The 3 images you must have for your website
When you invest in a personal brand session it is important to do your homework before hand. I walk each of my clients through the process before they even show up to my studio.
One of the big questions I ask is: Where/How will the images be used? When my client mentions that it will go on their website I know that there are 3 important ones that will go on my shoot list.
The Modern Headshot
A life coach poses for a modern head shot at her personal brand photo shoot in Greensboro NC.
No more stuffy, boring headshots in 2025! Your modern headshot should be an authentic reflection of you. It should be professional but approachable.
Jaime, a small business owner, poses for her modern head shot at her personal brand shoot in Greensboro NC.
I know how to guide, direct and pose women to help them feel their best in front of the camera.
2. You at work.
The whole purpose of a personal brand shoot is to give your ideal client a sense of what it will be like to work with you. It shows what they can expect. Images that show you in your element will help clients feel at ease.
Missy poses for her personal brand photoshoot in Greensboro NC
If you are a fitness instructor, we will show how you work with your clients. If you are a private chef, we will show you in your sacred space, the kitchen. The list goes on. And believe it or not, it will actually be fun.
3. You when you are not working…
I know it sounds crazy but what are you like when you are off the clock? What do you do in your down time? Show that! It makes you so relatable and so approachable. Let’s capture that.
Erica poses for her personal brand shoot in Greensboro NC
Overwhelmed? Don’t know where to start?
Call me and let me walk you through a strategy.
What to wear for your brand shoot {Greensboro Personal Brand Photographer}
The outfits that you wear for your session are important. A tailored suit gives off the professional vibe while a casual blouse and slacks gives a feeling of being approachable
Here are a few tips to help you get your wardrobe ideas flowing:
Solid colors are best. Tiny patterns look distorted in the image and are hard to retouch.
Stay away from solid red or solid green. They can throw off the color of your skin.
Loose fitting items are not as flattering as items that are more fitted.
Select items that you feel amazing in. They will help you look amazing.
Need more info or ready to book a session?
Click below…
Three reasons you need a Brand Photo Shoot pronto!
Listen. As a small business owner I know that time is money so I’m going to cut to the chase:
You need a Brand Photoshoot for your business PRONTO! I have seen too many small business owners who are still using iPhone photos, stock photos or who are not marketing because they have no photos.
I know that you are going to protest, make excuses or just live in denial. But here is the thing, as a fellow small business owner, I want to see you succeed! I want your phone to ring off the hook, I want your inbox to be full of emails that begin with “You are so amazing!” I want you to be so successful that it is time to think about hiring someone to help you run that beautiful business of yours. I wish that for you because I wish that for my own business.
So let me plead my case on why you NEED a Brand Shoot, like ASAP!
1. The right Brand Shoot makes you look professional. There is no other way to say it: if you are still using your iPhone to take photos for your business, it looks like you are using iPhone photos for your business. And while that might save you money right now, it is actually costing you big time in the long run.
Your perfect client is looking for a brand that they can know, like and trust. They will not connect to a stock photo. But gorgeous curated images of you doing what you love, in the space you have created will stop them in their tracks (or scroll).
A Brand Shoot is an investment but you will make it back 10 fold when the right client who values what you do lands on your IG or website.
A Brand shoot with me will take one MAJOR thing off your business plate. We all know we need to market on the major social media platforms AND have a killer website AND have a thriving email list but so many entrepreneurs I have talked to get stuck on 2 main things: what to write and not having the right image to go with the post.
When you have a Personalized Brand shot with me we will plan the entire shoot to fit your marketing for the next few months. We will talk about any sales, workshops, events, etc. that you have coming up and then we will create a bank of images for you to have at your finger tips.
Did you know the social media images should be a certain file size? Did you know there is one color that grabs the attention of your audience and stops their scrolling more than any other? Did you know that if you rename the image file to certain words it will improve where you show up on the Google search results? All of this and more will be on the agenda of our planning session and post shoot session.
A Brand Shoot with me will help you feel more confident. I know that is a big statement but I believe with my whole heart it is true. Not only will I have a Hair and Make-up Artist on site to help you feel your best, but I will pose you and direct you every step of the way. No more awkward Barbie hands. You will feel amazing and like the boss you truly are.
I invite you to a chat with me to see how I can help you create the business of your dreams. I am cheering for you, sister!
Restoration Massage-Greensboro Brand Photography
It has been an idea in her head for awhile now.
Opening her own small business was a huge leap of faith and Kelly did a beautiful swan dive right into the middle of it.
She knew that the type of business she wanted was different than most massage clinics. She wanted to focus on therapeutic massage. This is perfect for those with injuries, muscle soreness, spasms, etc.
This means that her brand and images MUST convey that message across her website and social media.
When she contacted me about a personal brand photo shoot, we got really specific on who her ideal client is, why they are coming in and what do they need to know about the experience.
My client questionnaire is a way for me to understand my client’s needs, niche and message.
We set up the shoot and recruited models that are similar to her ideal client. Then, Kelly did her exact client experience while I took a bajiliion photos. We want to show her clients what it is like to work with Kelly and how they will feel during the experience.
SHOW YOUR WORK (Get it!)
Enjoy!
If you are in the Cary or Clayton area, go see Kelly!! She is incredible!
Kelly now has a folder full of images to use on her website, social media, email campaigns, etc. Her content is set for a good long while.
Are you ready to have images that show off your business? Click below!
The 90's called. They want their headshots back
My top 3 modern headshots you need ASAP!
Headshot relics of the past
Long Long ago, headshots were super boring and super stuffy. Thank goodness they have finally come out of the dark ages.
Small business owners today actually have the upper hand when it comes to the images they post online. Your ideal client wants to know who they are actually working with. They want to see your personality and see what you are all about.
So I am going to share my top 3 modern headshots you need ASAP!
#1 - Traditional - ok, I know what I said above, but there are sometimes when you need a traditional, professional headshot, but I stand by my statement that they don’t have to be boring or too stuffy. One way you can shake things up is with your wardrobe. Use colors, wear beautiful jewelry. Let the real you shine through. These headshots are great for your profile picture on LinkedIn.
#2 - You at work - It is possible to say a lot about yourself in one image (you know they whole “a picture is worth a thousand words”). One way to do that is to show what you do as your profile pic. It can be an image of you in your work space, you with your product, or you being you! BE CREATIVE!
These headshots are great for your Facebook profile or banner, your website’s About Me page, on your email header, etc.
#3 - Personality - I think one of the best modern headshots is when your personality shines through. Of course, these wouldn’t work on Linkedin but they show your ideal client who you are and what you are all about. These should be fun, lighthearted, and plays to your brand. These would work great on Facebook, Instagram, your website, your emails, etc.
Your online presence is vital in attracting the right client. Today’s consumer is doing their homework before making buying decisions. The right modern headshot will let them know, instantly, they came to the right place; you are the best choice.
Updating your head shot shouldn’t cause you stress. You need someone to guide you through the process. I am ready to help.
Ready to plan a customized personal brand shoot for your business?
Let’s chat!
Wednesday Top 3 - Elevator Pitch
Every business should have an elevator pitch. Today’s top 3 will help you create one for your small business.
Today’s Top 3 is all about the Elevator Pitch.
Every business should have one. It is a sixty second synopsis of your business that you could present at any time to anyone. An Elevator Pitch is essential to perfect. At networking events it is a lifeline to talking with other business owners.
In my opinion, your Elevator Pitch should have three basic parts:
Acknowledge your ideal clients
Who exactly do you serve in your business: entrepreneurs, first time moms, stressed out teachers, empty nesters, creative business owners, etc. It is important to declare your niche and who it is you serve.
List what you can do to help your ideal client
What is your superpower for your ideal client? Do you create on brand images for small business owners? Relieve stress with a full therapeutic massage? Help couples style their homes to get top dollar in offers? This is your chance to toot your own horn about what you excel in.
Tell why you are the best person for the job
Now is the time to be bold. Do you have the right experience? Do you have the right knowledge for the job? Have you been doing this forever? What do your former clients say? ETC. This is not the time to be timid. You are an amazing business owner and this is your chance to put yourself above the crowd.
EXAMPLE: I am a brand photographer who helps fellow entrepreneurs create on brand images they can use for all their marketing needs. With my knowledge of social media marketing, I can save them time and money.
So, let’s hear your elevator pitch. Write it out in the comments. Practice, Practice, Practice
Every Wednesday...
My Top 3 websites my business can’t survive without.
So I have an idea I want to implement.
Every Wednesday I want to share my top 3 lists right here on my blog. The topics will be everything from small business stuff, books, websites, do’s and don’ts, etc.
I would love to hear your ideas on what to post about.
So let’s start things off with…
Top 3 websites my small business can’t live without.
Keywords Everywhere - Once you fall down the rabbit hole of SEOs you quickly learn that there is a lot of research you need to do from the start. Keyword search info is a MUST! This site shows you how to research the terms and phrases your ideal client is using to search Google. If you are new to this it may sound like no big deal (That used to be me.) Knowing key words will help you plant them strategically throughout your website so you can get to the top of Google Search. You know the old joke right? Where is the best place to hide a dead body where no one will find it? Page 2 of a Google search. Don’t be that guy.
2. PicMonkey - I know that lots of people love Canva for their graphic designs. I like them just fine, but I have used PicMonkey for YEARS. I have been with them ever since they were named Picnik. They have easy to use templates for IG, Youtube, etc. You can edit photos. You can find your true love…Just kidding!
3. Animoto - If I could shout this one from the roof tops, I would!! You MUST have video in your marketing. All of the social media platforms “reward” accounts that use it (especially IG - stories, reels, etc.) Animoto helps you to create amazing videos. Can you click and drag a picture or video, then you can use Animoto. All of the videos on my Youtube channel are made from this website. It is user friendly, amazing content and the music selection is the best part.
So there are 3 of my must have websites I use for my business. What about you? What website do you have bookmarked? Leave them in the comments below.
I just couldn’t help myself…Here is #4
Fiverr - Need a logo? Need a website? Need a photo retoucher? Need someone to write a press release for you? This is the site for you. You can choose sellers based on experience, price, and skill level. I will warn you. If you pay someone $5 to edit a portrait, you get what you pay for. See examples HERE.
One of these things is not like the other.
You have that song stuck in your head now don’t you?
Sorry.
These images look like they don’t belong on my page. But they do. I was hired recently to photograph Choose Tire and Automotive for Kernersville Magazine.
I learned some valuable lessons:
1) Grown mean who work in a auto shop DO NOT like to have their picture taken.
2) Grown men who work in an auto shop are HARD to photograph. They don’t want to be there. They don’t know how to act. They don’t know what to do with their hands.
3) These were the nicest guys in Kernersville. They were nice and the let me take their picture. It took some convincing.
So here are the images from the January Kernersville magazine. It was an honor to be included.
Writer's Block
When Audra and I spoke about her personal brand shoot, I knew exactly what we needed to focus on. She is an amazing writer and often writes about her faith, her family and herself. We talked about wardrobe, props, etc. And when I walked into her beautiful home and saw all of the gorgeous light I knew this would be special.
We captured her writing, the space she writes in, and threw in a head shot or two.
The result: a bank of images she could use for her social media, website, and any promotional work.
That is a must for any business owner on social media. You want images that capture you and your business and show people what it is you are truly good at.
Angie - {Greensboro Personal Branding}
Here is the thing about Angie’s profession: she has to connect to her clients. Period. End of sentence.
As a Doula she is with her clients on one of the most important days of their lives. But the connection starts WAY before then. She meets with her clients several times to discuss their needs, their desires for a birth plan, their fears, their dreams. She coaches them, encourages them, guides them long before their sweet babies make their grand entrance.
Angie came to me when it was time to update her website, Facebook profile, and Instagram profile. She wanted to convey the right message to potential clients, to show them what she can do. In other words she wanted to connect with them before ever meeting them. So we set up a Personal Branding session. We did new Headshots in my studio. A few days later I was in the room documenting a meeting with her clients. I could barely remember to take pictures because I was so engrossed in what she was teaching them.
We made some magic.
