Three Keys to Branding Photography

Three Keys to Branding Photography

Good branding photography can truly be the difference between brands that stand out and those that get left behind. But with so much branding photography out there, it can be hard to know exactly what separates good photography from the bad stuff. And that can feel intimidating.

When I first got started in branding photography, I had impostor syndrome – bad. I constantly worried that the photography I produced for my clients wouldn’t live up to their expectations. I also thought I was “not allowed” to do this type of photography since my other focus is also family photography. But over time (and after a lot of personal investment in learning about branding photography), everything fell into place for me to really lean into offering more personal branding photography services. 

In this blog, I’m breaking down those three keys to great branding photography. You don’t have to play the comparison game and worry about the photography you produce. When you grasp these three concepts, your branding photography will be a home run – every time.

What makes great branding photography?

1. Great branding photography tells a story

When you’re capturing branding photography, you’re really telling the story of someone’s business and painting a picture for potential customers of why that business is so important to their lives!

That means you want to take pictures so potential customers can visualize themselves using the product or service. When your photography tells a story, the business owner will feel like their business is fully represented, and the customer will be convinced the product or service is right for them.

2. Great branding photography introduces the entrepreneur

The best branding photography doesn’t just capture products, it captures the entrepreneur, too. Ideally, that looks like getting tangible photos of the entrepreneur or business team. But in today’s fast-paced world, sometimes a branding shoot looks like a photographer being shipped a product and photographing it in their living room.

In that case, you can still capture the essence of the entrepreneur in the details. Think about things like brand personality and customer experience, and pull those elements into the shoot. The potential customer viewing the photos will feel like they know the brand when they see those little personal touches.

3. Great branding photography stands out from the rest

Okay, I know, I know. You’re thinking, “Dolly – what does ‘standing out from the rest even mean?” I’m here to tell you, it means you need to give yourself a little grace.

The reality is that no two branding photography sessions look the same because no two businesses are the same. And friend, that is okay. Don’t compare your branding shoot to the person to your left or right. At the end of the day, if your branding photography looks different from everyone else’s, that might actually be a good thing.

That’s a good thing because it means you took the time to capture the unique business you were working with rather than trying to fit it into a cookie-cutter model. When you do that, the business you’re serving will feel much more seen and happy with their photos in the end – I guarantee it!

How to Successfully Brand Your Business

Branding your business doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, and you don’t have to waste thousands of dollars trying to get it right. When you give yourself grace, find your voice, take your time, search for your specialty, and own your niche, you’ll avoid the most common branding mistakes and end up with a business (and brand) you’re proud of!

Again, this takes a lot of time, and I cannot stress enough that if you allow yourself the time, grit, and grace to push yourself to invest and learn from others who have gone before you, I promise you, you will find more of YOUR voice for your business!

I know I still have a long way to go if I continue to build my photography and business systems education business in the years to come, but I am so happy for all the lessons I have learned as I have built out a stronger foundation for Dolly DeLong Photography & Dolly DeLong Education!

How to Know When You Need Brand Photography

If you’re not sure whether it’s the right time to invest in your branding photography, consider your upcoming goals. My previous clients have used their business photo sessions to launch new services, update their websites, have more content for social media, and more! 

Branding photography is also essential if you’re looking to uplevel your business this year. Professional photos of you will lend more credibility and personality–helping you stand out! With a library of photos to choose from, you can ensure your marketing is more consistent and cohesive. 

Use a Business Photo Session to Grow Your Business

If you loved this post and own your own business too, I’d love to work on your branding photography! 

My photography package starts with a conversation about you and your business so I can better understand the story we can tell with your photos. From there, I’ll work with you to strategically map out how your session will go, including all the types of photos I’ll be sure to capture. 

When the photo session is coming up, I’ll provide you with a list of everything you should bring so that you’re prepared. I’ll also send a reminder to schedule your beauty appointments beforehand. On the day of, all you need to do is be yourself! I’ll capture all of the photos you need and make sure you’re as comfortable as possible so we can let you and your business shine. 

If you’re ready to get started, contact me today!

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