Making a Powerful Statement with your Personal Branding Headshots

Personal branding is an ongoing process, and your headshots are a vital part of it. Last month I welcomed 6 women into the studio who are killing it in their businesses for our Limited Headshot Special Day. I hold these sessions once a quarter, and I absolutely LOVE meeting game-changing, dynamic women.

What is the Headshot Special Day?

Headshot Special Sessions are held once a quarter for one day in my Barbados Studio. With limited availability, they are also offered at a special price. If you are on my Newsletter, you get first dibs when the date opens, and this is a huge perk because availabilities go fast, and oftentimes, my newsletter VIP Crew grab the spots up first.

If you aren’t part of my newsletter, you can join HERE. (or be a great friend and share that link with people you know who could really benefit with some updated modern headshots for their businesses!)

Why Should I Book the Headshot Special Day?

Headshot Special Sessions can be the perfect opportunity to update your professional image and showcase your unique personality without taking an entire day off work. These are condensed sessions, and you are usually in and out within an hour and a half.

Ok I’m In. How do I plan for the Headshot Special Sessions?

As a photographer specializing in personal branding for women, I’ve gathered some valuable tips to help you make the most of your Headshot Special experience.

1. Define Your Brand Persona

Before the session, take some time to think about your personal brand. What message do you want your headshot to convey? Whether you aim for confidence, approachability, or creativity, fun, out of the box, cool, or edgy, knowing your brand persona will guide your wardrobe, makeup, expressions and how you’re photographed.

2. Plan Your Wardrobe

Choose outfits that reflect your brand and make you feel confident. Solid colors often work best. Avoid busy patterns or logos (unless it’s part of your brand!) that may distract from your beautiful face! Having said that, we want personality! Consider bringing a few wardrobe options to diversify your looks. We love variety around here.

3. Makeup and Hairstyling

Professional makeup (and hairstyling) make a world of difference in your headshots. We work with a fabulous makeup artist who understands your vision and can enhance your features without making you look overly done. Classic subtlety is the name of the game, right? You can also opt to add on professional hairstyling and we’ll take care of that for you as well.

4. Stay Hydrated and Well-Rested

To look and feel your best, get those z’s and stay hydrated in the days leading up to the session. This will help reduce under-eye circles and promote a healthy, radiant glow!

5. Communicate with Me, your Photographer!

Share your goals and ideas with me before the session! Collaboration is key! Discuss any specific shots or styles you have in mind. How do you want to be seen? Funny, serious, happy, more artsy, edgy, or traditional? A collaborative approach ensures you get the results you desire, and I love the creativity that comes from my clients. We’re in this together!

6. Gather some Inspo, and don’t be scared to try some looks out in the mirror!

Listen, I know this sounds hella weird, but practice does make perfect. Remember, I’ve got you. I’ve done this a thousand times, and I know how to get my clients in a very comfortable place so they don’t feel awkward or “posed”. However, if you are roaming around on Pinterest and see an expression you love, try it out before our session! Ain’t no judgment here! I do it all the time.

7. Relax and Breathe

Remember what I said above. I’ve got you. You really just have to show up and we’ll take care of the rest. During the session, it’s normal to feel a bit nervous. I actually love nerves! It means you care. Take deep breaths, relax your shoulders, and lean into the process. You will rock it, I promise.

8. Black and White, or Color?

There’s no secret – I’m a black and white photographer for life. However, I rely on you to tell me which suits your brand best – color or back and white. Having said that, I am seeing a trend where business owners are throwing out the traditional color photos and opting for more modern and edgy black and white images of themselves, but the choice here is yours! You get to decide. Color, or black and white? I know my answer!

9. Bring Props (if that works with your brand)

Props can add personality and depth to your headshots. I love when clients bring something unique to their shoot because it adds a layer of something distinctive and sometimes quirky to the images! I love this! Think about items that relate to your brand, profession, or your personality. Afterall, you want likeminded folks to connect with you, right?

10. Review and Select

After the session, we’ll review the proofs. Narrow down your favorites and consider how you’ll use them across your personal branding materials, such as your website, social media profiles, and business cards. You can opt to add on images for website or facebook banners, social media sized images (please please please don’t do in app square or portrait cropping of your photos! Let me handle that for you!)

Finally..

Remember, personal branding is an ongoing process, and your headshots are a vital part of it. It’s been proven that the more you show your face and personality to your potential clients, the more the right clients with connect with you. And these images need to be refreshed, and often.

Bonus Tip: Did you know that if you have a business Instagram account, it can be taken down without notice? And! If your account IS taken down, and the IG Gods look at your feed and don’t see photos that clearly show your face (i.e. your face takes up most of the photo real estate), they can say that you can’t prove the account is yours.) Not. Cool. If you look at my Instagram Account, I *aim* to have about every 6th image be with me in it. (differernt

Be sure to have loads of professional images of yourself on your instagram so that you can constantly update your look!

See you at our next Headshot Special Day!

Aniya, xo