How to Have Your Personality Shine Through in Your Arizona Branding Photos

How to Showcase Your Personality in a Branding Photoshoot

If you're thinking about doing a personal branding session, or you’re prepping for one you already have booked, this post is for you. Your personal brand is a reflection of who you are so your goal is to have your clients see the “real you” when they look at your images – and do that in a strategic way so that you get a variety of photos that you love and are happy to use across all aspects of your business. When I work with my clients we go through a questionnaire and a planning session to plan the photo shoot and ensure that we’re capturing her unique personality in your photos. Here are some ways that you can achieve this authenticity.

Choose a Location That Feels Like "You"

The setting of your photoshoot can say a lot about you. Think about where you feel most at ease, yet also shows what and your business are all about. For example, I am planning an upcoming shoot for a therapist who, in addition to session in her office, also does equine therapy. We are planning on doing some photos at her office and then some at her barn with her horses. These photos, in their totality, will give her clients a unique look into her life and let them get to know her. Remember people buy from/hire people they know, like, and trust.

Wear Clothes That Make You Feel Great

Clothing is a powerful way to express yourself. You want to choose outfits that fit into the story scene that you are aiming to convey. Whether it's a favorite pair of jeans, or a suit that always gets compliments, wear something that fits well and you feel great in. Be sure to also throw in some color (on brand of course) – as in don’t come with 6 all black outfits! It’s a good idea to bring a few extra choices and don’t forget to bring some accessories too. My clients and I actually develop a plan for their sessions that includes the exact shoes and accessories that need to be packed for each outfit.

Bring Props That Tell Your Story

Props can add a personal touch and make your photos more interesting. Do you have hobbies or passions that you love? Bring sure to bring items that represent those interests. You’ll also want to include tools of your trade. For example, a dentist would want to have dental tools, an invisalign, a toothbrush, etc…These props can really help to tell your story and show off what is unique to your business. Plus, they add lots of variety when it comes to having the photos that you can use for marketing – especially for social media which requires consistent posting. Imagine having a variety of photos to choose from anytime you want to make a post.

Just Be Yourself and Enjoy the Moment

This is the most important tip of all. The best photos are the ones where you look natural. So, relax and have fun with at your session. Laugh, smile, and let your authentic self come through. You can always delete any photos that don’t “work” later, but you may surprise yourself with what you get when you’re having fun and even experimenting. If start out feeling a nervous, don’t worry—that’s perfectly normal. I guide my clients every step of the way to make sure that we’re getting awesome photos that they’ll love. By the end of the session I always hear how they had never been as comfortable getting their photos taken, and had as much fun, as they just were working with me. I love that! That is exactly how I want my clients to feel.

A Little Extra Thought...

I use a story method to help plan sessions with my clients. The way to do this is to think about the stories you want your photos to tell. Maybe it's about your journey, your passions, or just a day in the life. When you're planning your shoot, keep those stories in mind. It’ll help you stay true to who you are and also make the experience more meaningful This method ensures that my clients end up with lots of unique and useable photos that fit their needs and specifically reflect them and their business.

Remember this

Remember, the goal is to show the real you – something that you really need to do in today’s competitive market. So, go out there, have fun, prep and plan well, then have fun with it and let your personality shine through. You’re clients are going to love getting to know you and they’ll want to do business with you.

Planning a personal branding photo shoot? Check out this post on Five Easy Props to Use for your Personal Branding Session