How to Prepare for a Personal Branding Session

Having a personal branding session is truly a sign you wish to invest in your business. It is an investment you won’t regret if you are looking to attract new business and customers and create a brand that is professional and captivating. 

Getting the right headshot which is a professional and a high-quality representation of the person behind the brand can be achieved with the right preparation. If done correctly with adequate preparation for your personal branding photography session, it will make all the difference.

In this digital age, visuals are such an important part of marketing and branding. Your headshot is a crucial part of your brand and the growth of your business. With this in mind, it’s important to know how to prepare for when the time comes to push forward with your personal branding in business and have your headshot taken.

Choose the Outfit That Makes the Right Impression

When choosing an outfit, make sure it is comfortable and reflects your personality but will not be the most prominent element of the headshot. You don’t want your clothes to distract from you.

We would advise against wearing something that is highly stylish or outrageous. Go with an outfit that will make you look polished and confident. Don’t try too hard, as this will come through by anybody viewing your headshot. 

Avoid wearing any clothing with logos or text because this can draw attention away from your face. If you’re not sure what type of clothing works best for headshots, ask us for advice for an outfit that would suit you and will look good on the camera while projecting the image you want to portray.

Consider Your Hairstyle and Makeup

Hairstyles and makeup are subjective to each individual and their character. We always try to capture the essence of the individual in their headshot, and would favor the subtle use of makeup so that a natural look is achieved in the headshot. Too much makeup can be overpowering, and a professional makeup artist can help you get the perfect look and practice before the big day. 

When it comes to styling your hair for your headshot, a style that nicely frames your face and captures your character is ideal. Again, if necessary, consider using a hairstylist who can give you the perfect look for your shoot.

Practice Your Smile

Your facial expression is extremely important in a headshot. Of course, when you are in front of the camera, it can feel unnatural. The added pressure to produce a perfect smile on demand might make you feel stiff or awkward. It can be a good idea to ask friends or family to run through a few simulated photoshoots with you in order to help you acclimatize to smiling in front of the camera without feeling uncomfortable. 

Practice makes perfect! When the day comes—with the right clothes, makeup and a positive attitude—it’s almost certain you’ll be smiling naturally. 

Enjoy the Experience!

Headshot photography for your brand is an important element of your business strategy. It is best to appear natural in front of the camera and look like you are enjoying yourself. 

While you may feel pressured to get things right, photoshoots can be a time to have fun and enjoy doing something creative and different while benefiting your brand. So, allow things to fall into place and you will come away with not only a wonderful headshot but also a wonderful memory of the experience.

What Is Personal Branding in Business

Personal branding in business is the process of creating and nurturing an identifiable and memorable professional persona. It’s about carving out a unique identity and building an online presence that is attractive to potential customers. Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or small business owner, personal branding can help you stand out from the crowd by communicating your values, skills, and knowledge, and ultimately differentiate yourself from others in the field. 

Taking control of how you present yourself in the business world can inspire confidence and trust from clients, customers, or potential employers. Your online presence tells everyone who you are and that you are serious about your business and its success.

Reach Your Potential With Successful Personal Branding

When it comes to quality personal branding, we have the passion, knowledge, and experience to help you reach your goals. We know that effective branding photography sessions result in the most impactful headshots essential to your business. Headshots are no longer just for actors or entertainers–a good headshot for business is also necessary. 

In today’s digital world, a headshot can make your website look more professional and inviting, while also giving potential customers a greater sense of who you are as a business owner. 

A Face to the Name

No matter what type of service or product you offer, a face associated with your brand is invaluable. When people see your headshot on your website or social media page, there will be more affinity with the brand which in turn will create more trust in the company. Plus, if potential customers have any questions about your business or product, they can easily refer back to the headshot as a reminder that there is a real person behind the words on the page.

The Power of Professionalism

Hiring a professional photographer to take high-quality headshots of you and/or other members of your team will make all the difference in terms of how potential customers perceive your brand. Professional photos demonstrate that you take yourself and your business seriously, which in turn makes others take you seriously too. 

These images create a level of confidence and belief on the part of potential customers. A professional photographer specializes in capturing shots that bring out the best in their subjects is a top priority when it comes to effective marketing.

Reveal the Person Behind the Photo

A great headshot should accurately express who you are as well as convey energy and personality through your facial expressions, the lighting, and angle effects chosen by the photographer. Your headshot should be able to portray who you are before any words are read. A professional camera person must be able to make your headshot speak to the audience about you—the person behind your business brand.

In Summary

Personal branding in business is paramount;  it should be no surprise that we aren’t hesitant when it comes to underscoring the importance of a solid headshot. If you prepare for your personal branding session and recognize the value of this step in your business branding effort, we are confident your brand will grow and your business will thrive as a result.

What Makes a Good Headshot for Business?

If you really want to push your business to the next level and make it as successful and competitive as it deserves to be, creating the correct branding with a great headshot is one of the most crucial parts of this process. In an increasingly visual, digital world where potential clients and customers are bombarded with multiple brands and advertising—you simply have to stand out. 

To achieve this, there are many facets of your business that need to be highlighted as part of your branding. The one that is arguably the most important is you!

Getting the right headshot as a business owner is one of the most important ways you can attract customers. People believe in people. In business, this translates to  people being more willing to invest in people they trust. If you really want to brand your business to attract the best customers and thrive in your field, presenting yourself authentically as the heart and mind behind the business is essential to achieving this goal–we believe that personal branding photography sessions with Duane Furlong will ensure this is accomplished.

How to Get the Best Headshot for Business

When it comes to having a great headshot for business, the devil is truly in the details. A good headshot should be an accurate representation of who you are while also projecting a positive image that captures attention and conveys professionalism. 

To achieve this goal, there are certain factors one must consider when constructing a well-crafted headshot.

People Want to See Your Face

While we will work with your expectations for your personal brand photography session, we cannot stress enough the importance of making sure that your face is clearly visible and in focus. It’s very important to make sure no part of your face is cut out of view, as your face is the focal point and what people  are most interested in seeing. 

Another essential element to achieving that beautiful, charismatic headshot is to take into careful consideration the background behind you. It must not detract from the focus on you or compete for attention in the final product. On the contrary, it must complement the photo by adding depth and texture. Simple backgrounds like brick walls, black and white fascias, or even colored backdrops are all potential options for this purpose.

Lighting Can Make or Break a Headshot

Lighting is an essential element when it comes to creating perfect headshots. High-quality lighting can make all the difference between a poor photo and a beautiful, professional shot that will be ideal for your business branding. 

Natural light can create a beautiful atmosphere that softens shadows, highlights facial features, and adds warmth to your photo. At the same time, industry-leading lighting and a professionally equipped studio will be able to provide you with a wide range of options for creating stunning headshot photos.

Use a Style to Complement Your Headshot

While your head and face are the center of attention in a headshot, effective personal branding in business requires a touch more. Given your clothes will be in view, they should be chosen carefully so as to reflect your personality and style, while still looking professional. 

Avoid busy patterns or large logos as they could distract the viewer’s attention away from you. We also advise keeping makeup natural where possible, as less might be seen as more when projecting a business profile. 

Practice Makes Perfect

Before embarking on your photography session with Duane Furlong, get comfortable with how you want to pose in front of the camera so that you feel confident during your shoot. Talk it through with us and let us help you give off radiant confidence for an effective headshot that shows your best self!

What to Expect in Your Personal Brand Photography Session

Personal brand photography is a must-have for anyone who wants to ensure they’re being portrayed in the best possible light. So, whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to build your personal brand or just someone who wants to make sure their pictures on social media are all telling the right story, it’s essential to be aware of personal branding photography.

Planning for the Session

The first phase of a personal brand photography session is planning. It involves determining the goal of the shoot and working with your personal branding photographer to choose outfits and locations for the session.

Determining the Goals of the Shoot

As you prepare for your personal brand photography shoot, it’s crucial to think about what you want to accomplish.

• What do you want your brand to look like? This is an excellent time to revisit your brand statement and clarify its meaning.
• Who are you trying to reach? What are their needs, interests, and goals? Figure out who they are and how you can help them with your personal brand.
• What kind of content will you be creating for this shoot? Knowing this will help you determine how best to prepare for the shoot.

Outfit and Location Selection

Once you’ve determined the goals of your shoot, it’s time to think about the outfit and location you want to incorporate into your session. Make a list of outfits you love and want to show off. If you have multiple items that go together well, this can help create a cohesive look for your shoot. 

Location selection can be just as crucial as outfit selection. Think about what kind of vibe you want your photos to convey, and choose locations accordingly. Of course, it can be tricky to choose outfits and locations if you have no experience with personal brand photography, but this is something your photographer can help you with. 

During the Session

Once the planning phase is over, you’ll engage in a pre-shoot session with your photographer.

The Pre-Shoot

This is where you discuss the shooting style and what you want to get out of it; it’s also a chance for your photographer to learn more about you. This helps them figure out what props and styling they will use to ensure the photos are true to your brand.

Posing and Expressions

When it comes to posing and expression, there are a few things you can do to make sure that your brand photography session goes smoothly. 

First, think about the kind of impression you want to give off. Are you an energetic person? Try being more active in your poses. 

Second, think about what emotions you want to express through your photos. Are you excited about something new in your life? Try smiling broadly and looking happy! 

Third, practice makes perfect–the more time you spend posing for photos, the better you’ll become. Make sure that all of your pictures look natural by practicing different poses in front of the mirror before the shoot day.

After the Session

Finally, the photographer will send you a link to the private gallery where you can select your final images. The images will be available for download in high-resolution and low-resolution formats, and all of them will be watermark-free, so you can use them however you like.

Looking for information on branding photography costs and good headshots for businesses? Check out our latest posts!

How Much Does Branding Photography Cost?

Branding photography can be on the expensive side–an average branding photo session can cost you upwards of $2,000. However, it can help your business stand out from competitors and serve as an excellent marketing channel to boost your overall revenue. 

What Is Branding Photography?

Let’s first clarify the concept of branding photography. What differentiates normal photography from branding photography?

Well, branding photography aims to build your brand and features your:

• Brand colors
• Brand persona
• Leadership team
• Products or services
• Office

It also tries to portray your vision, mission, and work ethic to the world. However, because these three cannot be really objectified, they are not must-haves for branding photography.

If you have an idea about how you can help your audience visualize these aspects of your business, that’s great! But if you don’t know how to represent your mission or work ethic visually, don’t sweat it–that’s where an experienced photographer comes in.

With that said, branding photographs may include headshots, team pictures, product pictures, social media images, blog images, and candid photographs of your workspace and in action.

Check how good photography can help you build your brand.

What Do Branding Photography Costs Look Like?

The following factors affect the pricing of your branding photography:

• Photographer’s expertise: A beginner photographer might charge you less, but an expert that has worked with many different brands before will charge you a  bit more.

• Photographer’s equipment: Some photographers charge by equipment. Expensive gear can mean more costly photos.

• Venue and props: If the photographer is arranging venues for the shoots and props that sync with your brand’s vibe, be prepared to pay extra. Props can also include outfits, which can cost up to $300.

• Number of images: Usually, one photo session means at least twenty finished images. However, the exact count differs from photographer to photographer, and the more images you want, the more you should expect to pay.

• Photo editing: Sometimes, photo editing is costlier than the photography session itself. So, if a photographer is including photo editing in their package, expect to pay more.

• Other services: Other services that may be included in branding photography are short videos, gifs, custom memes, and other visual content. Some photographers also charge for planning the shoot with you or setting up a consultation meeting.

In addition, there are three ways photographers charge for branding photography:

• Hourly rates
• Sessional rates
• Per photo rates

The average hourly rate of a brand photographer is around $250 to $500. Session rates can be around $1,000 or more, with one session usually sixty minutes long. Some photographers also commit to half-days per session.

When it comes to per-photo rates, you can expect to pay $50 to $150 per finished image. This makes the per-photo pricing model the most expensive one. 

Overall, if you want a decent brand photography session that involves high-quality equipment, an expert photographer, photo editing, and at least twenty images, you should expect to pay $1,000 or more. If you include outfits, venue, props, and other services, the price may easily exceed $2,000.

At a glance, this may seem expensive. But if you think about it, it might be a wise investment, because:

• You’ll pay this amount only once (until you rebrand yourself)
• It will bring you more business

Why Is Branding Photography Important?

You might wonder what you can expect from a branding photography session. Why do people spend thousands on branding photography when you can simply use a few stock photos? Well, here are three reasons why branding photography is important:

• It sets up a great first impression, which helps build trust if you’re a new brand.
• It makes your brand more human, which allows your customers to relate to it.
• It gives consistency to your brand image and makes it easier for people to recognize you.

Photographers create brands by adding their unique perception to each image they capture. They can also help you to choose colors and aesthetics or direct you in how to represent your brand, and they may suggest how to improve the representation you’re going after.

More about expectations for your personal brand photography session.

How Does Good Photography Build Your Brand?

Did you know our brain processes an image 60,000 times faster than text? This explains why brand builders put so much emphasis on creating visual content for their campaigns. 

The eye is considered to be the key to communication. If you want to convey a message to your target audience, focus on good photography. And by good, we mean high-quality, professional images. 

Here are some ways in which good photography builds your brand.

Showcases You in the Best Light

It doesn’t matter whether you are building your personal brand on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. All platforms demand a profile picture. 

Now, you can set any selfie or random image as your profile picture. But will that look appealing to potential recruiters, followers, and collaborators? Probably not!

On the other hand, a professional headshot or good personal brand photography can give your audience an excellent first impression about you. As soon as someone lands on your profile, they will know what your best version looks like. In addition, most people will instantly develop trust when they see good photography on your profiles and will be prompted to follow you immediately. 

Increases Your Post Engagement

It is proven that images drive more engagement than any other content format–even stock photos generate 650% more engagement than text-only posts. And if you get a bit strategic with your visual content and choose good photography–like branding images–people will be 80% more likely to read your post.

What does this mean for your brand? Greater post engagement and brand awareness as a result. Keep in mind that there are more than four billion users randomly scrolling online, searching for something interesting. So, if you can get more people to actually stop and read your posts using good visuals, you can spread more brand awareness.

Develops Your Brand’s Personality 

Images are static, but they hold the potential to tell a story. A professional photographer will often use things like backgrounds, props, strategic lighting, and camera angle to achieve that. When used properly, this can be helpful in developing your brand personality.

Plus, if you plan to change the style of your brand in the future, good photography will be a great asset in that case, too. You can use it to alter the image of your brand in your customers’ minds. 

Helps You Stand Out 

A brand can only stand out from the competition when its unique selling points are highlighted or when its owners do something unique. This can be done by:

• Working with a good personal branding photographer to showcase what you’re all about (for personal brands)
• Taking pictures with your USPs in focus (for a product or service-based companies)
• Uploading positive testimonials about your USPs

All of these ways reinforce the reasons why people should choose your brand over others and can be executed with the help of a good photography company.

Establishes Trust and Increases Revenue

Professional photography builds the credibility of your brand. It shows that you are ready to invest in your business and take branding seriously; it also reflects that you care about the reputation of your brand.

For potential recruiters, partners, and customers, this is a positive indicator. This means they will develop trust in your brand and will be more likely to do business with you, leading to a greater revenue. The income you generate can then be further utilized to grow your brand.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, good photography is an essential marketing tool for a successful brand. It doesn’t matter whether you are building a personal brand or a service-based brand. Well-taken pictures from a reliable photographer like Duane Furlong are necessary to convey your message to the ideal customer. 

For more ideas and tips related to business photography, be sure to check out our posts on how a personal branding session is different from getting headshots and branding photography costs look like.

How a Personal Branding Session Is Different Than a Headshot

While business headshots and branding photography sessions might appear similar on the surface, there are key differences between the two. Below, we’ve covered in detail the distinct characteristics of both, as well as tips on how to determine which is right for you.

What Are Business Headshots?

Business headshots are a type of portrait photo typically used for business websites, business cards, LinkedIn profiles, and press releases. They are great for company and corporate profiles and serve as the perfect profile picture for social media channels or about pages on business websites. 

One well-taken headshot can be enough to help clients, customers, and prospective partners put a face to the name. They can also give the viewer a hint of the person’s personality and help make an excellent first impression. 

The main difference between personal branding photography and business headshots is the time and effort it takes for each. Headshot photoshoots are generally a lot more straightforward and quicker than personal branding sessions. Typically, there will be only one backdrop and shooting location, and only the top half (up to the shoulders) is photographed.

In other words, business headshots involve a more targeted and straightforward photoshoot and are ideal for people looking for an impactful image to represent them in a corporate setting.

Check how good photography can help you build your brand.
 

What Are Personal Branding Sessions?

Personal branding photography is a relatively newer form of visual branding that savvy business owners worldwide are taking advantage of to portray themselves in the best light. A personal branding photography session is very different from a typical headshot session in many ways. 

With headshots, the focus of the image is solely on the person, but personal branding photographs focus on delving deeper into who you are and telling the story of what you do with photography. 

Personal branding photographs can be of any type–detail shots, lifestyle shots, photos of you with your brand logo, you at work, you with your products, and so on. The possibilities are endless, and each can be customized specifically to reflect the type of business you run and what you want to convey about your brand through images. 

For example, you have the freedom to work with the photographer and play around with locations, branding colors, outfits, and props that you feel represent your brand best. The pre-shoot experience is also more involved, and you’ll likely have multiple conversations with the photographer to discuss how to best translate your brand ethos into images that can represent you in advertising, social media, and your brand website. 

One important thing to understand is that you will be investing a lot more of your time in personal branding sessions simply because of the extra time required for planning, consulting, and shooting. The additional time is very worth it, however, because you’ll be getting a wide variety of images that are genuinely representative of the work you have put into building your brand and what you hope to do with it. 

Which One Is Right for You?

If you’re still unsure how to decide between the convenience of a headshot or the customizability of a personal branding session, it’s essential to identify what exactly you’ll be using the image for. Generally, a personal branding session is the best option if: 

• You are the face of your brand and want to represent your story through the image 
• You are looking to use good photography to build a personal brand
• You want your ads to look polished and professional but also have personality 
• You want to spice up your visual branding and stand out from competitors

On the other hand, if you only need a good, professionally-taken image of yourself for your brand website or business card, then a quick headshot session will work just fine.

How to Build a Personal Brand

Whether you’re a medical resident trying to stand out amongst your peers or an executive aiming to develop your career trajectory, the power of personal branding cannot be understated. 

Building a brand in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape comes with its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. Knowing how to craft a genuine personal image that will resonate with audiences is essential in making yourself noticed for the right reasons. 

In this post, we’ll provide practical advice on building your own personal brand from scratch–including leveraging social media platforms, using professional branding photography, understanding your target audience, and increasing your visibility. 

By implementing even just some of these tips into your game plan, you can create a powerful presence that will boost both exposure and credibility within any organization you’re involved with.

Create Strong and Complete Social Profiles

First of all, it’s important to make profiles on all the top social media platforms–this includes LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. These platforms have the most number of users, so they make the best options for personal branding and brand awareness.

However, when you sign up on each of these platforms, you need to ensure professionalism and expertise in every aspect. Create a professional username, fill in all the work relevant details, and write a compelling bio.

Make sure to clearly state who you are, what you do, and what your core beliefs are. Remember that your personal brand should be a true representation of your work identity; don’t fall victim to the ‘fake it till you make it’ approach.

Get a Professional Headshot

No matter how much people claim to not judge someone by their looks, the sad reality is that almost everyone judges a book by its cover, whether consciously or unconsciously. This is especially true in the professional world.

So, never use a selfie, landscape image, or an animated avatar as your profile picture. Get a corporate headshot from a reputable branding photographer like Duane Furlong that will make you appear professional, reliable, and friendly to colleagues, partners, and potential recruiters. 

In addition, when you have a professional headshot as your social profile picture, people tend to take you more seriously and perceive you as an industry expert. This helps build credibility and allows you to gather more followers and take your personal brand to new heights. 

If you have the budget, you can go a step further and book a personal branding photography session and use those pictures online–be sure to keep in mind that a personal branding session is different from a headshot!

Understand Your Target Audience

Your target audience is the group of people who are most likely to purchase your services or collaborate with you. This may include recruiters, niche followers, community groups, or students who are interested in what you do.

If you are finding it difficult to find your target audience, use these questions to develop an ideal client profile:

• What is their age, profession, and average income?
• What are their goals and aspirations (and what can you offer to help them achieve these)?
• What are their pain points, and how can you help them?

Offer (Free) Value

Once you have created social media profiles and identified your audience, it’s time to focus on content creation. Remember that your posts need to solve the problems of your target audience and give them what they want. 

For example, if you are a graphic designer who wants to increase their authority and gain more followers, create educational posts rather than selling your services. Provide people value by sharing insights about graphic designing techniques and methods. 

When you will start doing that, people will automatically assume you are an authority and follow you for more free education. Potential recruiters will also consider you to be an ideal candidate. 

Focus on Increasing Your Visibility

Lastly, it’s time to increase your visibility. There are many ways to do this, and some of them are pretty technical. For example, search engine optimization and Facebook marketing require considerable expertise to execute properly.

One easy way to gain visibility is to partner with other people trying to build a personal brand in your industry. This way, you will divert some of their audience to your personal brand. You can do this by giving interviews, recording podcasts, attending public-speaking events, guest blogging, and running affiliate partnerships.

Modern Corporate Headshots

For a professional, standing out from the crowd is what’s going to land you the dream job or the dream client. Most people get hired not only based on their skill set, but also because they bring a lot of personality and authority to their workplace. A great corporate headshot is one way to showcase that personality–so let’s look at some of the tips and trends that could help you with your modern corporate headshots.

Find an Experienced Photographer

When it comes to your corporate headshot taken here in Phoenix, it’s essential to invest in a professional headshot session. Getting a talented and experienced photographer will help you capture the right look for your industry. Additionally, they will know how to pose you so your features are highlighted and a sense of confidence is conveyed. If you’re not confident in front of the camera, they’ll be able to put you at ease and help you relax into the perfect shot. 

So, when it’s time to update your corporate headshot, book a session with an experienced Phoenix photographer. If you are a professional active on social platforms, this is probably the best way to take a professional photo for Linkedin. 

What Are Some Corporate Headshot Trends?

Gone are the days of the stuffy, formal headshots. These days, it’s all about connecting with your potential employer or client, and the best way to do that is by showing your personality. This doesn’t mean you should go crazy with props or wear something outrageous–but a little bit of quirkiness can go a long way. 

In principle, modern corporate headshots are all about looking vibrant, competitive, knowledgeable, and approachable. It is incredible how much of a difference a genuine smile can make in a headshot.

How Can You Know Your Headshot Portrays You Perfectly?

Your corporate headshot should accurately represent who you are and what you do. For example, if you’re in a creative field, your headshot should show that you’re creative, and if you’re in a more formal industry, your headshot should reflect your professionalism. No matter what industry you’re in, it’s important to make sure your headshot looks recent. The last thing you want is your potential employer or client to think you’re out of touch with the latest trends.

What Should You Wear for Your Corporate Headshot?

Regarding what to wear for your corporate headshot, there are a few things to remember:

First, you want to ensure you’re wearing something appropriate for your industry. If you’re in a creative field, you might consider wearing something a little more stylish or unique, but if you’re in a more formal field, you’ll want to stick to a more traditional look. 

Second, you want to make sure your clothing is comfortable. You don’t want to be fidgeting with your clothes or pulling at your shirt the whole time, so make sure you wear something that will make you feel good and confident.

Tips to Make Sure Your Corporate Headshot Looks Great

Now that you know how to prepare for your corporate headshot, it’s time to think about how to make sure your photo looks as fantastic as possible.

Always remember: it’s important to smile. A genuine smile is always the best way to show off your personality. Another tip is to make sure you’re making eye contact with the camera, which will help you connect with your potential employer or client. Finally, don’t forget to relax and have fun–your corporate headshot should reflect your personality. 

Conclusion

A modern corporate headshot is key to standing out from the competition and landing that dream job or client. These days, it’s all about showing your personality to connect with potential employers or clients, and the best way to do that is by using modern photography techniques to capture you in your natural element. So relax, take some deep breaths, and enjoy your photo shoot right here in Phoenix–we’ll make the experience a breeze at Duane Furlong Studios.