You mean a headshot and a couple selfies aren't enough?
You mean a headshot and a couple selfies aren’t enough?
SMH…(that’s shaking my head in case you didn’t know)
For the first couple years of my photography business, I was getting my ass handed to me on a daily basis.
Leads were far and few between. Paid clients were even fewer than that. Hope was fading fast.
I would go months at a time in between branded lifestyle portrait sessions.
It was brutal financially, mentally and emotionally.
But, you’d never know it based on the branded lifestyle portraits that I posted on my website, social media channels and blog articles.
Or the attention that it was generating.
There wasn’t a week that went by during those painfully slow periods where I wasn’t receiving at least 3-4 direct messages on social from colleagues and potential clients that mentioned something about how “high-end” and “amazing” the photos look and how I must be “KILLING it” with so much business right now!”
Of course I knew I wasn’t. Not even close.
But, those comments pointed out something very important to me. And it’s become an important benefit of the work I do with my clients.
Perception is reality in the eye of the beholder.
As a result, when you share image content that presents a consistent, high-quality aesthetic in front of their eyes, your audience will interpret those images as a direct reflection of your success.
That’s why a headshot and a handful of selfies doesn’t do the job when telling your story throughout your online presence, :)
Investing in magazine-quality portraits afford you the opportunity to present yourself in your very best light regardless of the activity captured in the image.
When you incorporate lighting, body language, creative composition and facial expression into the equation, your mundane, day-to-day activities transform into eye-catching and compelling lifestyle portraits that captivates your audience's attention.
Not only do they do the heavy lifting of inspiring your audience to stop the scroll and pay attention to what you’re saying, but, these portraits also visually punctuate the emotional sentiment you’re conveying in that story.
Your photos are then killing two birds with one stone, :)
Now, does this mean that you should never post a selfie again?
No - selfies are still important, and here’s why.
Interesting moments, milestones and events occur throughout your life all the time, but you don’t have a photographer following you around 24/7.
As a result, a flattering photo taken with your camera phone is necessary in order to visually punctuate the story you’re going to tell about that event or moment.
That need will never go away.
But, the visual backbone for your entire digital footprint - website, social posts, blog articles, webinars, online courses, digital ads, and all other marketing and promotional assets - would benefit you if it was comprised of high-quality and expressive image content.
You will immediately be perceived in a much different light and start conversations with those that you serve.
Not a bad trade-off for the investment, right?
In the mood for some added visual inspiration?
Check out some of the work that I’ve done with my clients in order to light a fire under your ass and inspire you to think about upgrading your image content portfolio.
PS - If you found this article valuable, I invite you to join my email list so that you save yourself from commuting to my blog every time I post something new, :)