more than just a headshot; they are all about helping individuals showcase their unique personalities and professional identities. Your personal brand is like a fingerprint, unique to you. Photography is the key to unlocking this individuality. Through carefully crafted visuals, you can communicate your story, values, and personality.
If you invest in a personal branding photography session, you will be able to create marketing materials that you can repurpose again and again on your website, on social media like Instagram or LinkedIn, in flyers, and more. So what are some of the types of branding photos that you might need?
Modern Headshot
A headshot is the most basic type of image you need in order to present yourself to the world. It doesn’t have to be shot against a plain white or grey backdrop, unless your brand aesthetic calls for that. But it does need you to connect with the audience through eye contact, a relaxed body pose, and a great smile. You can show off your personality through your choice of outfits, the setting of the headshot, and your creative brief to us, your photographers!
Behind the scenes
What does your work space look like? What do you do on a day-to-day basis? Behind-the-scenes shots of you working at your laptop, consulting with a client, teaching a class, reading your favourite business-related book, or working on developing a product are all images that can give your clients an insight into what you do.
Product of service shots
If your personal brand is tied to a product or service, include high-quality images of what you offer. This can include product shots, service demonstrations, or client interactions. For example, if you are a chef, show off your skills with some of the tools of your trade you can’t live without, like your favourite knife or the Thermomix, that make life easier for you. If you create soaps, show your audience what oils you use to make them smell amazing.
Lifestyle
Other than images at work, allow your clients to get a glimpse into who you are as a person. What are your hobbies? What makes you come alive? Are you a coffee connoisseur? Are you a mompreneur juggling business while homeschooling your children? Are you into fitness? This helps other people connect with you on a personal level and makes you relatable. So some of the types of shots could include photos of you playing with your kids, enjoying your hobbies, or just simple day-in-the-life types of images.
Community Engagement
Show your involvement in your community or industry. Photos of you volunteering, attending conferences, or engaging in advocacy work can strengthen your brand’s values. Just remember, authenticity is crucial in personal branding. Don’t create images that are not realistic for you.
When taking personal brand photos, it’s important to maintain consistency in style, color scheme, and overall aesthetics to create a cohesive brand identity. If you need to create some of these types of images, drop us a message, and we’ll gladly schedule a photo session with you.
