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The final set of retouched selects from one client's half day personal branding shoot |
I probably shouldn't admit this but something like a decade ago I designed a brochure for an on-location personal branding shoot, then got busy and shelved it. I am still busy, of course, but with more requests coming in for a "package" like this I thought it would save us all a lot of time if I had something ready to share that will outline a typical offering and answer a lot of the questions people have.
As such, I'm not going to make this a long drawn-out post because now, once again, I have a handy little PDF I can easily share with you at your request. But I'll fill you in a bit so you'll know if you want to request it.
What's changed in the past ten years? So much, right? But in terms of branding photography, there's more real estate than ever to be populated with your branding imagery. From websites, and various other online platforms and social media, to internal directories, digital work spaces, newsletters, and digital and traditional media depending on your particular circumstances. For some people one quintessential image will do the job. But for those more prolific with their online presence and posts, a larger set of photos that show some variety can ensure neither you nor your viewers get sick of seeing the same photo over and over and over, and give you some flexibility in terms of the version of you you want to deploy at any given time.
You will get the most benefit by being intentional with your photography, and making sure it is up to your professional standards and effectively supports your personal and professional brand. In a world over-saturated with hastily (and often poorly) produced images, one way to stand out from the crowd is high quality photography. And the best way to get that is to work with a professional photographer. Better yet, an experienced one who knows how to bring out the best in people whose expertise may not include being in front of a camera.
That's where I come in.
Let me tell you a little bit about a half day location shoot like the one we did to get the photos above. First we have a chat. Then we do a location scout so I can make sure that where you want to shoot will work. (If you don't have a place to shoot we can talk options, such as rental spaces.) To get the most value on the shoot date, it's helpful for us to figure out in advance precisely where we're going to want to shoot, so I can previsualize and think about lighting, and you can plan outfits and prep the spaces (tidying up, etc.).
In this photo (below), for comparison's sake, I'm showing you the shot we took at the scout (top), versus the one we did on the day. We knew we wanted a shot of J working at her dining table/sometimes desk but we weren't sure what angle would work best. It is so common these days to WFH, but that doesn't mean want to emphasize the homeyness. Having time to previsualize between the scout and the shoot allowed me to pre-plan the best angle to show J looking unequivocally professional. And we were able to set up and light the set quickly and efficiently on the day.
Another thing that promoted efficiency was my working with a photo assistant. It's always my preference to work with an assistant on location because I bring a pretty big pile of gear. I do this because lighting is everything. I never rely on available light. Ever. That doesn't mean I won't use available light. If it looks amazing I'll use it. But usually a combination of ambient and artificial works best. Sometimes I need a light somewhere it can't easily be mounted so my assistant will hold it.
The other reason to work with an assistant is the moving around of stuff that has to happen, whether it's my equipment or something in the background we need to shift then shift back, eg. furniture, art, etc. The time to make sure there's nothing distracting in the background is when you're shooting, not later during retouching. An assistant also provides an extra set of eyes on set, again potentially saving us from noticing wardrobe malfunctions like a flipped up pocket or crooked lapel, backwards pendant, etc., after the shoot when it's too late.
At this shoot we chose seven spots to work with, which is a lot, and J had six outfits. We were lucky because the house was very photogenic and the weather happened to be beautiful, so we had more options than we needed. The extra, alternative indoor options would have been very helpful had it rained. Shooting in winter would also have precluded the two outdoor shots, because leafless trees, whether you're outside or seeing them through windows in the background, can really compromise a photo.
For this shoot we also decided against a Hair and Make-up artist because J was confident and comfortable doing her own. Professional Hair and Make-up can be a great addition to the experience and really elevate the results, but it also costs more and takes more time.
After an intense and focused but fun five hours we were done. I sent J a web gallery of proofs with my recommendations. We collaborated on selection of the, in this case, seven winning images. Then keeping in mind, as always, the importance of striking a balance between polished and real/authentic I touched up the selects to my standards and delivered the high res files once they were approved. Now J has a well-rounded set of images she can use as she continues to grow and promote her business.
Not every shoot is going to look the same because no two clients and no two locations are the same. But there's nothing as invigorating and confidence-building as having great looking personalized visuals to support your business and your brand, and a flexible, creative and experienced photographer can help, whatever your circumstances. I look forward to helping you show up.
Please call or e-mail me if you'd like to see the PDF. It'll answer many of your questions.
kathryn@hollinrake.com