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!
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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.
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.
Branding Photography for Therapists in Rochester NY
Before her branding session, Laura told us that people fascinate her. She told us that she loves their stories, and seeing something in it that they didn't see.
Same! Our style of personal brand photography is very much the same. We loved looking at her brand, and hearing her stories to see something she hadn’t thought of about her brand.
And then, we took those stories and created images to support them. For example: As a therapist, she believes that life is messy, and we’re all a little bit broken - like a chipped coffee cup. But, even though the cup has a chip in it, it still works and still functions as a coffee cup.
So we incorporated some of that idea into the imagery. We included some mess, some learning and growing, and her favorite chipped coffee cups.
We combined it all together to create both updated headshots, and stories she can use on her own platforms to show people who she is and what she believes.
The images don’t have to be neat, tidy picture perfect scenes if that’s not the right story. Because real life includes chipped coffee cups and messiness.
Personal brand photography is all about connecting to your audience. So show them your real you, and you’ll attract your ideal clients.
Rochester Branding Photography for Podcasters: Pursue You with Mandy Friend Gigliotti
Mandy is a ray of sunshine on any cloudy day. Her dreams have always been big, but to me, her heart has always been bigger. She’s a leader in the world of real estate, owns a daycare, partners in her husband’s chiropractic office and also runs her own coaching/training business… you know, on the side.
But her latest calling has brought her into the world of motivation and encouragement with her podcast: Pursue You. Her goal as she puts it is to encourage you to pursue YOU so that you can give the gift of your best self to your family, community and business.
This creed is what brought Mandy to us, to capture some branding images for her podcast cover and her website. We incorporated some of her speaking events, and some headshots that felt approachable and warm.
If you haven’t yet listened to the Pursue You Podcast, you should! Here’s a link to it, so you have no excuse not to, right?
Here’s a peek at our work together, and how she’s using her images regularly!
Personal Branding Photography Rochester NY: Jardin Terrariums
When we first talked about photographing a personal brand session with the amazing, Kathleen from Jardin Terrariums we knew it couldn’t be basic. She wanted to show that what she offers is the opportunity to play and have fun with nature, in a creative way.
This was not a last minute, “let’s just shoot whatever we think works” kind of session. We spent time planning and brainstorming together. She knew she wanted new website images, as well as the ability to use them on social media. And we knew, we couldn’t shoot this in an empty studio space - it had to be natural and meaningful.
So what better place than the garden backyard setting that she dreamt up Jardin Terrariums in. We created a garden party, complete with guests to show every step of creating a terrarium.
Take a look below and see some of the work we created together, as well how they were used on Jardin Terrarium’s website.
If you think you’re ready to level up your image - get in touch!
Personal Brand Photography for Consultants in Rochester NY
When it comes to the glamorous world of SEO and being found in a google search, I tend to think of very technical people sitting in a dark office scanning computer screens like crazy.
Meg, from Love at First Search is not one of those people.
She’s amazing at creating an SEO strategy in ways that you’ll understand. She’ll tell you herself, she’s more technical that a web designer, but more people oriented than your typical SEO consultant. She’s relatable, funny, friendly and a fantastic mom to her boys.
She rebranded her whole business not too long ago, and ever since has been growing like the Hulk when he’s angry. (Except, she’s not angry and green).
The only thing that didn’t change in her super hero sized rebrand, were her photographs. And while those old photographs worked, they no longer fit her brand like they should.
So we helped to give her some new looks to choose from when she’s posting on social media, updating her website, or teaching her wealth of wisdom online.
If you haven’t met her yet, you should!
This personal brand photography session in Rochester marks the third time we’ve photographed Gerriann of Voice Over Speech Pathology. From her early home office session to her growing team’s fun, urban shoot at High Falls, each session has reflected her brand’s growth and personality.