Are Your Professional Photographs On-brand?

By Krishna De, Ireland's leading employer branding, personal branding and social media expert. Krishna is the chair of the organising team and a speaker at "A Brand You World - Global Telesummit".

So you are going to be featured in the press and now the journalist asks you for a photograph to add to add to the article.

Or perhaps you are speaking at a forthcoming conference and the event organiser asks for your photograph for the conference brochure.

Or maybe you have realised the time has come to add a professional headshot to your website or business blog or your social netowrking profile at Facebook, LinkedIn, Ecademy or Ziggs?

How confident do you feel that reflects the brand that is truly you?

I remember doing a website makeover for a client on one of my programmes last year and they had what I can only describe as something worse than not having a photograph on their website – they were using a photograph that was damaging to their personal brand.

When we are asked for a professional photograph it really must reflect our personal brand and also be one that your ideal clients will respond to.

Here are five tips you can use to ensure that your profession photograph reflects who you really are and exudes credibility:
 

1. CHOOSE THE BACKDROP

Avoid having lots of things in the background or being surrounded with paraphernalia and clutter. You need this to be a photograph that focuses on you as the subject. Consider a backdrop in a location that is associated with your brand, for example if you work with financial institutions you could ask your professional photographer to photograph you in that location in the city.

2. DO YOUR RESEARCH

Before you book a professional photographer, do your research. Research and prepare a set of examples of other peoples professional photographs that you like – for example go through a business publication and identify the styles of shots you like.

You might even be able to identify the photographer to use from the credits. Remember that just because you have known your family photographer for many years, they may not be the right person for your professional headshot. Instead, seek out a photographer whose expertise is in commercial photography.

3. GO PREPARED

I recommend that if you are planning to invest in a session with a professional photographer that you have photographs taken in a couple of different outfits. One might be more formal and the other more casual. Consider who might be looking for copies of your photograph and the places your photograph may be published and dress accordingly.

But remember to be yourself – if you do not usually wear a tie and that is a signature of how you dress, make sure that this is how you shot up for the professional photo shoot.

4. KEEP IT SIMPLE

Talking of what to wear, keep your colours, patterns and accessories simple. Remember that the photograph is meant to reflect you and your personality should shine through. Select colours and patterns that do not distract.

And if you plan to have an accessory with you, ensure that it is on-brand, not like one of my clients who only realised after their photograph appeared in the national press that while they were positioning themselves and their business as a premium brand, he was sitting holding a cheap plastic pen.

5. INVEST FOR THE FUTURE

As you are investing in a photo shoot, ask your photographer to take photographs in black and white and colour.

Also, be aware that professional photographers hold the copyright to your photographs so I recommend that you purchase a digital copy of the photographs – many photographers will negotiate a price for you to own a disc of the photographs. That way you own the photographs and you can f*reely then use them on your marketing materials, on your website and business blog and refer them to the media whenever required.

Review the photographs you have in your online media kit, your website, business blog and on your social networking profiles and if they need updating, why not book a session with a professional photographer. Use the five tips in this article to make sure that you end up with a portfolio that you are proud of and reflects your personal brand.

© Krishna De, 2007. All rights reserved. If you found this article of value, why not visit Krishna online for her content rich articles and podcasts and subscribe to her weekly ezine full of guidance and practical tips to bring your corporate brand, your employer brand and personal brand to life!