Lancaster Corporate Headshots vs Personal Branding Portrait Sessions. What's the difference?

In today’s world, image is everything. Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, website, billboards, book covers, marketing, business cards; everything has your image on it. When considering hiring a professional, the first thing we do is check out a company’s website, their About Me page, and maybe even look them up on Facebook.

It’s always a bit disappointing to visit someone’s About Me page and have little to no information about them and no photograph! I know that I, as well as most people, want to know who they’re dealing with. Do they look put together? Do they look professional? Do they look relatable? Do they looklike someone I can trust with my money to get the job done?

Another pet-peeve of mine is the overuse of stock images. We all know them when we see them and to me (and maybe I’m biased) it shows a lack of enthusiasm and creativity within a business. If you own a high-end spa and I go to your website, I want to see ACTUAL photographs of your spa, your services, your staff, products, maybe even some candids of your clientele so I know if it’s a good fit for me.

I consider myself a personal branding photographer. That’s not to say I don’t shoot “headshots” but there is a distinct difference between the two. Most clients call me saying “I just need a headshot” but after speaking to them and learning about their business, their clients, their needs, and the avenues they plan to use these photographs for, I know that what they really want is a personal branding session. So, what’s the difference?

A headshot is a quick, wham-bam, thank you ma’am head and shoulders shot. It’s usually accompanied by flat lighting and a collared shirt or jacket. It’s very simple and serious usually. Though it is better than most images of professionals I have seen, it shows little to no personality and doesn’t really feel all warm and cozy and inviting to potential clients.

Personal branding portraits have a personality attached to it. These images RESONATE with your client. They show love, laughter, personality, and most of all, a story! Personal branding portraits portray you as confident, professional, friendly, approachable and elevate your brand. And yes, whether you know it or not, if you own a business or service, you are a BRAND. So every marketing effort, image, video, you post must be consistent with that brand to ensure you are attracting the right clients.

 So how do my clients use their personal branding images? More than just a thumbnail on their Linkedin, personal branding clients have a wide array of images to use in various formats. Because it is more than just a headshot, these images tell a story and can be used in a plethora of ways. Clients use their images in social media posts and profile images, billboards, book covers, brochures, ads, promotions, flyers, business cards, about me page, contact page, newsletters, in magazine features, articles, even sometimes on their dating profile!

The goal of a personal branding portrait session is to dig deep and get to know you, your brand, your ideal client, what you are trying to communicate, what you want your images to say about you, and where and how you want to use your images. 

Is it time to elevate your brand for 2017? Personal branding sessions in the Lancaster, Lebanon, York, and Harrisburg area are available. Get in touch with us for a free consultation via katsquibbphotography@gmail.com