Personal branding photos are way more than just professional-looking headshots. They’re carefully styled and crafted to help you promote yourself as a brand – as well as the service or products you provide.
As a creative entrepreneur – and the name and face of your business – your visual brand identity begins with you. Here are six ways personal branding photography can help bring your business to life.
1. They create a personal connection with your audience
In business, first impressions count for everything. A set of personal branding images help create an immediate and personal connection with potential clients, giving them a sense of who you are before they make that initial contact. They also demonstrate that you take your business seriously and help you come across as trustworthy.
2. They showcase your unique personality
Whether you’re outgoing and bubbly, highly organised and methodical or quirky and adventurous, personal branding photos can capture your personality traits and give people an insight into what makes you ‘you’. Especially when you use the tools of your trade – e.g., laptop, paintbrush, microphone, musical instrument – as props.
3. They tell your story
As well as telling clients who you are, your photos can take them through a journey so they can see the transformational power of your product or service. For example, an illustrator might be photographed having a briefing meeting with a client, then creating graphics and finally handling their finished work in print.
4. They give you a competitive edge
Personal branding photography can help you position yourself as an authority voice in your niche, differentiating you from your competitors. Through your photos, you’ll intentionally influence the public perception of your brand and show off your specialities. They’ll enhance your online presence – not only can you publish them on your website, but you can also use them in your social media posts to hammer home an important message or opinion.
5. They’re exclusive to your creative business
Many businesses rely on stock imagery (or copyright-free images) to communicate their brand vision and values. With personal branding photos, they’re all about you. You won’t see them anywhere else. This helps make your brand instantly recognisable, boosting brand awareness.
6. They’ll raise your self-confidence
Even if you’re camera-shy and hate having your photo taken, there’s much to be proud of once you’ve got a set of beautiful personal brand images. They’ll help you recognise and celebrate how far you’ve already come in your business journey – and inspire you to achieve greater success.
Personal branding photos help your target audience relate to you, and they’ll set your brand apart from the crowd. For really amazing images, it’s worth hiring a professional photographer specialising in storytelling. But if your budget is tight, consider taking your own pics with your smartphone and a tripod. Here are some helpful smartphone photography tips.
Interested in photography? We’ve rounded up ten brilliant podcasts that’ll inspire both hobbyist and pro photographers.
To learn more about personal branding, we think you’ll like this Zoom Dive recording with PR expert Lucy Werner, where she offers plenty of tips on DIY branding and PR.