Personal Branding
If the idea of having your photos done makes you anxious, this one is for you…
A quick reminder: planning is super important. Knowing what to expect and what to do can help calm your nerves and make you feel more at ease.
Steal Ioana’s Tips & Tricks
1. Mindset
Being vulnerable and showing up for yourself in your work, whether in photography or any other creative endeavor, can be a transformative and powerful experience. It's essential to understand that perfection is often an illusion, especially in art and photography. The energy and emotion you infuse into the image can often create more compelling and meaningful results than a picture-perfect pose.
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It's important to feel confident in your outfit, but it's equally important to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your worth and the unique qualities that make you beautiful inside and out.
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When you're having fun, your facial expressions and body language tend to be more relaxed and genuine. This authenticity can lead to more natural photographs that your clients/audience will love.
2. Do Your Homework
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Use it to discover new and creative ideas for your photo shoot. By browsing through pins and boards, you can gather inspiration for poses, compositions, color schemes, and themes that you might want to incorporate into your shoot.
You can show your board to the photographer you’ll be working with so that he/she can have a clear vision.
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Save your favorite photos from creators and send them to your photographer. You can also look at engagement and comments to analyze some feedback.
PRO TIP: don’t choose only influencers that have studied poses and an entire team behind them. Choose real people that inspire you.
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Nowadays, most photographers have an online presence and you can easily find the one that suits your needs. If you are looking for great personal brand photography, it is important to choose someone who specializes in photographing people rather than food or other subjects. Such a photographer will know how to create stunning compositions with people.
Don’t forget to read reviews about him/her.
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Having a team that understands your vision is suuuper important. There are specific DOs and DONTs to consider when it comes to personal brand photography, which differs from fashion/creative photography. It's essential to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
If you’re in need of a great make-up artist who understands the power of natural beauty, our friend Loredana can help you.
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Unless you’re doing creative photography & you need tons of props and outfits, you don’t need to hire a stylist. A specialized photographer can give you tips and tricks about what looks best in front of the camera.
If you insist on hiring a stylist, choose one who can offer recommendations tailored to your style, rather than someone who completely changes it.
3. Don’t make drastic changes before your photo shoot!
If you're thinking about getting a new haircut, hair color, or permanent makeup before your photo shoot, it's important to remember that the results can sometimes be unpredictable. You might not end up with precisely what you had in mind, and the post-processing apps are not that magical (no matter how much AI is involved).
If you still want to make some changes, do them at least one month before.
4. Set a GOAL
When it comes to your photos, what is it that you want to do with them? Maybe you want to showcase them on social media, use them on your website, include them in printed materials, or feature them on your physical album just for YOU. Whatever your goal, it's important to remember that you'll need different sizes and orientations depending on how you plan to use them.
5. What to wear etiquette
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For a 2-hour photo shoot, bring up to 4 outfits that complement your style and the shoot's theme. While changing outfits can add variety to your photos, it's essential to remember that frequent changes can be exhausting. Therefore, choosing a few versatile outfits that can be easily styled in different ways is recommended.
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If you don’t feel FAB in the outfits you or your stylist chose… donate them or something. If you wear a pair of too-tight jeans or a shirt that feels like a corset, it will show in photographs because it will make you uncomfortable.
Opt for something you would wear in real life to a special occasion (it doesn't have to be formal).
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Solid colors are your best friend. They show up great in photos (be careful when it comes to neon colors because they can be very uneasy on the eyes).
Neutral colors are a fantastic option. Or a combo of black and white.
When it comes to prints & patterns, if you muuust use them, make sure they’re in a neutral color & don’t distract the viewer.
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Take your statement necklace, or the ring your grandmother gave you - every little piece of jewelry can tell a unique story.
Hats are nice to have but can look funny. At the same time, sunglasses are generally a no-no.
FOR PERSONAL BRAND PHOTOS. Props: a laptop, favorite book or mug, polaroids, a planner, a fork - the world is your oyster. Bring the things that you love the most and that look on brand.
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In personal brand photography, most photos are shot in a portrait format, so your feet won’t be visible.
As a general rule, bring shoes that feel comfortable, and that will feel like you.
The idea of “fake it till you make it“ doesn't work when your shoes are uncomfortable.
6. Posing Tips
6. Posing Tips
When it comes to posing, it's important to consider the type of photo session. We've previously covered this topic, which you can see in the dedicated guide.
7. Location
Don’t know where to have your photos taken and what location will be more suitable for your needs? Let’s take a look at the list below:
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Studios offer controlled lighting, temperature, and background settings, ensuring consistent and professional-looking photographs. This control allows you to create a specific mood or atmosphere that aligns with your personal brand.
Studio photography with solid backdrop colors is an excellent choice for your website.
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Your home, an office, a particular cafe you like, a content creation space - every space can be used as a “background.”
The trick here is to choose a space with plenty of natural light and an aesthetic that suits your brand.
This type of photography can often feel more natural & authentic and is excellent for social media.
keep it bubbly
Leave your car at home.
Leave your worries at home.