Victorville Branding and Headshot Photo Style Guide
Branding and headshot photo guide, by Annette Marie Photography.
Congratulations! You recently opened a new business— everything is legal and ready to go.
Or… maybe you just need a few updated photos for your existing business.
Either way, you need professional photos for your website and social media.
This is a simple guide to help entrepreneurs prepare for their upcoming branding photo sessions.
And, spoiler alert, you don’t need “just one headshot.”
Branding photos tell more of your story. They give viewers a sneak peek.
I break it down so you can stop overthinking, and get excited about showing off your business.
I walk you through step-by-step what a branding session will look like. And, what the difference between headshots and branding photos are.
A mix of branding photos and headshots is usually what everyone is after— they just don’t know it.
What is the difference between the two?
Branding Photos:
Tell more of your story
They showcase you in your business
Share exciting details with your viewers
What you do. Where you do it. How you do your thing.
Show off your unique personality
Use the images for social media and your website
Give your clients and audience a behind-the-scenes look
Fun and exciting
Examples:Laughing into your coffee cup, typing on your laptop, sitting at your desk, rolling out bread dough, performing a facial or massage, and the like.
Headshots:
Mid chest up, photo
These are of your face and shoulders only
Think of your school portrait for the yearbook
Great for business cards, Realtor signs, employees that work at your company, etc.
Impersonal and formal
Call me!
Phone Consultation
We’ll start with a quick phone call— You will share your goals and desires.
Depending on your type of business, we discuss indoor vs. outdoor photos— An office setting or a beautiful park. You may want one or both.
What and where do you want your photos taken:
Crocheting a beanie while sitting in a cozy chair.
Fitting a gorgeous sequin gown on a client, in your shop.
Shaking hands with a family you just sold a home to.
Giving a facial to your client—With cucumbers on their eyes.
Washing a client’s hair in the shampoo bowl.
This is going to be a very personalized session, so the phone call is important. We also decide together, if we’re a good fit for one another. I want to get a feel for you and your business. And, you should get a feel for me, the photographer.
What do you want out of your session? Do you want to convey your bubbly personality, or do you want to the images to convey a more serious and professional side?
You are your brand.
You want to incorprate who you are as a person, into your business— That’s what makes people want to buy from you.
“People don’t want to buy WHAT you sell. They want to buy WHY you sell it.”
Start with Your Brand Colors
This is the easy part— Choose clothing and accesories that are professional, yet comfortable.
If you wear heels every day, wear your favorite pair of red bottoms. If you don’t—Opt for your pair of Converse instead.
I suggest wearing colors that align with your brand. Choose clothing that fits your body. Baggy clothing isn’t flattering in photos.
*Example: I often wear yellow tops because it aligns with my website and branding colors.
If your vibe is sad-beige mom, by all means, wear 40 different shades of beige. On the flip side— If your style is eccentric preschool teacher, then wear all the loud colors and the big polka dot pair of pants!
Rules are meant to be followed, and broken— I’m all about breaking out of the norm for branding photos.
If you’re a mobile massage therapist— Pink and black color theme, you’ll want to wear some pink and black. You may opt for black scrubs, with a pink long sleeve underneath and pink sparkly earrings!
Keep it simple while showing off who you are!
If you’re wearing something you don’t feel comfortable in, it will show in the photos.
Beautify yourself a little.
Hair & Make-up
These photos showcase you and you want to look your best!!
Hire a stylist for professional hair and makeup if you want.
I suggest wearing a little heavier makeup than your usual everyday look— Think nighttime look.
If you normally don’t wear eyeshadow, wear a matte eyeshadow a couple shades darker than your skin. Add a little extra bronzer, too. Avoid shiny makeup if you can. It can appear wet in photos.
If you don’t normally wear makeup— some mascara, a lip tint, and filling in your eyebrows go a long way! Ask a friend for help if you need to.
For guys, comb your hair extra nicely and use some hairspray or gel to keep your hair in place. Borrow some face powder from your girlfriend to get rid of shiny skin.
Use hand lotion. Most likely, you’ll get photos of your hands and a little lotion will give your hands a nice sheen.
The camera tends to make people look ill or more pale than they are. So, adding extra color will make a huge differene in how your photos turnout.
Studio style or outdoor, or both!
Background and Location Settings
The background helps to tell your story. Whether you want an office setting or the beautiful outdoors, I’ll help your photos look polished and match your brand.
I will arrive early at your office or home to set up/clean the photo spot.
If you want a classic backdrop look, I’ll have it ready for you when you arrive.
Meeting outdoors at a park? I’ll arrive early to scope out a pretty spot for your headshots.
If your home is the desired location for branding images— because you’re a baker, I’ll move things around in your kitchen, and choose the best angles of the room.
We will discuss what works best for you and your business story during the consultation call.
Below are fun examples to get you thinking about your branding photos.
“Paint in the Park” type business— You’ll want images of you at a park, holding paintbrushes and a blank canvas.
An online coach needs images in front of their laptop.
If you have a home-based catering company, you’ll need images of you working inside your kitchen. Rolling out dough, perhaps with flour on your face, laughing. This lets people in and gives them a sneak peek of where you prepare your delicious foods.
Realtors need a photo at your desk, signing papers, and standing next to a SOLD sign.
Travel Nurses would wear scrubs and hold a stethoscope.
A massage therapist leaning on a massage table, holding small rolled-up towels.
Sitting at your laptop, laughing into a cup of coffee, standing next to your building entrance, your hands making something, sitting on the edge of a sofa, etc.
Think of items and areas you use every day.
Detail and close-up photos of products you sell or make are great for social media, as well. Getting images of you in the process of making is wonderful, as well.
If you are nervous about getting photos taken, don’t be. I will guide and pose you throughout the whole session.
If you want to appear serious or more happy, we will create your vision for your brand.
The photos are for you and your business— You want them to come across as natural and authentic.
Hi! I’m you friendly Branding and Headshot photographer!
Choosing Your Final Images
I know you’re excited to see your photos and so am I! After your session, I’ll lightly edit all of your images.
If you have a blemish, it’ll dissapear with my magic wand! I’ll also soften your skin if you want. Have a cat?—I’ll make the fur on your sweater disappear. If there was a trashcan in the background I couldn’t avoid, It’ll get removed.
However, I won’t make you 20 lbs thinner or give you a third arm.
Afterwards, I’ll upload the images to a private gallery and you can choose your favorites:
Collections for headshots and branding— You choose from 5, 10, or 20 images.
Subscriptions— I take photos of you every 2-3 months. This option is ideal for keeping social media updated and if you need new images in your rotation.
I offer payment plans, as well.
After I receive your final payment (if not paying in full), you download the high-resolution images. These images will not have a watermark and you can use them for all your website and social media dreams.
If you’re still unsure how it all works, get in contact with me and I’ll answer any questions you might have.
Let’s share you vision and brand with the world!
Ready to book your High Desert Photography session? Let’s make it happen!
Want a Photography Style Guide, complete with outfit ideas from online shops, I love? Click the link.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading the Victorville Branding and Headshot Photo Style Guide and it has given you much-needed advice on how to prepare for your branding photo session! If you’re still looking for a Victorville Portrait Photographer, click here to see my portfolio of creative photos.
Cheers to you and your business,
Annette
