Perry White and his saxophone.
What Is Personal Branding?
Personal branding can be hard to define. As a professional photographer I have struggled with how to market myself and my brand. It always feels like a work in progress.
When asked “What is your most authentic self?” journalist Ann Freidman amusingly said:
“On most days, my authentic self is probably drinking wine on the couch.”
I know a few people who feel this way. So how do you convey your authentic self without it feeling contrived?
Who Do I Want to Be?
For me, I want to be known as the go-to-guy for people photography in Toronto. I want people to know I’m great at creating a rapport with people, putting them at ease, always getting a great shot. I want people to know that whatever the look they are going for, I can capture it. Formal corporate headshot? I can do it. Your child’s first actor headshot? I can do it. Promoting your business? Look no further!
To help with your photoshoot, here are some of my thoughts so far, to help clarify how I approach a personal branding photoshoot.
Your personal brand is how you appear to the world, it is how you market yourself and your career or business. In today’s online, virtual world having an interesting and polished appearance makes a huge difference to how you are perceived.
Use A Headshot for Branding
Firstly, having a professional headshot of yourself greatly enhances this perception. It shows people that you are serious about yourself and invested in promoting your business. A great photograph of you making eye contact with the camera can do wonders to make you seem more approachable. It also helps to have a consistent ‘look’ across social media for your business.
With the limited amount of time you have to grab and hold someone’s attention online (and we are talking less than seconds) photographs with maximum visual impact can create that all important connection. Creating that connection inspires people to look at you and your website in more detail, encouraging people to become your clients.
If your profile picture is one that someone took of you at a party, with the person next to you cropped out, it’s probably not conveying the message that you are looking for!
Other photographs you need for personal branding should describe your business with out using words. Your clothing, location or props can help with those things. What do you do? How do you want people to see you? What do you want to be known for? What makes you different/better than other people?
To see some recent personal branding images take a look at my personal branding page.
Let’s take some time together to make sure your personal branding shoot shows the real you, just as you want!
Contact (647) 448 0752 or robertmcgeephoto@gmail.com