How do I choose a brand photographer?
In today's competitive environment, personal branding has become an essential part of professional success. It's the art of creating a distinct identity that sets you apart from your competition and helps your target audience connect with you. A vital part of this is professional photography, providing your brand's visual foundation. A skilled personal branding photographer should capture not only beautiful photos but also the spirit of your story and the soul of your brand. So in today's blog post, I’ll help you answer the all-important question: how do I choose a brand photographer? Let’s look at 6 key things to consider, to ensure you work with the perfect brand photographer for you.
1. Choose a personal branding photographer.
This may seem obvious to some of you, but I can’t stress how important it is to choose a photographer that specialises in what you need. If you need personal branding images for your business, make sure you work with a personal branding photographer. I don’t recommend hiring a photographer that doesn’t specialise in personal branding, as they’re not likely to be able to provide the level of support you’ll need in this area, or ensure they’ll show off your brand's essence effectively.
For example, I specialise in personal branding photography and headshots for small businesses and professionals, as well as yoga / dance / fitness brand photography. I also have a background in brand identity so I always spend time with my clients ahead of their shoot, to really work out what they need their images to communicate, ensuring they are strategic for your business goal.
2. Brand photographer portfolios.
Next, you should consider your brand photographer's portfolio. Look at their brand photography examples to see if they shoot a style that will work for what your business needs!
Do you require bright, vivid images perhaps to show off your friendly personality? Do you want something more edgy such as a dark and grainy look? Or is a more gentle feel what you’re after, with some soft and light images? It’s key that your brand images give off the right vibe to attract your target audience and match the rest of your visual brand identity.
This is also a chance to check the photographer's work is of a high quality, and that they can capture authenticity and personality in an engaging way.
I’m known for my vibrant and authentic personal branding photography style, and I love to capture your personality and professionalism creatively.
3. Get to know your brand photographer.
The best personal branding photographer for you will not only be skilled and shoot the right style for your business, but they will also have a great personality that makes you feel like you’re in safe hands. If you feel safe and comfortable with your photographer, they’re much more likely to bring the best out of you for your photos!
Have a chat with your brand photographer before booking them, to see what kind of vibe they give you. Are they a friendly brand photographer? Do they answer all your questions? If you have any concerns, share them with the photographer to see if they can reassure you. If you feel like you don’t quite ‘click’, you might want to keep searching for the best brand photographer for you.
I also suggest reading the brand photographers' reviews, to see if other people recommend them. If the photographer shares their client's experiences and stories, this is a great way to get a better understanding of what it might be like to work with them. (You can see my 5-star Google reviews here!)
“Lisa is brilliant at making you feel comfortable and the whole process is so smooth and professional.” - Seyda Karimpour | Seasons of Work
It’s important to trust your photographer, not only because you’re spending money and deserve professional brand images. But also because when you feel comfortable with your photographer, you will be much more relaxed during your photoshoot, which will help you to look your best in your images.
If you want to see if I’m the right brand photographer for you, feel free to book a complimentary consultation with me, so we can get to know each other and discuss your vision and goals!
4. Brand photographers planning process.
Personal branding photography is all about communicating what makes you unique so that you stand out from your competitors and attract your ideal audience. But to do this successfully, your brand photographer needs to get to know you. Your brand photographer needs to really understand your business and what kind of images will be useful to you. So make sure to check how they intend to do this.
Here’s a little bit about my personal branding photography planning process:
All my personal branding photography packages include a brand questionnaire which helps you to define what you need from your brand images and helps me to really get to understand you and your business. Next, I like to collaborate on a Pinterest board, so we can collect inspiration and ensure we are on the same wavelength. We also have a creative call so that we can plan all the details of your shoot together. It’s important to me that there is clear communication and mutual understanding throughout the collaboration process, so that you end up with brand images that aren't just pretty, but images that actually work for your business.
5. Personal branding photography packages.
I know that a key question for many of you is ‘How much does personal branding photography cost?’ But what you really need to ask is ‘What is included in a brand photography package?’
Of course, you need to work with a brand photographer that you can afford, but you shouldn’t let budget alone determine which brand photographer you choose. When a photographer has very low rates, they might cut corners or not have enough experience to get the results you want. So make sure to check the value of what is included in your brand photography package.
Key things to check in your brand photography package:
What planning and support is included?
How long is the photoshoot?
What kind of images will they shoot?
How many outfit changes will there be time for?
How many locations or backdrops will be included?
If you need additional time to prepare things like food or styling products, will there be time for this?
If you have a team or want some images with clients, you should check how many people the photoshoot is for.
How many final images will you receive?
What level of editing or retouching is included?
How will your photos be supplied? (Personally, I supply both high-resolution and web-sized Jpegs)
What are the image usage rights?
And are there any bonuses? (For example, I write a whole blog post about each of my clients, which helps with your SEO!)
I offer a range of packages to suit a variety of budgets and needs, so please feel free to check out all my personal branding photography packages on my services page.
6. “Personal branding photographer near me”.
When searching online, don’t forget to check what area the brand photographer covers. For example, if you’re based in London, you could search for a “London personal branding photographer”, but if you’re prepared to travel you could also search for “brand photographers UK”.
I’m a London-based personal branding photographer, but I’m also happy to discuss travelling UK-wide for an additional fee (or even worldwide for the right project!)
You also need to check that the photographer's availability suits your timeline. So If you have any urgent deadlines that you need the images for, let your photographer know upfront to make sure this is achievable. Don’t leave it until the last minute!
Finding the perfect brand photographer for your business is a big decision, so make sure to do your research. Check if they are a personal branding specialist, review their portfolio, get a feel for their personality, ask about their planning process, look at the value of their photography package, and make sure your locations and schedules are compatible. Invest some time and effort in selecting the right brand photographer who can capture your unique story and elevate your personal brand effectively.
Feel like we’d be a good fit? I absolutely love to create engaging brand photos for passionate entrepreneurs so head over to my Brand Photography page to find out more. I like to book at least a month ahead to leave enough time for planning, so please don’t leave it till the last minute!
Could I be the perfect brand photographer for you?
As your personal branding photographer, I’ll aim to show off your unique personality & your specific offerings in a creative way through the beautiful brand images we create together.
I also want to give you more confidence to show up for the people who need your help, so you can build a strong and recognisable personal brand.
Personal branding photography can really help you stand out, make an impact, and get seen!