76. Why are Lifestyle shoots important for your Personal Brand?
What is a Personal Branding?
You might be wondering what is all the fuzz around Personal Branding. Lately, it seems that Personal Branding is booming, you hear the concept everywhere, but why?
Personal branding has become increasingly popular in recent years due to a number of factors.
In my opinion, one of the most relevant ones is the increase in people who are starting their own businesses, as entrepreneurs or working as freelancers. As an entrepreneur of a freelancer much of the weight of your business’ success falls directly on your person. In order to inspire trust and likeability from potential customers, a strong personal brand is a must.
Social media is in my view another of the big contributors to the boom of Personal Branding. Social Media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, have made it easier and much more affordable for “normal individuals” to promote their businesses and skills to a wider audience. As scary as this might sound to introverts (like me) or lifelong corporate “dinosaurs”, this environment has facilitated a culture of self-promotion making the promotion of your business or you as a person (think consultant, public speaker,...) through Personal Branding much more accessible.
In todays’ digital World where you can literally write ANYTHING you want and make it public, the importance of your reputation is monumental, think about public reviews and comments. How often do you search for recommendations and reviews before making a decision to purchase a product or service? In my case, very often. I have a really hard time buying something if it doesn’t have the vote of confidence from other previous buyers or users.
Having an Strategic Plan for your Personal Brand allows you to take control of your reputation and influence the way in which you are perceived. It’s all in honing the Right Message for the Right Audience.
Personal Branding is how you create your professional or business identity, it’s how you build a solid reputation, and how you stand out in a crowded market.
What is a Personal Branding Shoot?
A Personal Branding Shoot focuses on capturing images that showcase an individual's personal brand. During the process, the photographer will create a variety of images that are aligned with the person's unique personality, style, brand values and communication goals. You can also create Branding videos also to present the same, but of course, through video. They actually make a great complement to one another.
The different shots should highlight the persons’ strengths, interests, and values.
A Personal Brand collection should include:
head-shots (business portraits)
lifestyle shots
action shots
These type of images capture the person in their natural environment or doing the things they love, because a Personal Brand goes beyond presenting “only your business” it helps show you in all your dimensions, helping to develop a deeper connection with your audience.
Images and videos can be used throughout your entire marketing materials in print or online like: social media profiles, websites, business cards, and other marketing tools (prospects, flyers, banners…).
A strong personal brand is what helps you differentiate yourself from others in your industry and establish yourself as an expert or thought leader in your field.
What are Lifestyle Personal Branding Shots?
As discussed before, through the rapid increase of entrepreneurship and freelancing, Lifestyle Shots are a type of photography that is also rapidly growing.
Lifestyle Shots capture people in everyday life situations, such as at home, at work, or doing activities like sport, reading or hobbies, for example. Their goal is present the person in a natural and authentic environment, presenting their personality, interests, and style.
Creativity has no limit. Lifestyle shoots are about storytelling, your story is at the heart of Lifestyle shoots, by creating images that are visually appealing and tell the story about your life or brand.
Why are lifestyle shots important for Personal Brand marketing?
Lifestyle shots help to create a deeper connection with your audience by making you more human. People like to buy from people they know, like and TRUST.
For example, if you are a nutritionist, you could have some shots preparing food, cooking, planning your meals, taking to a client. If your life includes a healthy lifestyle, maybe also running or doing exercise or meditating.
It gives your customers a more personal view into who you are, helping them trust you more.
Ideas for Personal Branding Lifestyle shots
There is no limit to creativity, Personal Branding Lifestyle Shots, need to be based on your life, work, hobbies, values, strengths, and beliefs and this all aligned with the message that you want to convey with your personal brand.
Shots at your place of work, like your office, studio, or workshop.
If you are an outdoor person and enjoy activities like hiking, biking, or running, get images done while enjoying these activities, extra plus if it takes place in scenic locations.
If you are more of an indoor sports person, get photos done while lifting weights, or practicing yoga.
Do you have a passion for food? Whether you are a pro or an amateur, or even if you just enjoy eating or wine, let people see a bit of that part of you.
Creative shots are some of my favorites, images that are more conceptual and brought uniquely to life through photos.
Personal Branding Lifestyle photos have as their main goal to create a deeper connection and to let people to get to know you, like you and ultimately trust you with their business.
If you are in the journey of developing your Personal Brand, let’s chat on how I can help you through photos or developing a Strategic Plan for your Personal Brand.
Hi there! I’m Blanca!
I’m a Brand Photographer and Personal Branding Coach, helping female entrepreneurs to create a Personal Brand online that STANDS OUT.
I bring your vision to life, help you come up with one and take you by the hand into the online World if you need me to.