Is a Personal Brand Photoshoot Right for You? 3 Questions to Ask Yourself

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, or embarking on a new career path, a personal brand photoshoot might just be your next step. So, let's begin by asking three essential questions to help you decide if this exciting journey is right for you.

1. Are you ready to become visible?

A personal brand photoshoot is the chance to capture the essence of who you are and what you do. It's not just about pretty pictures; it's about creating a visual story that resonates with your audience. Think about it – when you see a photo that speaks to you, it's like a connection is made, a bridge is built. Do you want to have photos that showcase YOUR energy, values, and style? Would you like to work with a photographer that genuinely understands what you’d like to convey, and knows how to guide you to capture it? If you're nodding your head in agreement, let's move on to the next question.

2. Do you have a service to share or a key project you’re getting ready to launch?

If you’re like me, you may want to focus more on your clients and less on yourself. Many people I work with have a well-earned level of expertise, and a service or product that can be so beneficial to potential clients, yet, they are uncomfortable putting themselves ‘out there’. You can’t help people who don’t know you exist!

Professional, engaging, custom photography makes it easy when launching new offers or creating ‘evergreen’ content for your website, newsletters and social media. You will feel confident in the messages being conveyed, and the story being shared in images that show what you have to offer anytime someone finds you online or gets referred to you. Never cringe or have to explain your outdated online presence again! A picture truly is worth a thousand words, so be sure it’s the right words. A personal brand photoshoot isn't just a photoshoot; it's a powerful way to own your narrative.

3. Are you ready to stop waiting?

Life changes when you stop waiting. There is no perfect time, or number on the scale that you need to get to, before you can share your service and create the life you desire. Life is NOW. I promise it’s not as scary as you think! You don’t even need to know how to do it, because that’s how I can help you! Together, we will discover how to tell your unique story through pictures.

So, my friend, if your heart is screaming "YES," then what are you waiting for? Let's capture the magic that is uniquely you. Because in the end, it's not just about the pictures; it's about the journey, the growth, and the feeling of saying, “Let’s do this!”

Why You Should Invest in Professional Headshots…Just a Reminder

I know you already know this, but let’s go over it anyway! The way you present yourself online matters, no matter what industry you’re in.

A professional headshot gives potential customers or employers an initial glimpse into who you are as a person and professional. Your headshot should be an accurate representation of what you look like every day; nothing fancy or over-the-top. Your headshot should feature you looking happy, confident, and approachable. Additionally, it should match the overall aesthetic of your website design.

When potential customers or employers are viewing your website and social media pages, the first thing they’ll notice is how you look. That’s why it’s essential to invest in a professional headshot for your website, social links, and personal branding—to make a positive impression on those who visit your page.

Did you know the ‘About’ page is the most visited page on a website after the home page?

I promise to guide you to a photo you will love and feel great about sharing.

A good photo creates trustworthiness while also improving customer relationships before any introductions have been made. Not only will it give people a great first impression when they land on your page but it will also help create consistency across multiple platforms while boosting credibility for the services or products that you offer. So don't be afraid to take that extra step towards creating an amazing online presence—you won't regret it!

The Music Makers

I LOVE working with musicians! I am just in awe of the talent, time, and dedication it takes to make original music, and the courage and vulnerability it takes to share that music with the world. I am so thankful they do it! Here are just a few of the creative souls I’ve had the opportunity to work with recently.

Joy Ann LaJ

eret

is Country Hot!

It was pure luck that I had my camera in hand when I ran into Joy Ann, who just so happened to be looking for a photographer - thank you universe! After a brief conversation, we both knew we were meant to work together. While Joy Ann had been jamming at various venues around Seattle for years, the lockdown gave her time to get serious about her guitar skills and begin writing her own material. Her first single, Country Hot, is exactly that! Find out more about this inspiring lady and hear more tunes at her freshly minted website, along with her awesome photos!

John Consalvo

Artist, Songwriter

This multi-talented, Staten Island native has a two part story album in the works…wow! The first single, Open the Sea, has just been released on youtube. Can’t wait to hear more! Keep up with what’s next from John on Youtube and Instagram.

Steven Fletcher

Singer-songwriter, guitarist

You may recognize Steven from the popular Seattle based cover band, The DogTones. What you may not know, is that long before he was performing 90’s mashups for the dance crowd, Steven was writing and performing his original music, along with writing for TV and film for the last 15 years. You can hear original tracks at his website, stevenfletchermusic.com.

Live music tops my list of things I missed during the shutdown, and I cannot wait its return. Musicians have been hit harder than most. Please go support and enjoy local musicians as soon as we safely can!

Learning From Mentors

I have been a professional photographer for over 25 years and I’m still learning! One of the things I love most about this career choice is that the road to mastery is as long as you’d like it to be.

While there are many excellent online photography lessons, I love attending in-person workshops. I made it a goal some years ago to attend at least one workshop a year to continue to build my skills. This usually happens organically as I’m building up a certain part of my portfolio, I come across a photographer that I am inspired by. It’s like that Buddhist proverb;

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”

I certainly look forward to attending photography workshops again, but until then, I’d like to introduce you to just a few of the wonderful photographers I’ve had the opportunity to learn from.

Wendy Yalom

The Art of Personal Brand Photography

Wendy Yalom is a premier Personal Brand Photographer. She photographs coaches, entrepreneurs, speakers, authors and thought leaders around the world! I was drawn to learn from her because she is delivering more than just beautiful marketing photos to her clients. She is giving them an incredibly empowering experience infused with pure joy that shows through in their photos! That, my friend, is how to us the power of photography to connect to clients.

PRO TIP: The photo with Wendy above is the moment she taught me to use the timer for phone selfies…game changer!

Wendy is so generous with her knowledge and is happy to share ‘trade secrets’.

I’m so thankful I attended Wendy’s workshop in the Fall of 2019. In true pro form, Wendy continues to provide photography education online until she can teach in person again.

Michael Alan Ross

Automotive Photography

Michael Alan Ross has been photographing automobiles for over 30 years. He’s photographed everything from Exotics to Barn Finds, and his work had been published many times over on the cover of Porsche’s Panorama Magazine. In fact, he had the massive undertaking of photographing the entire Jan 2021 issue of their first ever design issue!

The Buddhist quote of above could not have been more true when I found myself attending his workshop just north of San Fransisco a couple of years ago. I had recently convinced my camera shy, ‘car guy’ husband to let me photograph him with his ‘baby’. It worked out so well, I thought I’d better learn a thing or two about automobile photography. I scoured the stacks of car magazines around the house , then looked up the photographer of my favorite cover image. You guessed it - Michael Alan Ross. A quick google search turned up the afore mentioned workshop was happening in just two weeks time! The rest, as they say…is a second workshop a year later and an expanding portfolio and session offering called, You + Your Ride.

Michael guides students how to find the important details.

My photojournalistic roots kick in to capture the group of students learning from the master!

Sue Bryce

Contemporary Portrait Master, Educator Extraordinaire

Photo by Gerson Lopes

I came across Sue Bryce on the Creative Live online education platform in December of 2012. I’ll never forget it because of the profound impact it had on me and my determination to open my own studio. I purchased the domain name, Pinto Portrait, that dark winter night, and by March 2013 I was signing my first lease on a studio in Gilman Village. I was drawn to her courses to learn about her contemporary portrait work which is truly special. I have continued to be a member of her own online learning platform, Sue Bryce Education, because of the empowering and transformational business coaching for she delivers, along with the endless creative inspiration for posing and lighting. I was thrilled when I got to attend an in-person workshop with her in LA in 2017.

View from my seat at the 50 + Fabulous Event in 2017.

What a thrill to meet one of my personal heroes!

Sue is a rock star photographer and transformational business coach.

Not sure what I said, lol.

Me & Sue Bryce!

oh! There’s my signed copy of the catalog that sadly never made it home.

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While attending workshops is great fun, what compels me to go is to deepen my photography knowledge and learn new skills to improve the service I provide you!

II’ll be sure to keep you posted on who I meet and what I learn in future workshops.

Client Spotlight - Healing Tree PNW

Meet Kathy!

Gemstone & Craniosacral Therapist and owner of Healing Tree PNW

“This is not your mother’s crystal therapy!”

— Kathy

Kathy Lewis has been in the healing & bodywork field for 23 years. She now supports people's healing with gemstone & craniosacral therapy. Kathy uses exceptional quality stones, sophisticated protocols, and bodywork to help people heal at the deepest levels - physically, emotionally, and mentally. She listen to what your body and being need and orchestrates the energies to support you specifically. And I can tell you from personal experience, it feels good! As Kathy likes to call it…

“It’s modern medicine for modern times.”

— Kathy

“Toni has an uncanny ability to connect with people in a way that allows their story to be revealed. I had never actually had fun having my picture taken, but with Toni, it is an enjoyable experience, something I look forward to doing again.”

— Kathy

While Kathy normally sees clients at her private office, the shutdowns led her on a path of extensive training to facilitate remote sessions. This practitioner can pivot! She now offers remarkably effective virtual sessions, and will continue to grow her business near and far even as in-person visits return.

Kathy came to me in need of a current headshot and images for social media content. As someone who has experienced her therapy, I was thrilled to work with her and look forward to future collaborations!