Branding Pictures for Interior Designers: Fairport NY Personal Brand Photographers

Trudi said something to the effect of “I have a room under construction and I’d like to take pictures in it for my branding portraits.”

We replied “Sounds awesome, let’s do it!”

I mean, how else do you show the world what you’re capable of as an residential interior designer, except to show yourself amidst your own construction and design work?

She’s updating her website, designing and constructing her own office / show room, and also entering into The One Room Challenge. It is a biannual event every spring and fall. Everyone with a blog, Instagram account, or TikTok can participate by registering for the event with the room or space they’re transforming.

She’s also a hands on business woman, working on designs for clients at the same time. So it’s safe to say she’s got her hands pretty full.

We’re excited to see how she uses her branding pictures along the way!

Fausts USA Karate: Fairport NY Personal Brand Photographers

Full disclosure, we’ve been members at Fausts USA Karate since 2019. Having taken classes myself and watched my child grow through the ranks has been pretty rewarding.

However, I’m pretty sure that the the last headshots they had taken were in another decade, so they were due for an update. They’ve just updated their website, and were looking to update their branding photographs rather than use stock photography, like other dojos might do.

By mixing updated portraits with candid class photographs on the pages of their website, they help potential students see themselves in the class in their minds. Branding photography takes a boring stock photograph and makes it real to a viewer. This will help Fausts, an already successful karate dojo, continue to grow and adapt in an ever changing world.

Check out some of their update photographs below, and their new website at: Fausts USA Karate

Branding Headshots in Fairport NY: Rochester NY Photography

A retired FBI agent and a yoga instructor walk into the same studio…

…and BOTH get updated branding headshots that reflect their business.

Listen, I know I need to work on my material, but I’m a branding photographer, not a comedian. The fact remains, that even in a 15 minute branding portrait mini session we could create two different looks for totally different businesses.

We are so thankful to Ali at Yoga 170 for sharing her amazing space with us, giving us the opportunity to bring these brand photographs to life.

Interested in leveling up your brand in 15 minutes? Check out the next round of branding minis, coming soon!

Personal Branding Mini Sessions: Rochester NY Brand Photography

Some of our favorite entrepreneurs just gained a fantastic collection of branding images.

All it took was saying “yes” to a 15 minute personal brand mini session.

We had some great female entrepreneurs show up from various occupations - SEO specialist, marketing strategy, college administrators and even a fellow branding photographer!

What’s great about this space, is that we were able to create great branding portraits and headshots for every person that came, because there are a variety of backgrounds that range from fun and funky to board room business.

In just 15 minutes, you could revamp the images on your whole website. For example - shortly after we delivered Kristi Mitchell’s images, we saw them on her website, and we have to say, the pictures fit her brand perfectly! (See what we mean below.)

Or, you could create a library of images you can use on social media to talk about your brand. The options for using brand photography are endless.

Check out more of our favorites from the branding mini sessions at Do or Dye Beauty and Barber Shop below!

Branding Photography in Rochester NY: Kc Rossi

Kc Rossi loves to help women breakthrough and bring all of themselves to their lives, and the world. Her words. I can tell you that just from the few hours we spent together - she’s good at it.

She wanted her brand photography to portray a confident, powerful feeling - but also photography that shows peace and warmth. So we captured her professional nature at work, and her natural environment as well.

Doing this included both her polished style, and attention to detail but also the cozy feeling of her working from home, and even the deer in her amazing forest backyard.

This set of brand photographs will give her options for ideas to communicate on social media, her podcast headers and her website.

If you’re looking for a mindset coach to help you grow, we suggest you meet Kc!

What's the Difference Between a Headshot and Personal Branding Photography?

A common question we get when people inquire about photography for small business is: What’s the difference between personal branding and headshots?

We’re SO glad you asked. A personal branding photography session differs from a typical headshot session in a few different ways..

When you have a business headshot taken, it’s usually a portrait from the waist up, smiling at the camera. You’ll use it on your social media profiles, and maybe a business website. That’s it, all done. It takes 30 minute at most.

Personal branding sessions do include some headshots, but they are also so. much. more.

To start, there are planning meetings. We ask questions about you, your business, and brand that go beyond your appearance. We go deeper into what your story is. Why do you do what you do?

You typically get generic backgrounds from a standard headshot session. Which is fine, if that’s all you need. However, a personal branding session is a customized experience. We help you choose the location, props and even help with outfit suggestions to help you elevate your brand.

Then, we take the photographs that tell that story. We take detail shots, lifestyle shots, behind the scenes shots, product shots and more all to further the story you want to tell your audience. You don’t get that with a business headshot.

Check out Jessica’s recent session to give you a better idea of what personal brand photography is all about, and what she got out of it.

The goal of a personal branding session is to give you a library of image options that will help your business be more profitable. You can use them in so many places. For some ideas, check out this previous post: 8 Ways You Can Use Your Branding Photography

Personal brand photographs are an investment, versatile and customized to your unique brand.

Because “generic” isn’t a word your brand should use.

8 Ways to Use Your Branding Photography: Rochester NY Photographers

You’ve had your personal brand portrait session taken. Now what? Where do you use all of these gorgeous new branding images? Here’s just a few suggestions!

1) Your About Me Page Needs Updated Photographs

Obvious? Yeah, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to update their own website with their branding photographs.

2) Put Your Branding Photos on Pinterest

Bloggers. creatives and entrepreneurs of all kinds use professional branding photography on Pinterest to create graphics and share their content. Unique images will get noticed faster, while poor iPhone pictures get scrolled past.

3) Blog Posts

Use your personal brand photography in graphics, or stand alone in your blog posts. Written content requires great images.

4) Use Brand Photographs Facebook

Your cover photo and profile pictures are the first thing people see when they visit your page. Make them stand out! On top of that, posting with text alone isn’t going to show up in someone’s feed. You need something eye catching to get people to stop their scroll.

5) Instagram and Personal Branding

This is a platform based on pictures. First you have to catch their eye with your brand photos. Then tell your story with your caption combined with personal brand photography. Show people your personality. Share tips with your audience.

6) Brochures and Printed Materials

Print is NOT dead. Give someone a printed brochure that uses professional level photographs you’re showing them you mean business. And you can put these images on more than just an informational brochure. Use branding photography on business cards, postcard reminders, or even thank you cards.

7) Email Newsletters

Step up your newsletter game with more than text on screen. Show the people who chose to follow you that you’re a real person, and a professional by incorporating personal branding photography.

8) E-commerce and Product Branding

What do you sell? And are you selling it online yet? If you are, product pictures are a must.

These uses are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many more ways that personal branding photographs can be used. Need more? We share a little bit about the HOW to repurpose your branding images here.

We’re here to help with your create these images. The work that we do before we ever take a single shot is what makes us different, and we invite you to find out how.

Rochester NY Brand Photography for Consultants

After her personal brand session was complete Jessica said “Your process helped me take a more thoughtful and intentional approach to my brand.”

She also said “We laughed, we posed, my hair got frizzy…you made what can feel like a completely unnatural and awkward experience fun.”

That’s high praise coming from a business and personal development consultant. It’s also exactly how we want you to feel about your personal branding session.

She’s the Owner and Chief Transformation Officer of ApPROach Consulting. We recently caught up with her to review her personal branding photography session. We asked her five questions that might help a business owner decide if this is a worthy investment. Here’s what she said:

What do you do, and why did you choose to invest in your personal brand?

“apPROach Consulting is a strategic planning and business development consulting practice that serves individuals, small businesses, and non-profit organizations.  I believe that a great strategy for building your business is through creating a personal connection between the business owner and the client.  This is something that can be uncomfortable for business owners.  In my business development classes we spend a lot of time talking through how vulnerable it feels to put your words and your face out there.  Showcasing products and services is usually much easier.  I wanted to put my philosophy into practice by using my personal image to connect with my own customers and demonstrate the value to other business owners.”

Did you learn anything about yourself?

“Completing the personal branding questionnaire in advance of the photo shoot was a great opportunity to reflect on how I do business, engage with clients, and project my values through my services.  It is important for every business owner to pause and evaluate their values and their vision regularly.  Lori and Erin’s personal branding questionnaire is a tool I will revisit in the future to assess my brand as my business evolves.”

What did you enjoy most about your session? 

“Being photographed is usually an uncomfortable experience for me, like most people.  Lori and Erin made a typically awkward and unnatural photo shoot feel fun and exciting.  Because we had met and discussed my business and my goals in advance of the photo shoot, I felt connected to them both and at ease.  They truly partnered with me on my personal branding journey.”

How are you using your images? 

“I have featured my images on social media, approachconsultingllc.com, and I’ve updated my profile pictures in the many online meeting tools we’re all using these days (Teams, Zoom, GoToMeeting, Webex, Hangouts, etc.)  I have received great compliments on the updated images.  The new images capture my essence so much better than the traditional headshots I used to use.”

Would you recommend Lori and Erin Photography?

“Not only would I recommend working with Lori and Erin for any photography service, I would recommend stepping through the personal branding process with them to any business owner or organization.  The same way strategic planning helps align a person or team around goals and priorities, completing the personal branding questionnaire helps to solidify the image you have for your business.  Lori and Erin can take your vision for your business and help you craft the visual content you need to connect with your audience.”

We focused on more than updating her headshot. We planned, we worked together and created stories in images that she could use to connect with her audience.

And it wasn’t hard, in fact - it was fun for all of us. So if you want to learn more about your business, show up in front of your clients, and have fun doing it - we’re ready for you.