Let's face it, personal branding photos can feel about as exciting as a root canal. Stiff poses, forced smiles, and that dreaded "blue steel" gaze – is this really the best way to showcase your vibrant self? Heck no! It's time to loosen things up and inject some serious fun, humor, and, yes, even your unique quirks into your next branding photoshoot.
Think of these photos as your chance to shout, "This is me!" from the rooftops (or Instagram bio, whichever applies). You're not a stock photo robot; you're a multi-faceted gem full of laughter, passion, and maybe even a healthy dose of silliness. So let's shine that light.
The minds behind the collaboration that created Notary Business Builder are Bill Soroka, Laura Biewer, and Jen Neitzel and when they contacted me about branding images for their businesses, they made it clear that they didn’t want the same old, same old, flat photos. They needed updated headshots and a series of unique images for use in their content marketing on their websites. These people are fun. They think being a Notary Public is fun and they help others market their businesses and find success. And they laugh. A lot.
Take Your Personal Branding to the Next Level
Find a photographer who gets you. Someone who shares your sense of humor and can capture your essence without making you feel awkward. A good photographer will be your partner in crime, guiding you through the process and making sure you have a blast along the way.
I had some ideas so I got to work creating a mood board to share with them. The initial feedback was “It’s a good start, but just off the mark of what we are going for.”, so I went back to the drawing board and came up with some fresh ideas and incorporated more color and, winner! The board gave us a guide for image ideas to try out in the session, some were successful, others not and they were happy with several pictures that you can now see sprinkled throughout their website.
Tips to Make Your Branding Images Stand Out From the Crowd
Bill, Jen, and Laura didn't need much prompting, they got right down to business - and by "right down to business" I mean they did nothing but joke and laugh and poke fun at one another the entire time. Here are some key takeaways that made their session so successful and truly representative of their personalities.
- Ditch the Suit (Maybe): Unless your brand screams "corporate titan," your wardrobe can be your playground. Consider vibrant colors, but be sure to harmonize with your teammates.
- Props, Glorious Props: Channel your inner child and embrace the power of props! For this fun trio, all leaders in the notary marketing and business field, we used their stamps to riff on the iconic Charlie’s Angels silhouette.
- Unleash your Inner Ham: Don't be afraid to get silly and ham it up for the camera. The more relaxed and playful you are, the more genuine your photos will be. This trio wanted their images to honestly portray their fun-loving side and how much they all laugh together (the “hear no evil”, "see no evil, speak no evil" was their idea!).
- Embrace the Bloopers: Don't worry about being perfect. Embrace the bloopers! Those genuine laughs and goofy faces are often the most captivating shots. A perfectly posed photo might look impressive, but a spontaneous giggle will make you instantly relatable.
Update Your Headshot During Your Personal Branding Session
Your personal branding photography session is the perfect opportunity to update your tired old headshot and get a fresh, fabulous picture that showcase the real you.
Think of it this way: you're already investing in professional photography, so why not squeeze the most out of it? A personal branding session typically involves a variety of settings, outfits, and poses, giving you a treasure trove of material to choose from. You can easily select a few headshots that perfectly capture your professional persona, saving you the time and expense of a separate session.
in the case of the folks behind NotaryCoach.com, it was important that they have consistency in their headshots and the overall aesthetic matched their personal branding photos and website, creating a cohesive and professional online presence.
Your personal branding photoshoot is a blank canvas waiting for your colorful personality to splash across it. Ditch the stuffy, embrace the silly, and let your photos be a vibrant celebration of the one and only YOU.
And remember, if you need a professional photographer to capture your brand awesomeness in its full glory, I'm just a click away. Let's paint the town red (or, again, a well-lit studio) with your unique personality! Click here for more information and pricing.
Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography is a Master of Photography and Certified Professional Photographer with the organization Professional Photographers of America; a designation held by fewer than 2,000 photographers nationwide and a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry and professionalism.
Penny Whistle specializes in both on-location and studio photography providing branding photography services, pet, family, and high school senior portraits as well as corporate headshots and commercial photography services in her studio located in historic downtown Carrollton as well as on location in Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, Flower Mound and surrounding communities in Dallas – Fort Worth, Texas.
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