Clients will connect with you on a deeper level (aka your values) One of the number one reasons why you became a coach is to transform people’s lives. With around 64,438 Business Coaching businesses in the US as of January 2023 according to ibisworld, your business feels like the proverbial needle in the haystack. How…
You’ve just finished writing your book. Years of experience and hours of compiling information and creating a compelling story-line have gone into writing it. You’ve found a publisher and you hold your first proof in your hands. You’ve hired a marketing coach and are ready to launch your book. It is an exciting moment! Now…
Raise your hand if you’re struggling with how and where to use your own personal branding images. I’m right there with you or at least I was until a few months ago. Let me share a personal story with you. For the past 13 years I have worked in marketing for a small fair-trade rug…
Cancer crashes into your life and knocks you over. All of your well laid plans for the coming weeks and month come to a stand still as you grapple with the reality of what just hit you. This past week I was privileged to document a part of my friend Nicole’s story in stunning, powerful portraits. I wanted to create images that portray the many facets of emotions you might go through on a day to day or week to week basis. I wanted to create images that allow you a glimpse into the soul of a woman fighting cancer.
How would you describe your comfort level in front of a camera on a scale of 1-10? Ten means that you can’t get out of bed in the morning quick enough to be in front of the camera and strike a pose. You absolutely love this experience and it makes you feel amazing. One on the other hand means that as soon as you see a camera you run as fast as you can. Hiding is your first instinct as you cringe at the thought of having your picture taken.
Volunteers in Lancaster bring hope and joy to families through Bridge of Hope. an organization in our area that helps homeless families get back on their feet. The Model of Bridge of Hope is stated on their website like this:
You finally have your gallery in hand from your personal branding session. You look at the images that were created just for you. You get all excited about finally using those new images on your website and in promoting your business on all of your social media platforms. Then it hits you. You’re stuck! How do you actually get those messages and special promos you see other brands so effortlessly push out onto your own images?
It’s time to chill, grab a glass of wine and sit down at your computer. Here is my simple checklist of information you want to have at the ready:
You booked a headshot session and are looking through your closet to find the perfect outfit to complement your eye color and face shape. You style your hair and add jewelry to pull your outfit together. You want to look your best so your portrait will show your beautiful self and ooze confidence. Your headshot is your calling card, it needs to make a good first impression.
STOP! Aren’t you forgetting something? Your face deserves special care as well.
Have you ever had the chance to watch a potter at work? As soon as Karen touched the clay I could see her demeanor change. A light went on in her eyes, her fingers came to life as they touched and formed and smoothed the clay into shape. You could just feel that Karen loves working the clay. That to me is what personal branding photography is all about. It is way more than a basic headshot or product image. Getting to the core of your business and telling your story from the heart is what makes these images so powerful.
Carol Cool, speaker and author, shares her experience of working with me (Heike Martin Photography) to get lifestyle branding images for her website, social media channels and marketing print needs. I couldn’t think of a better way to explain to you how my process works than asking Carol to share her own experience.