Why your small business needs a branding session
Hello, there! I’m Jen Birchmeier, owner and photographer at Visual Poetry LLC and Studio Owosso. While I photograph all sorts of special moments like weddings, boudoir, seniors and families, I especially love working with other small business owners, like myself, to help create warm, welcoming content to promote their businesses. Lets talk about branding sessions and why you need one...
So we’re all on the same page, let’s start with what a branding session is. Another name I use for it is a promotional session or commercial photography - which purpose is to introduce you, the face behind your brand and the services you offer and/or products you sell, to your target audience. It’s 2024 and the majority of our business presence is online, rather than just at the front door of your brick and mortar. Our target audience has a laptop and a phone in front of them when they start the hunt for what it is you do. Whether it’s designing jewelry, real estate, landscape services, accounting or legal services, hair and make-up services, selling products (handmade or wholesale), consulting.. every single industry type imaginable, people are looking for you online.
In addition to needing to be present online, as small business owners we need a way of standing out. To me, when I’m on the hunt for something I like to do my research about the company and the person (or people) behind it and start behind a screen doing so. What makes us all stand out is the YOU FACTOR in your business. Your target audience wants to learn about YOU, they want to like you, they want to trust you, they want to give their business to someone that creates a sense of comfort and professionalism. There is no better way to do that than showing up for your audience - whether it be sharing a warm and welcoming portrait of you, your office or retail space, your team, and/or your products.
Keeping your website and social media presence current and having fresh content to share on a regular basis is crucial.
Why is branding photography and having a strong online presence so important?
Lets talk statistics.
Over 80% Of people research a company online before visiting or purchasing from them. According to WebFX, 87% of consumers use Google to decide on a business source when looking for a local business. Over 38% of users judge a business by how their website looks at first glance. In today’s world, online presence is mandantory. And, not just an online presence, but a GOOD ONE. Set yourself up for success by building a following not only on an easy to navigate website, but across media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google and more. Stand out in a crowded, over saturated market by giving the world a better look inside your business and allowing them to get to know you and the services or products you offer a little better through branding photography.
Now, let’s visit a couple different types of promotional sessions and what sets them apart from each other.
- Corporate Headshots
Corporate headshots are the headshots you see on many bios of websites or business cards. They’re a head and shoulder crop and kept simple against a single color backdrop (usually). This type of headshot is quick and easy to produce with sessions lasting around ten minutes, only, which keeps them very affordable. Here’s a few example of those. Some of these professionals below are real estate agents, accountants, police officers, comedians and church faculty.
- Lifestyle Headshots
Now, these are my faaaavorite. Why do I love them more than the traditional corporate style headshots? I feel like they allow us to make it more personal. The goal in a portrait for your business is to allow your audience to get to know you better and I feel the more relaxed, casual style offered with lifestyle allows them to do just that. Here’s some examples of Lifestyle Headshots. Some of these individuals are real estate agents, mortgage loan officers, hair stylists, business coaches, doulas, chiropractic doctors, people in sales, administrative staff, yoga instructors, Americorps members and even comedians.
- Team Photos
Introduce your entire team to the world with some group portraits. These are great for offices or businesses that make things happen as a team. When your prospects or clients call in, it’s nice to show them who they may cross paths with when they do.
- In Action Shots / Behind the scenes
These photographs are great when you want to give your viewers a little peek into what it takes to provide a service or product. By showing you hard at work allows consumers to put more value behind what it is you’re creating or offering.
- Product Photography
This one is highly recommended for businesses that are selling a physical product. When products or items are photographed professionally it makes them more desirable to purchase.
Product photography, like portraits, can be done in more than one way. Most of the product images below are in a natural setting while others are photographed by themselves with a simple backdrop.
Branding sessions can take place at my studio or at your place of business.
I love working with small businesses because I am one myself. I understand the need for relative content, the need for portraits to express who I am and what I do so people can get a better feel of what sets me apart from others in my industry. I’ve been a photographer since 2008 and have loved every minute of the journey. I am inspired by other like-minded business people and creatives and feel that there’s always something we can teach one another. We’re all human and there’s more to our business than a store front - it’s smiles behind the phone call, showing up for our local communities, creating lasting clients and friendships.
I can’t wait to meet you, learn more about your business and help you create portraits of yourself, your services and your products to help you excite and inspire your audience.
Interested in a branding session? Email me and let’s have some fun!
Learn more about branding sessions here.
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