Your Smile is Your Greatest Branding Asset
I love talking with my clients about their personal brand because so much of what your personal brand encompasses is communicating who you truly are to your potential customers and clients. A personal brand is just that…personal. It means the photos we take need to communicate your personality. One of the best ways to do that is to make sure you smile.
You may not like your smile. I encounter that a lot in my clients. Maybe you think your teeth are crooked or your eyes scrunch up too much when you smile. I’m here to tell you that those are the very things that make you unique, and virtually anyone would rather interact with a smiling face than one that’s not. I want to share a few reasons why smiling for your brand photos is essential (even if you don’t think you have a great smile).
Forget Hello…You Had Me When You Smiled!
The difference between your face when you’re smiling and your face when you’re not is huge. A smile is universally inviting and it automatically draws people to you. It’s what makes you memorable, in the best way possible. Science has shown it’s easier to remember smiling faces than angry ones. If someone remembers your face, they’re more likely to remember your name. And those two things together make your brand memorable too.
Your Smile Says, “Hi There! Let’s Chat!”
If I’m scrolling through social media or I land on your website, I want to feel a connection with you. If you’re looking directly at the camera and smiling, that connection is much easier for me to imagine. It’s as if you’re saying, “Hi. Nice to meet you.”
Come On, Get Happy!
Most people feel a bit uptight and nervous about having their photo taken. There’s a simple solution that works every time. Did you know that just the act of smiling makes you feel happier? It stimulates biofeedback from facial muscles that communicates happy feelings to the brain and even stimulates the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel good chemicals. If you feel happier, you're going to be more relaxed and that shows through in your branding photos as well.
Happy People Seem More Confident
No matter what your personal brand is, the universal thing you want it to convey is confidence. When you’re smiling, you naturally look more confident and at ease. People are drawn to confidence, and the first place they should encounter that is in your smile.
Can You Relate?
Finally, when you smile, you become instantly genuine and relatable. Even if your smile isn’t perfect, it changes your face and makes you seem more relatable. Since a photo is not dynamic but static, the images you want to capture are those that make people want to learn more or work with you.
So the next time someone says, “smile for the camera” know that they’re honestly just trying to get the best possible picture of you they can. And that’s pretty much always a picture of you with a smile on your face.
I’d love to capture your beautiful smile in beautiful, branded photos that you’ll feel fantastic about sharing. CLICK HERE to check out all of my services and get on my calendar to chat about which one is best for you.