What is personal branding?
Personal branding photography is a visual representation of you.
Your personal brand refers to how you present yourself, your skills, your experience, and your goals to others. It
can make you stand out and attract new clients.
Personal branding photography is a huge part of the marketing for your brand because it helps to show your customers who you are and allows them to get to know you even though you have not met in person yet. This is why it’s important to create brand photos that are true to you.
A new client sees your photo on your website and when they are calling you for information or to book your services, they will have a face to match with the voice. People do business with people they know, like, and trust. They don’t just want to hand their money to some faceless corporation or sign a contract with someone they just met.
Brand photography showcases what it's like to work with you. Your brand photos can show your products, your workspace, and more. You don’t even need to show your face in all of them. These types of photos can be helpful for your website and social media, where you’ll need more than just one or two pictures of your face.
Why do I need personal branding photos?
To promote your business well, you need to share more than just your portfolio. You need to show your face! Showing your face on your website and on social media helps build authority. As a personal brand, your authority comes from who you are and what you know. And the best way to showcase who you are without before being able to meet someone is through personal branding photography!
What does your branding photosession look like?
Before we start we’ll look for the best outfits with the backdrops you selected. Because we did the pre session consultation meeting, I know how you would like to be photographed and make sure we have the right outfits, props and accesories to match with each outfit anc backdrop. I will coach you to create poses that match your natural movements and have tons of tips to make you look comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
I’m a very hands on photographer and you will definitely see me stand next to you and helping you pose. In our pre session consultation we already discussed the best location, if you want to use props, what your (brand) style is, what outfits represent you and your brand best, how to make jewelry, makeup, hairstyle, and even nail polish as the perfect addition to your style and outfit so you will arrive fully prepared for your pictures . But if you are overwhelmed or are not sure what to do, I can ZOOM with you and we can go over your outfits to decide what works best. Some clients send me texts with photos of their outfits and at the sessions at my clients home, I often help selecting the best outfits directly from their closet.
After your session , I will help you choose the photographs that will represent you and your brand best and are going to position you as a leader in your field, that help you connect with your ideal client, and help you with growing your business. We are using photography as a marketing tool to connect you with people and save you time. You only get one chance to create that first impression online so let’s make sure it’s a good one.
What if I would like different photos than the corporate headshots?
I would love to help you with that! It makes me happy when we can brainstorm how you would like to be photographed. It is the creative part of photography I enjoy so much! This means before the session, we will look for inspiration on Pinterest, Instagram or maybe you have seen a movie, TV show or art piece you were inspired by. When you want to be photographed in a special location, we need to find out if we need a photography permit, when you want dramatic or colored lighting, I will bring my studio lights or we will create black and white portraits next to your colored ones, because it will make your photo stand out in between all the colored photos.
I can't wait to talk to you about what you have in mind for your next portrait!
Why do I need unique headshots that look different from what everyone else is having?
Having a unique headshot that stands out can make a big difference in how you are perceived, especially now that first impressions often happen online, whether for professional networking, social media, or personal branding.
Here are a few reasons why a unique and different headshot is important:
First Impressions Matter
- Stand Out from the Crowd: In this digital age, where professional platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, or corporate websites feature hundreds or thousands of people, a headshot that stands out can immediately grab attention. It's your "first handshake" in many professional situations, so making it unique can help you be memorable.
- Reflect Your Brand: Your headshot communicates more than just how you look; it should also share something about your personality, your role, and your professional identity. A unique image that aligns with your personal brand helps reinforce the message you're trying to communicate about yourself.
Authenticity Builds Trust
- Show Who You Are: A regular headshot (like one with the same pose or typical office background ) doesn’t tell the full story of who you are. A customized headshot that reflects your personality and profession (e.g., a more relaxed look for a creative, or a polished look for corporate settings) can showcase your authenticity.
- Relatability: Unique headshots can make you feel more relatable to your audience. People tend to connect with real, genuine expressions that match their perceptions of you, rather than overly formal or generic images.
Highlight Your Personality
- Beyond the Suit and Tie: Not everyone needs a corporate style headshot. If you're in a creative field or an industry where individuality is important, your headshot should reflect that. It could be a more casual shot, an image that shows you in action, or even one that subtly hints at your unique talents and interests.
- Emotional Connection: A unique headshot includes your warmth, enthusiasm, or confidence in ways that standard photos can't. That emotional connection can make people more likely to engage with your business or message.
Industry Differentiation
- Show Your Niche: In fields like entertainment, fashion, design, or entrepreneurship, a headshot that's tailored to your industry can show you're not just another person in the same space. Whether it’s in the form of a creative angle, a non-traditional background, or even a different wardrobe choice, unique headshots help position you as someone who stands out within your specific sector.
- Adaptability: In some industries, having a unique headshot may help you communicate your adaptability and openness to change. For instance, in tech, creative, or startup culture, a headshot that looks different from the standard "corporate" headshot might resonate better with the culture you're trying to appeal to.
Memorability
- Easier to Recall: When someone sees the same kind of headshot over and over again, it becomes easy to forget faces or even blend people together. A distinctive photo, whether it's the lighting, setting, or even the pose, makes it more likely that people will remember you.
- Brand Consistency: If your headshot is unique and part of a broader branding effort (across your resume, website, social media), it contributes to a cohesive personal brand. People are more likely to recall your consistent visual identity, which is crucial in networking or professional development.
Confidence & Professionalism
- Investing in Yourself: A unique headshot often requires some level of thought and investment, together with your Sandrien B Photography you will be able to create that unique image that makes you stand out. This investment in your image can show others that you're serious about your career and how you're presenting yourself to the world.
- Standing Out in Job Searches: Hiring managers and recruiters sift through hundreds of resumes and profiles. A unique headshot gives you an opportunity to stand out in a sea of applicants, which can contribute to the overall impression of professionalism and confidence.
A unique headshot isn’t just about having a picture that "looks good"—it’s about strategically using your image to differentiate yourself, build trust, and communicate the right message. It’s a small investment that can have a big return, whether for job opportunities, client engagement, or networking.
Why do all your portraits look different?
Because I have a pre session consultations with every person or company that is interested in my branding photography. We determine what would fit you and your brand best or if it involves multiople headshots for a company, what type of photos they need, what the look and feel of their company is, what the goal and purpose is for the images and how I can help with that. We talk about location, outfits, hair and make up as well as product or service photography. Each session is a custom session and personalized for your wishes and needs.
