Building your personal brand

Building your personal and business brand is a super important way to connect with your customers. It builds rapport, trust and a sense of connection.

Tick, tick, tick.

I encourage (where possible) for all my clients to engage a professional photographer to take shots for their website.

The benefits of engaging a professional photographer are huge, especially when it comes to a dynamic online presence.

5 benefits of a professional photographer

  1. They know what they are doing
  2. Good lighting
  3. The right angles
  4. High resolution images
  5. Post-shoot editing

Yet, the very thought of having my own professional photos taken made me want to run and hide. I like being behind the scenes – not smack in front.

But it was inevitable.

My profile images were in very much need of an update. I believe the one I was using was at least 8-10 years old.

Now I don’t know about you but my 40-year-old self sure doesn’t look like my early-thirties self (sigh).

Sometimes you gotta sink or swim

I won’t lie. My first time was a confronting experience.

Having a camera aimed at me instantly transformed me into a gawky teen who didn’t know where to look, stand, sit or put my hands. I was a gangly teen, or newborn giraffe – one or the other.

But I got through it, and now I want you to learn from my experience.

My top tips for your first photoshoot

  1. Grab a wingman

    Name a friend who can make you laugh in any situation. Now go rope in that person to be your wingman. They’ll help loosen you up, make you laugh and most importantly, to relax. You’ll find you are more at ease having someone you know in the room.

    Chat to your photographer as they can even double as your customers/clients. Kill two birds with one stone.

  2. Get your hair and makeup done

    Professional make-up artists know how to make your face shine in front of a camera (and not be shiny!) Trust me, this makes a huge difference. Obviously, more for the ladies here but men – this can help you too.

    They use the right products for the camera and can highlight your best features. Better yet – be sure to book dinner date after the shoot as you’ll be all dolled up and looking your finest.

  3. Buy a new outfit

    Stepping out for your shoot in a new outfit will above all, boost your confidence. Think about your brand colours then choose an outfit that complements your colour scheme. Think of your surrounds. What is the feel you are going for? Is it corporate or a more relaxed feel?

    Above all, keep it simple. Choose several outfits so you can rotate them during your shoot. The last thing you want is 20 shots wearing the same outfit.

  4. Get to know your photographer

    This obviously depends on timing and availability, but if possible, get to know your photographer. Have an initial meeting if you can to ensure you are the right fit.

    Do they make you feel at ease? Do they understand your brief? Are they throwing out suggestions, tips and ideas for you to enhance your experience?

    A good photographer will guide you to what works best from their experience.

  5. Include props

    Props are a great way to enhance your shoot and create individual scenes. You can then use these for a variety of purposes throughout your website, socials and ongoing marketing.

    Think – your morning coffee, you at your desk or meeting space, your tools of the trade, your finished products, pets or favourite things.

    Think about items that make you, YOU and see how you can incorporate them into your shoot. As soon as I bought my two dogs on the scene with me, I instantly relaxed and got one of my favourite shots of the day.

  6. Have a glass of champas handy

    Always a winner. Nerves calmed. Enough said.

At the end of the day, it’s a learning experience

I took my first photoshoot as a learning experience.

Many shots ended up in the scrap pile. But I got the shots. A handful of pearlers that worked on my website and on my socials.

Knowing what to expect now, the next one will be a greater success.

Planning for Take II

I am now planning my next shoot with a more organised and targeted approach. I am thinking of new props, locations, outfits and purpose. Now having the experience on actually handling the shoot process, I can now focus on future imagery I want and how to prepare.

If you’d like to chat about engaging a professional photographer to enhance your personal brand, give me a call to chat. We can even be your chosen wingman for the day (equipped with champagne and all).