How to Build Your Brand: The Importance of Branding Photography
I'll admit it.
I was terrified.
When Kelli first reached out to me I had to read it twice. We had become FB friends about a year ago, but neither of us was quite sure how. We eventually figured out that we worked with the same people at different times. Kelli had also been following and interacting on my business page for quite some time. I was always encouraged by her comments and support.
When she messaged me asking me about a branding session for her health coaching business I was a bit taken aback. I mean, I am fiercely and almost exclusively a lifestyle, family photographer. I specialize in natural light and capturing real and emotion filled moments of parents and kiddos. I was wondering if she had made a mistake. But as we talked I realized that she in fact wanted me for this shoot. "I'm literally captivated by your work and was thinking you might be a good fit for me," she said. " Your images are just what I want."
You see, Kelli knew that building a brand is about being authentic. Sure, there is some posing involved, but your followers want to see you for who you are. They want to look at your images and content and see themselves in that space. They want to see someone whom they can trust and connect with. So, much like what I do with families, it was still going to be about creating and fostering that emotion and feeling.
Once we worked out the details I got started on planning and mapping out this day for Kelli! I wanted her to feel like the queen she is.
So what goes into creating a branding session for your new business?
As women, we all know the importance of feeling beautiful and how that translates in our pictures. I wanted Kelli to feel her best and have full confidence during her pictures. I partnered up with Audrey of Contours and Curls in Charleston SC. She is a highly recommended MUA in the Charleston area. Her work is absolutely beautiful and I knew she would be a great fit for the natural look we were going for.
It was so fun to have her come to Kelli's home. Even her daughter's got to be a part of the experience. Part of Kelli's brand is being a mom. Motherhood is such an intimate part of both of our businesses and we want moms to feel empowered that they can work and still be their best for their families. Raising daughters to see their role in the home as well as out of it is such a great thing.
Over the course of the last several weeks we chatted about what her brand was and what she wanted to convey to her followers and clients. As a health coach her major goals are helping people to have a vision for their health and their life. She teaches them how to make better choices, how to properly fuel their bodies and how to have longevity with their journey. Baker and Brewer is an eclectic little dive that had the perfect vibe and menu for what we were going for! We sat down and enjoyed conversation and lunch all the while getting great images for her session.
It was truly like spending the day with a friend! Never would I have guessed how completely relaxed and fun this session could be. I aimed to bring the same lifestyle and natural feel that I bring to my family sessions. No stuffy and rigid posing here. The laughs you see were genuine and the smiles authentic.
From there we spent the afternoon downtown Charleston. We found spots that were fun and colorful- both words that she envisions her brand being! Kelli and I talked about her goals for this year, both personally and professionally.
We shared stories of marriage, and babies, and children that are no longer babies.
We talked about our faith and the role it has played in both of our journeys these last few years.
It was refreshing and inspiring.
It was just what we both needed.
A day that may have just seemed like "work" was much, much more. It was the connecting of two otherwise unconnected people. It was a step away from social media into authentic and meaningful interaction.
And the result,
content and images that she can use to help further her brand this year.
So when you are planning your next branding session, here are some things to think about:
1. Purpose: What do you want your brand to say? What do you want it to stand for?
2. Wardrobe: What colors and styles will best help you make the statements you are going for?
3. Style: What photographer's style and vibe best match with your answer to #1.
Branding is an investment of both time and money for you the client and for your photographer. These images will literally be the face of your business and often what people will see first and use to determine if you are a good fit for them.
All in all, an amazing experience! If you're in the Huntsville Al area or SC area and want an amazing session for your brand, let's get coffee! I would love to know your thoughts below. Enjoy some more pictures below, as well as a few words from Kelli!
From Kelli:
"I had the best time today! 4 years ago you wouldn’t have been able to convince me to have photos taken of me unless I was pregnant and you never would have convinced me that it would be an absolute blast! Pretty sure I laughed 80% of the time because I was having THE BEST TIME!! I’m also 100% sure that Tiffany Crenshaw at Animal House Photography and I will be friends for life! Had so much fun today and I can’t even believe how amazingly talented you are ❤️❤️❤️"
12 Comments
Feb 24, 2020, 6:39:14 AM
Tiffany Crenshaw - I would absolutely love that!
Feb 24, 2020, 6:38:46 AM
Tiffany Crenshaw - I totally agree!!
Feb 18, 2020, 10:27:58 AM
Bashaw - I think personal branding photos are incredibly important. Its such a great way to put a face with the business, its really nice to see the business owner in front of the camera!
Feb 18, 2020, 9:48:08 AM
Christie - I wish that I lived closer to have you be my brand photographer!! You did awesome work!!
Feb 12, 2020, 4:34:26 PM
Tiffany Crenshaw - You are so sweet! It's so hard "meeting" other business owners and realizing they live so far away!
Feb 12, 2020, 4:33:40 PM
Tiffany Crenshaw - I agree! I will be having mine updated soon as well!
Feb 12, 2020, 4:33:07 PM
Tiffany Crenshaw - Yes! Kelli is full of life!
Feb 11, 2020, 3:42:53 PM
Christie - I so wish that I lived closer to you!! I would love branding images like this!!!
Feb 11, 2020, 2:53:30 PM
Nina - I think branding photos are so important and especially for small business owners. These are just stunning!
Feb 11, 2020, 1:29:57 PM
Rebecca Trumbull - I just love all those genuine smiles! This branding session shows off a fun-loving person who love what she does!
Feb 10, 2020, 7:00:45 PM
Tiffany Crenshaw - Thank you! It was so much fun for both of us!!!
Feb 10, 2020, 3:37:54 PM
Reese Woods - I love the way you have really brought her personality and her laugh to life. I can almost hear her giggling and having a good time through the photos!