Why you need to do a Professional Branding Sessions and avoid Headshots in 2021.
2020 changed the way a business has to represent themselves online. Your consumers attention has gone more into your companies online representation than ever before. Not only were companies forced to change the way they operate their daily business (mainly due to the many rules of COVID), but they’re also trying to find new innovative ways to keep their doors open, while keeping their marketing fresh and sustainable.
Many companies who were forced into this change found success through their ability to adapt and overcome the current markets issues. I saw companies change from being a ‘fancy sit-down’ reservation only restaurant to a ‘pick-up’ only restaurant. I watched a small boutique-style fitness studio completely shift their direction to online workout classes and branded videos. I even had to watch several successful businesses fail during these changing times and some were even forced to close their doors. The point is the companies that shifted their focus to a heavier online presence were arguably more successful throughout the market changes than those who did not.
So, what’s that have to do with headshots?
Did you know, the general rule for headshots is to update them every 2 years?
Truth is if you’re happy with your headshot, it’s a current representation of yourself, and it has brought you results, there’s nothing wrong with it.
For most however, with all the lockdowns and restrictions the odds of you having current and updated Headshots are low. You have to also keep in mind that during the pandemic, the market has completely shifted and if you are not actively shifting with it you may get left behind.
Here’s an example of a typical Headshot/Portrait image:
Okay, what is a Professional Branding Session?
It’s more or less a headshot session on steroids.
In a typical Headshot session the photographer and the clients have one goal: take a few well-posed professional images using a simple backdrop, while capturing a hint of personality.
With a Professional Branding Session, not only are you still the primary focus of the image, but your brand becomes the background. Your companies’ look, marketing, and overall brand are represented in the images without becoming the focal point. After all, your brand is how most clients will perceive you, especially online. So why wouldn’t you want it highlighted?
What are some other benefits of a Professional Branding Session?
You should be getting more photos from your session!
I’ve seen photographers offer packages where the client gets as little as one image for something ridiculous like $300. Honestly, I’ve priced my Headshots packages to steer my clients away from the headshots and into a Branding Session instead. With a Professional Branding Session, not only should you be getting your headshot images, but it should be a goal of yours and the photographer to capture a few different images the uniquely show off your brand.
Most Professional Branding Session packages offered by photographers should allow the client, you, to get everything you need, and then some. Remember, the more images you get to use the better! If you and your photographer plan your Branding Session accordingly, you should have enough content to keep your social profiles fresh and up to date for months, without having to worry about scheduling another photo session. If you’re looking to step up your headshot game but aren’t sure if you’re going to get what you want, then I recommend shopping around to find a photographer who will work with your needs and wants. For more about finding the right photographer for you check out our blog about it.
Your images will feel natural/real and will not as posed as a traditional Headshot image.
If you’ve taken Headshots before you know exactly what I’m talking about. Posing, in my opinion, is the least fun part of being photographed. If you’ve never taken any headshots or portraits before, then try to think back to the days of elementary school. Specifically, the day you had to get your class pictures taken. Try to remember all the ways the photographer directed you: “Straighten your back, chin up, relax your shoulders, look at me, chin down, take a deep breath, relax, smile, turn your head 11.62 degrees to the left…” For me it was moments like that that took away the fun side of getting your photos taken.
With a Professional Branding Session this part of the photo taking process should be relatively unnoticeable. Your office becomes the photography studio. The photographer is there to not only highlight you as the business owner/representative but to also highlight the business as well. As a photographer, for me, any posing requested during a Professional Branding Session is either done to fully capture the brand and the individual or if there’s a specific workflow my clients would like to capture, that requires a certain amount of staging and/or reenactments.
You can tell your consumers more about you and your business with your images.
Advertising isn’t cheap. Trust me… I know firsthand the expense of Facebook ads and Google ads. Don’t get me wrong, I highly recommend all business owners investing a part of their budget into advertising. However, if you could show off your business brand AND yourself with a simple image, why wouldn’t you?
Think “two birds one stone” type of thing here. With just one photo you’ll have an image that looks and feels like a fairly standard headshot, while also showing off your brand. This an easy way to let your clients know what your all about without them ever having to see an advertisement for your company; You can introduce yourself and your brand at the same time with ONE image.
You WILL stand out!
Let’s face it, traditional Headshots are mundane and outright boring. They all look the same, all feel the same, and all have the same… personality. Sometimes the ones that stand out don’t necessarily stand out for the reasons the client wanted. Poor image quality, improper subject placement, and amateur image processing are a few of the Headshot eyesores that can fill anyone’s LinkedIn feed.
With the photos from a Professional Branding Session your images will soar above the rest; This is your chance to naturally show off your companies’ brand and sperate yourself from the competition! There’s something that feels different about a smile made out of pride versus a smile forced into the camera’s flash.
A Professional Branding Session is the best way I can think of for small business owners like me to send a message with a photo.
Here’s some shots from my last Branding Session:
Click on a pic to enlarge.
Now before I get too carried away I’d like to say, traditional Headshots still have their place in 2021. They’re fairly standard in business and in certain cases if your headshot varies too much from the others, that could be the reason you get overlooked. The world of business is a balancing act right now. Especially due to COVID. Everyone is trying to evolve and maintain their business through these difficult times. If I’ve learned anything through this as a business owner, It’s that no matter what the only constant is change. So, why not get ahead of the game and change your Headshots now?
If a Professional Branding Session sounds like something you need, I offer several packages designed with companies of all types in mind, through Wittful Productions. With a subscription package you can get a months’ worth of professional images (for you to freely post on ALL your social media pages) in just one hour a month AND you can even dedicate one of the hour sessions towards a Professional Branding Session! For more information on our Subscription Packages click here.
Thanks for reading! Stay Safe.