Adding YOU into your personal branding photos!
Why should you add your face to your website and social media? Why can’t you just share your finished products? Because you’re not Adidas, Nike, Coach and big brands like this that only share the end user’s experience with the product. They’ve already established their product, you on the other hand are going to be a big reason why people will support small businesses. People who buy from small businesses want to know you on a different level, they need to have their trust built before investing.
You are an amazing multifaceted person. Be who you truly are on your website, newsletters and social media. Don’t try to be someone different online and then a different person in real life. SHOW UP AS YOU, BE REAL, BE AUTHENTIC!
When Kristin of Everything Elderberry, a local Seattle made elderberry product came to me, she specifically wanted to have her personal branding photoshoot about her. She wanted to be shown with all of her products and at the different steps. We wanted to insert her into her brand, she only had the one About Me headshot photo on her website and then a handful of phone photos.
We were intentional with her clothing colors as well. Her main branding color is purple. She is known for her color purple. When she goes to markets her tent is purple and can easily be spotted. Then she also had splashes of green throughout her branding. The outfits we picked supported the colors.
Each of her product items went into her hand and she interacted and used them. While she usually makes her products in an industrial kitchen that isn’t very photogenic, we went for a home kitchen to symbolize the start of her journey in the kitchen. Humble beginnings making elderberry syrup for her children.
A note on the kitchen, this isn’t her kitchen either. It is an acquaintance that graciously allowed us to use her home for the photoshoot. It was the brighter and white look that she is wanting for her brand aesthetic. So, if you don’t have a space to shoot in, ask friends and family you never know who will gladly help you out!! People are just amazing like that!
The Stories:
-Making Elderberry syrup in the kitchen
-Taking her Elderberry syrup
-Doing some product pours/pulls
-Eating gummies
-Mixing tea blends
-Seasonal photos of lemonade product
-Orders: getting an order and packing an order
-Delivering to front porch, this was weather dependent, but it ended up working out.
Don’t be afraid to be in front of the camera. People want to get to know you and they want to see you. They want to be invited into your life, even if it is just a little. The best connections happen when you find you have something/anything in common with the other person.
Another don’t is, don’t wait until you’ve lost 10, 15 or 20+ pounds before you get a photoshoot. You are perfect just the way you are now and others won’t care. They aren’t going to see those things you hate/don’t like about yourself. They are going to see the mood you want to convey.
Be kind to yourself just like you are kind to others. Be your unapologetic self, bring the people who value what you sell and turn away the people who don’t. I know I’m not for every small business owner and I don’t want to be, but I will be for the right people who I connect with.
YOU ARE YOUR A BIG PEICE OF YOUR BRAND! The colors, the logo, the fonts... are there to support your brands aesthetic, but don't let it be the only thing that clients and customers see. Be more than your logo and the 1 headshot.
Ready to book a call?
Have you started talking to your ideal clients and showing up in your own branding? If you’re ready too and you like what I show and feel a connection with me. Let’s set up a call and talk about what you need. No pressure ever!
