Posts by Jessica Gubuan
Be Memorable: How to Make Your Brand Photos Unforgettable
 
 
 

Brand photoshoots are the perfect opportunity to showcase your business and make a lasting impression on your potential clients. But how can you make your brand pictures truly memorable? Don't worry, I've got you covered with some expert advice and tips to help you create stunning and unforgettable photos.

First things first, let's talk about planning. Planning is key when it comes to creating memorable brand pictures. Make sure you take the time to research and create a mood board that reflects your brand's aesthetic. Look for inspiration from others in your industry who have successfully created stunning brand pictures that resonate with you. When creating your mood board, pay attention to what you like about each photo, such as the pose, the personality, or the editing. This will help you effectively communicate your expectations to your photographer.

 
 
 
 
 

When it comes to finding the right photographer, it's important to do your research. You don't want to hire just anyone for your brand photoshoot. Look for a qualified brand photographer who knows exactly what they're doing and can create images that attract your ideal clients. Check out their website to see what kind of brand images they have delivered to other clients. This will give you a good idea of whether their style and approach are a good fit for your brand.

Now, let's talk about planning your aesthetic. Think about what kind of location and outfits will best represent your brand. If you're a fitness professional, for example, you might want to choose a gym with bright lighting or an outdoor location with natural light. When choosing your outfits, keep in mind that versatility is key. You want to choose pieces that you feel confident in and that will work for multiple types of content. Try to avoid bright and electric colors that may clash with your brand's colors. Opt for neutral tones, like whites, nudes, and rich earthy tones, that will be timeless and work in all seasons.

When planning your poses, don't be afraid to mix it up. You don't want every photo to be of you smiling and looking at the camera. Get a few shots of you laughing, working in action, drinking coffee (or wine!), journaling, scrolling on your phone, and more. Make sure you also include shots of you doing things without your face in them, like using one of your favorite products or pouring a cup of coffee. These personalized product photos can be a great addition to your brand's visual branding.

Lastly, make sure you create a brand photo shot list that includes plenty of landscape photos. While portraits are important for social media, your website needs a variety of at least 5-10 final edited landscape shots. Take inspiration from successful brands in your industry and write down the shots you know you will need. Share your list and photo mood board with your photographer before the shoot so they can properly prepare.

Remember, creating memorable brand pictures is all about planning and preparation. By taking the time to plan your aesthetic, poses, and shot list, you can create stunning photos that represent your brand and attract your ideal clients. So go out there, rock your brand photoshoot, and make your brand pictures truly unforgettable!

 
 
Jessica Gubuan
5 Ways to Show Up as the Real You in your Branding Photos

Hey everyone, it's Jess your personal branding photographer here, and I'm excited to share with you 5 ways to show up as the real you in your branding photos! Whether you're a real estate agent or a small business owner, your branding photos should showcase your unique personality and what makes you stand out from the competition. So, let's get started!

 

Incorporate Your Interests

Think about what you're passionate about and include it in your branding photos. Whether it's your love for music, art, or traveling, incorporating your interests in the shoot will help you connect with your target audience and show them what makes you different.


Choose a Location(s) that Represents You

The location you choose for the shoot can say a lot about your personality. Pick a place that represents you, whether it's a cozy cafe, a bustling city street, or a scenic park.


Be Authentic

It's crucial to be yourself during the shoot. I’m all for hiring a hair and makeup artist to help you feel your best on session day. But, make sure they are doing a pro version of your everyday look. Looking like your pictures in real life goes a long way in building trust. So relax, and let your personality shine through. Don't be afraid to show off your quirks and unique qualities because having a weird thing in common with someone else is the fasting way to building a relationship. The more authentic and genuine you are, the more your audience will connect with you.


Busy Nervous Hands with Props

Not only is using props is an excellent way to showcase your personality and interests. But most people are going to feel a little nervous at the start of their session. Having a prop to hold is the perfect thing to transfer all that nervous energy into. That way the first few minutes of “I don’t know what to do with my hands?!” is solved. If you're a foodie, bring your favorite cookbook, kitchen utensils, or even a beautiful cake or dish you made yourself. Are you famous for being obsessed with Harry Potter? Bring the books or other fun things you have. Props can help tell a story about who you are and what you stand for.


Have the Confidence to Show Your Personality

Every single person says they want to look confident in their pictures. But that’s easiers said than done right? During the shoot, it's important to relax, take a few deep breaths before each shot and let go of any tension in your body. Remember, the more relaxed you are, the more natural and authentic your photos will look. Instead of focusing on your insecurities, focus on your strengths and what makes you unique. Finally, remember to have fun!

The more you enjoy the shoot, the more relaxed and natural you'll appear in the photos. So, let loose, have fun, and enjoy the experience!

5 Big Mistakes People Make When Hiring a Brand Photographer

I get it, finding the perfect photographer for your brand photos can be completely overwhelming.

It can seem like everyone and their sister is a photographer, but sorting through everyone to find a photographer who understands what you need as an entrepreneur to help you grow your business and connect with your audience on a deeper level can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack (I'm exhausted just thinking about what you went through already!) 

Mistake #1: Hiring a Traditional Photographer Who Doesn’t Specialize in Personal Brand Photography

While there are plenty of photographers who can take a beautiful photo or a nice headshot, very few traditional photographers understand how to transform your personal brand into images.

They’ll expect you to have all the ideas, or they wont understand the differences when shooting for web use.

Traditional photographers will not have the expertise you need to create images that truly connect with your audience and grow your social media following.

A personal brand photographer will take the time to understand your brand and your audience.

An experienced brand photographer will use this information to create a set of unique images that will truly reflect your brand and help people feel like they know and trust you.

It’s far more than just a beautiful headshot.

They don’t just work off a generic shot-list, they strategically transform your brand into a set of images that connect with and engage your audience.

It’s hard enough to stand apart from the crowd online.

If you’re going to take the time and money to invest in personal brand photography, picking a traditional photographer who doesn’t truly understand how to transform your brand into images is a huge mistake.

You’ll just blend in with everyone else and it won’t actually strengthen your brand. If you want to use these images to strengthen your personal brand and grow your business online, you need to work with someone who specializes in Personal Brand Photography.

Pro Tip #1: Look for variety in their images and ask to see images grouped by client to see how they convey a persons brand.

When you look through their portfolio, watch to see if they have “go to” poses that they do with everyone, or if they have a wide variety of images that vary from client to client.

If you want to see what I’m talking about, check out the featured work on our website by clicking below.

Mistake #2: Not Asking if a Commercial Use License is Included.

Most traditional photographers do NOT allow you to use the images they take commercially.

This means you can’t use them to grow your business in any way.

If you want to use these in your business, you MUST have a commercial use license, and you should expect to pay more for this than you would for photo sessions that you do just for personal use since you’ll be using them to grow your business and make more money.

Traditionally, commercial use licenses varied in price based on distribution numbers, the location where the photos are used, how many copies will be distributed, what channels will be used to distribute them, how long you’ll be allowed to use them, and more.

Quite frankly, it’s a complicated mess that’s a pain to track and deal with.

This is why working with a modern Personal Brand Photographer is absolutely ideal.

Personal Brand Photography is a relatively new niche in the photography industry that gives you the commercial use licenses you need, but at one easy price ( or at least that's the way I do it).

No confusing tracking.

No complicated pricing.

One price.

Almost unlimited commercial usage.

Because if you have a post go viral, the last thing you want is to get a huge licensing bill from your photographer, or worse, have to pull it down because you didn’t have a commercial use license in the first place.

Pro Tip #2: Ask for details about their usage license and contract before making a decision.

Many photographers treat their business like a hobby and not an actual business.

If they don’t have a contract or usage license, or things get a bit awkward when you ask about it, they likely won’t understand your mindset as an entrepreneur.

If they don’t take their own business seriously, how can you expect them to understand YOUR needs as an entrepreneur?

Mistake #3: Not Getting the Right to Edit the Images

This is a big one.

Traditionally, photographers do NOT give the right to edit their photos in any way.

Their photos are their art, and the thought of anyone modifying their work makes them cringe.

Consumers generally don’t need to edit the photos they get from traditional photographers.

They hire photographers because they like their work. It’s rare they’d do more than buy a few prints, an album, some wall art, or some cards.

But if you’re using these images to grow your online business, you’re likely going to want to edit or modify a few of them.

Whether it’s adding words to the image and making it a quote, optimizing an image for Pinterest, making it into a Facebook ad, adding an Instagram filter, or something more drastic, you are going to need the rights to do this.

Pro Tip #3: Ask if you’re allowed to edit the photos.

You want unrestricted access to edit the photos however you or your graphic designer needs to in order to grow your business and customize the images for each platform you’re using them on.

Avoid any photographers who won’t allow this.

Mistake #4: Hiring a photographer that requires you to credit them

Photographers usually only allow you to use images online if you link to their website and credit them wherever you use the image (or require you to use a logo’d version of the image, which is even worse!)

While all photographers appreciate getting credit for their work, if you have to link to their site on a sales page or in your Facebook ads (or anywhere else that you’re trying to get people to take action), it will lower your conversion rate.

Anytime you add links to outside sites on posts or pages, you risk losing your traffic to those sites instead of them taking the action you really want them to take.

This is why it’s so important that you hire someone who understands that it’s not always appropriate for you to link to their site, use a logo’d image, or credit you each time you use one of the photos.

Do I appreciate it when I’m credited on posts or pages where it’s appropriate (like casual social media posts or in blog posts)?

Of course!

But I’d never want it to hurt your conversion rate or make your own content less effective.

I do everything I can to help you grow your personal brand and make working with me as amazing as possible so that when you hear of someone who needs a personal brand photographer, you’ll be happy to recommend me.

Pro Tip #4: Ask for specific details on how you’re required to credit the photographer.

Any photographer that requires you to credit them every time an image is used doesn’t understand basic conversion principles and the needs of an entrepreneur or influencer.

Bonus Tip: Ask what rights the photographer has to use your photos in their own business

As photographers, we rely upon the images we take of our clients to show new potential clients examples of our work.

If you’ve got a very large following and do not want the photographer to be able to use your photos to market their business, or you want to buy full copyrights to the images, you’ll want to have this discussion before you hire them.

I know that entrepreneurs and influencers with large audiences often have people try and take advantage of the brand they’ve built, or they are burned by people who misrepresent their relationship to promote their own business, and I’d never want you to feel violated by
how your images are being used.

That being said, non-disclosure agreements and/or buying full copyrights will increase your costs significantly.

I’ve found that when you find a personal brand photographer you trust, they won’t misrepresent your relationship because they understand the work you’ve put into creating your brand and growing your audience and they would never want to take advantage of
that.

Just have a discussion. You can generally work out an agreement that allows them to use the work in a way that’s acceptable to you both that won’t require a non-disclosure agreement or any extra fees.

If you want a photographer you can trust who won’t take advantage of the brand you’ve created, who genuinely has your best interests at heart and that will provide incredible images that help you strengthen the brand you’ve created even more, I’d love to work with
you.

Mistake #5: Not Having A Plan

A good personal brand photographer will have a series of questions for you to answer that will make sure you have all the images you need for the content you create for a solid 3 months.

Whether you need daily images for Instagram, images for blog posts, website banners, Pinterest images, Facebook Ad images, or more, they’ll help make sure you have everything you need ready to go at your fingertips, all formatted correctly for each platform.

Not only that, but many traditional photographers shoot vertical portraits, which are hard to use for website banners and Facebook ads, or they shoot close-ups that don’t leave the space you need to add text or other graphic elements to your images.

My goal is to give you every image you need for the next 3 months, making your social media management and content creation much more efficient. No more wasting 10 min taking a low-quality selfie when you’ve got the perfect image ready and waiting for you each day.

You will be able to batch create your posts with ease and efficiency, saving you time and helping you get ahead so you can schedule it in advance and not have that hanging over your head each day.

Pro Tip #5: Hire a photographer who offers yearly packages

If you are using social media to grow your personal brand, you’re going to need a steady stream of new images month after month.

While traditional photographers only book one session at a time, so you have to remember to book them on a regular basis and hope they aren’t too busy to fit you in, personal brand photographers offer yearly packages that guarantee you’ll have fresh images every quarter and locks in your spot with them.

You’ll often get a better rate for booking a yearly package instead of individual sessions, and it’s one less thing you have to worry about doing. Plus, you can pay on a monthly basis, helping even out your cashflow throughout the year.

Ready to book your session?

How Business Branding Using Photography and Video Can Be Simple, Necessary, and Life-Changing
 

I'm excited to share with you today about how business branding using photography and video can be simple, necessary, and life-changing.

As a business owner, you know that building a strong brand is crucial for attracting and retaining customers.

But, did you know that incorporating photography and video into your branding strategy can take your business to new heights?

First things first, let's talk about why branding is so important.

Your brand is your company's personality.

It's how you communicate who you are and what you stand for to the world.

A strong brand can help you attract the right customers, build trust and loyalty, and differentiate yourself from your competitors.

Now, let's talk about how photography and video can enhance your branding efforts.

First, let's talk about photography. High-quality, professional images can convey a lot about your brand.

For example, if you're a luxury brand, you'll want to use images that are sleek, polished, and high-end.

On the other hand, if you're a more casual, laid-back brand, you'll want to use images that are more relaxed and casual.

Professional photography can also be used in a variety of ways, such as on your website, social media, and marketing materials.

Having high-quality images on your website can help you make a great first impression on potential customers, and having consistent images across all of your platforms can help build brand recognition.

Next, let's talk about video.

Video is a powerful tool for building your brand because it allows you to tell your brand's story in a way that images alone can't.

With video, you can showcase your products or services, give a behind-the-scenes look at your company, and even feature customer testimonials.

Video is also a great way to connect with your audience on a more personal level. People are more likely to remember information they've seen in a video than information they've read in text.

And, because video is more engaging, it can help increase the time that people spend on your website, which can help improve your search engine rankings.

But, don't worry, you don't need to be a professional photographer or videographer to create great content for your brand.

There are plenty of affordable options for high-quality photography and video, such as hiring a professional photographer or videographer for a single photoshoot or video shoot, or even using your own smartphone to create content.

In conclusion, incorporating photography and video into your branding strategy can be simple, necessary, and life-changing.

High-quality images and videos can help you build a strong brand, attract the right customers, and differentiate yourself from your competitors.

So, don't be afraid to invest in professional photography and video for your business.

It's an investment that will pay off in the long run.

Thanks for reading!

If you have any questions or want to share your own branding experiences, I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

 
When Branding Your Business Goes Right in 2023
 

As a business owner, you are constantly looking for ways to stand out in a crowded market and attract new customers.

One powerful tool at your disposal is branding.

A strong brand can set you apart from your competitors and build trust and loyalty with your audience.

In 2023, branding your business will be more important than ever, and professional photography can play a key role in creating a consistent marketing message.

What is branding?

Branding refers to the overall image and perception of your business in the minds of your customers.

It includes elements like your logo, color scheme, font choices, and messaging.

Your brand is more than just a visual identity – it’s the emotional and psychological connection that your customers have with your business.

Why is branding important?

There are several reasons why branding is important for your business.

First and foremost, it helps you differentiate yourself from your competitors.

With so many businesses vying for attention, it’s important to have a clear and distinct brand that sets you apart.

A strong brand can also help you build trust with your customers.

When people feel a connection with your business, they are more likely to become loyal customers and recommend your products or services to others.

Branding can also impact your bottom line.

Research has shown that businesses with strong brands tend to have higher profitability and customer retention rates.

In a study by Millward Brown, it was found that strong brands can have up to a 23% price premium over their competitors.

This is because customers are willing to pay more for a brand they trust and feel a connection with.

The role of professional photography in branding

Professional photography can play a key role in creating a consistent marketing message for your business.

High-quality images not only look more professional, but they can also help convey your brand’s values and personality.

When done correctly, professional photography can help you stand out from the competition and create a strong emotional connection with your audience.

Here are a few ways that professional photography can enhance your branding efforts:

  1. Showcase your products or services: Professional photography can help you showcase your products or services in the best possible light. Whether you’re a retailer, a restaurant, or a service provider, high-quality images can help entice potential customers and give them a sense of what to expect.

  2. Convey your brand’s personality: Professional photography can help you communicate your brand’s personality and values. By using images that reflect your brand’s tone and style, you can create a consistent look and feel across all of your marketing channels.

  3. Build trust with your audience: Professional photography can help you build trust with your audience by showing them that you are a credible and reliable business. High-quality images can help convey a sense of professionalism and attention to detail, which can go a long way in building trust with your customers.

Why choose Bridgetown Pictures for your branding photography?

If you’re looking for professional photography to enhance your branding efforts, Bridgetown Pictures is the perfect choice.

We will work with you to create stunning images that capture the essence of your business.

We offer a range of services, including product photography, headshots, and even video.

We understand that branding is an investment, and we are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality service at an affordable price.

For a limited time, we are offering a 10% discount on all of our branding photography packages.

This offer is only available until January 7th, 2023, so don’t miss out.

In conclusion, branding your business is essential in today’s competitive market.

A strong brand can help you differentiate yourself from your competitors, build trust with your customers, and increase profitability.

Professional photography can play a key role in creating a consistent marketing message for your business and showcasing your products or services in the best possible light.

If you’re looking for professional branding photography, Bridgetown Pictures is here to help.

We will work with you to create stunning images that capture the essence of your business.

We offer a range of services, including product photography, headshots, and event coverage.

For a limited time, we are offering a 10% discount on all of our branding photography packages.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your branding efforts and take your business to the next level.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you succeed.

Want to take a look at our Pricing Guide? Click Here

 
Jessica Gubuan
3 Tips to Let Your Personality Shine in Brand Photos

Don't want your pictures to look exactly like everyone else's?


 

Here is our top 3 tips for adding personality to your branding photoshoot.


Everyone is weird

but how awesome is it when you find someone else that has the same weird thing as you!?! Showing your weirdness to the world not only shows personality but can also build an immediate connection with your fellow weirdos.

For example: I love peanut butter on my pancakes. If I meet someone else that puts peanut butter on their pancakes, THEY ARE MY PEOPLE!

Make a playlist

and bring it to your photoshoot. This is a tip I give all of my clients. I once had a client that was super super nervous. we put on some 90's hop hop and the entire vibe of the photoshoot changed! She went from nervous to confident badass immediately. When making your playlist think about the type of personality you what to show your audience and what kind of music that would inspire that in you.

Negativity be gone

Try to get your mind away from your anxiety over the shoot and into a more positive space. I know being confident is easier said than done. Find a photographer you can trust. Think about how far you have come and how proud of you your younger self would be. Letting the negativity go will give way to let you shine.

one extra tip. Wear clothing you look and FEEL comfortable and confident in. If you are physically uncomfortable you will look uncomfortable. Plan your outfits ahead of time. If you need extra help have a consultation with a personal stylsit. 


One extra tip

Wear clothing you look and FEEL comfortable and confident in. If you are physically uncomfortable you will look uncomfortable. Plan your outfits ahead of time. If you need extra help have a consultation with a personal stylsit.


5 Prop Ideas For Your Branding Photoshoot (that help tell your story)
 
 
 

5 Prop Ideas For Branding Photoshoots

So we've been at this long enough to know that 99% of people are going to start a photoshoot feeling pretty freaking awkward.

WE GET IT!

Where do I look?

Should I smile?

Why do my hands suddenly feel like they shouldn't exist?!

That's why we love starting a shoot off giving out clients an activity to do and props to interact with!

So your next question is, What kind of props should I bring to my shoot?

Here is our list of 5 of our favorite props to bring to your branding photoshoot

  1. Things you use every day.

    The goal here is to help your audience see into your daily routine or rituals you have.

    Do you start your day with a cup of coffee?

    Do you write your goals and intentions for the day?

    Maybe you always take a mid-day yoga break?

    The more unique the better!

    For example, I once saw a post from someone talking about how they eat their pancakes with peanut butter and Sugar-free syrup.

    I felt an immediate connection with them because there was someone out there just as weird as me.

  2. Accessories are another great prop (bonus points if they are on brand).

    You can throw a hat, wear your grandmother's pearl necklace, have a statement watch, red bottom shoes, or your favorite sports team jersey.

    Not only can these items help give you something to play with in the photo but they can help tell your story.

  3. Work Items.

    If you're a maker this is super easy, bring what your sell and the items you use to make it.

    It doesn't have to be that literal though.

    If you're a realtor, you could bring keys, a sold sign, or client magazines.

    Are you a coach or other virtual service provider?

    Bring a laptop, phone, podcasting mic, print outs of questionnaires.

    Anything you use regularly or physically represents what you do would be perfect.

  4. Something to celebrate?

    Did you just get featured in a magazine?

    Or maybe you have a goal you plan on achieving?

    Not only does your audience want to celebrate with you, but having the pictures ready to go for future wins can be a great way to manifest good things to come!

  5. What's coming up?

    Are the holidays around the corner?

    Are you planning a vacation?

    Bring items to your shoot that we can create content for things coming up on your calendar.

 
 
 
 

To sum that all up...

Bring things that help tell your story.

Let your audience see what your day looks like.

Manifest your goals by celebrating them in your shoot.

The more props you bring to your photo shoot, the more options you’ll have during your shoot.

Less is not more! 

BONUS TIP: I always tell clients during our shoot planning call to set out a bin 5 days before their shoot and add items to it throughout the week.

Ready to book your branding photoshoot? Click Here and enter your name and email to get our pricing guide and tips to avoid common mistakes made when hiring a brand photographer.

 
5 Ways We Take The Weirdness Out of Photoshoots in Public Spaces
 
branding photography in public

Well, that was awkward...

Have you ever wanted to take pictures in a public space but worried it would be awkward?

Here are 5 ways we take the weirdness out of shooting in public...

1. Do your research.

If you have worked with us before, you know we love a good strategic plan for shoot day.

Knowing where you want to go and what you want photos of will speed up the entire process.

I like to start by looking for locations on Instagram.

You can get a good idea of how the space photographs.

Plus a cafe, bar, shop, that has an active social media account gets what you're trying to do and will be way more receptive to letting you use their space if you tag them in a post or two.

2. Give yourself some space.

If you choose a location that's super crowded, not only will you not have room to move around and get a variety of pictures, but we will probably be invading other people's space too.

Try to find a location that has lots of room.

If it's indoors try to get near a window for the best light.

Or even better year, find a space with outdoor seating.

3. Be a giver not a taker

If you are in a location that is selling something.

Buy something.

If it's a Cafe, order food and drinks.

If it's a store, buy something ( you could even use it as a giveaway to grow your social media).

Just remember the more you give the more you get.

4. Be discrete and quick

I always try to get in and out of a location as quickly and professionally as I can.

Don't bring lots of lights or other gear.

I like to slip my mirrorless camera into a big purse and leave the rest of my kit behind.

Have a shot list and get to work.

The more time and space you take up, the more onlookers you will have.

If you are in a cafe, while waiting for your order, get some lifestyle shots and work on the computer shots.

Use the extra time to get whatever pictures you can and plan what you will get when your order arrives.

5. Know when to ask permission (and how to ask)

Ok here is the thing.

I am always going to recommend you get permission before shooting at any location.

But if you ask the wrong way, there is a huge chance you will never get a response.

If you ask making it sound like a big commercial production, they are going to say no (or never respond at all because they are waiting to get the ok from corporate and it all gets lost in the chain of command).

Just say, "Hey, is it ok if we take a few pictures for social media?"

That's not a lie and you are much more likely to get yes.

Just make sure to avoid logos and other companies' brands in your pictures.

We’re taking new clients RIGHT NOW! If you’re ready, you have to click here and take the next step.

 
What I do when Oregon decides to do what it does best...RAIN on photoshoot day.
 
 
 

If you are in the Pacific Northwest you know that unless it's the dead of summer, there is a big chance it is going to rain.

So what do we do if it rains on branding picture day?

Here are our go-to plans if we get bad weather.

All of our branding photoshoots come with at least 2 locations.

If it's the rainy season (so basically everything but August), one of those locations is most likely indoors.

  1. Plan an indoor location that has great outdoor spots within walking distance.

    Our studio in Oregon City Oregon is right on Main street in a historic building.

    While it's raining we do all our indoor shots but as soon as we get a break in the rain we pop outside and shoot as much as we can.

  2. Have a plan B.

    Know you don't want in-studio pictures?

    Once you choose a location find an indoor plan B option nearby.

    Cafes, restaurants, or bars are perfect for this.

    You can also use the lobby of office buildings and even shopping malls to create some great pictures.

    Just keep in mind, if you are in a private location you need to get permission to shoot there.

  3. Take pictures in your home or office.

    This is a great way to show your personality and what your day-to-day life is like.

    Don't have a home that is Insta-worthy?

    Check out places you can rent by the hour on Peerspace, Avvay, Homestudio list, and even Airbnb.

    You can find some amazing locations on these sites

    Bonus, these would be a business expense.

Are you ready to show up for your brand and connect with your future clients? Book your branding shoot with us here.

 
5 Branding Pictures You Can Take Yourself from Home
 
5-branding-photos-bridgetown-pictures-jessica-gubuan.jpg

Great photos are the heart of YOUR personal brand.

But if your state has a shelter-in-place order or if your usual brand photographer isn’t offering services at the moment, you might have to get a little creative in order to create some photos for sharing.

Here are four types of branding pictures you can take from home. All you’ll need is a camera or phone, a tripod, and your winning smile.

1 | A #WFH (Work from Home) Shot

Show potential clients where the magic is happening these days!

Are you working at your kitchen table? Your Instagram-worthy home office?

On the couch, snuggled up with your kids?

Set up a tripod and snap a few shots of your WFH life.

Don’t have a tripod?

Enlist the help of your partner or kids.

2 | Flatlays

The tools you use can tell a really vivid story about who you are and what you do.

Gather some objects that represent you and your business (bonus points if they are in your brands colors), arrange them on your kitchen table, and take some photos from above.

For example, if you’re a baker, get some cookies, your latest recipe book, a whisk, and your KitchenAid mixer in the shot.

If you’re a graphic designer, get your laptop, your sketchbook, and a few of your favorite prints you’ve done.

3 | Close-ups Get up close and personal.

Take a few shots of yourself from the shoulders up.

As long as you find some natural light near a window and keep the emphasis on your face, no one will ever guess you took those shots in your living room!

(Bonus: close-up portraits are perfect for your bio & your LinkedIn profile.)

4 | Outfit Changes

The best thing about an at-home brand photoshoot?

You can do as many retakes and outfit changes as you want!

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different looks.

Take a series of full-body shots in different outfits.

(This is perfect for regular social media posting, since wearing a different outfit will make it look like it was taken on a different day!)

5 | Show us who you are at home with.

This is a great chance to show your audience who you are outside of your professional brand.

Do you have kids?

Super cute puppy?

Letting your audience see into your world can build trust and make you seem a bit more human.

These days, we’re all spending a lot more time at home and online than usual.

If you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or working professional, there’s never been a better time to give your brand a much-needed visual refresh with a great at-home brand photoshoot.

While hiring a professional brand photographer is not exactly an option right now, these tips should help tide you over until you’re able to shoot with the pros again.

Want more ideas like this?

We created the #WFH Content Calendar with 1 months of daily ideas of what you can post during this pandemic.

CLICK HERE to get it.

 
Your Branding During Times of Crisis: Do's & Don’ts
 
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Things have been weird. Life looks totally different now than it did a few months ago.

All at once, so many things that were normal and we’d always taken for granted were taken away – from spending time with loved ones to dining in at restaurants to even working with clients face to face (we miss you).

When it comes to your branding during current circumstances, there are a lot of things to consider.

It’s important to acknowledge so your whats going on so your messaging isn’t tone-deaf – but at the same time, you want to make sure you’re not focusing too much on the negative.

Let these do's and don’ts guide your your branding during this time.

DO: Be Genuine We may have to be distant but were not alone.

Be real and transparent about your efforts and your struggles during this difficult time.

DON’T: Pretend everything’s normal It’s not “business as usual.”

Acknowledge the current situation and seek to share content that’s relevant and sensitive.

DO: Try to make people’s lives better in current conditions.

With these new circumstances comes a whole new set of needs.

Ask yourself: what skills or resources do I have that could help meet people’s needs right now?

Whatever your business is, IT'S STILL NEEDED (even you you can't operate it the way you did before)

They to find ways to fill your audiences need until they can use your service again.

DON’T: Exploit the crisis.

While there’s certainly nothing wrong with meeting current needs brought on by the crisis, you never want to come across as though you’re trying to profit off of other people’s suffering or discomfort.

Be sensitive and be kind.

DO: Stay positive.

There’s enough gloom, fear, and heaviness in the world already. Stay hopeful and optimistic about your brand’s future – and do your best to share that light with others.

DON’T: Get complacent

While it’s perfectly okay to dial things back a bit during these trying times, make sure you don’t check out entirely.

Try to use this downtime to your advantage, whether by refreshing your personal brand, creating more content, or even learning new skills.

It’s important to maintain consistency as much as possible so that when things get up and running again, you’ll be on top of it.

During times like these, people are longing for more human connection.

Be transparent, positive, and thoughtful as you navigate how to best manage your brand through all of this.

Oh I almost forgot….

We realized that right away people were going to have a hard time in this new world. Home schooling, Zoom calls with kids on your laps, the extra cooking, the cleaning and the uncertainty.

So we created FREE Content Calendar with ideas for a WHOLE MONTH so you don’t even have to think. Just look. Create. Upload. Done.

Interested? Click Here to Get it Sent to Your Email.

 
7 Reasons Why Your Personal Branding Needs Professional Photography
 

The idea of personal branding has been around for a long time in on form or another.

The problem that you face is that your... well... face... is everywhere now.

And first impressions happen in less than a second.

Unfortunately... or fortunately (if you follow the advice below)... you can make the right impression.

REASON #7 | Outdated Photos Make You Untrustworthy

Think about it. If you were going to meet someone in person for the first time and they didn't match their picture, would you trust them more?

Or would you trust them less?

REASON #6 | Standard Headshots are Mostly Boring

Sure, there's a time and a place for the professional headshot.

But do you really want that to be the story you tell about your brand?

We recommend that you have candid photography done where you're part of the story that you want your market to learn about.

REASON #5 | Pictures Tell Stories, So Why Don't You?

When you take professional photographs, you can use them to tell a story about your brand.

You can create an origin story through visual images that tell people who you are.

REASON #4 | Don't Just Tell The Story, Connect Emotionally Too!

Yeah. Pictures do tell stories, but they also pull people in emotionally.

When you do this through your branding, it changes the conversation in people's heads from "yeah this person is credible" to "I feel like they know me".

REASON #3 | Create a Consistent Brand Message

One of the biggest reasons for having professional branding photography done is to create a congruent marketing message.

A congruent marketing message creates trust with your market.

That trust is created by familiarity.

REASON #2 | Fresh and Professional Translates to Caring

It's true. When you have a stale branding look, it makes it seem like you don't care when your customers take a look at what you're up to.

When they research you, they're going to see everything you have online and then immediately dismiss you or validate you.

REASON #1 | Instantly Create a Trusting and Likable Brand Image

When it comes to creating a marketing message that communicates who you are and what you stand for, professional branding photography does this instantly.

How?

By having a first impression that looks clean, professional and matches all of your other images.

It also is a current and fresh photo of you so that when they meet you in person, you're not mistaken for someone else.

It's very key.

What do you think?

Do you think that professional branding photography is required?

Let me know in the comments below.

Talk to You Soon,

Mark Gubuan

Owner/Director of Funk

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P.S. Have you seen our 2019 Fall/Winter Style Guide? Get it here.

 
Cheap Headshots Are Hurting You Not Helping; Do This Instead

Cheap headshots might seem like the ONLY option you have when you're just getting started with marketing or branding yourself or your business.

I get it though... the whole point of getting headshots done are to help create trust, to imply professionalism and to show the people that you're looking to attract that you take things seriously...

But the reality is that you're just making yourself look like everyone else.

If headshots aren't the way to go, what should you do instead?

Well if you're looking for one single headshot to put on a passport photo or something like that, by all means go to the mall or have a friend take your picture.

But if you're really looking for the wow factor, there's a really obvious and frustratingly overlooked "tactic".

Be you.

The authentic, genuine version of yourself.

 
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In a headshot, we simply don't pose you.

No that's boring (sure we do these but they're not the only thing we do).

What we do is capture you in your natural element.

…in a genuine setting with an authentic emotion.

Trust me... if you love what you do, then you’re not going to feel awkward or self conscious...

And you’re going to look amazing!

And that’s because candid photography is done in a way that you just “do you” and the photographer does the rest...

So you get to be an authentic and genuine person by being you...

You just act natural...

And you rise above the noise and stand out!

How does that sound?

If this makes sense to you and you’re looking for an amazing headshot solution, then check out our Bridgetown Story Sessions right here.

Take Care,

Mark Gubuan

Studio Manager/Director of Funk

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The Move Makers and Their Experience with Bridgetown Story Sessions
 

When we first started with business branding photography, we knew that we could create high quality photography, but we wanted to nail down our process first.

That's where The Move Makers come in...

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The Move Makers are an enthusiastic group of people that make organization and moving a totally stress free experience.

I remember back in the day that I hated moving so much.

I probably moved once a year for 6 years straight. It was so brutal for me that made sure that I was able to fit all of my belongings into a small red pickup truck.

When moving day came… poof… I was gone… LOL.

Now.... I stay put much longer...

But if you want to cut down on the stresses and hassles of organization and moving, The Move Makers are definitely the one's you want to talk to.

A Bridgetown Story Sessions Success Story

The Move Makers are a wonderful example of a business that wanted to update their visual branding to match their level of customer service, experience and enthusiasm.

And to see how beautifully the photography, website and social media marketing came together is amazing because we know that their business is taking steps forward.

We're proud to be able to help businesses with photography.

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Branding Photography is A Marketing First Approach to Photography

…and when we approach a business branding session, we do it with a marketing first approach.

Traditional photographers focus on “getting the shot” and there’s absolutely NOTHING WRONG with that because ultimately that’s what a great photographer does.

But a branding photographer has to think ahead to HOW the pictures are going to be used.

Today, you have more than just printed materials…

You have social media now and that is quite intensive.

What’s great about working with The Move Makers was that since we approached their requirements this way, there was no second guessing what they needed.

From the planning, to the execution and delivery of the branding shoot, we left no detail undone.

For them, we understood that it was an investment for them and creating high converting photography was a priority.

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Since The Move Makers have been taking advantage of our subscription service, they had the opportunity to create a cohesive marketing message for the entire year.

We worked with their staff closely each session and brought their vision to life.

Since they had dedicated marketing staff, it was a breeze to setup the shoots so that they received exactly what they wanted.

But not to worry, if you don’t have dedicated marketing staff, we have a process we use to ensure there are no grey areas when it comes to what you’re expectations are and what we deliver for you.

It is absolutely our priority to align your photography with your marketing message so that over time your digital and print assets convert leads and sales for you.

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The Move Makers Results with Branding Photography

Branding Photography is an investment that has unlimited potential.

Now, I can’t guarantee that your branding images will ever go viral or convert sales and leads at specific rate…

There’s just so many factors at play…and it’s just irresponsible to guarantee something like that…

But what I can say is that professional photography that aligns with your marketing message, affects the perception that your clients have of you.

Instantly, they’ll feel more comfortable and will trust you more since all of your marketing channels will be congruent.

From Facebook, to Instagram, to your website, they will see your images and not just generic stock photography.

Now there’s a time and place for stock images (we offer a unique stock image gallery with our Bridgetown Insider’s Club).

But nothing is better than genuine, story telling, imagery showcasing you, your employees, products or services.

Here at Bridgetown Pictures, we’re always excited to speak with you, so if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (503) 383-9159.

Want to learn more about Bridgetown Story Sessions? Check out our Branding Photography page.

Have you seen our Owner Education Series? Check Out The 7 Personal Branding Photography Pillars Your Competition Doesn’t Want You to Know

 
Get Our Exact Storyboard Worksheet That We Use to Create Story Telling Photography that Converts
 

In this blog post, we're going to learn the three steps to creating story telling photography that sells.

As a quick note to you, When I came up with this Training Series I had 3 goals in mind.

1. The training helped you sell more of your stuff.

2. The lessons were easy to execute.

…and

3. The simplicity reduced your procrastination to zero.

If you aren't caught up on the first lesson in the series, you can get caught up right here.

Let's get started shall we?

FACT: As of APR 2019 Marvel Cinematic Universe Grossed $7.6 BILLION worldwide.

SOURCE: https://www.statista.com/statistics/188510/most-successful-movie-franchises-in-north-america/

Why?

Marvel comics create iconic stories that connect with every conceivable person that watches or reads them.

Stories have been proven over thousands of years to be the world’s greatest communication tool.

So if this works so well.

Why not use this model for our businesses?

…and then I saw this and something clicked… I needed to share this with you…

2014 Women Survey: Do you prefer online ads that use original photography?

SOURCE: https://www.statista.com/statistics/595040/women-s-preference-of-online-ads-that-use-original-photography-in-the-us/

There are 166 million women in America as of 2018. That's a lot of people that probably go online to shop.

So how do you compete for that attention?

Yup. You guessed it.

Story telling photography!

Sounds like a lot of work....right?

STOP!

Quit telling yourself all of those excuses as to why you don't need this....

because I have the solution for you...

Get your FREE COPY of our Storyboarding Worksheet.

How to Use the Bridgetown Pictures Story Sessions Storyboard Worksheet

(If you have marketing staff, you can refer them to this article and give them this worksheet)

START HERE: What do you want your audience to learn about you or your business?

This is your objective.

Keep it simple, for instance...

You could say, "We want to highlight our employee's experience and skill to convey high quality and care."

or "We want to tell people about our proud heritage"

or finally, "we want to show people how we treat our customers"

STEP 1: WRITE DOWN YOUR IDEAS - THESE ARE PLOT POINTS IN THE STORY

Ok, so if you're not creating a long story, this section isn't really "plot points".

It's even more precise.

You might write down something like, "Store Front, Delivery Truck, Team/Employees, Products"

(I know this seems obvious, but there's a reason for it all)

STEP 2: CREATE THE STORY STRUCTURE

SET THE STAGE

What is your audience going to learn that will change their life or their business?

But let's say you are creating a robust campaign or a campaign that's going to span several weeks.

You might describe this by saying, "our audience will be re-exposed to the problems and frustrations of gardening and how our thing will make their garden green."

or "our audience will be reminded of the pain of procrastination and that our process puts them at peak productivity."

DEVELOP THE PLOT

List the 3 plot twists that are the most impactful or important to the story arc.

What story are you telling that helps your teaching point?

This should take your audience through a range of emotions.

Birthdays, anniversaries, vacations, sporting events, places where people experience life are excellent ways to catch candid photography.

(I talk about candid photography in the following trainings)

But within these events, you're audience will get to experience the ups and downs of the problems they're trying to solve.

CLOSE THE LOOP

Restate or clearly state the moral of the story.

Tell your audience how to buy the solution to the problem.

For example, you might say, "you'll never have to waste food again. All you have to do is buy this refrigerator"

That's really all it is.

But that seems too simple doesn't it?

It really is!

If you’re struggling, this is because you have a values conflict somewhere that says something like....

I’ve only seen success from long complicated things, so if it’s not long and complicated it can’t be true.

Because my values of hard work and success are conflicting with each other.

STEP 3: Finalize The Storyboard Photography

Now that you’ve created a storyboard, you’re ready to plan out each image so that you can tell a continuous story across all of your marketing channels.

Effectively, this is going to be your shoot list.

Note how this essentially is what you’ve described in STEP 2, but in picture format.

In this final step, you will either sketch, use the internet to paste images or write a full description of the story.

SET THE STAGE

What people, places or things do you need to show in these images to properly set the stage?

Maybe some ideas could be a storefront, the perspective of your dishwasher or cook, the building that the end product gets delivered.

Or even sketches or notepads with ideas on them.

The goal here is to lay the groundwork for a genuine story to be told.

DEVELOP THE PLOT

What people, places or things do you need to create an emotional connection with the audience?

When you’re shooting these shots, we’re not looking for acting.

No we’re looking for quite the opposite.

We want a genuine reaction in a common situation.

The plot twists should always lead to the resolution of any problems our main characters are going through.

CLOSE THE LOOP

What people, places or things do you need to communicate the main point of your story and to conclude or close the open loops?

Showing satisfaction and happiness is the direction I would take this. Not to mention that the photo session is also a lot more fun too.

Turn some music on...

Set the tone....

I digress, some examples of this might be the results of your product or service.

Take pictures of the joy and happiness of achieving goals and use your products in fun environments if possible.

...Or show your customers how easy to use it is.

I KNOW THAT'S A LOT OF WORK...

and I know that you might not always want to do a full storyboard for a small campaign.

...but the photography still has to get done.

ON TOP of the planning.

We realized that this was a problem...

We can teach you all of these strategies and tactics, but it's worthless unless you can execute on it.

That's why we knew we had to help.

We created a product called Bridgetown Story Sessions that focuses on telling stories through genuine, candid photography.

This is perfect for Personal Brand Photography.

If you're selling a cookbook or a food blogger we'd love to work with you!

Or if you have a process or history you want to share with your audience, Bridgetown Story Sessions is ideal for that.

But we know that executing on the photography can be a challenge to do it yourself.

The time spent learning how to operate a camera alone is a commitment.

And then there's the curating, editing, resizing.

Shooting for negative space for marketing creatives...

I think you get the point...

Still think you're ready to storyboard on your own?

Then don't forget your FREE Download :)

Click to DOWNLOAD Your FREE Storyboard Worksheet

Tomorrow, we'll be learn how to:

Choose the Highest Converting Photography Style for Your First Three Story Branding Photography Sessions

Let me know in the comments below what you thought about this article.

The good, the bad, the ugly. I can take it. (maybe)

LOL.

But let me know so I can give you more of what you want.

Take care,

Mark Gubuan

Studio Manager and Director of Funk

Studio Manager and Director of Funk
 
 
Jessica Gubuan
[FREE PDF] How to Create a Customer Success Profile so That You Can Craft a High Converting Marketing Message
 

I'm glad you're here. Obviously marketing works. You're here reading this.

You probably saw an image or an article and clicked a link and….

Voila. You're here.

This article is part of a series teaching you How to Create Story Branding Photography.

My name is Mark and I'm the Studio Manager (and part owner) here.

If you missed the intro to why we're doing this and seemingly training our competition…

Get caught up here:

https://www.bridgetownpictures.com/blog/7-pillars-your-competition-doesnt-want-you-to-know-about-taking-branding-photography

Ready to start? Let's get into it!

Build Your Primary Customer Avatar

If you're not marketing, why do you need photography?

But if you're marketing, then it's clear. You need genuine, high quality, story telling photography to create high converting advertising.

10 second intro about me...

I've been studying marketing since the late 90's. And internet marketing since not shortly after that.

Advertising and copyrwriting are something that naturally comes with the territory.

So when I approach photography, I tend to be biased towards marketing...

And that's a good thing...

Because a customer avatar defines everything you do.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE CUSTOMER AVATAR WORKSHEET

A customer avatar creates the clarity you need to begin the process.

We need to define these things:

  • Personal Information

  • Geography

  • Psychology

  • Finances

  • Leisure

  • Fears & Challenges

1. Personal Information

This is basically their driver's license. If you picked up their driver's license, what would is say? We define this because psychologically for US, we have to be able to metaphorically walk in their shoes to really get an understanding for their problems.

When we can do this, we allow ourselves to come up with better solutions.

2. Geography

Geography matters because there can be language differences (like pop and soda) that might be the difference between making a sale and not making a sale.

If we're going to be spending time and money on marketing, we have to get it right.

3. Psychology

The psychology of your avatar will give you exactly what you need to say or do everyday to not only get the attention of your perfect client, but to also earn their trust.

Speaking to them in the way that they relate to the best will enhance your advertising and marketing so that it converts.

Let me go a little bit deeper here...

If you follow pop culture trends, you can leverage those ideas to create customer attracting ads.

This is where all viral ideas come from.... (like memes).

4. Finances

Until you really build the full profile of your perfect customer, you're just leaving things to chance.

Knowing their buying habits and wealth categories, gives you the upper hand when it comes to placing your ads in the right place.

Even creating buying methods or payment plans that you know your market not only uses, but DESIRES.

(Accepting Bitcoin Payments for example).

And finally, you can create pricing that lines up with what they're willing to spend.

5. Leisure

This is another link to pop culture trends, but it gives you another perspective on your perfect person.

Knowing their activities will allow you to not only leverage pop culture, but allow you to advertise and create marketing around the things that interest them.

6. Fears & Challenges

This is a big section that touches on the person as a whole.

Their health, wealth, spirituality, psychology, fears and frustrations.

This section on there surface seems like a negative and depressing thing to do, however, it is your responsibility to use this section honestly and ethically.

This is a secret weapon.

You can not only use this FEAR as a tool to create action, but you can also use this as a way to develop solutions that aren't easily discovered unless you do this type of analysis.

Think about this, you can pull someone towards you by placing their fear in front of them.

And then when they get to you, you can provide the solution and be that savior.

What Does a Customer Success Profile Have to Do with Photography?

Well, I get it...

This is A LOT of thinking work. Writing. But not photography.

There's a reason why I consider this one of THE MOST IMPORTANT documents in a business.

...it's because you're defining a voice...

It is this VOICE that every perfect client hears in their head when you talk to them.

It is ALSO unspoken communication....

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.

Right?

The next thing we will do is DEFINE our STORY. Get ready for tomorrow's post and the supplementary video I'm shooting tomorrow.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE PDF SHORTCUT GUIDE

 
7 Personal Branding Photography Pillars Your Competition Doesn't Want You To Know About
 
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Branding Photography Owner Education Series

As Studio Manager and Owner of Bridgetown Pictures, I wanted to design a tool for you that met three criteria.

1. It helped you sell more of your stuff.

2. It was easy to execute.

and 3. You didn't have to worry about procrastination.

Check out the first training link below to get your FREE Customer Success Profile PDF.

Get the FREE Download Here

Marketing works. That's what got you here right?

You probably saw an article and an image and clicked a link.

Nod if you agree... :)

Ready to learn Story Branding Photography? Keep going...

Who is this for?

  • This is for the business that needs an increase in sales and understands that photography is the weak link.

  • And it's for the business that knows their social media and online advertising is suffering and understand that high quality, relevant pictures that convert sales is the answer to the problem.

Who is this NOT for?

  • This is NOT for businesses that already have marketing mastered.

  • This is NOT for businesses that don't want to dig in and commit a few hours for a couple short weeks to learn.

  • This is NOT for businesses that aren't ready to scale up or AT LEAST preparing to scale up.

What is it?

This is a short educational series that helps your advertising convert more by creating story branded photography.

If you want to succeed, learn the following:

  1. How to Create Customer Avatar for a Targeted Marketing Message

  2. Define Your Brand Story to Communicate your Message Clearly

  3. Choose the Highest Converting Photography Style for The First Three Different Story Branding Photography Sessions

  4. How to Prep For a Productive Shoot

  5. How to Execute the Plan for the Shoot

  6. Complete Post Shoot Activities to Systematically Begin Testing Each Photograph to Identify the Highest Converting Image

Why spend time learning this?

Our businesses have an ecosystem that has to have balance.

Marketing and advertising is a critical part of that system.

Modern marketing and advertising requires high converting photography.

This part cannot be overlooked in a winning marketing plan.

The beauty about this process is once you’ve learned it, you’re all set to repeat it over and over again.

Sweet?

Ya! Let’s get started!

P.S. Have you discovered how to create a Customer Avatar to Craft a Targeted Message

 
How to Create Story Telling Photographs That Sell

STEP 1: DEFINE YOUR WINNING MARKETING MESSAGE

Winning at marketing means you’re selling more stuff.

Who doesn’t want more of that?!

A winning marketing message is one that has these 5 things:

  1. Emotional Connection

  2. Clear Call to Action

  3. Talks About ONLY ONE Thing

  4. Creates Trust

  5. Talks About the Benefit (directly/indirectly)

...next...

STEP 2: MAP OUT THE STORY IN WORDS

The right planning eliminates the day of the shoot frustrations that come with poor planning.

The first thing you should do is map out the context of the story.

Set the stage for where our characters are going to be set.

Write out any defining emotions you want to achieve from certain plot points.

Lastly, create an open hook pulling your perfect client in... (HINT: This makes the whole process easier when you get this right)

STEP 3: TAKE PICTURES

One of the reasons for prepping so thoroughly is so that you can plan to have everything you need to create that high converting story.

FINALLY! You can feel like you’re doing something right.

Now that you’re at the day of the shoot, you have your message at the top of your mind and you’ve written out exactly what you want to capture.

Time to execute.

Here are some recommended supplies:

  1. DSLR Camera

  2. Continuous Lighting

  3. Props

  4. Reflectors

With these foundational items, you should be able to complete your photo shoot.

Now I know that everyone has varying degrees of experience shooting pictures...

And you are probably more than capable of pulling something like this off. 

But if you’re like me, you know that your time is spent best doing the things you know you’re great at....

...and get amazing results doing it...

Taking high converting photos might not be the best use of your time....

Because you’re going to have to deal with the learning curve, the frustration of lighting, framing the right shot...

And so many other nuances...

Luckily, we have a solution for you...

It’s called Bridgetown Story Sessions!

To be the first to learn about this Call (503) 383-9159 to talk to Jess and get the details.

What is personal branding photography?

Personal branding photography marries together the idea that you are unique and special, with an expectation of what people will experience when they do business with you.

Let's just get the cliche's out of the way...

It tells a story about who you are...

Now that that's outta the way, let's talk about how personal branding photography can help you.

The #1 Reason Why You Should Have Personal Branding Photography Done

We live a skeptical world with too much information.

Everything is fake.

People don't know who to trust.

And to top it off, we're constantly fighting for attention...

When people "google" you, do they see someone that they know, like and trust?

If the answer is no...

Then you already understand why you ABSOLUTELY have to have a personal branding photography session done.

This is the reason why you need personal branding photography.

We instruct our clients to use personal branding very specifically.

Want to learn how? Keep reading...

How to Use Personal Branding Photography in Your Business

1| Update Your Website

This is usually where your head probably went when you first started your search, so let's address this.

A hero image is the image that you choose as the most widely distributed and "known" image that represents you or your brand.

This hero image should be strategically placed where a customer is going to see it so that it instantly creates the perception of you that you want to create.

Think about it being where they are looking for trust like a checkout page, testimonial or review, banner or header and the about me section.

2| Social Media Profiles

Out with the old and in with the new. This one is a bit more involved, so let's just start with the basics.

Depending on how you market yourself, you'll want to create consistency when someone is researching you.

For example, if they jump from your social media to your website and back again, they want to see the same pictures as it links their thoughts together.

Put it this way...

A person looking for a solution for a problem is going to immediately run away if your social media doesn't line up with the expectations that you created on your website.

Maybe you come off high end on your website, but your social media says budget…

So by having the same profile image as the hero image on your website and more importantly, you contain the same messaging, then you've created consistency and trust by simply having the same picture.

3| Marketing and Advertising Campaigns

Ok, so you've spent all of that money on a professional personal branding photography session.

Time to put it to work...

Since you've taken the time to create a marketing campaign and sync'd the photography to meet that requirement, then you're ready to launch that campaign.

The obvious place to you use this photography is in your social media advertising, print ads and brochures.

As the new marketing campaigns roll out with this new image…

…you can expect a shift in customer base as you’re going to start attracting more clients that line up with your vision.

So when you have a professional shoot done, it is far more effective to then be able to create consistent messaging in your business.

The bottom line is that if you improve your marketing and advertising, you are improving your sales numbers.

When you improve your sales numbers, problems get solved and you serve more people.

Is Personal Branding Photography Right for You?

So how do you know if you need this or not?

Here are 10 Signs You Need Personal Branding Photography

  1. You Haven't Updated Your Website in The Last 365 Days

  2. You Haven't Updated Your Social Media in The Last 90 Days

  3. You Have New Employees

  4. Your Business is Brand New

  5. You Want to Improve Your Marketing and Advertising

  6. People Are Confused By What You Do

  7. Your Business Isn't as Successful as It Should Be

  8. You Want to Stand Out from The Crowd

  9. You Don't Want to Do It Yourself

  10. Cell Phone Images Don't Cut It Anymore

And finally, the last thing that I want to say is that you need this if people don't know, like and trust you.

Need more sales? Then let's get started...

Reach out to Jessica at Jess@BridgetownPictures.com or Call (503) 383-9159 and book your session today.

7 Reasons You Need Personal Branding Photography

Personal branding photography is soon to be a dreaded buzzword, but it’s the simplest way to describe story telling through photography for businesses.

If you’re reading this, I can assume that you want to learn what personal branding photography is, whether or not its right for you and if so, how quickly can you get a return on investment….

…let’s get to it shall we?

What is personal branding photography?

As I stated above, it’s story telling through photography. But let’s simplify this further…

For me a personal brand is where YOU have your face up front and center (I’ll be writing another post about business branding, so stay posted for that), rather than the business.

A real estate agent, personal trainer, life coach, business coach, chiropractor, dentist, pediatrician, contractor, landscaper, handyman, mechanic, insurance, mortgage or accountant and many more industries and professions call all use personal branding photography of some kind.

Wow! That’s a lot…

It’s kinda funny to me that some businesses can still get away with not branding themselves at all… but a lot of the time I discover that’s because they’re well established and have a solid reputation and referral base.

…while its great to work with folks like that, it’s the people, like you, who have more money than time that need to start thinking about leveling up all aspects of your business (especially marketing) that are the best to work with…

Why? Read on my friend.

7 | Personal Branding Photography: Builds Rapport Automatically

You know who does personal branding really well? Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

If you follow him on social media, you feel like you know him.

His photographs tell a story about who he is and you relate to the images (like him holding his newborn baby in the hospital).

With branding photography, you build this rapport without even saying single word.

6 | Personal Branding Photography: Highlights Your Best Self

Because personal branding photography sessions are designed to tell your story, you have the opportunity to showcase how awesome you are.

It’s amazing how much of your story you think is boring, when in reality, for other people it’s the most inspiring thing they’ve ever heard.

Never doubt yourself.

You’re awesome.

5 | Personal Branding Photography: Displays Your Status or Authority

You are experienced, skilled and good at what you do.

With professional photography, this tells your clients that you can be trusted and you know what you’re doing.

If you have awards or other skills you want to highlight, this branding can show that to your audience.

4 | Personal Branding Photography: Revolutionizes Your Marketing Message

Marketing and sales is really the name of the game here.

When you have professional photography wrapped into your marketing and sales not only where it’s supposed to be (websites, brochures, etc) and then inside of your social media marketing strategy, what happens is that your stories are being told throughout the customer journey (want to learn more about this? there’s an upcoming blog on this).

Your marketing message is the communicated in such a way that people connect emotionally with you and this is important because it creates likability.

3 | Personal Branding Photography: Instantly Builds Trust

Professional photography that replaces standard cell phone or amateur photography inside of your marketing and advertising converts fence sitters and skeptics into your most valued customers.

This is because professional images with YOU in them create a sense of “got it together”.

And that is important when they’re trying to choose between you and the next person.

2 | Personal Branding Photography: Makes You Stand Out

It may seem like “everyone’s doing it”, but that can’t be further from the truth.

The only people that are getting personal branding photography are those people that are committed to moving their business forward or that are already in a position of success, but they haven’t highlighted that success yet.

A professional photography session can be that bridge to success for you.

1 | Personal Branding Photography: Measurable Results

You can take your business revenue today, then have a professional photography session tomorrow.

IMPLEMENT your photographs into your marketing and advertising and see exactly how much more revenue you generate.

This is very measurable.

Now, I can’t guarantee a positive ROI, but what I can guarantee is that your story is being told, you’re gaining trust, you’re gaining a positive reputation and you’re highlighting what you do best.

In my most humble opinion, if you do those things, you can only expect to see some positive results.

How to Get the Best Personal Branding Photography

First of all, communication is very important.

When you work with Bridgetown Pictures, we ensure that in our pre-session consultation no one leaves feeling like we missed something.

We will go through a systematic questionnaire that helps us leave no stone un-turned.

So at the end of the pre-session consultation, Bridgetown Pictures understands what your marketing message is, how your photography will be used and what stories we’ll be telling about you.

Next, you’ll want to contact us at Jess@BridgetownPictures.com or call us at (503) 383-9159 and pay your first installment to get us on your calendar.

You’ll want to act fast because our 12 month schedule is booking up fast and once it’s booked, you’ll have to wait for a spot to open back up. Which is about 12 months at the longest right now.