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.

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

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. 

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

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.

View fullsize

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!

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!!