Why Is Personal Branding Photography So Important?
You may have heard from various marketing experts how branding photography will upgrade your company and bring in sales. You need to have a solid and authentic photo of yourself and what you stand for. All marketers will tell you so.
Just how important is personal branding photography, though? Can it really help—and how? Instead of focusing on what you already know, here is what branding photography can do for you and your business.
It’s OK to Judge a Book by Its Cover
We’ve all done it and it’s okay: we judge a book by its cover. Humans have developed the ability to judge a person within milliseconds of meeting them. A person’s posture, style, and mannerisms tell us a lot about about them before they have even opened their mouth. What is it about walking into a room of strangers and subconsciously being drawn towards a certain person? There’s an instant we have that helps us gauge if we will relate and connect with a person at first glance.
The same is true of places, too. You may remember the photo of a cute coffee shop, beach, bar, or restaurant that speaks to your soul even if you forget its name. We are visual creatures who need visual cues to read a situation—and that’s where personal branding photography comes into place. We want to know what stands behind a name and who this person is. At a mere glance, we get in instinct as to whether we like a person and want to do business with them or not.
Most people are aware of this, hence the prevalence of photos on social media. However, most of their photos are poor in quality and fail to distinguish you from the crowd. Their images are neutral or bad, missing an opportunity to give your viewers an accurate representation of who you are. Instead of taking subpar photos with your phone, you should invest in a professional photoshoot.
You only get one chance to make a good first impression: don’t miss out on this opportunity.
People Want to Connect with People
We love the ease of buying things off the Internet. It offers instant gratification and saves us the hassle of a long trip to the shops.
However, we also love a sense of community. We like to see who makes our coffee and who delivers our shopping to our door. It puts a face on a person. A name on a screen doesn’t tell us much. A face, on the other hand, helps us identify with that person. In an increasingly digital world, we want to know we’re talking to a real human being.
Create your personal branding to give customers what they want: to know who you are, what you stand for, and what makes you unique. A professional photographer will let your face ‘speak’ through the photos. That is something few selfies or a poorly directed “nice camera” can accomplish.
The very worst thing you can do, of course, is to use a generic stock photo instead of your photo. The human eye can easily tell whether a photo is from a gallery of generic photos or whether it’s a genuine one. Not to mention that your competitors could be using the same stock photos.
Your customers can’t meet you in person if the entire transaction goes through the Internet. Give them a chance to show them who you are with personal branding photography!
Customers Are Looking for Authenticity
Whatever your business is, people seek authenticity. Customers are increasingly looking for it before they can identify with a brand.
People don’t want any more generic brands that fail to capture the personality as essence of a company. Your business headshots act as an emotional piece of branding that gives your potential clients an essence of what it would be like to be with you in person. There are likely millions of companies out there doing what you do, as any Google search will prove within seconds. How can you stand out from the crowd and show your passion and strength? How can you show people your brand character when you’re just a drop in a vast ocean?
Your simple picture of you does not do the same thing as an intentional business headshot. A photo. It is, however, a crucial part of it and an important stepping stone. People who see a snapshot of the genuine you, may then want to see what your business is.
How do we accomplish getting you a professional headshot that has proper messaging? We step beyond getting you a photo that’s flattering, though it’s always our top goal. We ask you about your ideal client, why they like you and what makes them want to work with you. From there we make sure that messaging is accurate in helping direct your smile, the position of your head, your clothing choice and overall body language so that your potential clients look at you and say and sense that you are the right person for the job.
Team Effort: Showcase the People Who Make Your Brand
A business is rarely a one-man show. A team effort deserves to be acknowledged as such. Engage your employees with a team photoshoot and make them part of your brand.
By itself, a team photoshoot can sound boring. And yet, time and again, we have seen how people can enjoy themselves and interact with each other in a fun way during a branding photoshoot. Take professional headshots of your team and each person. Let them know you appreciate them. Show your customers who is who: they will love it.
As a bonus, a professional series of team members’ photos creates a seamless online presence. Therefore, you make your business look professional and focused.
Gain Confidence about Your Business
Ultimately, your personal branding photoshoot is the best opportunity for you to get a glimpse of what you want your business to be. What is your culture like? Is it a fun company? Is it at the edge of technology? Do you want to show a compassionate side? Do you need to be approachable yet professional?
The way you define yourself is how you picture your company in your mind.
When clients approach us, we sometimes see how vague their perception of their brand can be. Once we start talking and ask them how they want to be portrayed, they suddenly realize where they want to lead their brand.
In a sense, it’s professional branding photography with a touch of corporate brainstorming. And all that, for the price of a professional headshot session!
To book your personal branding photoshoot, contact Denver Headshot Photos online or call us now at (720) 799-2655 and let’s set up an appointment for you!
