How to Use Branding Photos for Marketing Your Business

Branding photos are an essential tool for businesses looking to promote their brand online. In this article, I will show you a few creative ways that you can use them.

Photos of you - how to develop that know, like & trust factor with Branding Photos.

Jamie Trillo, a Mortgage Lender, posts on social media frequently. Using her photo and adding a testimonial is one way she uses her photo.

Learn more about Jamie Trillo here

All things being equal - the person who shows themselves in their marketing will develop their know, like and trust factor faster than someone who doesn’t. And, posting photos of yourself in your marketing is a great way to stay top of mind for the audience that you have already built. The more content you create, the more people will think your business is viable, growing and current. The thing with branding photos, is that you don’t have to always show a forward facing, eyes to camera smiling face. You can show yourself working, dealing with customers, and giving talks, to name a few. The more you show yourself “out there” in the world, the more people will see you as someone who is an active entrepreneur and a visible part of your community.

If you are someone who posts on social media, you know it can be difficult to keep coming up with fresh content. Having photos of yourself in multiple scenarios doing your business is a great way to build posts.

Remember, people have short attention spans, your photos help to grab their attention and imprint a visual into their brain.

If you are thinking of getting branding photos, but, you aren’t sure whether it’s a good investment, here are some creative ways that my clients have used their branding photos.

Lynn Davey, owner of LD Creative Designs LLC, uses different photos of herself for her blog posts which she then posts on Facebook and LinkedIn. The photos are fresh and professional and they are her. What better way to help people see you as an expert.

Learn more about Lynn Davey here

Denise Whitney, a Real Estate broker, uses her branding photo on her website. She could have put a headshot, but this branding photo shows more of her personality and sets her apart from the crowd. It’s homey, yet very professional.

Learn more about Denise Whitney here

Lisa Leslie, a copywriter and owner of Magnolia Content, has a photo of herself at her computer, on her about page. doing what else, writing.

Learn more about Lisa Leslie here.

So You Need Branding Photos - How to Get Started

It’s Your First Branding Shoot!

More and more people are wanting to build an online presence. People are starting new businesses, wanting to get websites up and running, and they need photos of themselves - Branding Photos. But, they don’t know where to begin. Let me help!

You need a profile photo.

1. Research. What I recommend first - do some digging.  Look up people that you like, who do what you do. See what their photos look like and see what resonates with you. Imagine yourself in a similar looking image and see if that projects the kind of look you want.

You need photos for your website.

2. Brand Identity. If you’re not sure what your personal brand is, start by asking yourself these questions: What do I stand for? What am I known for or what do I want to be known for? What makes me different from others? What do I believe in? What do I hope to achieve? Get an idea of who you are marketing to and then do some research on other brands that resonate with you. This doesn’t need to be a huge project. And, it should be fun. Hopefully whatever business you are trying to get started is something you are passionate about. So researching about it should inspire you. Just be careful not to get intimidated by what you see online. Remember, everyone started where you are now.

You want a photo for your email signature.

3. Your colors. If you already have a web designer, or, you are doing it yourself, try to get a good idea of what colors you want in your website. Before you invest in phtography, you should have some sort of idea of where you want to go with your website and social media in terms of the look & colors. That’s when your photographer can recommend backdrops, and clothing colors, or accessories that will help tie everything together.

Get 3-4 good photos of yourself to get started.

4. Just a few Photos. I recommend, if you are just getting started on your new business, and you just want to get something up on the web, just get a few photos of yourself. After you get your feet wet, your brand will evolve. You will then have a stronger identity and that is when you will want many more photos of yourself.

Do update your look.

5. New Clothing. Even if you are just starting out, make sure you take a little bit of time to get some new clothing for your shoot. Your photographer can help you with this. They don’t have to be expensive. Cheap, new clothing can photograph really well. When you wear your old clothing in your photoshoot, you won’t necessarily feel your best and that will show in your photos. Trust me on this. Celebrate where your are headed with your new business and make a small investment in some new clothing.

6. Find a Photographer. Last, but not least, find a branding photographer. Look for a local photographer in your local chamber directory, instagram or facebook and of course, google. See if they have a variety of looks. Personal branding photos should represent you and not look like everyone else. Check their google reviews!

To recap: 1. Do your research on what you want to look like. 2. Get an idea of what you want your brand identity to be. 3. Figure out your personal branding colors. 4. Get a few photos to start out. 5. Buy a few new clothing items. 6. Find a branding photographer.

Business Owner & Entrepreneur, Maki Pombo, MBA

Owner, Peak Business Consultants, LLC

As the owner of Peak Business Consultants, Maki Pombo and her team offer local, individualized financial support services to businesses at varying stages of growth.

Peak strives to be a partner of their clients’ teams, helping them make critical decisions and offering a valued avenue for support as they navigate the many challenges that come with growth. Similarly, Maki’s internal team works together to bring their diverse skills to the group and mentor one another so that they all continue to grow and develop along their own paths. She also has a side passion business that is very much in its infancy — Volcanicashhotsauce.com. It is something she has dreamed about doing for many years and she made her first commercial batch in June 2020.

Maki was born in Tennessee and lived there until she was nine, lived in Missouri until she was 18, and then moved to Portsmouth, NH, and eventually settled in Rye. She loves the seasons and the mountains — hiking, climbing, and just being near them, along with the ability to be on the ocean and then in the mountains with just a short drive. Above all else, Maki really likes the people who have become her community here but enjoys traveling often. After completing a dual degree in Psychology and Outdoor Education, Maki, along with a group of like-minded friends (including her now-husband) planned a five-month mountaineering trip to South America. Starting at the very tip of South America, Tierra del Fuego, they traveled up through Chili, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. They climbed glaciers, did a 10-day trek on the Patagonian ice cap, attempted an ascent of Aconcagua and several lesser-known mountains in Bolivia, and completed a five-day hike on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. At age 22, Maki completed a three-month NOL course in Kenya and has made many trips to Culebra, PR (where she later got married on a remote beach), and the list goes on. On any given weekend, you can often find Maki in the mountains of NH, usually solo hiking with her dog Leroy.

Maki is passionate about sustainability, and gets both angry and overwhelmed by the way humans are destroying the earth for short-sighted financial gains. She dreams of living in a country where every child truly has an equal chance, regardless of their race or socioeconomic situation. She believes in defending human rights and that everyone should have the ability to have their voices heard and to live a dignified life. Maki has been married to her husband and best friend, Matt Garthwait (aka Garth) for 22 years. They have an 18-year-old daughter, Maya, who just started her first year in college in San Francisco at SFSU, and two Vizslas (dogs), Leroy and Hank.

In her earlier years, Maki admits she often felt she should know more than she did to take the next step, which often manifested in insecurity and fear, causing her to stagnate. But as she has gotten older, Maki has embraced those areas of discomfort, realizing that by trusting in herself and the team she has built, there is an immense amount of freedom and personal growth, along with the growth of the business. She has always enjoyed physical challenges — rock climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, etc. — that feeling of not being sure what is coming but pushing that edge of comfort to achieve something, but feels it has taken her a lot longer in her professional life to find that same level of self-trust and to continue to push to the edge to find what might be possible. Maki hopes that if more women can talk about how they got to where they are and be open about the struggles they faced along the way, that others who are feeling stuck, can realize that there is no one path — there are many and finding your own unique path is the fun part of the adventure.

“Don't wait until you are comfortable to take that next step. Don’t try to be a different ‘professional person than who you are at your core. It will crush your soul. Let your own unique light shine. Keep going; if you are truly in the business of doing something great, you will have failures, but without trying you will never reach that peak.”

Personal Branding Photos at Events

Raef Granger at the Wentworth

Many of my branding photography clients are coaches of some sort. Frequently, I get requests for Branding shoots that show my client in action with their clients. A perfect way to achieve this is by coming to one of their events and photographing it.

a different environment can add to your brand identity.

Raef Granger, who happens to be an amazing business coach, did a corporate training event on communication. The event was held at the Wentworth Hotel in New Castle, New Hampshire - one of my favorite places with plenty of great photo opportunities. Getting professional photos of yourself, on location, shows your ideal audience that your are active and gives them a better idea of who you are and what you do. Raef needed photos of him in action interacting with his audience, as well as behind the scenes photos of his audience writing and working in teams. Raef also asked that we do some branding lifestyle shots and get a couple of headshots of him at the location.

Planning A Branding Shoot

In preparation for the event, Raef and I had several short meetings to talk about the types of photo he wanted. Together we prepared a shot list, talked about what he was ok with me doing while he was talking, what he was wearing and how to get the most out of this event. As is true with most things, planning is key.

Raef worked with Bri White who owns Vostra Moda - a talented stylist, who made suggestions to Raef about what he should wear during the session.

Planning a branding shoot, whether in-studio, or on location at an event, will result in photos that you not only like, but that you will gladly use on your website, printed material and social media.

Anyone can take photos, but it takes experience, planning and expertise to get you photos that you love. Want to learn more about how personal branding photos can help your business - book a quick, free call here.

Learn more about what Raef Granger Coaching can do for your business here.

Headshot or a Branding photoshoot, which do you need?

A QUICK GUIDE

BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHY

You - Post regularly in Social Media to attract clients

You - Use Printed Material, like brochures

You - Have a website

You - Have a newsletter

You - Are being published

You - Are being interviewed for a publication

You - Want to show more of your personality to your audience

You - Want to develop the “know, like & trust factor” in your marketing

You - Have an “about me” page

HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY

You - Need a photo or 2 for your profiles on Social Media

You - work for a company and they need 1 photo of you to add to their website.

You - want a photo for your email signature

You - need a photo for your badge at work

You - need a passport photo

Want more information on Branding Photography, check out my blog Why Entrepreneurs Need More Than a Headshot.

What to Expect When you Book a Personal Branding Photo Session

What is a Personal Branding Photo Session?

A personal branding photosession is used when you want to build a suite of photos of you in your business using props, speaking to clients, as well as showing just some of your products, if you have them. You can choose as little as 5 photos or as many as 25 or even more!

The Consultation

After you book a session with Ruth Ganev Photography, we schedule a 30-45 minute consultation. This is usually done over zoom. I ask you a lot of questions and you tell me more about your business and your business goals. My main consideration is finding out how you want to present yourself with your photos. I want to know where you will use your photos and how often you will use them.

The consultation will also include what type of photos you are drawn to. Most people want to present themselves in a certain way. And although, they may not have consciously thought of it, they usually have very specific ideas about how they want to look in photos.

I then ask you to send me several photos that you are drawn to. They could be mine, or others found on the internet. I also may ask you to show me photos of other people that do similar things that you do, or that you are aspiring to do and what you like about them.

I want to have a very strong image of how the shoot will go and what we will be using for props, products and backdrops.

CLOTHING

Along with photos that you are drawn to, I ask you to send me photos of the clothing that you will be wearing. I will sometimes make suggestions for accessories & colors that will help bring your brand into the photo. Clothing for photoshoots does not have to be expensive, but it should be new or relatively new. With clothing, the more items you bring, the better. With my experience, I will be able to tell you what clothing items will look best in the photos. Having the ability to mix and max makes it easier and gives you more variety.

Hair and Makeup

The day of the photoshoot, you will be bringing in several different outfits and props. For women: You will come in with clean, dry hair and manicured nails and feet. My wonderful hair and makeup artist will start working with you to get you camera ready. This process takes about an hour. And, it is fun and relaxing!!

I also ask men to have props and different shirts, jackets and relaxed clothing that they might want to use. Most men don’t opt for makeup, but I have had occasions with men with rosacea to use a bit of concealer - done by my makeup artist.

I will pick the best lighting for your look and for your features, keeping in mind where you will use the photos and depending upon what we discussed in the consultation. I have multiple backdrops, props and locations to choose from. Weather permitting, we can go directly outside my studio in downtown Portsmouth, NH and do some outdoor shots.

The Photoshoot

The photoshoot takes anywhere from 1 to 2 1/2 hours. It depends on how many scenarios you want. We will work together to put you in as many settings as you think you will want to use for your business. They could include: Headshots, Photos of you looking at your computer, phone or a notebook. The photos can be taken outside, in a coffee shop nearby, behind a desk, with a dark setting, light setting, whatever our imaginations can think of that will help you to attact your ideal customer into your business.

Location and Parking

My studio is located at 82 Fleet Street in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. If you have an early morning shoot, there is usually parking right outside the studio. If not, there is parking right down the street in the Hanover Street Garage.

After the Photoshoot

After the photoshoot, I will upload your files and cull through the many photos I have taken. I can narrow it down to somewhere between approximately 20-60 photos, depending upon the depth of the shoot. I will then edit the photos. My editing consists of skin softening, removal of any blemishes, fly aways, brightening of the eyes, teeth whitening and removal of double chins. All of these edits are done only if necessary.

The Reveal

The reveal usually takes place about 2 weeks after the photosession. I always show my clients their photos either on zoom, or in person. I ask that you bring any decision makers to the reveal. We go through the photos 1 by 1 and you pick the photos that you like. Please keep in mind that I don’t put my photos on galleries or send them out to you. After you pick the photos you love, I then do any additional edits that you ask for. After that I will put them on an online gallery for your use. I love nothing more, than to see how people use the branding photos that I have taken of them.

The cost of a Branding Photosession

When you book a personal branding session with me, I require a deposit of $690. This deposit holds the date for your session and give you a $500 print credit. After that my packages are as follows: 5 photos for $1,100, 12 photos for $1,700 and 24 photos for $2,500. When I am asked to photograph client products within a branding shoot, I will include 4 product photos for the price of one photo.

If you have any additional questions, or you would like to book a session, you can book a quick phone call here: https://calendly.com/ruthella/quick-phone-chat, or just call (718) 928-5663, or email me at ruth@ruthganev.com.

Not sure if you need a personal branding session? Read this Why entrepreneurs need more than a headshot

What to expect when you book a headshot photo session with Ruth Ganev Photography.

An Easy Way to Get New Headshots

My studio is located at 82 Fleet Street in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The Cost of a Headshot Photosession

My headshot photo sessions cost $390 for 2 digital files, including editing. Payment is due upon booking. My editing consists of skin softening, removal of any blemishes, fly aways, brightening of the eyes, teeth whitening and removal of double chins. All of these edits are done only if necessary. Additional digital photos can be purchased.

Headshot photos sessions can be as quick as 10 minutes or last up to 45 minutes. It all depends on how much time you want to spend and what you are looking for. You’ll have time for, at least 3 outfit changes.

I will pick the best lighting for your look and for your features, keeping in mind where you will use the photos. You can choose from a few different backdrops. I have high-key white, off-white, black, light grey, dark grey and mocha. Weather permitting, we can go directly outside my studio in downtown Portsmouth, NH and do some outdoor shots.

TURNAROUND TIME - WHEN CAN I EXPECT MY DIGITAL HEADSHOT FILES?

You will get to pick your photos immediately after the shoot. I will then edit the photos and send them to you digitally within a few days. I am more than happy to accommodate people who need them asap. Anything above and beyond the editing I described above, will be charged accordingly.

For women, if you choose to, you can have your hair and makeup done before the session. That will be an additional $150.

If you have any additional questions, you can book a quick phone call here:

If you are ready to book, give me a call at (718) 928-5663.

The Ultimate Photography Experience in Portsmouth, NH

Branding Photography Session with Anna Goldsmith, Executive Director, TEDxPortsmouth

With TEDxPortsmouth coming up in May, it is only fitting that I feature Anna Goldsmith. She is the Executive Director of the TEDxPortsmouth https://tedxportsmouth.com. When Anna joined in my photography event last summer of 2021 - The Extraordinary Female Entrepreneurs and Leaders in Portsmouth, it seemed only fitting that we do the photoshoot at The Music Hall. I love the Music Hall. Every time I am there, I can’t help but think of all the history in Portsmouth and all the people that sat in these seats many years ago. This photo of Anna is one of my absolute favorites!!

Here is Anna’s story,

by Anna Goldsmith

Anna left college with a degree in art and no marketable skills. Her career began unceremoniously with a humiliating stint working a frialator at Seattle SuperSonics basketball games. 

She soon returned east to a slightly less humiliating job as the towel girl at a swanky health club. 

Seeing some promise — or just seeing the opportunity to take advantage of a disillusioned 23-year-old — a member hired her away to write telemarketing scripts for Brain Gum. (As in “chew more, study less,” IQ-enhancing bubble gum.) While the experience caused her to wrestle with her moral compass, she had never had so much fun.

After a fateful meeting with another young copywriter who had also been laid off (ah, the dot com era) the two decided to start their own copywriting agency “until we get real jobs.” 

Twenty years later ….

Anna and her business partner, Dan O’Sullivan, work with major brands around the world, helping them find the right words, the right voice and the right platform. Their agency now includes 15 senior-level writers and has won numerous awards.

Does Anna have words of advice for people who want to start their own companies, too? (Yes, and thank you for asking!) Here it is: You don’t have to do it alone. Find a business partner who you trust implicitly, you like immensely … and perhaps most importantly, can do the stuff you’re bad at.
You can learn more about their company at www.thehiredpens.com. (They are always looking for exciting new clients and great writers to add to their roster.) 

Being “good in business” also means using your skills to do some good in your community. 

Anna grew up in Portsmouth. So did her father, her grandfather, his father and a bunch of relatives before that. Her husband loves to make fun of how they all talk when they get together (e.g., “Remember Patchy from XYZ store before it because ZYX?”). And while she knows this is a pastime among many long-time residents — reminiscing about the “old Portsmouth” — Anna thinks the city has grown and changed in some pretty amazing ways. 

Wanting to get more involved in the community after moving back to Portsmouth with her family in 2015, Anna joined the TEDxPortsmouth team, helping take the event from a 150-person gathering to a sold-out show at The Music Hall — and one of the biggest TEDx events in the country. Now as the executive director, she works with a great team of people who are also passionate about sharing bold new ideas from Seacoast voices. Visit www.TEDxPortsmouth.com to learn more — whether you want to sponsor, take the stage or work behind the scenes. 

But wait! There’s (just a little bit) more! 

During the pandemic, Anna got back into art, turning the family’s empty guestroom into a studio. She’s in there almost every day, often with a son or two painting beside her. She had her first show in early 2021 and a second this fall. You can see her mixed media collages at www.annagoldsmithart.com. As you might expect from a copywriter, her art work prominently features … words.

Anna holds an MA in non-fiction writing from the University of New Hampshire and a BA from Colby College. 

Entrepreneur Spotlight - Aileen Dugan - Agency Owner State Farm

Aileen was one of the first women that I photographed for my Female leaders and entrepreneurs event in the summer of 2021. It is my pleasure to share her story — written by Lisa Leslie of Magnolia Content.

Aileen moved to Portsmouth to open her own business in 1990, as a State Farm insurance agent in Portsmouth.   Licensed in NH and ME, Aileen and her team serve customers throughout both states with a focus on serving the Seacoast areas of NH and Maine. 

A NH native, born in Manchester, Aileen attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick Maine. One of the most interesting places she lived was on Bailey Island in Maine, when she was a senior at Bowdoin College, back when the island was still very much a small lobster and fishing island with breath-taking scenery in every season. Raised by her parents with the “Live Free or Die” mentality, Aileen loves NH and can’t imagine living anywhere else. She loves the creative people who reside here and is inspired by people she meets in Portsmouth every day, even 31 years after moving here.

Having volunteered and supported dozens of important Seacoast organizations that care about this community and the people in it, Aileen has become increasingly invested in keeping Portsmouth the special place that it is.

She currently serves as Vice-Chair of Portsmouth Music and Arts, and previously served on the Board of the Prescott Park Arts Festival for seven years. She believes that our thriving Arts and Culture scene is what makes us unique.  She is also very involved in Portsmouth Rotary Club, one of the largest Rotary Clubs in the Northeast. 

“I believe that seeing other women who are successful is not just inspiring, it’s affirming to your own beliefs and goals, and when I have the opportunity to help other women succeed, it gives me a lot of satisfaction that I have skills I can offer and share.”

Aileen’s mother, Anita Aubin, was the first female State Farm agent in the State of New Hampshire in the early 1980’s. This was a big breakthrough for women at a time when women were not well-respected or even well-treated in the workplace. She is very proud to have an enterprising and hard-working woman as her mentor and role model, and attributes being where she is today to the encouragement and support of both her parents. 

In 2020, Aileen completed her 48 4000 footers in New Hampshire, which was a life goal of hers. She and her husband of 16 years enjoy gardening and have a large vegetable and flower garden. In the winter, they love to ski with friends and family. People are often shocked to hear that Aileen has 5 children, 3 of hers and 2 of her husband’s. She says they are truly the “Brady Bunch” and feels that the Seacoast has been a great place to raise their family. They also have a golden retriever, named Brodie, who comes to the office every day, and is the official greeter.

Copywriter and Content Strategist - Lisa Leslie of Magnolia Content →

Throughout the summer and fall of 2021, I created an Event called the Extraordinary Female Entrepreneurs and Leaders of the Seacoast. I set out to photograph and tell the stories of 25 women. I wanted to create an event that would celebrate the person behind the business. I was hoping to inspire other women and to create collaboration and networking. I had so much fun creating this gallery of photos. But… I am not a writer. So, I brought on Lisa Leslie of Magnolia Content to tell the stories. Lisa was so much fun to work with and created some beautiful stories to go along with the photographs. Here is Lisa’s story:

Lisa is a copywriter and content strategist who is passionate about using her love of writing to help business owners thrive. Her love for writing began as soon as she learned to write. Though her handwriting was questionable at the time, her passion for telling stories through written words was anything but. She genuinely enjoys listening to how people got started in their business, what keeps them going, and helping them share that with their target audiences — by stringing together words in a compelling way that inspires action. 

After working in several industries (finance, insurance, real estate, retail, marketing, etc.) in a variety of roles, Lisa decided to pursue her love for writing officially in 2015, when she created Writer By Default, a copywriting business focused on helping small businesses with affordable copywriting, including website copywriting, email content, press releases, blogs, and social media marketing. In 2019, she relaunched her business as Magnolia Method Consulting, adding content strategy and consulting services to her offerings. After a year of unprecedented ups and downs in 2020, Lisa rebranded again, settling on the business name, Magnolia Content. This name and brand change was a result of her desire to simplify her brand identity and clarify her passion — which is helping small, service-based businesses share their brand stories, attract their ideal clients, and grow their businesses organically, with authentic, relevant, and compelling content

Lisa is married with two teenage stepdaughters, a 4-year-old Great Pyrenees named Hainesy, an 8-year-old Labrador retriever named Honey, and a 3-year-old white Siamese mix cat named Casper. Her three favorite pastimes include hiking, skiing, and singing. She likes trying new things, and sometimes she likes to get crafty with paint and make art out of scrap wood.

“If the passion is there, do it! Don’t wait. Know that it will be terrifying, and you will have your doubts. You will have days where you want to quit, but you will also have days where you feel like you are one of the luckiest people in the world to be able to do what you love every day.”

For more information about Lisa visit her website at Magnolia Content, follow her on Instagram @Magnoliacontent, on LinkedIn @Magnolia Content and on Facebook @Magnolia Content.

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Personal Branding Photography. Why entrepreneurs need more than a headshot.

More than just a headshot

Susan Gold of Gold & Partners - a marketing expert

A headshot is generally from the chest up. It often has a grey background and can come across as generic. Many people are happy to have just one good headshot. Headshots show people what your face looks like. Like in a zoom meeting. However, you can get more information from a person by seeing more of them.  

Branding Photos - the know, like and trust factor

Body language, clothing, hands and background can give the viewer more information about you. When you have a suite of photos that show different sides of you, it can help people to feel like they are getting an impression of you. Images of yourself taking part in activities or demonstrating your products or services, can help to build that know, like and trust factor. Add good captions to those photographs and people get more of an idea of who you are and what you represent.

Position yourself as an expert

Cassie Crosby owner of Iterata Solutions and an executive coaching expert.

When you continue to show yourself online, whether it be through newsletters, social media, blogs or editorials you start to show yourself as an expert in your field. All things being equal, there is no comparison to the person who posts several times a week on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook, writes a blog, or sends out a newsletter, to the person who does none of the above. Again, having your personality shine through in all of those postings will really make an impression. You are not bragging, but showing your clients who you are and what you can do for them.

Personally, when I follow someone online, and I am interested in what they do, I am more apt to follow up with them in person. So get out there and show yourself to your potential clients!

Need help developing your personal brand - read here: How To Develop Your Personal Brand

Outdoor Headshots

Do you need headshots, but don’t feel comfortable having a session inside?

The last thing you need during your photoshoot, is the added stress of being worried about Covid. We all have different levels of comfort. So what do you do if you really need professional headshots, but don’t want to do them in a studio?

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An outdoor photo that looks like a studio portrait. Karolina LaBrecque of Help to Grow Institute, in her backyard.

It all depends on what kind of photos you want for your brand. But, consider an outdoor shoot. I can create photos outdoors that look like they were taken in a studio. I will set up a backdrop and put up lights and voila - awesome headshots! However, if you have a more relaxed, natural vibe and you want to be photographed in a natural surrounding, well, that one’s a no-brainer. You have your natural surroundings as a backdrop. I may still bring in lights, because even in outdoor conditions, we can improve the quality of the light.

Karolina wanted a combination of indoor and outdoor photos - but the secret is - they were all done outside. I set up a backdrop and lights in her backyard and fired away!! Sure, the backdrop fell over once because it was a bit windy - but I just put it against a tree and we were good to go! It’s a smart thing to do, to have photos with a backdrop because those can be used anywhere. Adding additional photos with an outdoor settings can simply add to your brand.

Lisa chose to have her photos done outside and they go with the straightforward, relaxed vibe that her brand projects. Susan also wanted to project a relaxed, business vibe. Susan’s clothing is slightly more dressy, but still relaxed.

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Lisa Leslie of Magnolia Method Consulting, in downtown Dover

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Susan Gold of Gold and Parnters, outdoors in Portsmouth.

I set up Susan’s photos with lights and a reflector. Lisa did not need any lights, although I did use a reflector. It was an extremely bright day and we had to avoid the harsh sun. We went in and out of the shadows of trees and overhangs while the sun went in and out of clouds. I am always looking to get nice, even, flattering light on the face, no matter what the conditions. There is always a workaround!

There are so many ways you can set up outside photos that look awesome for business headshots and branding. Don’t wait to get good photos. We can do them outdoors and stay 6 feet apart!! And as I do for all of my customers, I will help you with your wardrobe and with styling.

A Natural Makeup Look for Headshots

PREPPING FOR A PHOTOSHOOT DURING COVID

MAKEUP:

Prior to Covid, it was easy -  go to the salon or have a makeup artist on hand. If you are comfortable with going to a salon, go for it. But what do you do if you aren’t comfortable with having someone so close to your face?

Today I will focus on a natural makeup look.

If you aren’t used to wearing makeup and like a natural look, I will give you some fairly easy makeup ideas in order to get you camera ready.

Foundation. If you have skin that is uneven in texture and color you should use a foundation. Foundation will help to conceal under eye darkness and will help to even out your skin tone. I don’t recommend concealer because it can be very easy to overuse and that can make even more uneven color variations. Use a Foundation that matches the color of your face and neck . If you will never use it again, then go with a foundation that doesn’t cost much. Revlon has some great inexpensive foundations in multiple colors that look good on camera. If you think you might want to keep using foundation, then you might want to try a product that is good for your skin. I use a local company called Aislings Organics. I like them because they are cruelty free. There are many natural and organic products on the market to choose from.

Powder. A translucent powder will reduce shine and set your makeup. Shine on your face does not look good in photos. If you have a powder brush, that would be the best way to apply it. If you are using your powder puff that comes with the compact than just lightly blot your face on your nose, your forehead and your chin. Stay away from your eyes and your cheeks.

Eyebrows. Well defined Eyebrows are probably the most important place on your face where you can help define your look. First, get rid of any hairs that are clearly not where they are supposed to be. If you are a light skinned blonde - Mac has a wonderful blonde pencil. If you are blonde you can go a little darker than your hair. If you are a brunette, you don’t want to go too dark and try to match your hair. I prefer pencil to brushes because they are crisper, more defined and last longer. There are many new eyebrow products to choose from because well-defined eyebrows are in right now. Follow the chart attached to get your eyebrow shape.

Lip color. Lip color can add a nice touch to your face, but is not the most important for photos. Less is more, as I can easily add more color in editing. Make sure your lips are moisturized and not chapped. If you tend to get chapped lips start moisturizing diligently up to a week before your shoot. You don’t want to have strips of skin hanging off your lips the day of your shoot..

Always remember, eating lots of fruits and veggies, and limiting coffee and alcohol several days before your shoot will help to reduce puffiness and give your skin a natural glow.

What To Wear To Your Headshot and Personal Branding Photoshoot

Available in multiple colors on Amazon for $28.90 - Berydress Women’s Classic 3/4 sleeve.

You have an appointment for a headshot and branding photosession. Great! Now, ask yourself how do you want to represent your brand in photos? What type of message do you want your photographs to convey to your target audience? What do you want your clothes to say about your brand? Do you want to appear conservative, trendy, relaxed but chic? Take some time to think about these questions. Think about the colors that are in your brand. 

I will have an in-depth conversation with you about how you want to present yourself in your photos. And, I will help you hone in on your style. But regardless of which style you want to portray, there are a few universal rules that apply to clothing in photos.

Available in multiple colors on Amazon for under $40 - Lark & Ro.

#1 - No Baggy Clothes. You need to have clothes that hug your body, otherwise you don’t know where the clothes start and you end. To create interest in a photo and hold the viewer’s attention, there has to be shape - a reason for the eye to wander in the photograph. This can be done through movement in the body, like a curve through the hips, or in a design element. It is difficult to create shape in the body when your clothes are baggy. And if you are worried about a few extra pounds, my posing will be slenderizing and flattering and I will photoshop any bulges that bother you.

#2 - Colors and Prints: You don’t want loud or large prints UNLESS that is your brand. YOU want to be the focus of your brand, not your clothes. Think about the colors of your brand. Are they neutral, black and white, or bright bold colors. If bright and bold is a thing in your brand, then go for that in your clothes.

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Available in 5 colors on Lulus.com for $34.

#3 - No old clothes please. They don’t have to be new, but make sure they look new. No stains, no sags, no rips, etc. Even if you style includes ripped jeans, you want them to look like it was intentional and not a mistake.

#4 - Clothes don’t need to be expensive. Inexpensive clothing can photograph really well. This gives you lots of options and the ability to bring several outfits to your photoshoot and to try different looks.

Available on Lulus.com for $49.

#6 - Undergarments. This is important. Match your undergarments to your outfits. If your dress calls for a strapless bra - get one, and make sure the color is appropriate. No sagging boobs. Wear spanks if necessary. Being mindful of these items will make a huge difference in the final photos.

#7 - Accessories. - less is more - I can help you make decisions about accessories on the day of the shoot, but here are a few things for you to consider in what to bring: Match your accessories with your outfit. Make sure your belts fit you and your pants. Large signature pieces should be paired with other smaller pieces or with nothing at all. Be careful that the jewelry and accessories don’t overpower the outfit and/or you. Like clothes, we don’t want to hide our features with accessories. Don’t use scarves to hide your neck - again lighting, posing and photoshop will take care of any neck issues.

Taking the time to go through these items will yield photos that you will be proud of and that will represent you and your brand in the best possible light!

Click here to learn how I help you prepare for your personal branding photo session.

How to develop your personal brand.

Why is Branding Useful and What in the world is Branding Photography?

I love the clean look of this Anne Klein ad! Even the model’s hair has a very clean look to it. It is no-nonsense, bold and the model looks like she is an executive.

81% of shoppers do online research before making big purchases. Even if your goal isn’t to attract clients online, people will still want to do research on you and you will still want to have a good, strong online presence. Therefore, it is a good idea to think about your brand.

But what exactly is a brand and what is branding? Branding is the promotion of a particular product or company by means of advertising and distinctive design. Brand photography is a suite of professional images that represent your business visually, and fit with your visual identity through their use of colors, tone, props, styling, sets and more. Good Branding allows who you are to line up with what you do so that your business is visible, easily recognizable, credible and people get a good sense of who you are and what you do. Your online presence needs to make your buyer feel comfortable and confident in buying from you or hiring you for a service!

Contrary to the Anne Klein ad, This Dolce & Gabbana ad is quite busy. There is tons of visual interest and the models pop in the ad from with the vibrant prints and colors. This ad portrays a sense of free-spirited luxury and spontaneity.

So how in the world do you develop your brand? One of the first questions you should ask yourself is, how do you want to be perceived? How do you want your shoppers to think of you when they look at your online media platforms? Are you a company that wants to be people friendly, down to earth, enticing every day people? Or, are you looking for a specific high-end niche? When developing your brand it is important to keep your target audience in mind.

In order to get a cohesive brand, you must use the same fonts, colors, and types of images across the board. Your look should be the same in your advertisements, your social media, your website, vouchers and gift cards. There should be a flow in your design, things should be interesting visually and draw the viewer in. I tend to like lots of space in my designs and photos and a more minimalistic style. An uncluttered space makes me feel better - that is my personal preference. Someone else might like something with more visual interest, like a style with lots of florals.

This Ralph Lauren ad evokes a sense of calm and luxury. You see the old-style villa in the background with the arch and stucco. The all-white outfit and relaxed attitude of the model also portrays a sense of luxury and calm.

I found when I decided to work on branding for my business, I was overwhelmed by it all. To be honest, I avoided it for some time. I knew eventually I would have to bite that bullet. I started by writing down adjectives that I thought described my style. I spent time doing research and going through magazines. Look at other websites, magazines and screen shot things that speak to you. Break down the reasons why you are attracted to certain brands. Do you like their colors and fonts? Why? What feeling do they invoke in you? I found my fonts and colors because certain magazines had a clean look that a really liked! This is a process that you can tweak along the way. 

Most importantly, you want people to be able to recognize your brand, your work and know that it is you. You want your customer to feel that your work is consistent. You want your customers to be confident that you will deliver the same product every time. Being consistent with your brand helps you to convey that feeling to your customer. Does your profile photo align with your colors and fonts? If your brand is clean and minimalistic - does your profile photo show you wearing boho outfits, vintage or something other than clean and contemporary? If your website is light, airy with a flowery script font, does your photo align with that? Or are you wearing black and looking more chic and severe? Make sure the visuals in your website and in your content align with the colors, the fonts and other details. Again, if you are clear about the type of client you want to attract, then you will have a better time attracting that client if your photos, and your style are consistent throughout!

Do you hate how you look in photos?

Like many people, I often don’t like the way I look in photographs. With the advent of cellphones and too many clicks that don’t flatter, I think the tendency to hate the way we look in photos has increased. Back in the day, before the advent of point and shoot cameras, people got professional photos taken. It was a thing to get the family together, dress up and have portraits taken - by a professional. Today everyone has a camera on hand and we are getting our photos taken quite often. Mostly the photos are taken in bad light, they are not posed well and they are unflattering. So it is no surprise that many of us hate the way we look in photos.

I have decided to adopt a mindset that passes off my really horrible photos to bad lighting and posing. This takes a change of mind and it takes effort. I know I am aging, and that is something that I cannot control. I am not expecting to be wrinkle free, but I want to look attractive. I want to look like myself at my best. I don’t want to look at my image and not like the way I look.

I have been putting off doing self-portraits for a long time. It is so easy to come up with excuses. In reality, I assumed that I would hate the way I looked. So here in quarantine, because I love to do portraits, because I cannot shoot clients, I was pushed into a corner. I had to do it - no more excuses!

I bit the bullet, and took a deep breath and set up a portrait session for me. I did my own hair and makeup, put on my favorite black turtle neck and set up flattering lighting. I did my best to do poses that I know are flattering. Without having anyone to direct me (like I would direct a client), this is a bit of trial and error. So far, I think my best look is with my face straight at the camera with my chin slightly lowered. I was pleasantly surprised that I actually like my photographs. Sure there are a few that don’t look good. That is normal in any shoot. With every client I will try different angles to see which is more appealing. I analyze which angle and expression looks best on them.

You need to exist in photos for yourself and for those that you love. Not someday in the future, but now.

Why Professional Images are Important for Marketing Your Business

We all know that marketing is important to grow your business. By now I think most people know that marketing with images is important as well. Adults are predominantly visual learners, which is why images in marketing help to convey a feeling and provide information about you and your business.

So what do you want your images to provide to your target audience? Let’s think about that. You need to look at it from an outside perspective. What would you think of your profile photo and how it represents your business? Do you look good? Are you well-groomed? Is your hair styled. Do you think you look confident and approachable, someone that is reliable and can provide good service?

There is an inclination for small business owners to scrimp on images. But your personal image is your target audience’s first impression of your business. It has to be a good one!! It amazes me how many business owners settle for bad iPhone photos on websites and social media. How can people take your business seriously if you don’t take the time to present yourself to the world in a serious and authentic way.

A good photographer will be able to light your images to best suit your face. And, a good photographer will be able to help bring out your personality in your photos. Using great images can help to grab your prospective clients’ attention and bring your marketing efforts to the next level. No more excuses!!

Classy Headshots That Rock

A Fresh, clean look

It is always a pleasure to do shoots with people that I have photographed before. I did a beach shoot for Sophie’s senior photos. Fast forward a year and 1/2 later and we are now doing headshots for her acting career!!

I set up my lights and backdrops in her mom’s hair salon (after I got a stylish, contemporary cut first!). We moved over the chair, set up my backdrop and got some beautiful shots of Sophie. I have gotten quite comfortable with setting up shop anywhere! I love being able to bring my kit with me.

We set up a white background and white reflectors on both sides of her face. We had a small light with a modifier in front of her and to her right. Her makeup was nice and natural, with neutral lipstick.

I can’t wait to see how Sophie’s career unfolds. She is fun, beautiful and talented and … she has a mom who is supportive and who had a brilliant career in Manhattan!

“Gorgeous! Your eye is amazing!” - Kristen Barry

5 TIPS TO GET RID OF YOUR KIDS "FAKE" PHOTO SMILE

I love photographing kids. Their expressions are so pure and their is less of a filter between them and the camera. However, often parents are frustrated with the “fake” camera smiles that their kids give them. There are a few easy solutions to this.

1. NO SMILE?

Just ask them to stop smiling. No smile. Really! Usually you will get a beautiful, natural expression. When your child isn’t smiling, you get big beautiful eyes.

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2. FROWNIE FACE

Ask them to make their worst frownie or monster face ever, and then tell them to stop. You might get a genuine laugh out of this one, or you may even get a genuine, soft expression out of them.

3. SMIRK

Ask for a smirk. This can be so much fun. Most kids love to do faces, so be patient with them. Try a little smirk, then a bigger smirk and see what happens.

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4. COMFORT ZONE

Take advantage of their comfort zone. These sisters are so comfortable with each other that their expressions are naturally more relaxed and they are much more willing to relax those smiles. Ask for just a teensy smile.

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5. SMILE WITH YOUR EYES

Experiment with asking your child to relax their face and then ask for a tiny smile, or a smile with just their eyes. You can also ask them for their fake smile and go backwards from there. Go ahead - say smile. Then say, smile less… less…… even less!

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The great thing about kids is that they don’t hate having their photos taken (like most adults). They haven’t yet learned to dislike how they look, so they are quite happy to sit and pose. Make it fun, relaxing and don’t make the session too long!!

My love affair with tattoos

I find tattoos fascinating and love photographing people with tattoos, which is strange for someone who has no tattoos and no intention of ever having one, but I do admire them on other people. Anyway, it was great fun for me putting Brenna’s tattoos front and center on these images. Brenna was a great model and has a beautiful tranquil quality to her expression. I also love that she wears no makeup and has the best eyebrows ever!

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