CPEU ARTICLE 2
Ten Types of Branding Photos Every Entrepreneur Needs N ATA L I YA L A LO R CPP GUEST AUTHOR
Working with entrepreneurs as a portrait photographer, I have found that there are ten primary types of images that consistently come up in Personal Branding photography sessions. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or have had a business for many years, these ten photo types make up the perfect set of images for a website and social media posts in a way that’s effective and attractive to potential clients. Why are personal branding photos important? Since more and more clients are finding businesses they
1 A PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOT
One of the most important personal branding photos you need is a professional-looking headshot. Whether with a plaincolor background or an outdoor backdrop, this is the image you will use across your social media account profiles like LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, as well as submissions for articles or guest posts. A simple background is needed so that your portrait will read clearly
want to work with online, it’s imperative to have compelling imagery to help sell your product or service. If a potential client doesn’t instantly like what she/he sees when the person finds you online, your potential client is probably not going to move forward in contacting you or hiring you.
It is imperative to have compelling imagery to help sell your product or service.
Here are the ten types of personal branding images you need:
in the smaller size that is presented on social media sites and won’t be distracting or confusing to others. Keep it simple and professional in terms of dress and expression. It’s a good option to hire a professional photographer for this type of photograph since it’s hard to get the right look on your own. Choose a photographer who will help you with posing and put you at ease in front of the camera for best results.
2 LIFESTYLE HEADSHOTS
Once you have the professional headshot, you will also need more casual lifestyle portraits that are more candid but still high-quality. These images are for communicating with your social network and allowing your audience to get to know you. You can use these images throughout your website to add a personal touch, show off your personality and create instant connection with potential clients. While these photos are a lot more casual, it’s still important to make sure you look your best with flattering poses and natural, smiling facial expressions. 20 | nedpg.org
It has also become equally important to be in front of the camera as the business owner. You have to represent your brand in order to genuinely connect with your audience. The good news is that it’s not difficult to get great photos, either by working with a professional photographer or by taking them yourself with an iPhone or camera. The key is to make sure you have a wide variety of images that perfectly illustrate your business and set you apart from your competition.
You’ll also have to coordinate your wardrobe colors with the background environment. Ideally you’ll want to stand out as much as possible so use contrasting or complementary colors. If you’re sitting on a white couch in a lightly colored room, wear darker colors so that you’re the focus of the photo. Likewise, you can use a monotone approach and match your outfit to the surroundings, in which case your face will become the focal point. This is also a great opportunity to bring in props that represent your business and add a pop of color that follows your brand color-palette while keeping everything else neutral.
