The most common line I hear in my line of work is “I hate getting my photo taken”. It’s okay, believe it or not but there was a time I hated getting my photo taken too. I cannot say it enough…SELFIES ARE NOT ADEQUATE PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS! (no matter HOW cute you are!). See the difference?
A tip I give many of my brand imagery clients is to understand and acknowledge your competitors and work to set yourself apart from them. Like my client, Sadie L Harper of Southern Ambition LLC who I hired to write the content on my website. She's an amazing content strategy & B2B copy writer. She specializes in creating content to elevate her client's voice and brand. What is the most unique “branding” distinction you’ve ever come across?
What is branding imagery? Put more simply: it is an opportunity to visually communicate with your potential customer. Share in the comments below, what three words come to mind when you think of your brand?
#fashion #stylist #branding
Some people don’t like getting their photo taken, and that is okay! It’s my job to make your photography experience as stress free and enjoyable as possible!
Who remembers “Candid Camera”? Personally the candid shots I take at shoots are my favorite and usually the top choice of my clients as well. They capture your true essence in the moment.
“Confidence is everything. Confidence is what makes that simple white tee and jeans look good.”- Ciara
As tempting as it can be to use a current “trend” in your headshots, these can date your photos and make them seem out of place for certain uses. Example: Photos with a bright background and an edgy top may look great for a fun blog post but will not give you the professional look you want for your next "Business Leaders of Tomorrow" speakers conference. If you want to do theme specific photos, consider doing branded images to share during those times only and reshoot for each theme or season. The key is to not “date” your photos.
Business leader extraordinaire: Samantha Strazanac-Staten
My clients literally ARE THE BEST. Congratulations on winning the 2020 Best of the Best from Wake Weekly! Heritage Audiology for Best Hearing Care and Hunt for Homes NC - Real Estate Sales & Service for Best Realtor and Best Real Estate Office!
Blue Steel may have worked for Zoolander but it’s not ideal for headshots. Smile or smirk cheerfully, don’t look angry!
September 30th is National Women’s Health & Fitness Day! I’m offering 15% off a Premium Branding Session package, today ONLY! Contact me directly to lock in this pricing!
Your face is not symmetrical, no one’s is (ok, except for maybe Heidi Klum's 😉). Hence why it is important when being photographed to know your best side. But don’t worry if you don’t know which it is because I often shoot from both angles. That way you can choose your best photos later on, without being concerned about your better side during the shoot.
What is the number one thing you should do to prepare for a headshot? The answer...get some sleep! Believe it or not, getting a good night's rest the day before your shoot is vital to reducing bags under your eyes and looking for alert and radiant. The Craft Crib
Did you know that reading daily has been tied to success? Comment with your favorite book about being successful in life or business.
Headshots…not just for actors and c-suite executives. Having professional headshots, especially on business professional social networks like LinkedIn can sometimes make or break your opportunity for employment. If you use a selfie or personal image for your LinkedIn profile photo(s) it may be hindering your professional opportunities. Statistics show that LinkedIn members with a photo receive far more engagement: 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests. When you dress sharply to a job interview, you're telling the employer you mean business before even speaking a word…your headshot should do the same.
But Amy, my company is too small to need branding…WRONG. But Amy, my company is too big to need branding…WRONG again! No matter what industry you’re in or the size of your company, a positive brand image is important for your business’s future. Smith Dominguez
Cultivating your own brand can make you stand out from the crowd and it brings out the best in you. When building your personal brand, focus on these 3 main points. 1. Identify your client or customer. 2. Find your Style. 3. Create a Clear and Simple Message. Case in point: Sewing Lessons and Camps for Kids and Adults
Today is Small Business Saturday! Shop small and help support the little businesses that keep us all going.❤️ Comment with your small business or small business that you love. See some of my fav's below!
Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours! Sebastian is ready to eat!
#thanksgiving #raleigh #raleighnc #raleighbrandingphotographer
You work hard. You put EVERYTHING you have into your business and provide the absolute BEST to your clients. But- do they know all that you do and all that you offer? You deserve to have your story told! A branding session captures YOU and all that you do. It lets your customers know that you are more than just a name or a product- you are the heart of your business. Capture your story with a branding session and feel more confident telling your story!
Patterns are fun, but they are not normally recommended for headshots because they can distract or date your photo. Stick to solids in colors that flatter your skin tone. Have questions about headshots? I am happy to help!
Your headshot should capture the essence of who you are. It should be authentic, a true reflection of who you are.
Green Phoenix Professional Organizing & Design
Know, like and trust. That is how customers decide to make a purchase- the more they see you, the more they get to know you and the more they begin to trust you and what you have to offer. If you own a web design company, your potential clients don’t just want to see your logo or designs, they want to see you, your process and what inspires you.
What inspires YOU?
Web Luminary
Many of us started off doing something we love; maybe it was a hobby or even a side hustle. But somewhere along the line it went from a passion to a job! Now you have a business- you're making things happen, helping your clients and loving it!
You have your hands full with researching, creating, planning, meetings, customer service and so, so much more! It’s happening and you have managed build something you are proud of and feeds your family too!
Except... your social media looks like a hot mess. You've been doing the best you can, taking selfies and product shots with your phone. It's done ok for a while but now you are starting to see that it’s just not cutting it anymore. You need to step it up and go from "hobby" to "pro".
Branding photos can help you do just that by giving you a polished and professional look. It doesn't have to be stiff or boring- all of your personality, smarts and character should come through Your photos will let your clients know who YOU are and what YOU can do for them! (A WHOLE LOT!!)
Sometimes we try things and they don't work. They just don't. Even though we put so much into it, they don't go as planned.
That doesn't mean we abandon our goal. It means we need to find another way. If we can't go through- we go around!
Think of all the things that wouldn't exist right now if the people who created them had given up. Think of a world without:
- Coffee!
- Telephone
- Penicillin
- Brownies
- Doggy wheelchairs :)
Seriously, you are capable of doing so much good in the world. You have so much talent; knowledge and skill- don't keep that to yourself. Keep trying, keep going and find a way to make your goal happen.
- Find a mentor
- Do more research
- Ask your clients and followers what they think
- Take a course
- Try "Deep work"
- Reverse engineer it
There are many more things you can try. But, the number one thing you must do is TRY AGAIN!
Every day is a fresh start. Every day you can get up and show up- put your pants on (even if they're sweats!), do the work, take care of the kids, the house and your business. It's never going to be perfect. You're going to spill the coffee, get out the door late, or forget something.
But you know what? Every day you get another chance to do it all over again. Showing up and doing the work is what will make your business grow right along with you and your family.
You have what it takes so, get up, fuel up and show 'em what you got!
#gettoknowyourcustomersday Happy Get To Know Your Customers Day! Do you know who you serve? Geting to know your customers- what they like, want and need- enables you to better serve them. A happy customer will come back to you because they know you will provide them with a quality experience and they will be more than happy to share that experience with others. Get to know your customers- they are worth it!
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an amazing man with a big agenda and an even bigger heart. He never gave up and he never backed down- even now, his legacy lives on as we, as a nation continue the work of his dream. I take today to honor him and all that fight along side his spirit. We all have the potential to do great things, so let's get to work.
Phew! It's been a rough start to the new year, but let's all hang in there- we can do this! Keep going, set goals, be creative, work hard and let's make our dreams come true. No matter what is going on in the world, you have what it takes to make it. Keep going. ❤📷 #smallbusiness
