What is Personal Branding?
Your personal brand is "an authentic manifestation of who you are and amplif[ies] what you believe."
Your brand is what makes you different from everyone else. It is true to you. It is what makes you unique. Your brand should reflect the roles you perform in your job as well as your ideals.
Everyone has a brand. The question is, do you need to develop yours? And if yes, then how do you do that?
One way to build your brand is using visuals. You can use a variety of images to promote who you are and what you do. It is much more than just a nice headshot, too.
5 Reasons You Need Personal Branding Photos
Are you a small business owner or entrepreneur? Do you sell a service or product? Are you an influencer or public figure? If the answer is yes, then you should be developing your personal brand.
You need a way to share your brand with your audience, potential clients or customers, and others in your field. Photos are an impact way of sharing who you are and what you value.
1. Tell Your Story
By creating a story around your brand, you can make a personal connection with prospective clients and connect with co-workers. Your story can be shared through words, video, or photos. Create a story board using images, include personal affects, favorite colors and items, to engage with your audience.
2. Create a Connection with Your Clients
Visuals are an easy and quick way to create a connection with like-minded individuals. People who love the same colors, mood, products as you will immediately connect with an image displaying their favorite things.
You can connect with clients by displaying your personality, too. This can be done through Behind the Scenes images (you at work, doing your thing, being yourself), using props that reflect your personality (coffee, books, clothes, food, etc.). Use a variety of your favorite locations or your work space to share your environment with your clients. Incorporate your hobbies into your images and have images you can share about YOU, not just your business. This is a great way to connect with clients on another level, beyond your shared love of your business.
3. Level Up Your Brand
A nice headshot is no longer enough to establish who you are. Branding photos provide a window into who you are as a person. They can evoke emotion in your clients or customers, creating a connection and providing a "why" they should support your business. Your images can share how you interact with clients or how you work behind the scenes to create a product they love. Branding Photos include images of you, your work space, your product, your interests, your personality, and so much more.
4. Create a Professional Image
Having professional images of yourself, your surroundings, and your products tells your clients and customers that you are a professional. Showcasing a variety of images with a similar look and feel also creates consistency in your brand.
5. Set Yourself Apart
Branding sessions focus on what makes you YOU . There is no one else like you in the world, and you need to let people know that you are unique, what you have to offer is unique. Show off your personality through photos of you being you. Include your favorite locations, accessories, products, facial expressions, and more to set yourself apart from the crowd.
Ways to Use Your Personal Branding Photos
There are many options of how and where to use the images from your branding session. Here are just a few:
1. Social Media
Use photos on Instagram to build engagement and a following. Add text overlays for Facebook posts that pop. Update your profile photo on LinkedIn. Images are a great addition to blog posts.
2. Website
There are many areas on a website where photos can be displayed to create a professional look. Rather than using stock photos, use photos of yourself and your products in as many ways as you can.
3. Email Marketing
If you share information through email, include images to provide consistency in your branding. We live in a visual age, so include a photo to grab your readers' attention.
4. Promotional Materials
If you provide flyers, pamphlets, or other materials to your potential or existing clientele, your images will make a perfect addition to the information you provide.
Oh, Tannenbaum Photography's
Personal Branding Experience
Here's what to expect when you book your Personal Branding Session with Oh, Tannenbaum Photography.
If you are still unsure whether you need Personal Branding photos or just a headshot session, send me an email at ohtannenbaumphotos@gmail.com. We can discuss what is the best fit for you and your business at this time.
Once you're ready to book your session, head over to my Services page and fill out my Booking Form! This quick questionnaire will help me understand your business -- from your style and values to your needs. I will then send you a confirmation email detailing the next steps to prepare for your session. An invoice will be sent at this time as well.
The first step is to meet with me in person or over the phone (we all know how to do video conferencing now so that is also an option). This consultation we will discuss your vision, style, products, and more to help plan your session. We will choose a date, location(s), wardrobes, products, types of images you would like and need, and more.
On the day of your Photo Session, we will take our time moving between headshots, lifestyle portraits, flat-lays, and "behind the scenes"images. We may change locations or take time for wardrobe changes as well. It will be a stress-free and fun experience as you show off your personality and what makes your brand different.
After the session, I will deliver your Photo Gallery via ShootProof, a digital platform that allows you to download your images or make print purchases. Delivery takes 2-3 weeks. Images are not delivered until receipt of payment. You will receive all edited images in color and black and white. If you need images resized prior to delivery, please let me know during your consultation.
It is best to update your images at least twice a year, but quarterly is recommended. When you receive your images, consider Booking Your Next Session. By scheduling more than one session a year, you increase the variety of images you can share throughout the year. Consider booking a session per season so you can update your photos as the seasons change.