Entrepreneurs and influencers looking to cement their personal brands would be wise to 

invest in a professional branding photo session. However, if you want to end up with the

photos you’re hoping for, photos that will attract your ideal audience, there are a few

common mistakes you need to avoid.

  Don’t Forget to Prepare. Showing up with a new haircut is not enough to ensure

your personal branding session goes smoothly. It’s essential to prepare by outlining

your goals for the session and discussing your brand’s story with your photographer.

This is what will help guide everything else, including your outfits and haircut.

  Don’t Wear What You Think Your Audience Will Like. If you want to end up

with authentic photos, you need to stay true to who you are – this includes your

clothing. If you’re a vibrant person known for your unique personality, don’t show

up in a boring blazer. The story you tell online should fit in with your images or

you’ll end up with a brand mismatch that reduces trust. Just make sure that your

clothing fits you well and doesn’t take the attention away from the main subject –

you.

  Don’t Feel Obligated to Follow Trends. You may have found a lot of personal

branding inspiration in the lead-up to your session. However, this doesn’t mean you

need to do what everyone else is doing. Speak to your photographer about your

unique vision and brainstorm visuals that truly represent your personal brand.

  Don’t Skip Hair and Makeup. You may not want to spend money on professional

hair and makeup for your session, but don’t skip it entirely. Your photographer should

only have to do some minimal editing, so show up with styled hair and some basic

makeup. If you do have some additional budget, investing in a professional to assist

with your hair and makeup is well worth it.

  Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously. Yes, a personal branding session is linked to

your business and career, but you can still have fun with it. Plus, you want your

unique personality and quirks to shine through in your images, so don’t take

yourself too seriously.

By following these basic guidelines, you can look forward to a memorable session and leave

with the personal branding visuals you were hoping for.

This article is brought to you by Cindi Fortmann Photography, where Cindi specializes in Professional Headshots, Commercial Photography, & Personal Brand Photography. Cindi Fortmann Photography is a full service studio providing you with awesome images, an enjoyable, relaxed experience and exceptional customer service. For more information, please visit her website or contact her today!