What is Personal Branding Photography?

If you’ve been in the business world for even a short time, you may have heard someone say that you need to know your own personal brand. With the rapid growth of social media, the gig economy, and digital dominance, personal branding photography is becoming an essential element for those who desire a successful career. Personal branding is an identity that you present to the rest of the world. It is intentional and precise. Our personal brand encompasses who you are but is particularly important to how you want others to perceive you. Your brand includes your personality, expertise, experience, and unique knowledge base. Once you understand your personal brand, you may ask, what is personal branding photography?

What is Personal Branding Photography?

Personal branding photography is creating a collection of bespoke photographs to tell both your story and that of your personal brand. Businesses use professional branding photos as powerful marketing tools. They can be used to promote a person or a business across numerous platforms. including social media, websites, and other PR channels. A branding photographer will collaborate with you to create a variety of shots to tell your story, engage your audience, and enhance your content. 

Why Branding Photography is Important

In the business world, how you project and present yourself counts. Personal branding allows you to make a great online first impression. Your image is the first thing to catch a site visitor’s eye or the first thing they see on your social media pages. It offers them great insight into your brand, as well as communicates a lot about who you are as a person. This is why it is important to work with a professional personal branding photographer. They will know how to capture your image so that it reflects your individual personality and helps connect you with potential and current clientele. Branding photography breathes your personality into your online presence. 

Your professional photo tells your audience who you are, what you do, and what you stand for. It’s useful for helping to create a more personal connection. When done correctly, it will make your business more appealing to your ideal clients since they will be able to connect with you immediately and feel like they know you on a much deeper level.

Remember that as a business owner, you are your brand. You are the one element that makes your business interesting and unique. When your personality comes shining through on your website, social media, or other online platforms, it will encourage that all-important connection with your audience. Remember that people buy from people. Customers want to see the person behind the message. Branding photographs do just that. They tell your story.

How to Use Personal Brand Photography

Now that the question, What is personal branding photography has been answered, your next question may be Where and how do I use personal branding photography? While you are probably excited about sharing your new photos with friends, clients, and followers, you may still have a few questions. Where do you upload the images first? Maybe you wonder if certain types of photographs are best used on specific online platforms. Naturally, you are ready to use your branding photographs to increase your brand’s discoverability, engagement, and sales, right?

An effective marketing strategy uses unique photos so that they consistently and cohesively show up across your social media platforms. You are using them to tell your brand’s story, so consider the different messages each type of photo communicates to the viewer. This will help you determine which photo should appear on your various channels. Here are a few tips for how to use personal branding photographs.

On Your Business Website

Whether you are creating a new website or updating your present site, finding the perfect images can feel a little overwhelming. You may have found yourself looking for hours trying to find high-quality images to no avail. In a pinch, you may have even settled for blurry selfies taken on your phone, or stock images used in sheer desperation. If you ever needed a little inspiration to schedule a session for a personal branding photoshoot, those images would be it! Having high-quality branding photos on your website boosts your SEO and communicates to site visitors exactly who you are and what you do.

On Your Social Media Accounts

Whether you are only on a couple of social media networks or facilitate several platforms, your branding portraits can help provide consistency and spread your message. Research has shown that posts that have an image get more engagement than those without. Posts that can be directly associated with a face get even more attention. You’ll want to post a variety of images that support the values, style, and message of your brand when sharing on social media.

Use Branding Photos on Your Blog

If you are still using stock photos on your blog, isn’t it time for an upgrade? Adding some of your personal branding photographs to your blog instantly communicates authenticity and consistency. Using your brand images on your blog complements the info and solidifies the message you are sending to your readers and potential clients. Additionally, if you provide guest posts for other blogs, your branding photo can accompany it. Your new, fresh, professional image speaks to who you really are.

As Part of Your Press Kit or PR

Entrepreneurs who are also authors or speakers are often asked to submit a recent photo along with a biography as part of their press or media kit. Having your personal branding photos on hand will ensure you are prepared for this request. 

Part of Your Branding Materials

There are many areas of marketing that can be made more engaging and effective just by using a custom photo. Branding photos will complement your brand’s values and color scheme and keep your mission in mind. If you use email newsletters, run multiple ad campaigns, or create exclusive landing pages, professional images can enhance your content. But don’t limit yourself to just online marketing possibilities; there are opportunities for print marketing too.

Are Personal Branding Portraits Right for Your Business?

It takes some time, ingenuity, and thought to create your personal brand and business identity. Your brand communicates who you are as well as sets you apart from your competition. Every detail counts, including your logo, website, and photos. Putting your best face forward, literally and figuratively, is crucial.  A personal branding portrait is right for your business if:

You want to build trust. Professional, well-thought-out brand photos build trust and help create a connection with prospective clients and employers immediately.

It captures the best version of you. Providing the world with a personal brand photograph allows you to make sure the world sees the best version of you.

Personal brand photography communicates what you have to offer to your clients and potential customers. It encourages your audience to connect and feel comfortable with you quickly. They feel like you are inviting them to participate and engage with you. It is a crucial investment for creators, influencers, or business owners who want to portray their image in the best light.

Are you ready to step up your marketing efforts with a personal branding photograph? Contact Kyle Bondeson Photography to schedule your session today!