This is probably the most common question I get asked.
Personal branding includes a couple of things. First, it includes who you are and who you want to be. It also consists of the person that you want to show to the world.
On the inside, think of your personal brand as what you’re becoming, the way you feel, and what you believe about yourself. Then, on the outside, those three things are translated into something visual to show the world your personal brand.
A personal branding photo shoot is all about translating the inner being of your personal self and showing it to the world. In fact, at your planning session, we’ll talk about your inner personal brand and how you want that to translate to what people see. Once we’re done with your photoshoot, your photos will reflect that image.
Do you really need personal branding? Yes, everyone does! Personal branding photography offers you a way to stand out and show who you are and what you believe in.
Well, in case you haven't noticed there are quite a few platforms which cross reference each other and there's no getting around it! If an employer is looking at your LinkedIn Profile, I guarantee they are looking at:
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Your social media accounts: Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter
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Your website, blog, about me page, contact page
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And you may even be requested to submit a photo for a conference or speaking engagement
Kind of. Think of Personal Branding as an extension of your headshot. It is a portfolio of images customized to say who YOU are. Not just a cookie cutter photo on a white background cropped like your DMV photo.
Personal branding involves one or several photos that are more than just head and shoulders. These photos let your personality shine through, give people a glimpse of who you are AND give you the chance to stand out in a sea of corporate headshots, so your clients take notice.
Who are these shoots for? Realtors, mortgage brokers, attorneys, corporate business professionals, biotech scientists, tech developers, startups and entrepreneurs, even actors and online dating clients.
Wondering how you should look, what to expect from your shoot, or how you can plan? You’re not alone! I’ve put together some of the most frequently asked questions about personal branding photo shoots and some helpful answers to ensure you’re prepared.
Q. How Should I…Or My Brand Look?
A. Even if you don’t know how you should look or how your brand should look, remember that is my specialty. It’s often hard to visualize or describe how you want your photos to look, which is why I’ll work with you to clarify your personal branding visual message, style, and look. I love brainstorming with my clients and creating vision boards. We’ll do this together!
Q. Can We Do Multiple Looks in One Personal Branding Photo Shoot?
A. Definitely! We’ll get your shoot planned out before we do it, and I’m happy to do multiple looks in a single shoot. We’ll plan outfit changes, hair and makeup and scout locations ahead of time so that we can move smoothly through the shoot.
Q. How Long Will the Personal Branding Shoot Last?
A. Most shoots last between three and four hours. Your session includes the photo shoot and option to to have a professional make-up and hair artist at the studio, so plan to spend around four hours of your day on the shoot.
Q. Do you Have a Studio or Can My Shoot Be Done at a Specific Location?
A. While I do have a studio, and that’s where most people do their personal branding shoot, I’m also happy to shoot on location. The main goal of your shoot is to make it totally you, and scouting locations is half the fun. Just keep in mind, some locations may result in a travel or rental fee.
Q. What If I Only Need a Couple of Photos?
I’m happy to do a single photo or only a couple of photos if that’s what you need. However, during your pre-shoot consultation, you may realize that you want more than just one or two photos to achieve your professional goals. You can determine the photos you want to choose after you see them, so what you decide to buy is entirely up to you.
Q. What Should I Do to Plan for My Personal Branding Photo Shoot?
A. One of the best things you can do is to spend some time thinking about how the future, successful you wants to be seen by the world. Determining this can take some thought! Answer this question, and we can plan your shoot around your vision. And don’t forget, I’m here to help you figure out your vision, too, which is what we’ll do at your initial consultation.
Q. Do You Offer Personal Branding Photography Shoots for Companies or Teams?
A. Depending on your needs, I’ll work with you to custom design a package that works best for you. Simply contact me and I’d be happy to discuss the details and put together a custom package for your office.
1. On the day of your consultation we will discuss exactly how the package works and you can ask any unanswered questions you might have. In addition, you will view Elisa's past work while we learn more about you, your personal style and your upcoming career goals for your personal brand/business.
2. We also may pull from Pinterest and other websites for inspiration.
3. On the day of your shoot, Elisa will do everything in her power to make you feel as comfortable, calm and beautiful as possible while directing you into the most flattering of poses.
4. After your photoshoot, you'll be invited back to the studio to look over all the breathtaking images. During this time, you'll select your favorites of the bunch. You'll also receive an extensive dropbox folder of the images and a portfolio to take your career to the next level.
5. Once you've selected all your favorite photos, that's a wrap! You will receive everything from the shoot via DropBox. We are also happy to help you size your images for your personal social media platforms, website, or even a high-profile magazine that might feature your company!
When did you realize you wanted to specialized in Portraiture and in particular, Personal Branding?
Having a long and successful career in the wedding industry, I realized I could continue my work photographing women and help more women advance their career and achieve their goals through Personal Branding.
I draw a lot from my career as a wedding photographer, using that experience to tell the story of my clients love for each other and capturing the moments of their big day in a photojournalistic style.
Before I headed back to school to get my MFA in photography, I was an art director and graphic designer in the food and wine industry, working in both Chicago and San Francisco. I also have a fondness for art history, studying many of the portrait painters in museums around the world. My experience as an art director combined with my travels is what made me realize I was passionate about being behind the camera and telling people’s stories through photography.
Learn even more about me and my experience by checking out my bio.