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Paul C. Ishaili
Paul C. Ishaili

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Branding Photography for Effective Personal Branding

Be who you are Becoming!


**Discretion!

This can be the gateway to your next level of wealth, and it's definitely would not be free forever!


Introduction

The maxim that states, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words,’ is indeed true. Photographs are a form of art that can capture brief moments in the past, represent significant social movements, and can be utilised as catalysts for change.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and photos are now utilised for different purposes. The advent of technology made it easier for everyone to capture moments, tell stories, communicate with others, and even make a career as a photographer. There are now countless ways on how individuals can have unique and creative photos; and one of these is through a photo shoot.

A branding photography session is so much more than just a headshot. Branding sessions showcase the one thing no one stands a chance to compete with when it comes to your business: YOU. Who are you? What do you do? What makes you happy? How do you spend your weekends? These are all the things that can make up your personal branding session.

If you’re not taking advantage of all the types of branding photography to get the most out of your session, you’re missing out on a massive amount of content and marketing materials that you can repurpose again and again. But what if you’re not totally sure what types of photos you even need?

Branding photos go “beyond the headshot” and provide a versatile gallery of portraits, lifestyle photos, behind-the-scenes images of your client at work, details photos of their “tools of the trade,” and custom stock images they can use to share their business with their ideal clients. The applications for branding photography are endless.

The 5 Types of Branding Photography for Your Personal Branding

1. Modern Headshot

These definitely don’t need to feature you in a blazer, or be up against a white or gray background (unless you’re into that!), but they DO need to have you looking and smiling at the camera. People (AKA your ideal client) connect with people, and it’s really hard to connect with someone we can’t look in the eyes!

But a classic pose doesn’t mean these have to be boring! You can still show off your personality with these through your choice of setting, your clothing, or accessories. The plain backdrop headshot is out (at least for these sessions) and fun is IN.

2. Lifestyle

What are your hobbies? What do you love? Where can we find you on the weekends? Whatever the answers are, you can showcase all those things in lifestyle branding photos. Grab a cup of your favorite coffee (cream, no sugar, please), browse your cell phone, where your comfiest pants and your hair in a messy bun, and rock out who you really are. This is also a great time to incorporate other people! Getting a few images of you playing with your kids, or a sweet shot of you and your boo, can go a long ways in helping people on the interwebs get to know you on a more personal level.

3. At Work / Behind the Scenes

Humans are extremely visual, and if we’re going to work with someone, we want to get an idea of how it will go…even before things are official. Photos of you working accomplish that for potential clients, and help them trust that you’re a professional who knows what’s up. If you’re a photographer, I want to see you holding a camera (and let’s be real, smiling at that LCD screen because the photos you are taking are just. that. good.); if you sell and educate about essential oils, I want to see you leading a class. Behind-the-scenes photos of you working away on your laptop or building your empire from your cell phone can be just as important to show what you do all day!

4. Tools of the Trade

Chances are there are a couple tools in your toolbox that make doing your job a heck of a lot easier. This is where you get to show them off! If you are a baker, open up your pantry and bust out the KitchenAid Mixer. If you are a hair and makeup artist, show off your eye makeup palettes. The sky is the limit!

5. FLATLAYS AND VIGNETTES

Sounds vague, right?

Flat lays are a great way to break up your usual marketing images. They’re taken from above (looking down), which can be a different perspective from the straight-on shots we usually incorporate into our websites and social media feeds. Plus, they’re a great way to tell a story and create visual interest.

Why Branding Photography is important for your Personal Branding?

  1. Professional photos that match the quality of their work will help legitimize what a business owner is offering.

  2. Portraits of the individual that come across as genuine and honest will allow their ideal clients to connect more naturally to them.

  3. When a customer feels like they know an individual, they will be much more likely to doing business with them.


Resources

Nikki Closser. Personal Branding Photography Success. Retrieved form: https://www.rangefinderonline.com/news-features/business-marketing/branding-photography-grows-business/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=rangefinder&utm_campaign=In-Article&utm_content=text#gallery-3. Published: October 1, 2021

Lindsey Turner of Lindsey Victoria Photography. Branding Photography Grows Business. Retrieved from: https://www.rangefinderonline.com/news-features/business-marketing/personal-branding-photography-success-step-by-step-with-nikki-closser/#

Maddie Pesch. The 5 Types of Personal Branding Photography Retrieved from: https://www.maddiepeschong.com/personal-branding-photography-types/


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