When a client books a personal branding shoot with me, the first thing I send them is a detailed questionnaire and a comprehensive preparation guide. And while at first it might seem like a lot to think about, this planning and preparation is essential for creating a result you will be proud to use.

Photography is one of the most powerful tools in your brand’s arsenal because it is a quick way to send a clear message about who you are and what you do. So, before you step in front of the camera, it helps to get super clear about your brand, your values, and what you want to convey via your website, social media, and other visual marketing channels.

Here are some of the questions I ask my clients to consider before our shoots:

• What are some words that describe your brand?
• Who is your ideal client, and what problem do you solve for them?
• What is your big goal for the next 12 months?
• What are some ‘must have’ shots for our session together?

It also helps to spend some time thinking about what you’ll wear, and the setting and props you’d like to use for your shoot.

If you can’t answer all of these questions, don’t panic. And don’t let that be an excuse not to book a personal branding shoot! Together we can tease out the right shots and ideas for you and your brand.

Today, I want to spotlight a couple of recent shoots that showcase how well everything comes together when the client has clarity around their brand and what they want to create with their imagery.

First, meet Vanessa from Halo Selection, who advocates for future leaders in real estate and connects them with tailored business solutions to create their version of success. After working in the industry for more than a decade, Vanessa knew exactly who her ideal client is and how she wants to connect with them. Vanessa’s brand is warm, professional, and genuine, and she wanted to capture the joy she gets from helping her clients to achieve great things.

Similarly, Amanda at Hands on Heads was very clear about her business’s mission to help upper primary teachers strengthen their literacy practice to impact learning and engagement. Amanda does this by offering coaching, mentoring and consulting to upper primary teachers and school leaders, and wanted her images to convey her experience in teaching and leadership. Plus, through the use of well-thought out props (hello post-it notes!) Amanda immediately conveys her style in a way that educators will recognise and connect with.

I love how both of these women considered how they would use their photos before we started shooting, and have used them to create websites and an online presence that connects with clarity about who they are and how they can support you. I definitely recommend you click through and check out their new websites!

If you’re ready to freshen up your personal branding to ensure it supports and accurately conveys your brand, I would love to support you with a Mini Branding Shoot. Click here to learn more and find upcoming session dates.