People always ask me what personal branding photography is. I can tell you it's a type of photography that's often overlooked, but it's critical if you want to leave a lasting impression on potential clients, customers, or employers. Consider it a "first impression" in visual form. Take the following scenario: you're browsing LinkedIn and come across someone's profile; what's the first thing you do? You look at their profile photo! If it's a selfie with them drinking and holding their cat, you're probably not going to take them very seriously as a professional.

As an expert in personal branding photography, I can tell you that taking a simple headshot isn't enough. It's about telling a visual story to the world about who you are and what you stand for. In a single image, a good personal branding photograph should convey your personality, values, and professional capabilities. The image should be intriguing, engaging, and representative of your distinct brand.

You may not be a professional model, but with the right photographer, you sure can look like one! The right photographer will spend time learning about your company and what you want to convey through your images. They'll then assist you in developing a series of photos that accurately reflect your personal brand and capture your unique personality. Trust me when I say that a good personal branding photographer will work their magic to make sure you don't look like a weird cat lover in your profile photo.

Why it's critical to prepare for your personal branding photography session

It is critical to be prepared and know what you want to achieve when working with a personal branding photographer. Think about your personal brand, the message you want to convey, and the goals you want to achieve with your photos before your photo session. Consider the image you want to create and the message you want to send. This'll assist you in clearly stating your objectives to your photographer and ensuring that the final images accurately reflect your personal brand.

But don't worry, a great photographer won't make you do boring poses; instead, they'll make sure you have a great time so you feel comfortable during your photo session. For example, if you're a fitness trainer, take a photo of yourself doing a push-up with a weight on your back (while avoiding dropping the weight on your face, safety first!) Alternatively, if you're a comedian, make sure to capture an image of you with your contagious laugh or odd expression.

Finally, personal branding photography should not be taken lightly. You can create a visual representation of your personal brand that accurately reflects who you are and what you stand for by working with a professional photographer. So, go ahead and change your profile photo to something other than a selfie with a cat. Believe me, your personal brand will thank you for it!