Branding Session vs basic Headshots

We decided to try our hands at a branding session for each other. As you may know winter is a slow time for our businesses, and after the crush of the Fall and holidays we aren’t complaining. One of the highlights of winter is getting to spend some time focusing on our businesses and learning new things. Danielle and I attended the Lens and Light Conference in Mystic CT at the end of February. If you are a photographer please please consider attending this intimate amazing conference. We always come home so inspired. This year we had the pleasure of meeting and learning from Samantha Annett Photography. She was talking about luxury headshots and branding sessions. That session was so wonderful and really got us thinking. We absolutely offer headshots- to be honest they take about 25 minutes- we drop down a few basic backdrops- black and grey- sometimes use our brick wall and then send you on your way. But what if?…. what if we upped our game and offered full branding sessions? What if we leveled up and offered hair and make up? What if we really worked with you to offer you so many more poses and options? What would that look like? How would that feel?

Yes everyone needs a basic headshot- you know for LinkedIn or the company website. But so many people really need more than that. You need pictures that really express your personality and your brand. Admit it… you have looked at a picture on a website and thought- ummm nope, not calling that person. True story: at the conference we were excited to go a session with a man that is a high end senior photography in Detroit. But his headshot was so severe and unfriendly- then we met him! I tell you he was so funny and personable and friendly. When I called him out on his headshot he admitted it was from when he was running for a local government position. Here is your lesson: no way one picture will cover all your needs, especially if you are a small business owner.

Not wanting to let inspiration pass us by- we decided to put ourselves through the process of a branding session. We are well aware we need pictures on our sites, on our social media, and when I tell you there is no worse subject than a photographer- believe me! We found a make up artist we liked and a hair person we trusted. Our friend Alison from Alison Marie Photography decided to join us on this adventure as well. The three of us went shopping together. Our focus in shopping was we really wanted to go outside the box and force ourselves to grab outfits with a pop of color- knowing we would use it with our backdrop paper as well. With the date set and our homework done, we took a deep breath. We knew we would not be 100% comfortable. For me, Deb, I NEVER wear make up- really truly, not even mascara. We are each awkward in the front of the camera in our own way (this is why we are so good with you- cause we KNOW how tough it can be)

We all three arrived at the studio fresh faced and ready to go. I am going to be honest, this is what I will look like when I arrive at a session!

We sat down for hair and make up

Then we were ready to go! I am going to break this down per person- I want you to see how many different shots we got of each of us. And I will take a deep breath and share my pictures first. The one thing I knew was I had to incorporate purple somehow. Purple is ME! It is my favorite color and it plays a role in my business logo. It is bright and fun- and that is my brand! I really needed these pictures to convey all of that. Hire me!! I am so fun!! You will see many pics from this set on my social over the next few months- and on my website.

Yellow is not my favorite color… at all… but decided to push myself and try some pictures with it.

I feel like I have a lot of pictures on grey and black so didn’t really grab too many there- or maybe… I was having too much fun behind the camera at that point.

Next up is Danielle. As you all know Danielle and I work very closely together. She is bright and funny and always has a smile- and her laugh is one of my favorite things. I was determined to try to capture a picture of her laughing- that was flattering. Not sure we succeeded but please know that is my mission. We found a wonderful colorful dress and even pulled out the fan for that one!

As many of you may know Danielle shoots a lot of weddings. Have you been to an event recently where the people working the event just aren’t dressed professionally? You know t-shirts, ripped jeans. It was important that we showcase what you get when you hire Danielle so she put on her “wedding dress”, as in the dress she wears most often to shoot weddings. You’d be thrilled if all your vendors looked this great right?

And since we do spend time crawling on the ground after little kids it is important that people know- she can be casual too! (look almost a laughing picture)

Last but not least Alison! Alison is definitely a big fan of shooting elopements and if you ask her to hike a few miles to get there all the better! But it was important that people know that is not all there is- she can clean up pretty nice if needed!

Alison is also a wedding photographer, so for the same reason it is important to show we know how to dress for your event! Professional and comfortable, fabulous combination.

And then it was important that she looks like you will see her at a shoot! Casual and laughing (she is going to kill me for including that laughing picture, but sorry Alison that is what we are usually doing when we are spending time together).

What did we learn? It isn’t easy to put yourself out there- especially out of your comfort zone. But we are really happy with these images showcasing many different sides and definitely our personalities.

We would like to offer this complete branding session to you as well. We are going to be offering just a few at a very discounted rate- you interested? Please reach out here or to either Danielle or myself!