How to Use Business Photography to Build Your Brand Profile
When it comes to getting you and your business visible, I’m sure many of you will know by now how essential I think it is. In fact, building your brand visibility has never been more important… and a large part of getting your business seen is by making sure that you have the right brand imagery and photography.
Part of what I offer as a business coach and mentor is the chance to take a look inside my little black book and for me to connect you with incredible contacts from a range of industries who will help you grow your business. This blog is no different.
For the latest addition to the Your AJency expert business advice blog, I’m inviting someone from my trusted circle to give you the lowdown on the true power of business branding photography and some great tips for what to look for if you’re considering investing in brand photography.
And the best bit?
Eve Dunlop is a pro at making sure even the most uncomfortable-in-front-of-the-camera female founders feel relaxed. She even has some advice for those of you find the social media world terrifying, especially those of you who don’t enjoy showing up in front of the camera! I know lots of you will know what that feels like!
My biggest takeaway from Eve’s advice…?
To remember that at the heart of it, growing a social media following for your business is about growing an engaged community and reflecting on what you’re posting rather than feeling the obligation to just post! You’re allowed to show up authentically, and you’re definitely allowed to retain some privacy for your life if you don’t want to share it all online!
If you’re struggling to show up online, and want to learn how to make it feel a bit easier, check out the Your AJency Visibility Challenge. The doors are currently open for the third cohort of challengers and I am so excited to welcome you in! Find out more about the power of the 30-day visibility challenge and what it can do for your business here.
But for now, Eve Dunlop is here to tell us all about the power of business branding photography for raising your brand profile…
The Power of Business Branding Photography – Elevating your Brand’s Image
By Eve Dunlop
The world is changing! Today’s environment crams as much information into people’s worlds as possible. We sit behind phones and computers harvesting and ingesting information faster than ever before. And now, some of what we see isn’t even real! Much of what we read isn’t real either and the introduction of AI is changing our perception of reality. Advertising is easy in its simplest form with the use of apps and layout, but getting reach and engaging with your ideal client has never been more challenging. We are bombarded with TikToks, Reels and Stories across multiple platforms. It’s a business multiverse out there and we are constantly being sold to even if we don’t know it!
I’m Eve Dunlop. I’ve been a professional photographer for 17 years. I work in the wedding industry but have also worked with many small businesses to provide work-life and lifestyle images for content. During the pandemic I stripped things back and offered my services out, often in a business exchange, to help elevate struggling small independent businesses dealing with a new online world. Content became the key!
For many, these are turbulent times. Instead of thriving in this new harsh world of online bombardment, I find myself struggling to see through all the visual noise as both a business owner and a consumer. I often wonder how we are supposed to stand out from the crowd and be seen, or even find what we are looking for!
So let’s talk about photography, business and social media…
Headshots
I’m sure everyone knows what these are. Head and shoulders images, smiling (or not) into the camera. These used to be taken on a horrendous mottled background and generally you’d be wearing what you wear for work! These days a location headshot is more favourable for small businesses. A good portrait photographer, some natural light and an outfit or expression that exhibits your personality… Boom, you have some content!
Headshots are useful for all businesses; people like to see people. A professional photographer can help you understand what looks good and you can discuss with them what you want your pictures to say, from colours to fitting brand aesthetics all the way through to showing off your personality. A selection of good headshots can keep you in content for a good while and can be used on your website as you introduce yourself. They give you an image to link in with anything you want to write about yourself and help elevate your branding across all the social networks.
BTS ( Behind The Scenes)
BTS is big business.
One way to approach it is just to fill the space you have. I know small businesses that do this successfully, and every aspect of their day-to-day life is shared. All you need is a smartphone and the ability to be comfortable seeing your face online regularly and sharing the BTS of your day. In facing their business this way people have created themselves a kind of fan club with followers. This undoubtedly will help their reach but it’s important to make sure that they ‘reach’ their target customers? Are the interactions they are seeing blindsiding them to real potential customers?
The real benefit of creating a “fan club” as such is based on whether you can turn this warm audience into a ready-and-waiting community of people who will then remember you when they are next looking for the product or service you offer. Visual content can be anything that engages the people following you and it’s all about catching attention. It can be hard to know what works so be sure to check your insights on Instagram or the platform you’re using, and be reflective of the things you’re doing!
I drop little hints on my social media about my life from time to time. That I’m into fitness, a proud parent, pictures of my dogs, things that link me to others and start creating small emotional connections. The things that will help me grow a community of engaged followers. I tend to always keep my posts positive. We are attracted to people we see ourselves in, to a degree. So, common ground makes people feel comfortable and can be a good selling tool.
But honestly, I would struggle to generate much more with this type of content. I don’t have time to ‘jazz up’ my daily life for viewing pleasure, and I also just like being private. Food for thought for anyone that feels in a similar position!
Professional BTS
Perhaps you’re looking to keep your content slick, professional and consistent but still require the content and information BTS can deliver? Then professional BTS photography is going to be what you need. Visibility is key and undoubtedly the most effective way to be seen quickly is through imagery. I am specifically talking about photography (because I’m a photographer), but video is another avenue that will lead you in the same direction.
Curated but relaxed photography showing what you do, and how you do it will provide you with heaps of multipurpose content and will definitely be worth the investment. On-brand, professional and personable, a good photographer will leave you with images for all your social media platforms and websites alike which will also help you in creating a strong branding synergy.
If you do decide to invest, then make sure you hire a photographer who can deliver images that speak to your customers about you and your business, the products or services you provide and how and where you work. Quality builds credibility and when building a new business brand identity, customer trust is key. Authenticity in the harsh online environment twinned with showing off the excellence you provide is what will ultimately earn you visibility through the noise.
Investing in fresh images every few years and choosing a photographer who understands the direction you are taking your business in will be worth every penny.
Eve Dunlop is a Cotswolds wedding photographer shooting weddings all over planet Earth. Award winning UK & destination wedding photographer based in the Cotswolds but available worldwide.
Specializing in relaxed, unobtrusive & creative wedding photography.
Eve also works with small businesses to help them create brand imagery that showcases their products and services in an authentic and captivating style.
For more info about the kinds of business photography Eve Dunlop can help you with, head to her website or follow her on Instagram.
If you’re looking for something more than a traditional business coach, an Eyes on You day with me includes a full in-person day at a stunning venue, entirely dedicated to working ON your business.
We’ll craft a master plan for your visibility, covering everything from in-person strategies to PR and collaboration goals.
If you’ve got all the ideas but struggling with the right business strategy, let’s have a chat and see where we can take your business.
