On this weeks show I was joined by Michelle Richards, branding and headshot photographer here in South London and this week we talk about using photography as part of your business marketing. As a follow up to the show, I invitied Michelle to share some thoughts and tips in a blog post about this subject and boy does she deliver:

Michelle Writes:

Branding and Headshot Photography

Did you know that a LinkedIn profile with a photo is 14 times more likely to be seen than one without? People form opinions within a split second, so that first impression really does count!

Your headshot is often the first contact people have with you. A high-quality photograph shows them that you are serious about what you do and it can set you apart from your competitors in a crowded market. It gives you credibility.

Ditch The Selfie

How do you feel about your current profile photo? Do you love it? Are you proud of it? Do you cringe when someone connects with you in-case they notice your photo taken on holiday 10 years ago? (you really don’t look like that anymore!)

A low quality photo puts people off. If you want likely clients to take you seriously it’s truly worth investing in a professional headshot photographer. Skillful headshot photographers are experts in lighting and posing as well as professional editing methods to make sure you look your best self!

Appropriate Headshot Photography

A headshot doesn’t have to be a formal shot against a white backdrop – it just needs to be appropriate to your industry. If you’re a yoga teacher would your future clients expect to see you in a suit?

A quick search on the internet or Pinterest will show headshots with a variety of backgrounds and poses and hopefully give you some food for thought for yours.

Your headshot should look like YOU, so that when a potential client meets you for the first time they recognise you and there are no surprises!

But there’s more to using photography to promote your business than your headshot. We live in a visual world where websites, social media posts and blogs are all competing for a bit of the audience’s attention. This is where good photography can really help you.

A social media post with a photograph is more eye-catching and is more likely to grab someone’s attention. But more than this, photography that is unique to your business helps build trust. It can tell your story and help your potential clients connect with you.

Where do I Start With Branding Photography

Branding photography is more than just your headshot. It’s a set of professional images that represent your business visually. As well as showcasing your services and helping to create brand consistency, they can help you engage with your audience and show them what makes your business unique. This is where stock photos won’t cut it.

I often have small business owners contact me to book a headshot photoshoot, but once we get into the nitty gritty of how and where they plan to use their headshot it turns out that they actually need a lot more:

“A headshot plus a longer length, more relaxed photo for the About Me page on my website. Perhaps a few photos of me chatting with clients or at my desk? Oh and definitely one in the garden because I want people to know that I love the outdoors, and maybe one or two shots of my products? “

This is branding photography! All the things that show your clients who you are and what makes your business unique.

Preparing for your Headshot Photography

Before you rush ahead and book a photo shoot with your nearest photographer, it’s a good idea to do some preparation. You should check their portfolio as photographers can have very different styles. (there’s more help on choosing a photographer in this article: https://michellerichards.co.uk/how-to-choose-a-headshot-photographer/)

Focus on your ideal client and what would engage them. Consider how your photos will fit with your brand – things like use of colour, tones, props etc. (your photographer should be able to help with this). And finally think about how and where you intend to use your photos – here are some suggestions:

• Your website (Home page, About Me page, Contact, Services etc.)
• Social media posts
• Facebook and LinkedIn banners
• Blog posts
• Marketing materials / free downloads / flyers (you’ll need high quality photos for printed materials)
• Newsletters
• Business cards
• Exhibition banners
• Talks and slide show presentations

All of the above give you the opportunity to show people your face and personality as well as your products and services, so make the most of them! Use your photos everywhere to create brand consistency across your online presence, but also to help people recognise you, and more importantly REMEMBER you.

You can find out more about Michelle Richards and her Headshot Photography services and the links to her social media pages here on our Show Guests page.