Watch this Episode about how to use Self branding through Photography
In this episode, I’m looking at one of my favourite sayings by Aristotle and that is…
“Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man.”
I’m looking at this today to help us think about how to convey self-branding through photography and how you can go about conveying top-notch self-branding in photography of you in your business journey.
Let’s do it!
Fancy a chat to find out more? Book a call now.
That Magnetic Effect
If you’ve ever wondered how some people seem to magnetically attract their ideal audience and grow their business with ease but haven’t quite achieved the same results yourself, then by the end of this episode you will know exactly how to self-brand yourself, your business and then your photography.
How I Can Help
One of my favourite things about creating Brand Photography is explaining who people are without using words. I’ve proven this with ambitious entrepreneurs in many different industries. Maybe you’re next? (wink wink)
Seek Out The Truth
You’ve got to know yourself before you can convey self-branding through photography.
You’ve got to be able to feel comfortable about opening up about your true self with your photographer when you meet them and then move into your photo shoot plans. They’ll be making judgements about who you are like anyone who meets you does, but they’ll be investigating HOW they will convey that through their photographic medium.
And be Vulnerable
So the more open you are at the planning stages, the more creative fuel you will give them.
Don’t Forget
It’s worthwhile noting that this element of perception and then photographic articulation happens regardless of whether you are involved in this process or not. If you have a clear-cut narrative that you want to bake into the photography, when you don’t work with a photographer to do this, they will just go ahead and fill in the gaps automatically. This is why I’m such a stickler for pre-shoot consulting ESPECIALLY when its about building your Personal Brand.
It’s Rarely Literal (So Don’t Worry)
I need to say that even though you may share something deep with your photographer, it doesn’t mean that it WILL HAVE to be included in a photograph. Explaining the ‘warts and all’ of your business plan and strategy in this planning consulting stage will not end up showing up in the final photography.
It’s never literal!
Being Authentic
When it comes to being authentic its about actively keeping your self-branding in line with all of your actions is key. Here’s what I mean:
Gary V
People who love Gary V love his salty rants and that he has been authentic about his working experiences of finding success through gritty hustle.
(PEOPLE HATE THIS TOO)
Beyonce
People who love Beyonce love how she has kept her home life off-limits and then addressed her personal life only through her art.
(PEOPLE HATE THIS TOO)
Self branding through Photography: A Personal Example
This has worked well for me too.
At the beginning of working for myself I was incredibly focused on having the world think I was a real professional photographer, the Imposter Syndrome was palpable. I let myself go. I didn’t eat right, I didn’t sleep right, I dressed in shapeless cheap clothes, and I didn’t put that much effort into the way I looked.
Self-Reflection
Then I was involved in a TFP* Collab shoot where a makeup artist came to set looking like a dog’s dinner. Her leggings were worn out and had gone a bit see-through, her hair was all greasy and she had ZERO makeup on.
*Time for Print: Where everyone involved doesn’t get paid. You all do it for the folio photo.
And A Lightbulb Moment
I came away from that shoot feeling furious that she had really let my professional reputation down. I was really embarrassed and I was truly seething about this.
Then I got to thinking about WHY I was so annoyed about this, and really it was because I was angry at myself and my own appearance. I was projecting all of that onto how she showed up.
As I niched my business focus down, I also began doing a lot of work on myself inside and out, I began dressing more vintage when I was at work and being more of the real me.
Authenticity
That included the odd swear word, sharing my wide tastes in music, and being my naturally bossy and forthright self when clients asked me for my opinion. Sharing my own experiences with anxiety and depression as an entrepreneur.
And over time, I noticed that I was gradually more memorable. People would start coming up to me and beginning conversations with “Oh! I’ve seen you around” or “I’ve heard of you Laura, pleased to meet you” and “I know who you are”.
The Flipside & Repelling
Sure, it’s repelled people too. But in the majority of cases I’ve found that the clients I book now are a delight to work with, I don’t seem to have communication issues with them, they don’t complain about the weirdest of things, and they trust me and respect the advice I give.
A Quick Addition on Authenticity…
Remember that being the authentic real you is NOT about sharing what you eat for every meal, airing your dirty relationship drama on social, or going into detail about that weird allergy you have.
It’s NEVER about over-sharing.
It’s always about carefully curated sharing. Sharing that is certainly strategic but sharing that is 100% honest.
