Compelling Storytelling
with Personal Branding Sessions: Better Than a Headshot
Be mythical. Be legendary. Slay your competition.
A personal branding session is an organic storytelling approach to capturing imagery for you to promote with that goes beyond your classic headshot. Want to courageously go after your ideal clients? Read on to find out how you can benefit from a branding session and accelerate the impact of your marketing efforts so you can focus more on what you really love…
Your Brand’s Story
As a small business owner myself, I have learned that highlighting what makes your business distinctive and valuable amid a sea of competition attracts success. A personal branding session does just that, giving you a collection of images tailored to convey what you offer, with personality. Of course, it still includes that all-important headshot to serve as a great introduction to your prospective clients. Your headshot will put a face to the name, showing off your winning smile and confidence. My favorite part of a banding session though is crafting your brand’s visual narrative together! With varied poses, closeups, action and environmental shots, we reveal to your audience what you offer and your unique twist that will entice them to reach out. We feature your services, your products, your workspace and your infectious enthusiasm for all that you do. The skill and passion you bring will be evident! This is how connections are made and your brand image goes from average to compelling.
How you’ll profit
Build a narrative
Elevate brand awareness
Add credibility
Communicate your mission
Stand out from competition
Highlight your skills
Reach new clients
Boost sales
Connect on a personal level
Leverage Your Images
You’ll come away from a branding session with a library of images to use across print and digital platforms. A lot of client acquisition happens behind the scenes. They are scrolling social media looking for what you offer, so being well-represented there will propel and sustain your business growth. Your clients may stumble across your image-rich website organically when searching for your services or land on your Google Maps business profile with all of your 5-star reviews. They may elicit recommendations on their favorite local Facebook group and be directed to your active Facebook page. They may find you on Instagram and fall in love with your brand based on the strong, consistent visuals you share. You’ll gain credibility for your contributions on LinkedIn as an industry expert. Many of my clients use their images on printed promos as well which are great for events, outreach, client education, creating a buzz and lending a polish to your professional image. However clients discover you, being deliberate with how you showcase your brand and your personality as the business owner is going to go a long way to making that ultimate handshake. Keeping your audience’s attention once you are on their radar is also important, so continue to dive into that library and push out new content for continued engagement. You’re going to increase client retention by virtue of how you serve them, but equally important is staying fresh on their minds so they’re reminded to come back for more.
Where to use your images
Your website
Social media platforms
Newsletters
Printed promos
Gift certificates
Know Your Why
Research shows that posts with images increase engagement by up to 650% so more of your clients will read and recall your message when you add one. They’re even more effectual if they are of you! A collection of branded images will give you the ability to promote consistently over time. Why does that matter? It takes an average of 7 exposures for familiarity to develop so you should definitely maximize the potential of each effort. An array of images showing you in action communicates your vision with the memorable and meaningful impressions you need. Clients will come to learn who you are, what you do, how you do it and what makes you stand out in much less time than it would take to read your written content. A personal branding session makes a statement and gets results!
My Process
My approach to a branding session is kind of like a great conversation—there’s connection, an interchange of ideas and you leave feeling inspired. I aim to capture authenticity and empower you! We collaborate on all the logistics—wardrobe, color palette, hair & makeup, location, props and when it makes sense to add clients, colleagues and teammates to some of your shots to best tell your story. You’ll benefit from my relationships with talented hair & makeup artists who can get you camera-ready before your session and even stay on set with us for the duration of your shoot for touch-ups and second looks. Your session will last up to three hours as we move organically from shot to shot. I craft lighting to complement all kinds of skin tones, facial features and body types. My well-developed eye for posing subjects will hone in on your best angles. I have a calm and reassuring vibe that translates to warm expressions that will draw people in. Once I deliver your gallery, you’ll have a chance to select your images including any you wish to be retouched. The resulting visual storytelling is where planning, lighting, expressions and professional editing combine for vivid images greater than the sum of its parts.
Align with Results
My 20+ years as a people photographer and high-end retouching artist will get you refined results. I am passionate about helping you boost your visibility to attract your dream clients. My own clients bring me a tremendous amount of joy. I love watching the transformation that takes place on set as I shape the lighting, fuss with hair or a collar and we get to know each other. We develop a rhythm and there’s always a softening and laughter. It’s this authentic you that I want your clients to see! My heart is full every time I see my clients update their profile pics the same day they receive their gallery (and then reading the comments that ensue—“Stunning!”, “Gorgeous!”). I get to watch the upward spiral they manifest by promoting themselves with great ease and confidence. They inspire me for investing in themselves and their brand. There’s something absolutely incredible about being around people aligned with their purpose. When their results are so powerful that they come back for round 2 and 3, it’s validating to know that we have a formula that works.
Let’s Uplift Your Brand
Tell me all about your brand. I love hearing about where you’ve come from and want to help you maximize where you can go. Let’s position you to approach your marketing with renewed vitality and let the results flow in! Ready to get to work?
Shine on set,
Leila
