Telling a Variety of Stories in Personal Branding Photos
The Client: Jamie McGillen author & editor
Location: The Studio on Cole Street and The Dusty Shelf both are in Enumclaw, WA on Cole Street
Personal branding photography is all about capturing and sharing the authentic person and telling your story through photos. I’m so excited to share this wonderful local Washington author and book editor I worked with. We wanted to show all aspects of her business, the writer, reader and editor. The session was full of intentionality, creativity and purpose as we crafted a variety of story sets to reflect her brand and connect with her audience.
First Location
The STudio set: Variety in one place
We started the session in the Studio on Cole Street in Enumclaw, WA to creating diverse setups that highlighted different aspects of her professional and personal life.
1. Headshots with Personality
Our first setup focused on headshots, where she styled two outfits and brought along a few props to make each look unique. We played with poses and expressions to capture her professionalism, warmth, fun and creativity. By doing so, we ensured her photos could serve a variety of purposes—from specific social media posts to about me photos.
2. The Working Desk Sets
Next, we moved to a desk setup that showcased two distinct vibes:
- Professional Vibes: For this set, she used her laptop, mimicked a Zoom call with a client, and displayed some of the books she’s edited. These photos emphasized her expertise and the polished and professional side of her editing business.
- Casual Desk Moments: We switched things up by making the space feel more relaxed. She worked at the computer, took notes, planned on a calendar filled with colorful Post-its and recorded video posts. These images were designed to connect with potential clients in a relatable and approachable way, inviting them to book her editing services.
3. Cozy Reading and Journaling
The final studio set embraced a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Against a staged “living room” with a bookshelf backdrop, she changed into a series of comfy sweatshirts and captured moments of reading and journaling. These photos gave a glimpse into her personal life, reinforcing her love for books and storytelling. We even transitioned into a festive mood by using a Christmas set, adding a playful, seasonal touch to her portfolio.
Second Location
The bookstore set: a little adventure
After wrapping up and resetting the studio rental we went just a few blocks down to the local bookstore—a perfect location for her brand. She chose an outfit that had a “date night” feel, capturing the excitement and joy she feels when visiting a bookstore.
1. Exploring the Shelves
We documented her browsing the shelves, finding books that inspired her, and even pointing out her own edited works with pride. These candid moments added an authentic and celebratory vibe to the session.
2. Bookshelf Portraits
In between exploring, we captured headshots nestled within the bookshelves, blending her professionalism with her passion for literature.
The Ending of the story
This session was more than just taking photos; it was about storytelling. From the professional desk to the cozy reading nook, and finally, the bookstore adventure, they all tell a different part of her journey as an author and editor.
Now Jamie has a diverse gallery of photos that could be used across her brand platforms, from marketing materials to social media and beyond. This experience shows the power of personal branding photography in showcasing not just what you do, but who you are.
If you’re ready to capture the heart of your business and the story behind your work, let’s connect. Together, we’ll create cohesive branding photos that feels like you and helps your brand shine!
Are you ready to share your story?
Let me create a shoot plan that captures all the stories you need to show your audience. Let's get a variety of photos in one day of fun work!