Does Branding Photoshoot Matter for Your Brand?

In my journey of personal branding, one thing that I know can help you get noticed by your target audience if you're new to the online space is your pictures.

Pictures have a way of making people connect with you because they can see you. Trust me, except you are an established brand, it takes a lot of time for people to get acquainted with your brand and your service offering.

When I started on LinkedIn, I had a personal brand shoot and those images were what I was using to sell myself and that got me new audiences and helped my following increase.

In this newsletter, I'm going to share some of the things you need to know about personal branding photography. To hear an extensive version of this topic, I recorded it as a podcast so while you are either at the gym, in transit, working or relaxing, you can be learning at the same time.

What is Personal Branding Photography?

Personal Branding Photography is a genre of photography focused on capturing images that represent your personal brand identity, and professional image. You can say they are photographs of you and your business.

Why should you consider this?

1. A branding shoot ensures you have a set of high-quality, consistent visuals that align with your brand's style and message across all platforms.
2. A branding shoot allows you to visually tell your brand's story, values, and mission, helping customers connect with your brand on a deeper level.
3. With a variety of images from the shoot, you can create content for social media, websites, marketing materials, and more, saving time and effort in the long run.
4. Strong visuals from a branding shoot help your brand stand out and become more recognizable amidst the sea of competitors, leading to better brand recall.

After my most recent branding shoot, I used the images to transform my LinkedIn and Instagram Bio. I also used the images for my podcast art cover, speaking engagement and so much more. I noticed that after the shoot, my follower count increased drastically and my online appearance became better.

Difference between headshots and personal branding photography

Over time, I realize not many people know the difference between a headshot photo and a personal branding photo.

The clearest distinction between headshots and personal branding photos is the amount of the subject shown in the photo. Like in the name, a headshot is considered a photo of a person’s head and shoulders.

• With a headshot, you are looking directly at the camera in a?formal standard pose. With personal branding photos, you can be looking at the camera, or away, or even interacting with props. In addition, personal branding tends to use poses that are more natural and casual.?
• Headshots are generally shot against a plain white, grey or black background in-studio in order to accent the subject rather than the environment. In contrast, personal branding shoots tend to place more importance on the environment - thus, requiring on-location shoots instead of in-studio.

Personal branding photos also have different types of look and feel (I explained in detail in my podcast). You can have your photos in the form of :

1. Lifestyle Portrait Photography
2. Essential Headshot Shots
3. Behind-the-Scenes or At-Work Shots
4. Promotional & Advertising Shots
5. Tools of the Trade Shots
6. Team or Business Partner Images

What should you pay attention to before the shoot?

As the saying goes, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Many people make the mistake of going for a photoshoot without adequately preparing and as a result, they either get tired, frustrated or unhappy about the outcome of the shoot.

Before going for a shoot, you should consider the following (I also went into more detail about this in my podcast)

1. Brand Identity and Storytelling
2. Brand Colors
3. Mood Boards
4. Props and Styling
5. Location Selection
6. Wardrobe Choices
7. Hair and Makeup
8. Posing and Expressions
9. Props and Tools
10. Lighting and Composition
11. The best photographer who will understand your concept or a photographer who is an expert in this niche.

It's important to ask yourself what the intention of the photoshoot is so you can make sure your photos achieve the desired result. Ask questions like:

• Are these photos going to be used for storytelling on my social media posts?
• Are they going to be used in banner images for my website?
• Are they going to be used for campaign images?

By thinking out the purpose of your images and how you'll be using them will dicate what type of shots you need to product. Horizontal, vertical or square crop? Detail or wide shot? Colored backdrops or white? What size will they be?

Some days ago, I shared a behind-the-scenes video of how my branding shoot went and in the post, I shared how you can use the photos taken for your branding and marketing needs. You can watch here.

You can use your personal branding photos in various ways and here are a few of them:

1. Incorporate the photos into your website's homepage, about page, and other relevant sections to introduce your brand and team to visitors.
2. Share the images on your social media platforms to engage your audience
3. Illustrate your blog posts with relevant images to make them more visually appealing and engaging for readers.
4. Use the photos in presentations, whether for client pitches, workshops, or conferences, to add a personal touch.
5. Incorporate the images into e-books, guides, or other downloadable resources to make them visually appealing.
6. Use the images in print materials like business cards, brochures, and banners for offline brand promotion.
7. If you offer online courses, the images can be used to create a more relatable and personal connection with your students.
8. If you have a podcast or produce videos, the photos can be incorporated as cover art or visuals to complement the content.
9. Include the image in your email signature to give it a sophisticated look.
10. If you're releasing news about your brand, include relevant photos to make your press releases more engaging.

A well-executed branding shoot not only enhances your brand's visual presence but also establishes a strong emotional connection with your audience.

By following these tips and customizing them to your brand's unique personality, you can create a compelling visual narrative that captures attention and leaves a lasting impact on yourself and your audience.

To listen to the podcast that shared more insight about the topic, listen here or search for @thedfyshow on Apple podcast and Spotify.

Whenever you're ready, here are ways you can work with me:

1. Get a copy of my book How LinkedIn Works where you learn how to build authority and attract your target audience on LinkedIn.
2. Express your interest in LinkedIn Brand Strategy Plan and Page Audit services by sending me a direct message (DM) to get started or visiting my website here.