4 Things To Consider When Choosing a Personal Branding Photographer

Finding a personal branding photographer that is right for you can be a daunting task simply because there seem to be so many photographers out there these days.?There are literally hundreds of photographers in Melbourne and while I believe that's a great thing because it shows the demand for photographic services is strong, it can get really hard and overwhelming to choose one.?

The good news is it doesn’t have to be. I’m going to share with you some insider tips and questions to ask that will help you save time and choose the photographer that is right for you and your business.

1.?Relevant Experience

Let me begin by saying that it's really important you start looking for a Personal Branding Photographer. This is a photographer who has both Portrait and Commercial experience. They have the skills to pose and guide you naturally and beautifully throughout your shoot, they know how to work to a brief (ie your business growth goals), can provide creative direction, and have the technical skills to ensure your photos turn out better than you expected.

Having your photo taken is as much about the experience as it is the results you walk away with. The mix of skill and expertise of a Personal Branding Photographer is very different to say an event photographer, wedding photographer, or landscape photographer. Just like in the Finance world, you wouldn't ask your mortgage broker to file your tax return.

So, make sure you're speaking to the right person for the job!

It will make a huge difference in how you feel about your photos and whether or not you're confident to share them.

2.?Begin Your Search Well In Advance

Start looking for a Personal Branding Photographer well before you need your photos!?

My recommendation is to start doing some research between 1 and 3 months in advance.?

Why? Because taking the time to find the right photographer for you helps ensure you receive the results you’re after and more!

Also, once you choose your Personal Branding Photographer, they will need time to plan your shoot and make sure all the pieces are in place for a successful shoot day.

They will consult with you weeks before your photo shoot to learn more about you and your business, what makes it stand out and what your goals are.?They’ll then offer their creative vision based on where you’d like your business to be in the not too distant future, and explain how the photographs they create for you will help you get there.

You can always start with Google by typing "personal branding photographer near me" to see who's around that may be suitable.

Alternatively, you may have a colleague or know someone who has recently had professional photos created for their business.?Ask them about their experience and whether they’d recommend their photographer. Sometimes asking for referrals is a lot easier (and more reliable!) than starting with Google.

Of course, feel free to reach out to me for a chat to see if we are a good fit!

When you have a short list, give each one a call. Just like with any service professional, It's important to feel comfortable with the photographer you choose to work with.

Having your photos taken for your business doesn't have to be painful.

In fact, I believe it should be fun and easy and leave you feeling confident about putting yourself out there! By talking to them on the phone, you should get a good sense of who is a fit for you.

3.?Better Save Than Sorry

Having a collection of custom images created specifically for your business is an investment.?

Photographers are professionals just like you.

They invest in high quality equipment, professional development, and technical training to deliver the best results they can for you.

Tasking your nephew who is new to photography with the job may save you some money in the short term, but the results may fall short of what you were expecting.??No offence to your nephew of course!?Everyone starts somewhere, but would you hand the keys of your brand new car to a “P” plater? Me neither.

From what I have seen, if you go this way, you usually end up paying twice. The first time to "save" money, the second time to pay a professional to produce the real results you were after the first time around.

So, why not save for it and just go to someone reputable in the first place?

Otherwise, you risk losing momentum, time, and more money!

I’ve heard many business owners say the one thing that helped turn their business around was investing in professional photography.?As more and more people come online to search and discover others who can help them in some way, it’s so important to invest in high quality images that represent you well.

Not only do they help your business stand out online, but a collection of beautifully captured photos will also give you the confidence to step out and be seen too!

4.?You Don’t Need To Have All The Answers Beforehand.

Please don’t feel like you need to have a clear and defined personal brand before engaging a photographer.

Sure, it’s important to have a sense of what your personal brand stands for, but you don't need to know how to translate that visually into photos. That's your photographer's job.

Remember, photographers 'read' images every day.?They know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to visual storytelling.?They also know what appeals to audiences and how to design a photo shoot that will create the desired results you’re after.??

Your photographer can guide you through their process to identify and design photos that support your brand and help you feel confident to let yourself be seen.

From knowing what type of location to use, wardrobe pieces to wear, hair and makeup styling to use, lighting and posing etc.?they can take care of all that for you to help bring your personal brand to life.

So, even though you may not be clear about how you want your photos to look, don’t let that stop you engaging a photographer and booking that photo shoot!?Your photographer can help.

Sometimes it’s through working with other professionals and doing things before we think we’re ready that gives us the confidence and clarity to grow and level up our businesses.

I really hope these 4 considerations help you in your search for a Personal Branding Photographer. I understand that the prospect of having your own photoshoot can be nerve wracking. That's why it's important to take your time choosing a photographer that feels right to you. One who is able to put you at ease and inspire your confidence so you can rock your photo shoot and get the most out of your photos!