How to Tell a Story with your Personal Brand Photos
I love working with corporations and entrepreneurs to bring their brand to life! Did you know your brain processes images 60,000 X faster than text? That’s crazy fast. That’s why branded images are so profound.
When I realized that professional photography was what I wanted to do, I started learning everything I could about how to make my client's photos the most impactful they could be. My target market is professionals, particularly professional women, although I also work with men. I quickly realized that becoming an expert on business branding and how to ensure that a company’s or entrepreneur’s brand was represented in their photos was my greatest strength. I have more than 20 years of experience in healthcare marketing and branding.
The best compliment I’ve received is that we don’t know the people in your images but we feel like they do because their personality really shines through!
There’s a difference between great personal brand photos and good-looking headshots. Brand photos…
Tell the entire story of you and your brand through images.
Capture your personality
Bring all aspects of your personal brand together.
Help your clients and customers know who you are, what you can offer, and why they should hire you.
…all with just a glance.
How can you make sure your personal brand photos tell a powerful story? Here are a few key things you’ll need to do:
I love working with clients of all ages. It especially tickles me when young people take their personal brand seriously.
Know Your Story
It’s really tricky to tell a story you don’t already know by heart. Before you book your personal brand photoshoot, do your homework. Think about who you are and what you have to give. Identify the traits that make you unique. Then, write it all down. Don’t be afraid to dig deep!
When I meet with my clients prior to a personal branding photoshoot, I ask them to give me three words that identify how they want to come across in their photos. Those three words are your story. What are yours?
Kathy Eckhardt is a women’s coach and she wants to encourage people to work with her.
Think About Your Target Audience
Now that you know your story think about who you want to tell it to. Imagine your dream client. You should know him or her intimately — everything from their age, gender, favorite brands, preferred colors, fears, dreams, etc. Now use these details to create your “ideal client avatar.” Write out exactly who this person is. The more detailed you can be in this description, the better. You can even give that avatar a name. Then share these details with your photographer so you can plan your photoshoot and your storytelling around them and ensure that your photos are going to reach your ideal clients.
Discuss With Your Photographer
You’re not the only storyteller here. You and your photographer should be on the exact same page every step of the way. I never do a personal branding session without at least one consultation prior to our shoot to go over your vision and your goals.
Using different expressions is more engaging and share with your potential clients that you understand their pain points.
Dress The Part
I also work with wardrobe stylists, and you’ll meet with them to ensure that your clothing colors and style choices communicate your personality & fit your narrative. There used to be a “standard” way to dress for professional photos, and it was conservative, prim, and proper. That’s why most professional headshots from years ago mostly looked the same. I’m so glad that business owners now have the freedom to communicate who they are in their clothing choices in modern headshots. It makes my job (and your photoshoot) much more fun!
My full team empowers you to look and feel your best. All my packages include getting Camera-ready makeup, Hairstyling, and Wardrobe Styling.If this support team doesn’t work for you, we can talk about that too.
Get Into Action!
Get photos of you in action in order to literally tell the story of what you do! Don’t leave it to your clients to imagine it. Consider bringing props or taking photos in your usual workspace for powerful visuals. Again, these are decisions my clients and I discuss prior to their photoshoot, so the environment where we’re shooting, and their surroundings help tell their brand story.
As long as you follow these top personal brand photoshoot tips, you’ll be so much more than a pretty face in front of that camera — you’ll come across as a smart, confident, friendly (or whatever your three words happen to be) professional with a story to tell and so much to give.
Click here to head to my website, and click on the “Services” tab in the navigation bar. You’ll find all the different types of branding sessions I offer (corporate, headshot, social, and personal) and which one you could benefit from the most.