Help! Headshots vs. Branding - Which One is Right For Me?
Who are you?
What makes you, you? What do you do extraordinarily well? Why do customers or clients choose you or your brand over your competitors time and time again? What's your story?
Good! Now tell me — do your current website and profile photos reflect these perceptions? Do your personal favorite photos, professional headshots, or brand photos tell the story of YOU?
If you're lucky — or you've had professional photos taken recently — then you'd probably respond yes. But I think it's safe to say that most of us are not a reflection of our true selves in our own photos. This is EXACTLY why we love what we do... we get to tell the story of you!
But that's not why you're here today. You want your story to shine through in your photos and really sell you to potential clients and customers... but you're not quite sure where to start. Or even what kind of photos you need taken!
As a thriving professional, you're here for one of two reasons: you need a headshot or you need new brand photos. So, which one works best for your needs? Let's find out!
First of all, what's the difference between a headshot and a brand photo?
head·shot
/ˈhedˌSHät/
A headshot is a cropped, head-and-shoulder snapshot of an individual. It's incredibly clear, crisp, and well-lit. There's not a lot of detail or scenery and the spotlight is on the individual's eyes. A headshot, to be frank, is distinctly professional.
When you get headshots taken, you'll probably receive one or a few photos back for your use. Headshots are typically used to show off a team member on an about page, a business card, a social media profile, or an email signature.
To some, a headshot is a visual representation of someone's handshake. It displays confidence, strength, and creates an immediate connection.
brand·ing
/ˈbrandiNG/
Brand photos, on the other hand, are a collection of candid, posed, lifestyle, and scenery photos that focus on telling the story of you and your company.
The standalone feature that makes brand photos so powerful is that they focus on telling a story through detail and communicating one's personality in an engaging and captivating manner. Their primary purpose is to foster personal connection, trust, and a relationship with the viewer.
To summarize, headshots showcase an individual, whereas brand photos showcase a brand and a personality.
The best way to determine which kind of photo will work best for you is to explore what you might use the photos for.
Let's start with a round of Q&A.
👉🏽 What is your role at the company you work for?
Are you a CEO? A behind-the-scenes hustler? Maybe an executive assistant? For those who can be considered a "face" of the brand, a brand photo might be a much more powerful method of customer connection and audience trust.
👉🏽 How important is visibility in your work?
Are you responsible for connecting with customers over the phone to provide assistance? Or do you travel outside of the office to meet with potential customers? The latter requires a bit more trust and storytelling to put customers at ease, making a brand photo a more impactful solution.
👉🏽 Is building trust an essential part of your customer journey?
Of course, trust is essential in any partnership, but for some industries — especially personal ones, it plays an even bigger role in a successful outcome. If trust is key, then showcasing your personality and demeanor is an essential step to success.
👉🏽 Are you in need of a collection of content for social media or other marketing purposes?
This one's easy. If you're looking for a more professional photo to position yourself as an expert in your print marketing materials, business cards, and LinkedIn profile, then a headshot is the perfect route. If you're looking for a collection of images to use on social media and your website, then brand photos will be the best solution for your needs.
If you're leaning towards brand photos, but still want a set of extra-professional photos to showcase on your site and digital marketing materials, don't worry! Our brand photos collection includes a number of headshots to fit your needs!
Before we go our separate ways, riddle me this: If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what do your current photos say about you?
If you're still not sure what direction you should take, we would love to work with you to determine the best solution for your business's needs. Reach out to us today — and let us know where your head is at!
STILL NEED HELP DECIDING?
WE CAN HELP WITH THAT!
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