Episode Details

As a small business owner, you need to build those know, like, and trust factors with your audience. It's important that you are visible and show up in your business and to do that you are going to want imagery that's on brand and represents you. Today Nicole is chatting with Rosie Parsons, a personal branding photographer on why you should have personal branding photography, why it's important and how to prepare for a shoot.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Showing up to a client meeting or even creating your website with magazine-worthy photos will reinforce your personal brand and make an unforgettable impact. You'll give off a professional and legitimate vibe right from the start, unlike with those low-quality DIY shots, and stand out against your competitors.
• Rosie has 7 tips for preparing for a personal branding photoshoot, they are as follows. Reconnect with your brand. You can't afford to invest in a personal branding shoot without first being clear about your brand's purpose. How do you want to come across? What are your values? How would you describe your brand in three words? Your photographer will need to know all this so they can shoot your photos in a way that truly represents your one-of-a-kind brand.
• Be clear on the purpose of the shoot and prepare a shot list. do a proper brainstorm, and figure out exactly what type of pictures you need. Research your industry and the kinds of shots other people are doing, things like behind the scenes shots are always useful.
• Pick the right outfits and colours. Rosie tells her clients to bring eight or nine outfits so they can achieve a variety of looks and avoid a repetitive feel. Not just any outfits, though, Choose clothes that include your brand colours and that would pop against your preferred background. Avoid large or noticeable logos. Wear what you'd meet your ideal clients in. After all, your photos will be meeting them virtually 24/7.
• Choose some relevant props and a location that's on brand. You'll be the star of the show, but what's around you matters, too. You can't afford to leave it to chance. To reinforce your brand, run an inventory of all the props you'll need for specific shots. Discuss them with your photographer too, as they might already have a few in their studio.
• Put your best self forward (but stay authentic). Look your best but in a way that wouldn't shock your audience if they were to bump into you on the street.
• Relax and get some rest. You don't want to show up all wired and on edge after a massive caffeine fix. For the entire week leading up to your shoot, try and get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water. That way, your skin will be glowing, you'll be full of energy and you won't start stressing over those new bags under your eyes.
• Communicate with your photographer. Share everything with yours before the shoot, from your brand colours to the poses you need.

BEST MOMENTS

‘Get your face in the photos, you are your brand and part of the USP’

‘You can’t sell the fact you’re a family person if you’re not highlighting that with your photos’

‘If you’ve got a fun brand then play with what you can do with that’

EPISODE RESOURCES

Rosie Parsons Photography

Rosie Parsons | Personal Brand Photographer (@rosieparsonsphotography) • Instagram

HIYA MARIANNE - Rosie’s recommended photographer

ABOUT THE HOST

Buying & retail expert Nicole Higgins spent the last 18 years working for companies such as Primark, M&S, Debenhams and Asda, sourcing &