Pack an extra bag of stuff for your photoshoot...
A valuable portrait session is not just about capturing compelling photos of you.
It's about telling a visual story that extends beyond your likeness and into your work, passion and values.
Here's how you can create a more valuable image portfolio that you can leverage in your marketing and promotional assets.
Consider the tools of your trade.
As an expert serving your audience, what are the essentials that support your work?
Perhaps it's a microphone for a speaker, manuals for the trainer or tablets for the tech guru. These items play a significant role in how you deliver value and should, therefore, be included in your photographs - alongside you in some photos, and by themselves in others.
What branded items do you offer clients?
Swag and other items featuring your logo are ideal to be photographed because they offer your design team creative latitude when looking to add your logo to specific marketing materials.
The digital logo on its own is cool, but a photo of it on a pen, notebook or clothing might work even better and be more visually compelling in some cases.
Identify the objects that hold emotional resonance for you.
These could be cherished keepsakes, memorabilia, or personal photos that tell a piece of your story.
By including these items in your photos, you're inviting your audience into your world, creating a deeper, more emotional connection, and presenting yourself as a relatable human being in the process.
Think about objects that can serve as metaphors in your content.
In past sessions, I’ve photographed plush monkeys, ceramic elephants, slinkys, an etch-a-sketch and plastic unicorns, to name a few.
These props became the focal point for articles or social posts for my clients to create another relatable layer of content for their audiences.
What are the props and objects that can serve as relatable and compelling metaphors for your audience?
During your next portrait session, bring an array of props and objects. It’s an effective way to create valuable visual assets, and when leveraged throughout your online presence, they deepen your connection with your audience.