If you’d come to me 12 months ago and told me that I’d soon be preaching about the values of personal branding, executive portraits, and professional headshots, I probably would’ve thought you were a nutter and ran away from you. That’s despite me running a recruitment firm, where a candidate’s personal brand and personality could be the difference between a job offer and a rejection.
It was only when I switched to doing personal branding photography full-time that the importance of personal branding really hit me. I think people still think that business photography has to be stiffer than a corpse made out of Viagra, but it really, really doesn’t.
In today's digital world, where online presence is everything, your personal branding plays a crucial role in establishing a strong and recognisable identity, and I do my damnest to bring out your personality during our shoots to make that happen.
Here are 15 ways that I, as a professional brand photographer, can help you, your brand, and your sales.
1 - ESTABLISHING TRUST AND A RAPPORT
Ever heard the expression, ‘people buy from people they like’? High-quality photographic images that showcase your personality can instantly help people warm to you and trust you, which means they’ll automatically think of your brand with that same feeling of warmth and trust.
2 - CONVEYING PERSONALITY AND UNIQUENESS
Beyond professionalism, personal branding photography allows you to showcase your unique personality and style. We’ll do different poses, wardrobe choices, and background settings to make your photos convey your values, passions, and expertise. Hell, I’ve shot people wearing rubber, sitting in dog kennels, pulling faces, and lying backwards off the end of a motorbike - and their client bases love it.
3 - CONNECTING EMOTIONALLY WITH YOUR AUDIENCE
Strong visual storytelling can evoke emotions, connect with your audience on a deeper level, and forge stronger relationships. By creating a visual narrative that aligns with your brand message, you can leave a lasting impression.
4 - ENHANCING YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
You can use your photos anywhere to enhance your presence; your website, social media profiles, professional profiles, and marketing materials. Consistent use of these images reinforces your brand identity and makes you stand out from the competition. Once people start associating your face with the name, it’ll feel more personal to them.
5 - BOOSTING SELF-CONFIDENCE
The process of having professional photographs taken can give you a massive self-confidence boost. If I had a quid for every time somebody said to me, I don’t like being in front of a camera/I’m ugly/I’m shy/I’m embarrassed, I wouldn’t have to work anymore. But once those same people saw the results I produced for them, every single one of their faces lit up. Seeing yourself in a positive and flattering light can enhance your self-perception and make you feel more confident in your professional endeavours.
6 - INVESTMENT IN YOUR FUTURE
Investing in personal branding photography is an investment in your business’s future. Your images will serve as valuable assets for years to come, helping you grow your brand, attract new opportunities, and achieve your professional goals.
7 - FINDING THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER
When selecting a photographer for your personal branding photoshoot, consider their experience, style, and understanding of your brand. Look for someone who can capture your essence and translate it into compelling visual storytelling. For me, that’s bringing as much of your personality out as possible, and if you aren’t sure what that is or what it could be, have a chat with me, and we’ll figure it out between us.
8 - CREATING A MEMORABLE BRAND IMAGE
This is especially true if you’re self-employed. Like it or not, you are your brand, so why not have some fun with it and make your brand memorable? Goof around, wear costumes, involve pets, dress up to the Nines - whatever you think will make you stand out from your competitors, I’m here for it (and I’ll probably raise the stakes another 50% once we’re on the shoot anyway 😂)
9 - DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM YOUR COMPETITORS
In a crowded marketplace, it's crucial to stand out from the competition. When potential clients or partners see your personal brand photos, they should immediately recognise and remember you. If they do, then you already have a foot in the door the first time you speak, which will make getting business easier.
10 - PROMOTE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND ACROSS PLATFORMS
You don’t just have to use your photos on the usual digital channels - think about how to use personal branding photography in the physical world. I’m talking business cards, brochures, presentations, and even clothing or merchandise. Imagine a marketing campaign with your face on a pair of socks or a T-shirt; how much more memorable is that than a pen with your logo on?!
11 - ENHANCE YOUR PERSUASIVE POWER
A picture is worth a thousand words. Visuals can often captivate the attention of your audience in a way that text can only dream of. Professional branding photography can help you present your ideas and messages more engagingly and memorably, increasing the likelihood of influencing and persuading your target audience.
12 - DOCUMENT YOUR GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Professional branding photography can serve as a visual timeline of your business's journey. As you progress in your career and achieve new milestones, you can use updated portraits and photos to reflect your growth and development. This can be a powerful tool for showcasing your expertise and attracting new opportunities.
13 - INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE OTHERS
If you're an entrepreneur, mentor, or inspiring figure, your personal branding photos can help you motivate and inspire others. If others see that you’ve had success without having a stick up your arse and a permanently brown nose, then that’ll encourage them to follow suit, pursue their goals, and achieve their dreams. Brilliant!
14 - CREATE A CONSISTENT AND UNIFIED BRAND IMAGE
Regardless of what business you’re in, marketing yourself is all about creating a unified, memorable set of images. When you think of a Formula One team, what comes to mind first: the car or the driver? It’s the driver, isn't it, because people can relate to a human more than a machine?
So when all your visual assets, including your portraits, website, social media profiles, and marketing materials, share a similar style and aesthetic, you’ll project a strong and unified brand message that resonates with your audience.
15 - OPTIMISE YOUR VISUAL CONTENT FOR SEARCH
Search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Ask are increasingly considering visual elements when ranking websites. By incorporating high-quality personal branding photographs into your online presence, you can improve your website's search engine optimisation (SEO) and attract more organic traffic from search results.
LET ME HELP YOUR STAND OUT
I don’t care if you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or SME; the benefits of personal branding photography far outweigh any negatives you might associate with it. If you want photos that make you look like a painting over the fireplace in a Bond villain’s lair, then I ain’t for you. If, however, you want edgy, fun, and adventurous photos that will attract higher-paying clients because you’re being authentic yourself, then hit me up.
We’ll always have a consultation beforehand so we can get to know each other, and we’ll chat about what you want, what you don’t want, and if there are things that you’re not comfortable with. I guarantee that by the end of the shoot, all your doubts will have melted away, and you’ll have some kick-arse branding shots in place of them.
Don’t believe me? Check out my Recommendations on LinkedIn, and then let’s have a natter.
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