My Approach to Business Branding Photography ~ Vancouver, WA
/In short, my approach to business branding photography is pretty relaxed. My goal is to get images that reflect not just what you DO, but also who you ARE… in the most comfortable, low-key way possible! I’m there to document you doing what you already love, not to create and direct a production set.
Show me your passion and I’ll show you some empowering, story-telling images of you doing it!
1. Calm, Cool, Collected…. it’s all about Comfort!
Comfort is KEY for your session. Trust me, I KNOW that you are going to be pretty nervous on the day of your session, but I try negate that with some strategic planning. =)
First things first, we’re going to jump on a consultation call BEFORE YOU EVEN BOOK ME to make sure that we are a good fit and feel comfortable working with each other. I’m going to ask you a bunch of questions about your work and your brand. This information helps me to create a “plan” before your session, and also get to know a little more about you, your personality, and your general “vibe”.
On the day of your session, I love to start with the “Behind the Scenes” photos. This is the time that I spend documenting you doing the thing that you do. I tend to do this first because you already know and feel comfortable doing it! We’ll chat a bit while you’re doing your thing, and get the nerves settled before we move on to the “smile at the camera” part of the day that seems to terrify everyone!
2. You are the expert at what you do.
For the most part, you are going to know 1000x more about your profession than I do. I rely on that. I’m going to learn something from you, and you’re going to “lead” us through the session.
No, I’m not going to make you put the plan together and direct me. Rather, I’m going to have you to show me the different aspects of your business and what it is that you do. I’m going to ask questions. I’m going to let you shine in your expertise!
3. Show your potential clients what they want to see!
Hot take, perhaps, but I truly believe that there is often a disconnect in what business owners what to show their clients, and what their potential clients ACTUALLY want to see.
For example… Let’s say I’m searching for a new dentist for my children and land on a providers website. I do NOT want to see photos of an exam table and the fancy, techy, high priced machines or stock images of teeth. I want to see photos of a welcoming, kid-friendly lobby. I want to see smiling photos of the dental hygienists in fun scrubs. I want to see other kiddos in that fancy exam room looking like they are 100% comfortable in their surroundings.
When I enter a business for a branding session, the first thing that I think about is, “As a potential client, what do I want to see that would make me want to walk in these doors?”
Earlier I mentioned that you likely know your profession 1000x better that I do, but on the flip side, that means that I am 1000x closer to your potential clients who have no knowledge about what you do… and I can use that to your advantage!
4. Respect the Vibe.
A few months back I had a consultation call with a massage therapist who focuses on medical massage and wanted her branding images to showcase a clean, professional, medical-practice type vibe rather than a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere. Knowing the “vibe” is an important part of my planning process and helps me determine the best lighting, angles, focal points, and details to photograph.
For instance, some things that may be different in my approach to each:
Lighting for a medical massage practice = bright, lots of light.
Lighting for a massage at a spa = low, relaxing, soft light.
Focal points for a medical massage practice = more focus on the provider and the specific techniques being used.
Focal points for a massage at a spa = more focus on the client and their relaxing experience.
Details to document for a medical massage practice = supplements for sale, degrees and certifications hanging on the walls, muscle/body structure props.
Details to document for a massage at a spa = Essence oils, hot stones/Himalayan salt lamps, beverage/snack selection, plush lobby seating.
We’ll talk about the “vibe” you want to portray during your consultation call. I often ask about what words you want your clients to use when they describe and refer you to someone else… and from there, I’ll create a plan for my approach!
