Navigating a Personal Brand Photoshoot
Branding isn't just for businesses or products; it's for anything that has a visible presence and potential influence. Yes, that means you. Building your personal brand can be a career-long process, but while details may change, the requirement for good visual representation doesn't.
Even if you plan to stay in a corporate setting, you can begin to represent yourself well within your company and within your industry niche by taking control of your public-facing image. This means: 1) Get updated headshots, 2) Drop the corporate LinkedIn banner, and 3) Share your perspective. You can do each of these three things with a personal brand photoshoot.
Personal brand photoshoots are great for getting up-to-date stylish headshots but also for showing you in action and showcasing your personal aesthetic. Plus, you can use the photos everywhere, from LinkedIn to cover photos to a personal one-page website to your next Christmas card! (Just kidding on that one, though, maybe...)
We've creative directed a lot of brand photoshoots, and here are our top tips for planning and scheduling your own:
Step 1: Choose an authentic-to-you photoshoot location.
What you wear and how you pose is only half of the battle. You'll want to pick a location that is representative of who you are. Studio locations are great for a clean background, predictable lighting, and when you want the photos to really showcase you front and center.
On-location shoots are great for authenticity and comfortability if you can get permission from a boss or manager to shoot there. Outdoor locations are great for creating nice depth of field and having a variety of backdrops from nature to city streets.
Step 2: Decide what you want to say about yourself.
This is where it helps to make a few mood board options with headshots, portraits, and outfits from Pinterest or another platform. For instance, bright colors and patterns might be more your style, but does it match with your personal brand persona?
In any photoshoot, you want to stay authentic to who you are while showing off the best who you aspire to be. It's a fine line of being recognizable to those who know and work with you while also showing yourself at the top of your industry and on top of your game.
You can decide how serious, playful, kind, creative, emotive, or stoic you want to appear. Worry less about how attractive you are here and more about how you might be perceived by a coworker, potential interviewer (or -ee), and future boss.
Step 3: Plan where and how you will use the photos.
This is an oft-forgotten step but one that will ensure you get exactly what you need. Decide from the beginning where you plan to show these. Perhaps your personal Facebook account would call for a more casual outfit? LinkedIn might need a more formal or plain background? What about a cover photo showing you typing or working or laughing or with your dog?
Getting organized for how you plan to use the photos will help you decide exactly which outfits, props, and poses you'll need at the shoot. You'll want to create a shot list. A shot list is your list of ideal photos you want to secure as part of the shoot. Your shot list should cover all the platforms, props, and framing you may need in the future.
Step 4: Find and vet your photographer and their contract.
Not all photographers have the same shooting or editing style. You'll want to find someone you are comfortable with and where you like their end result. Don't worry about how many followers they have or what clients they've worked with in the past. It's paramount that you enjoy the person you're working with and they know your goals from the beginning.
Also, if your photographer has a contract, make sure you thoroughly review it to see what will and won't work for you. For instance, some photographers do not like to have their photos cropped or adjusted. Great for them! Bad for web design flexibility.
Some photographers may not have released the copyright to their photos upon payment. Great for them! Bad for your future press or corporate features. Decide your boundaries and verbalize your goals, and both you and your photographer will be grateful for the clarity.
Step 5: Bring supplies to the shoot day.
You don't want to show up with just a freshly pressed outfit and hair groomed. Bring a variety of supplies and props. For supplies, bring a bottle of water, some chapstick (or lipstick), and a portable speaker to turn on some of your favorite tracks. For props, think through and plan a variety of outfits that represent what you want to say about yourself.
Keep in mind, you won't want any distracting patterns or clothes that blend in with your skin tone or the potential background — contrast is key! If you want to show some more dynamic posing, consider asking a friend (or two) to come along to show you "in a meeting" or "giving a presentation."
Lastly, bring some work props that are authentic to your daily job. Making notes on a whiteboard? Find a portable one. Analyzing data? Print out some datasheets. Reviewing news and magazines? Bring on the papers!
Step 6: Relax!
It's shoot day now. Time to relax and enjoy the process. You've planned for everything; now it's time to be present, tap into some genuine emotion, and get comfortable. Keep any stress or anxiety as low as you can because it can often come through in your photos.
Step 7: Review the photos with someone else right away.
We are our own worst critics when it comes to how we look. When your album or photo collection gets sent to you, wait to open it with a friend or loved one who is not only your biggest hypeman but also someone who can be honest with you.
Pick your top three favorites and upload them right away. Don't wait to showcase them on social media, because chances are the people on your friend and connection list are ready to hype you up, too.
Having great photos that represent you is only a small portion of what it means to have a dynamic personal brand.
If you're ready to take center stage in your professional persona, contact us to help you build an unforgettable personal brand—whether for that next job interview, promotion, press feature, or speaking opportunity.
