Why is planning so important when it comes to your Personal Branding and Headshot Photos?
It doesn’t matter if you’re investing in a professional photo shoot, your best friend is helping you or you’re doing it alone, planning is the number one key to success.
We all know that branding images are often the very first thing your potential customers see, because let’s face it, most of us head online when it comes to searching for a new product or service.
That means your Personal Branding or Headshot Photo can make or break that new connection. It needs to attract and hold the attention of your audience long enough that they want to know more.
That’s why planning for your photoshoot, just like planning for anything important in life, is what will give you the best results.
So let’s have a look at how to take your dream of the ‘perfect’ photo shoot and turn it into a plan that can become reality.
It doesn’t matter whether you want one Headshot Photo or a whole bank of Personal Branding Images; planning is how you get what you need.
The first step in your planning is choosing who will take your photos. If you’re not sure whether you need a photographer start by writing a list of the pros and cons of using a professional compared to doing it yourself.
Do you know about lighting, posing, the best location, props…?
If, after making your list, you do choose a Professional Photographer, you’ll want to get the best return on your investment possible, and planning out the shoot will help you do exactly that.
Some Personal Branding Photographers, like me, will have their own planning process to help you. Others will leave it to you or to chance.
If your Photographer specialises in maternity or family, then they might not know the best outfit, locations or poses for your Personal Branding shoot, so make sure you ask questions to see if the photographer is right for you.
Knowing what to wear, the best props to bring, the ideal location and what style of photos you want is not only going to help you get the best variety, it’s also going to help you feel more comfortable and confident on the day.
If you’re nervous at the thought of the camera, or feeling totally out of your depth, having a plan will help keep you grounded and on track.
Most people are surprised at just how much planning goes into each shoot.
For instance your Personal Branding photo session with me starts with a questionnaire, a planning guide, workbook complete with checklists, and a suggested shoot list to get you thinking. We’ll also discuss how and where you want to use your photos, whether they’re for socials, website or an ebook because this will impact the style, editing and variety of photos required.
Now you might be wondering, “but I’m just getting a Headshot photo, why would I need a plan?”. Great question and the short answer is you still need a plan!
Have you thought about whether your Headshot Photo should be horizontal or vertical? Do you want professional hair and makeup? Where do you want to be photographed? Will you be sitting or standing? Do you want just head, head and upper body, full length? What should you wear? You get the idea…these questions are just the start of the planning journey.
The more prepared you are, the easier the shoot will flow, allowing time for any hiccups and to still get the photos you want. Good planning also means more variety of photos to choose from at the end of your session.
Apart from the practical side, perhaps the biggest reward of all that planning is how much more confident you’ll feel when the photo shoot day actually arrives.
Hope this helps when it comes to getting your next Headshot or Personal Branding Photos.
Till next time,
Amanda
PS. Not sure where to start your planning? Book a free call with me and let’s talk about how I can help.
PPS. Not ready to chat yet but you’d still like my help? Download your free guide on How to Look and Feel More Confident in your Photos to learn some of my best tips and tricks.
