Say no more to stock photos for your personal brand—if you want to create a lasting impression at the end of the day.
As a matter of fact, Nielsen’s study revealed that consumers skipped generic stock images and spent more time viewing real people’s portraits. It’s a sure thing that now you wouldn’t think twice about using real, creative photos that could expand your brand reach.
We are pretty sure that you have heard “a picture is worth a thousand words” many times in your life. And it’s a fact. Personal branding photography can be a turning point for your business as images communicate your personality and build relationships with your audience.
Your photos speak to your audience. You can tell your personal brand story on social media, reflect your values, and shape trust and authenticity with your photos.
So here, we will break down all the critical details that you need to start rolling on your personal branding photography successfully.
Come on till the end to have a deep understanding of it!
What is personal brand photography?
Personal brand photography is a specific type of photography that creates thought-provoking images to communicate your personality. It spotlights who you are as a person, what you actually do, and why it matters to you.
Well, it’s beyond the headshot and common stock photos- your personal brand photography crafts your brand visual story consistently. And that creative visuals create an impact and make you a trustworthy and noticeable personality.
Why personal branding photography is important
Top 5 Personal Branding Photoshoot Ideas
- Connect with your audience. Storytelling Photography puts life into your personal brand. When you start sharing your images, it makes a deep connection with an audience. They get to know the real human behind the products or services you offer.
- Make you a magnificent out-of-the-ordinary. You have competition no matter which industry you belong to. Meanwhile, personal brand photography helps you to grab the attention of your audience and stand out from the rest.
- Elevate your expert status. Your professional photos showcasing your expertise help you position yourself as a thoughtful leader. It fosters your expert status while showing them what and how you do.
Your personal and creative photoshoot can tell a story to your audience that helps them recall you instantly. And guess what? Personal brand photography is not as complex as you might think. Here are the pretty simple and top-notch personal branding photoshoot ideas and examples to help you expand your online visibility 10x.
1. Headshots
Your blurry photo from three years ago wouldn’t move the needle for your personal brand. It’s a fact. On the other side, a corporate quality headshot professional smiling pose while looking at the camera boosts your first impression. Be sure to use your brand color background and wear an outfit that truly presents your personality style. Meanwhile, you can use headshots on your website about page, social media personal brand profiles, and other digital or print marketing channels.
2. Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes, humanize your brand by revealing the unfiltered process in the background. Therefore, share your BTS to build a deeper connection with the audience and authenticity.
Today, customers are curious about the stories behind the people, products, or services. And that BTS photoshoot amplifies the viewer’s engagement with your content. Furthermore, BTS can increase your brand awareness and sales.
3. Process Photos
Process photos highlight the method you follow to create a product or service. By the way, it’s different from behind the scenes, as these are not random moments. It mainly focuses on showing your expertise to your audience through your creative process.
Like if you are a photographer, you can share the process of your raw photo and how you edited it with a software editing tool. Or sharing how you adjust the light during the shoot and show your final portrait.
4. Lifestyle Shots
In contrast to headshots, lifestyle portraits capture the daily life activities that you love working. Lifestyle portraits capture the moments that represent your personality.
Suppose you are a wellness coach; then your lifestyle portrait could be you meditating in a peaceful, sunny studio with a branded color palette. Your lifestyle visuals can appeal to the audience because today’s consumers like to see the real you. Eventually, it builds trust while making them feel connected to your journey.
5. Add a touch of props.
The fifth one on the personal brand photoshoot idea is bringing props that are used on a daily basis. It could be your camera, laptop, books, journal, or industry-specific tools that tell your story.
Even it could be your cup of coffee that refreshes your mind and gets things done. These tools will add personality, but make sure that you don’t make a messy frame with props. Add props to the attraction and show them clearly without distracting them.
Tips for Personal Branding Photoshoots
- Be Clear on Your Brand Attributes. First of all, get a clear picture of your brand personality and what message you want to express. List down the brand adjectives that describe your personality. Adventurous? Disciplined? Bold? The adjectives should be the vibe of the brand.
- Create your visual mood board. As a good starting point, look for some seeds of inspiration from the Pinterest visual board that match your brand aesthetic. In this way, you can have a clear expectation of what type of photos you want.
- Choose the right photographer: Go the extra mile to find the right photographer that fits your style. And, of course, look for the one that is affordable for you, too. It’s critical to hire a photographer who shows the capture authenticity with real, eye-catching images. So, look at their portfolios and photography styles and consult them before making a decision.
- Select a location for the shoot. You can pick a location for your photoshoot from your visual inspiration board. Choosing a location is not a no-brainer at the start, as you have to find a location that matches your brand personality. Whether you choose indoor or outdoor, it must reflect your brand identity. So, research a location near you. Besides that, your photographer can help you find the perfect location.
- Wear what makes you confident. Pick the dress that makes you feel comfortable and confident. On top of that, your outfit must reflect your personal brand aesthetics. Besides the dress, style your hair and do makeup if you like to wear it.
Personal branding photography pricing
Branding Photography Pricing depends on various factors like a photographer’s experience, location, Scope of the Project, and additional services (like styling and art guidance).
The hourly rate of average photographers is around $150-$2000. While some photographers also offer various packages to get things done.
That average personal branding photography package costs about $500-$5000, depending on the service list.
Conclusion
Personal brand photography can step up your branding efforts and create a meaningful connection with your audience. At the same time, a personal branding photographer can help you reach your goals with stunning and thoughtful images for your marketing channels. However, it is important to research well before choosing a photographer so you hit the target.
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