So, you’ve decided that this is the year you want to build a unique personal brand. Knowing how you want to portray yourself in the public eye is only the first step in growing your business. Next, you will need to ensure you have a strong online presence that represents what you’re all about – visuals are among the most essential (and effective!). Powerful images that resonate with your ideal clients make the best marketing materials.
Scheduling a personal branding photoshoot is one way to build your ideal image. Your photos need to capture your personal style, the essence of who you are, and what you offer. It might sound easy enough to do on your own, but many entrepreneurs soon realize how difficult it is to bring a message across in an image. Hiring a professional photographer will save you a lot of time and give you the most professional results.
If you’re in the process of hiring a personal branding photographer, here's a list of questions that will guide you in finding the best one for you. Experienced photographers always schedule a consultation call before the actual photoshoot and that's the perfect time to ask these questions.
1.How often do you shoot personal branding photos? Not all photographers specialize in or have a lot of experience with personal branding shoots. This is not to say that they aren’t experienced and skilled, but it is better to go with someone who has specific personal branding experience. You need someone who understands personal branding and how it plays into your business. You'll find that it's easier to discuss your vision ( and trust that they can bring it to life) with someone who has a lot of experience working with business owners.
2.Where do you shoot? Next, you want to find out whether the photographer shoots in a studio or if they can travel to other locations too. There’s nothing wrong with shooting in a studio but to truly tell a story, you should have the option to choose your own locations too. Whether this is your office, home, or favorite coffee shop, location plays a leading role in your visual story.
If you're at a loss where to have the personal branding session, ask the photographer if they know any good places. If you feel like your home office best conveys your personal brand but you're not comfortable shooting at home, ask the photographer if they know a studio where you can stage a home office.
When I was designing my studio, I made the space as flexible as possible to accommodate the different needs of my clients. It has a lot of good, natural lighting and it's easy to turn into a home or office setting.
3.What’s included in the personal branding package? Find out more about what’s included in the total cost of the shoot and whether that meets your requirements. The number of edited images, prints, props, and travel costs are just some of the aspects to consider.
4.What process do you follow? If you want to end up with photos that portray what your brand is all about, your photographer should have a process that will allow them to understand what you’re looking for. As I mentioned above, a pro photographer always schedules a call or meeting before the actual shoot.
A questionnaire and consultation call is an essential part of my process. It allows me to understand what my client needs not only in terms of the final images but also helps me gauge their comfort levels with being in front of the camera. I find that it's good to know how much direction and confidence coaching a client will need before the shoot.
5.Can you send me a mood board or ideas? While this is not an absolute must, you might want to find out whether your photographer can give you a visual idea of the kind of imagery and story your photos will tell. Ask to see their online gallery or social media platforms like Instagram so you can take a closer look at their work, particularly the style of images they take as well as their editing style.
Once you find yourself happy with the photographer's answers to these questions, you can be confident in their ability to deliver beautiful images that can help boost your marketing efforts.
If possible, meet with your photographer in person or have a Zoom call to ensure their personality and style are a good fit for you. From there, you can look forward to stunning and engaging personal branding imagery.
Are you looking for someone to help you put together powerful images for your personal brand? Send us a message on @bravoimage_branding on Instagram!
