Being a personal branding photographer for the Sunshine Coast means I get many opportunities to work with all different kinds of businesses in Sechelt and other communities in this area. And, as I tell all my branding photography clients, it’s really important to make sure their business brand is recognized and trusted in this community. The best way to do that is to present professional imagery that shows the essence (heart and soul) of your business.
Why branding photography for Sunshine Coast businesses is so important.
The Sunshine Coast is a beautiful place to own a business, but it can also be difficult at times to make your business stand out in the crowd, especially in a small community that hosts more than a few similar or same types of businesses.
While stock photos for your website or social media can be a great and convenient filler, it can be hard to form authentic branding images and genuine trust between you and your potential clients if you’re not showcasing local imagery. In addition, the importance of branding imagery becomes really clear if you find yourself using the same handful of photos when you go to create a product relaunch, write a newsletter, or schedule a new social media post.
And even if you are providing unbeatable services or have well-known products, if your photos and visuals don’t seem to align with your message, this kind of inconsistency can actually deter a potential client. This is where a professional brand photographer can really help you shine—especially one who is intimately familiar with your local area and community.
When it comes to photos for your business, you want to make sure they are unique, consistent, and high-quality. And, in this day and age of vanity metrics and social proof, your clients and customers pay attention to these details, so you should too.
What is Personal Branding Photography?
In today’s world, with social media driving constant information and marketing to consumers, it’s more important than ever to implement a strategy behind your images, and that is what personal branding photography is.
Branding photography gives your dream clients:
- the story of who you are
- the essence of what your business stands for
- a good idea of the quality of products and services your business offers
- a recognizable aesthetic and look (aka your brand) that makes it easy to identify you online and in your community
This concept has become very popular these days, especially with small businesses, and it’s a great way to present your business’s heart and soul to your community.
If you are a business owner dealing with high competition on the Sunshine Coast, some personal branding images will be that extra boost needed to make your dream client say, “Wow!”
Is There A Difference Between Commercial Photography and Branding Photography?
I get asked this question a lot as both a personal brand photographer and a commercial photographer on the Sunshine Coast.
While it can sometimes be hard to distinguish between branding and commercial photography, their uses are very different depending on your marketing strategies.
Commercial photography is used when the purpose of your photos is to promote a product, not the person or people representing it; this can include fashion photography, food photography, cosmetics photography, pet food brands, outdoor gear and accessories, and so on. Commercial photography shows a lot of individual products, brand colors, etc. So essentially, promoting a specific product is the goal with these commercial images.
Branding photography can also professional images of products, but represents the person or people representing the product or service, and tends to be imagery that shows the big picture of a business, not specifics.. These photos typically include lifestyle images or the person at work, performing the service. The bottom line with branding photos is all about a genuine representation of you and your personality to elicit emotion and a personal connection with your audience.
The good news is, many commercial photographers tend to offer both specialties so we can help you choose what kind of photography is best for your specific business.
3 Reasons Why Branding Headshots Are Vital For A Business
1. Branding headshots create recognition for your business in the Sunshine Coast community.
Maybe people in your community see you often, but they don’t know who you are and, therefore, have no idea that you have a business that can offer them value. If you have some branding headshots done and start using those headshots in your marketing efforts, chances are people will begin to recognize you and your business!
2. Branding headshots communicate your value in a memorable way.
A branding photoshoot allows you to effectively show all of the unique aspects of your brand and why someone should believe in your business. Seeing a person behind the brand through photos allows the potential client to form a personal connection and develop a form of trust and loyalty to your business before they even fully understand your services! Next thing you know, they start to follow you and your journey as they start getting mentally invested into your brand—that’s how you get your loyal fans.
3. They can help you gain credibility and trust for your dream clients.
I understand how tempting it can be for business owners to try to cut costs by using their phones for team photos, product photos, and so on. While it is definitely convenient, low-quality photos can actually derail your brand’s credibility and might not communicate the core essence of your brand.
Elevating your brand with professional, high-quality, cohesive branding photos gives the message to clients that you know what you’re doing, that you invest in your image, and that you always ensure high-quality with your line of work (which I know you do!).
4. Personalized branding can boost your confidence.
When you know you look amazing online and you are confident in the way you are communicating the value of your business, this can give you that instant confidence boost for your expert status and high-quality services.
Where Can I Use My Branding Portraits?
Here are some great examples of where to use personal branding headshots taken by your Sunshine Coast brand photographer:
- Your website
- Speaker Bios
- Social media
- Newsletters
- Digital Products
- Email Signature
- Blogs
- Lead Magnets
- Media Kit
- Sales Pages
- Printed marketing materials
- Press Releases
- Postcards
- Packaging
- Thank you Cards
- Brochures
Signs You May Need A Personal Branding Session
- You aren’t getting the amount of inquiries or sales that you want.
- You have all of your platforms set up for your business, but they aren’t getting much traction.
- You already know how amazing your business is, but if you aren’t investing time into verbally and visually communicating that same message, this can make your target market feel less connected to purchase from you. Branding photos create connections and gives people something to share and talk about.
- You can’t seem to attract your ideal clients. Do you find yourself sifting through a lot of bargain hunters with the inquiries you do get? Maybe the customers or clients you are attracting just aren’t your dream clients? Branding photography can help you fix that! These personalized photos can attract the RIGHT kind of clients that click with your business.
- You’ve been noticing low engagement on your social media. Poor quality photos have been proven to reduce follower engagement and interaction on social channels.
- You are very clear on your brand messaging, story, and marketing strategy, but you feel that your online presence doesn’t reflect that.
These can all be signs that you need some help putting yourself out there and showcasing the best of you so everyone else will know exactly who you are, simply by seeing your personal branding images!
Other Important Types of Headshots
Corporate Headshots
A corporate headshot is a close-up photo that shows that is a common request of business professionals, such as realtors, doctors, lawyers, etc. . Compared to a regular headshot, the corporate version is simpler and more formal. The lighting is simple and typically soft. Corporate headshots are usually captured with a ‘backlight’ that removes the subject’s shadow from the background. The personality for these involves a friendly and natural smile for the camera. These are the kinds of photos you would see as a person’s Linkedin profile picture or on a bus stop bench advertisement.
Lifestyle Headshots
A lifestyle headshot can also be done for professionals but is usually more casual. Lifestyle headshots can be taken from the waist up or even as a full-body picture. The intent of these headshots is to capture the person’s personality while in action at their job. Seeing that visual of the person working can help form an image in the client or customer’s mind that they are an expert at what they do. Nothing can capture the essence of who you are quite like lifestyle branding images by a professional brand photographer. This is a great option for social media influencers, consultants, and any kind of job where you are your own brand.
Businesses That Benefit From Hiring a Branding Photographer to take their Headshots
Fortunately, all types of businesses benefit from branding headshots, whether you are service-based or product-based. If your aim is to show your personality and story behind your brand, then headshots are an essential part of the plan. Businesses that use personal branding photographers can include:
- All Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
- Business startups
- Lawyers
- Consultants
- Realtors
- Authors
- Salons
- Coaches
- Social Media Influencers
- Musicians
If you are looking to pull in your potential clients in a quick way…well, you know what they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!
Examples of Branding Headshots On The Sunshine Coast
Allana Pratt: Sunshine Coast’s Local Intimacy Expert
I was so pleased to have the opportunity to capture the heart of Allana Pratt—a host, author, and speaker as an expert on intimacy, relationships, and feminine empowerment. As her brand photographer, I couldn’t help but get a bit carried away with my creativity and thinking of all of the potential perspectives we could shoot.
Taryn Beauvais: The Vitality Club
Since The Vitality Club showcases all things fitness, I definitely had to incorporate that as Taryn’s personal branding photographer! With Taryn’s new website launching soon, her Sunshine Coast-based business includes high-intensity training, group fitness classes, adventures, and more!
Nikki Garland: Kinetic Athletics & Nutrition
Kinetic Athletics & Nutrition provides a unique and innovative fitness experience to help their clients achieve their best, based on where their fitness level is at. My aim during our branding session was to show the diversity of clients they work with and the different strategies they use to help each client achieve optimal health. These branded images showcase Nikki’s unique approach and help her business stand out from the crowd!
How to Prepare for Your Branding Session
- Do make a list of goals for your shoot. What do you want most out of your branding photos? What is the purpose of your shoot and what are you hoping to achieve? That way, you are getting the absolute most out of your branding session by already having your strategy formed and communicated to the branding photographer.
- Do know exactly what you need before you arrive at your shoot. Does your website need vertical or horizontal images? What size photos does your website support? What type of photos do you prefer to use on your social media platforms?
- Do make an inspirational board for yourself and for your branding photographer. That way, both parties understand the vision you have for your brand, and it will make you feel a lot more satisfied after your session.
- Do put a lot of strategy behind your outfit choices. If you are aiming for a more authoritative and elegant look, try aiming for more dark colours such as black, navy, and burgundy. For a more soft, playful, approachable vibe, you’d want to try more white, cream, or blush-coloured outfits. Try to have your outfit match or complement your brand colours to make your photos even more memorable. I recommend avoiding rough textures or bulky clothing (like wool sweaters) as sometimes it can photograph a bit worn down.
- Do try to book your session with a branding photographer and not a general photographer. To make sure that your vision for your brand comes to life, you want to make sure you book with someone who’s zone of genius is branding photography. They can help you prepare for your session from their own experience and creative suggestions to ensure you have a smooth shoot!
Are you ready for some personal branding photography?
So, you’ve thought about the goals you have for your business, and you’ve decided that upgrading your photos is the next step. I’d be happy to help you dial in the rest of the details for a personal branding session or a commercial photography session here on the Sunshine Coast. Let’s chat!