8 Steps to making your personal brand photo shoot rock
www.kyleenolsonphotography.com
Why do I need personal brand photos? Our clients are using the internet to find everything now. When searching for your service, they will find your social media page or website first. You need to have a killer first impression to get that client to contact you. The days of selfies and stock photos are over. We need to start building relationships with our clients. This is where PBP comes in. You need more than headshots to show your brand.
Step 1: Find your photographer This is an important step. Not every photographer is a personal brand photographer. Not every headshot photographer will know what you are looking for when asking for brand photography. Do your research and make sure to look for a photographer that offers what you need and knows how to showcase your brand. It is important to know that these are not just your every day headshots. You will need at least 30 images total from a short session so you have enough for good rotation, 60 to 90 are even better. You will want commercial rights to your photos. This is a game changer. These photos are for you, and you will need the rights to use them in any way you need to. Not all photographers will offer this, but it is needed.
Step 2: Dive into your brand
Your photographer should have a questionnaire for you to fill out to find out more about your brand and your ideal client. To find out more on what I am talking about, check out my questionnaire sample here. The key points you want to get across with your photos are *Your Why: Your clients want to know why you are doing what you are doing. Dig deep. Is it to help your family? Show your kids hard work? Live your dream? *Passions: Think about what you love. What makes your soul soar. *Target audience: This is important. Who are they? Where do they work? What are they passionate about? You want to know who you are reaching out to. *Goals: What are your business goals? How will these photos help you get there. *Inspiration: Go scour Pinterest, see what strikes your fancy. You may surprise yourself. *Words. Fun, emotion, natural. These are my target words. I want my clients to have fun in a natural environment and show who they are. What words speak to you and your brand?
Step 3: Stories Stories, yes stories, are a very important step in the photo planning process. *You want to show you interacting with clients (i f that is something you do in your business). *Where do you work? Office? Home? Store? *What tools do you use? Laptop? Camera? *Who are your biggest supporters? I recommend adding family portraits in your branding photos. They are a big part of your why, right? Show them off! *What do you like to do for fun? We want to make connections with our clients. Show what you love to do outside the office. You just may find something you have in common. Don't be afraid to share who you are. If you are goofy, do some laughing photos. If you love to read, get some books and show your favorites. Do you love to be out in nature? Get outside and take photos. Don't hide behind your business, you are your brand. Show YOU.
Step 4: Location(s) Along with your stories, you should have multiple locations. Your home, office, the park, etc. Again, you are showing what you like, who you are. You also want some blank walls, for some headshots where you stand out. I will be releasing a pose idea guide soon to help with location selection as well.
Talk with your photographer about the stories you want to capture and come up with a shot list. Share your ideas. Again, go back to Pinterest and get some inspiration. Your photographer will have a list, but you need to have some input with this. Think of props you want to use, people you want involved. Each story should have a list of photo ideas.
Step 6: Outfits
Step 5: Photo list
Choose clothing that shows who you are. If you are used to wearing yoga pants while writing your blog, get a photo of that. I am serious! You aren't alone, trust me! Make sure your clothes are within your brand colors. When you get the outfits chosen, share them with your photographer. They can help you narrow them down, or maybe make some suggestions. Reach out to them, they are there to help and know what they are doing.
Step 7: Rest I do not lie, you will get tired after your shoot. Rest is important and you want to feel good the day of your session.
Step 8: HAVE FUN! This is suppose to be a fun experience. Relax, let your photographer direct you and trust in the experience. Laugh, be silly, show who you are. Take deep breathes, and just enjoy the attention. It will show in your photos.
Kyleen Olson is a personal brand photographer located in southwest Montana. She values her faith, family and the chance to tell other's stories.