Are You A Speaker? It’s Time for Headshots That Start A Conversation With Your Audience
Mary Foley , speaker, author and women entrepreneur business coach at MaryFoley.com in Richmond, VA
If you use speaking as part of your personal brand, you’re an expert at showing up and connecting with your audience live (either in person or virtually). That’s great once you’re actually in front of people, but in order for your brand to reflect who you are as a speaker, you need still photos that capture the essence of your speaker persona.
You want your branding images to make people feel like they’re already part of the conversation you have with your audience from the stage. Without these photos, your dynamic speaker personality won’t come through to potential booking agents or clients who are looking for exactly what you deliver from the stage.
Luckily, getting photos that communicate who you are is one of my specialties. I’ve worked with several speakers, helping them capture the magic of their live speaking energy in dynamic, engaging still photos.
Christopher R. Jones - is a speaker, podcaster and consultant on authentic leadership in Richmond, VA.
Here are just a few of the things I focus on when I’m working with my speaker clients:
You’ll want action photos of you actually speaking. This can be accomplished in my studio with the proper background and lighting, or sometimes it’s possible for me to attend an event where you’re actually speaking live to get candid shots.
Cory Mosley is a Speaker, Author and is a Innovative Business Growth Strategist; Richmond, VA
Ideally, you’ll want some photos that position you as an authority. This is often accomplished by including props (like books or podiums).
When posing speakers, I dedicate several poses to their specific marketing needs, positioning them so that we leave negative space for custom text or call to action copy.
Barbara H. Smith showing her warm and fun personality. Barbara is a speaker’s coach.
Unlike other professional photos, a speaker’s images need to be high energy and capture real emotion. Since you only have a few seconds to make a first impression with your branded images, your personality has to be front and center. For this reason, candid, less posed photos are a must. I love photos of speakers laughing and “engaging” with an audience (whether real or imaginary)
Jennifer Einolf is a clarity coach and speaker in Richmond, VA. She is the founder of the Bold Whisper.
As with all branding photos, brand color consistency in your wardrobe and background choices is a must. We’ll talk about this together prior to your photoshoot.
Mary Foley loves to fly her red cape! You can see lots of emotion and personality shining through. Mary’s brand colors are red, black and white.
During our shoot, I’ll make sure to take several images so you can choose one perfect “anchor image” (AKA headshot) to use across all of your platforms.
You obviously always want to look your absolute best when you’re being photographed for your professional brand, and my staff of professional hair, makeup, and wardrobe stylists are on hand on the day of your shoot to ensure you’re camera ready.
Lisa Jones has great negative space to the right so she can use customized text or her call to actions.
Here are a few testimonials from speakers with whom I’ve worked:
“I had an excellent experience working with Kim Brundage Photography. I was impressed with her professionalism including our pre-photoshoot consultation, the upscale experience working with her stylist (to select my wardrobe in advance of my photoshoot), and makeup (my first time wearing makeup). Kim went out of her way to create an exceptional on-site photoshoot with an extremely diverse choice of settings. I highly recommend working with Kim Brundage and her team.” Christopher R. Jones
“Kim Brundage previously did my headshot (fabulously), so it was a "no-brainer" to get her to do my branding photos! Her team, greeted me as though I were royalty. Pampered me, had me dancing to my favorite music, but most and best of all were made my photos breathtaking. I can't say thank you enough to the entire team at Kim Brundage photography. My makeup was phenomenal, my clothing was inspected prior to shoot and adjusted (courtesy of Megan Wilson of "Sweet Talk Strategy", and even Jeff (Kim's husband) was in on the fun. It was a great day!! I love you guys, and my pictures.” Barbara H. Smith
“This was more than a photo shoot, this was strategy! Kim's branding knowledge accompany's her great photography. She interviews you to become acquainted with your brilliant zone. Her team of stylist, makeup and hair came together to make my experience seamless and professional. I've gotten nothing but rave reviews from my clients and colleagues. Kim made me feel like a star!!!” Lisa Jones
“You know when you want to get one thing and you end up getting that and something else that’s even better? That was my experience with Kim Brundage! I needed a new headshot and additional photos to spiff-up my branding on my website and social media. So, I signed up for Personalize Branding Session. My experience with Kim and her Dream Team was amazing and I’m thrilled with my photos! And here’s what I also got that was above and beyond: Seeing myself in a new way and being inspired to fully be that woman Kim captured – red cape and all! That’s the best gift of all!” Mary Foley
Christopher R. Jones uses this image consistently as his Anchor Image.
If you’re ready to really stand out as the dynamic, engaging, professional speaker you are onstage in your branded photos, we should talk! Click here to get on my calendar for a no obligation, 15 minute conversation. I’m looking forward to learning more about you and discovering how I can help you uplevel your brand as a professional speaker.
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