As a small business, you’re probably used to having to do ALL the jobs. That doesn’t just include that thing you’re known for but also social media, book keeping, client communication, restocking office supplies, general admin, email marketing and the other 100 tasks that we keep forgetting about.
It’s a lot of work. Which is why at times, it’s easier and even cheaper to outsource some of the tasks. Like Brand Photography and Films.
Even if you’re a photographer, taking all images for your business yourself does not just create extra work for you, it also takes you away from the things that you need to do to make some money. Plus, sometimes we need an outsider to help us look at things from a perspective that is completely removed from being in the thick of it.
So today, I’d like to talk to you about…
Why it’s time to get some new photos for your business
Brand photography is a non-negotiable for any business today. Not just those who trade online. We need photos for our website, social profiles, client documents, newsletters and flyers just to name a few. These photos help you show your clients and customers who you are, what you’re about and how you can help them.
Small businesses are all about creating a personal connection with their audience and customers. It’s about the person behind the brand. And the reason behind the business. And it’s about the value your product, service or business can give to your audience.
Having your own brand photos to go with your product or services, will make it easier for you to stand out from your competition which in turn means your visibility can increase. That’s what it’s about, right?! Getting in front of more and the “right” people?!
Let me share my top 6 reasons why investing in some professional photos for your business is a great idea. And why NOW is the right time:
Stand out from the crowd
How lucky are we to have so many online resources to use in our business – even free ones? There are countless online databases that allow you to use beautiful, professional stock imagery for commercial purposes. Some are free, some are not. But either way, I constantly come across some photos that are being used by certain professions which then makes every business look like the other.
While those photos might serve their purpose and are accessible, they will never help you to stand out from the crowd.
If you want to reach your ideal audience, you can’t look like everyone else!
Having your own, Personal Brand Photography means those photos show your face, your hands, your tools, your office or workshop and they will be created only for you – based on the information you gave your photographer regarding what you are about and how you want to be perceived.
I can’t stress this enough: We can’t connect with people if we don’t show them who we are and how we can serve them.
Attract your dream client
Along with the point above, knowing who you want to work with, will help you decide on what you need your images to show and say.
Are you a coach, passionate about sustainability? Show reusable items as part of your daily routines.
Are you a jewelry designer who loves dogs? Include your dog in your photos and you’ll be surprised how many dog lovers will pay attention to you.
We connect over the smallest things – personality traits, preferences, workout routines, our marital status. If we make those things obvious, we will be able to create a community of like-minded people.
Btw, that doesn’t mean that you have to share your children’s faces or names or talk about very personal details. Only share what you are comfortable with! But do it in a way that those you want to work with, makes them feel seen.
Share your skills and expertise
My favourite part of a personal branding photo session is when we start documenting the details of your work: the behind-the-scenes work as well as your “actual job”.
Whether that is designing posters, making jewelry, PT sessions, consulting or taking photos. All of these are the obvious photos but the moments behind your work are what really makes your brand shine.
The attention to detail when sketching, the hours of post-production on videos, the deep research and planning you do before you meet a client. All of this shows how skilled and knowledgeable you are. It also shows that you really care about what you sell. And the best thing is, you’ll be able to tell amazing stories that go along with these images.
Stories of how you created a specific process, stories of the materials you use and how you source them, stories about how to look after you tools. This might all come like second nature to you but your audience doesn’t know anything about all of this until you share this. And it’ll be so much more powerful when you have images to go along with these stories.
More than just a few words
Having your own personalised photos to share with your audience, doesn’t just show them what you do and how you do it. You’ll also be able to share your values, your mannerisms, the way you use your hands, the passion in your eyes when you do your job.
That’s what stock photography can’t do for you. It’s generic and interchangeable – something your own photos will never be.
Never be stuck for content
Gone are the days where you put a single photo on facebook and have people come running to work with you. We need to constantly repeat ourselves and talk about what we do and how people can benefit from working with us. That can get repetitive and tiring.
However, if you have a bank of images that don’t just show your face but all the details of your business, there’s always something that can inspire a story, a learning, an offer or an insight. The bank of images you receive from your photographer should be able to inspire you to talk about all the things that are important to you – and therefore important to your audience.
It’s all about you
Most people don’t like to be in front of a camera. I get that. It’s the reason why I’m behind it usually.
But your business relies on you – your face, your voice, your ideas and your passion. So part of your Personal Branding session will always be headshots and portraits.
It’s really important for people to see what you look like – not what you looked like 10 years ago. I understand that we all change, grow older, maybe gain some weight or lose some hair and wish we’d still look like that 25 year old version of ourselves. But using outdated photos will only make it harder for you to connect with people when they see you in “real life” and realise you look very different from the images you shared online.
It’s false advertising. Doesn’t work well in online dating. Doesn’t work well in business either!
However, if you work with the right photographer, they’ll be able to put you at ease and make you feel confident during your photo session which then results in images you literally can’t stop sharing.
And with this positive feeling, it’ll be so much easier to show up online and share with the world what they can get from you.
Personal Branding photos are the secret weapon to adding power and confidence in how you present yourself online. They’ll be tailored to you and your business as well as to those you want to work with.
When you come to me for brand photos or a brand film, we’ll have an onboarding chat followed by a questionnaire that will allow me to really understand who you are and what these images should say about you. With this, I can create a plan and make suggestions as to what we can do to portray you and your business in a way that will make the most impact.
You’ll receive a portfolio of images that can be used across your business and your communication platforms to showcase what you’re about. It’ll give you an arsenal of marketing assets that help you define your brand, set yourself apart, and impact the perception others have of your business.
So if it’s been a while or if you’ve never invested in professional photos for your brand, are you ready to start thinking about updating your own business photos now?
