How Professional Branding Can Help Set You Apart
First impressions are everything. This is especially true in the online space. Stop the scroll is REAL! If you can get someone to pause their scroll for a moment, you have a better chance to get your marketing and message across.
Having a professional headshot can help! It shows professionalism, builds credibility in your brand, and helps form an emotional connection with your audience.
As you scroll through your Instagram or LinkedIn feed, which profiles stand out to you? Profiles that have a professional headshot or the ones that have a poorly lit iPhone photo?
Exactly my point. If you’re in the Columbus, Ohio, area and need updated headshots, I’d love to help you out! Even if you’re not in Columbus, there’s still a thing or two you can learn from this post, so keep scrolling...
Headshots, Professional Branding, and Brand Imagery
I want to know what comes to mind when you hear the word “headshot.” Because when I hear the word “headshot,” I think of outdated and stuffy portraits. It reminds me of corporations that have stiff portraits of their executives lining the hallways.
Times (and headshots) have changed. Today's headshots are more lively, show personality, and can be unconventional.
Unfortunately, the word “headshot” hasn’t entirely caught up with today’s market. In Google, headshot photography is still a very relevant search word. For this reason, I use the terms headshots, professional branding, and brand imagery interchangeably.
The words “professional branding” and “brand imagery” more accurately describe my headshot photography. Often, my clients come to me for headshots and walk away with professional branding images.
Humanize Your Brand
Here’s why branding photography is important: long gone are the days when using a logo as your business profile picture is the norm. Unless you’re a giant corporation, a portrait of yourself is the best form of marketing.
As consumers, we want to connect with brands on a deeper level. We want to know more about the business owners we follow. We want to be able to equate a business with the people who run it. We want to feel like we know where our dollars are going. We want to see behind the scenes!
With brand photography, you, as a business owner, begin creating the know-, like-, and trust-factor with your audience. In doing so, you invite followers to learn more about you, your business, and your products. This helps to convert an online scroller into a new customer.
Did you know on average it takes at least SEVEN touchpoints before you enter the buyer’s consciousness? That means the more they see you, the more they feel like they know you and your business. Why not start with updated photographs of yourself?
Create Brand Recognition
After a professional branding session, I always suggest updating all social platforms with your new images. You want your branding to be consistent.
Update everything! LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Etsy (if you’re a seller). I also suggest updating Zoom, Google, your email signature, and your website. If you have a Google business profile, you can add your new branding images to your profile there as well.
Some FAQ:
Q: Does it cost extra to have a professional branding session on location and in-studio?
A: It’s not extra to do both! You pay for the images you want, not the time we spend together or the places we go. Most clients typically choose one or the other, but you are never limited to one location. I’ve also created “studio” portraits on location, as you can see here.
Q: How much time is included in a headshot session?
A: As much time as we’d like to spend creating. I never limit a session’s time, though most are between 40 and 75 minutes.
Q: What should I wear for my session?
A: Wear what makes you feel confident and comfortable. If you don’t typically wear a suit to work, don’t wear a suit in your brand portraits. Bring a couple of outfit changes, if you'd like. Be your authentic self!
Q: How much does a headshot/personal branding session cost?
A: Average investment is usually $750-1100, depending on how many images you need. The deposit is $500 to reserve your session. The entire deposit goes toward your final purchase.
Q: Are headshots only for individuals or small business owners?
A: Not at all! Some companies have an entire page on their website showcasing their business and employees. If you’d like to do this for your company, I offer on-site group photography and individual headshots.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re uncomfortable in front of the camera, please know that I coach and guide you through the entire session. Don’t let this fear stop you from propelling your business forward.
To learn more about my professional branding and headshot packages, check it out here.
If you’re ready to revamp your brand recognition and headshot, you can start here.