Now that we have a better understanding of personal branding, let's dive into the world of personal branding photography.
You might be under the impression that personal branding photography is all about the traditional business headshots with the white collared shirts and stuffy backdrops, but it is SO
much more than that! A personal branding photoshoot puts a spotlight on you as a business owner and how you’d like to present yourself (and your business) to the world. For more on personal branding, check out THIS post and THIS post. Sure, a traditional headshot image can be incorporated into your personal branding photoshoot, but what we’re really aiming for is getting a glimpse at your personality and maybe even seeing you in action!
Great, so now you know what the goal of a personal branding shoot is… but how do you… ya, know… dress for something like this?
You’re in luck, friend! That is what this post is all about!
Color
The first rule here is not to be afraid of color. During a personal branding shoot, color can really be your friend! Think about the colors that represent your brand, and try to incorporate them into your wardrobe for the shoot. If the color you're using is something really bright, you may want to break it up by layering with blazers, denim jackets, sweaters, etc, and jewelry. That way, the color works for you instead of being a distraction in your images. Also, you’ll want to make sure that you’re wearing colors that look great with your complexion.
Prints
Print can be a bit tricky. While you really want to wear what you love, some prints just don’t
photograph well. Try to wear a print that isn’t super busy or distracting, and if you feel that you simply must wear print, break it up with some layering. Also, animal print like leopard is a great choice for print lovers. It is fun without being over-the-top, and it looks great with so many colors!
Mix and Match
For your shoot, it is great to bring pieces that work well together. You can get a lot of looks with a few well-thought-out and curated pieces. This will create cohesion while still providing variety. Make sure you try everything on together before the shoot but also try to be open to any suggestions your photographer has, as he or she will be able to let you know what will and won’t photograph well. It’ll be great if you can actually let your photographer know what you’re planning to bring in advance so that they can better prepare. They might even have some accessories that will fit perfectly with your wardrobe!
Fit
As a photographer, I always have people tell me that they want to have a shoot with me once they lose a certain amount of weight. The truth of the matter is that it is SO unnecessary. You are awesome just the way you are! What will be truly helpful during your personal branding shoot is if you have clothes that fit your body well. Well-fitting form-fitting clothes truly flatter all body types. Take it one step further with great shapewear under those awesome clothes for a really polished look.
Style
We really encourage our clients to wear what they love, but another important thing is to stick with classic pieces. Classic pieces that don’t fall under the guise of fast fashion will ultimately give you the most use out of your images because they won’t lose their style as trends fade. Opt for those truly timeless wardrobe pieces that can be styled up (or down) with minor tweaks like color, layering, and accessories.
Pro-Tip
Make sure that whatever you bring to your shoot with you is in good condition! Avoid faded clothes (unless that fits your brand), clothes that are extremely worn out, or clothes with fabric pilling. This will help you look like your best self and save your photographer from a Photoshop frenzy!
What would you wear to your personal branding shoot?
All illustrations in this post were created by Johnny of 2 Odd Ravens Creative Services.
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