By Dayna Vital
Personal Branding Photography
The thought of having my own Personal Brand photoshoot was exhilarating! Since it was my first time being photographed as a small business owner I didn’t know what to expect. Thankfully, I had a professional by my side. Colleen was ahead of the game with planning tools to help, including regular Zoom meetings specifically focused on brainstorming ideas for my photoshoot - Colleen asked questions about my brand colors, style and offered helpful tips and platforms like Pinterest, for inspiration.
I started to overthink outfits and props, but, Colleen came to the rescue when she had me fill out a “Brand Questionnaire” that she uses to get a better sense of her client’s branding visions. Although the questions required a lot of details, it helped me think about the photography process prior to experiencing it. I have a tendency to be a “perfectionist” and I had homework to do like checking out my good ‘ole friend, Amazon Prime, for a few cute pieces in my Brand colors, which are Purple, Teal, Gold, and White.
Colleen and I were on the same page in terms of wanting the photoshoot to be a fun experience. I loved how she was prepared and organized. Although I had a few hiccups on my way that delayed our start time, she was patient and understanding. I truly appreciated how she greeted me with a warm welcome and didn’t make me feel worse than I already felt for being late. She had her camera in hand and her studio decked out with backdrops and lightings equipment, a section dedicated for flat lays and a designated room to change between outfits. I loved how she mapped out each category of photos to ensure I got the shots I needed.
My favorite part of the photoshoot was Colleen’s gentle touch. She has a natural way of putting her clients at ease while photographing them. To illustrate an example, I was very concerned about the gaps in my hair, but Colleen kept reassuring me she would take care of it, which helped calm my nerves. Per my request, she put on an awesome 70’s playlist during my shoot, so I was able to “Get Down on It” and have a “Celebration” in a “Boogie Wonderland” between all my shots, which made the experience all the more worthwhile!
Prior to this experience, I was not aware of the importance of building a personal brand and showcasing it through high-quality photography. As a new entrepreneur, it’s evident that small business owners need to showcase their personal style to potential clients while giving a taste of their personality. My personal photoshoot yielded over 100 high-quality shots and I’m thrilled how they’ve all turned out! Having these on hand will benefit me greatly, in the amount of time it will help save me when designing my website, as well as posting on different social media platforms for months to come. That is a HUGE benefit for small business owners who are often busy with maintaining their business and do not have time to figure out what images represent their to post.
People can connect with me on
Instagram: @daynalynedesigns
Facebook: Dayna Vital
Linkedin: Dayne-Lyne Vital