Personal Branding Headshot Shoot
Meet Rhiannon. She's a freelance writer and blogger based in Cardiff, South Wales. You can read her hilarious honest writing on her blog The Daily Boyle.
I've been doing quite a lot of headshot and personal branding shoots so far this year but I have to say this is one of my favourites. With such a variety of settings and amazing light, I was like a kid in a sweetshop.
What is personal branding?
If like me, you work for yourself and run your own business, then you ARE your brand. It's important to be able to portray yourself and your business to clients. It's vital for them to believe and trust in you - as a person and a brand.
A quick selfie might do the job in the short term but it's worth investing in some professional photography for the future. Personal branding shoots can include anything that helps to portray you and your business. Images can then be used across your website and social media platforms.
For Rhiannon's shoot - I wanted to show all the different sides of her. Yes, she's funny and friendly and down to earth but she's also a writer. Her writing covers all sorts of areas, some happy, sad, serious, funny and thoughtful. I wanted to capture all sides of her personality so that she can use the images for her blog as and when she needs them.
If you're interested in booking a personal branding shoot, then prices start at only £199. Bespoke packages can be created to suit your needs - each business is different and I'm happy to have a chat and create a package that suits each individual. Find out more on my pricing page and see more images on my headshots & commercial portfolio. Follow my very latest work on my Instagram account too!
Why is personal branding so important?
Why do you need a personal branding photo shoot?
In this day and age branding is super important. You'd have to be living in a cave if you weren't aware of the impact of brands. It's not just big businesses that rely on branding to get their message across. It's equally important for small businesses too - it runs through every aspect of a business. How you want to portray your business to your clients, the look and feel of your products and service, your logo, your website and your web presence.
Personal branding extends to include not only your business but yourself as well. If you provide a service then your clients will want to get to know you. They will want to see what you look like, perhaps see images of you at work as well as just a portrait of you.
Running your own business is a very personal undertaking and so it's important to be able to have images that portray you - do you want to be seen as corporate, arty, relaxed, fun, serious, creative? Do you want to include where you work, the tools that you use on a daily basis etc.
If you don't run your own business, it's still important to have a set of images that illustrate your working life. You many need images to feature in a programme, for a conference, on the back of a book, for your LinkedIn profile, CV - even your dating profile!
I really enjoy working with local businesses and business folk in and around Cardiff to get the images that they need. Over the years I've photographed businesswomen, businessmen, writers, actors, graphic designers, builders and even a mermaid. I've included a little selection of images below.
If you need to update your personal branding images - drop me a line to find out more. Visit my headshots & commercial pricing page and headshots & commercial portfolio page.
Siriol needed some headshots for her radio and acting work.
Scott needed to update his LinkedIn profile.
Rhiannon uses her images on her blog and Instagram account.
Kate uses her images on her Instagram account for her ceramics business - Skratch Ceramics.
The Home Physio Company
Newbridge Software
Mermaid Adventures
NKG Construction
Business Headshot Photography
Business headshot shoot on a weekend away! I recently went away for the night with my very good friend Sheila. She lives in London and I live in South Wales so we don't get to see each other very often.
She needed to update her headshots for her new website so we took the opportunity to nip into the beautiful restaurant at the St Bride's Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot (where we stayed) to take a few shots. It's a fantastic hotel with spectacular views and the service there is exceptional. I highly recommend a visit.
The views from the restaurant are gorgeous - I've included a shot of the view out of the window for you to see.
If you need to update your headshot or need images for your business, have a look at my headshot and business photography packages and my headshot portfolio and then drop me a line to arrange a bespoke session.
Headshot sessions are 1 hour and include a selection of images for you to choose from and use. Commercial photography shoots are longer and include staff headshots as well. You can see lots of examples of my work with businesses in South Wales on my blog.
If you want to find out more, drop me a line for a chat.
Staff headshot photo session
This was no ordinary staff headshot photo session, oh no! This was epic.
With a background of a fantastic old colliery, staff that were up for a laugh and a (sort of) Reservoir Dogs themed feel, with a gritty industrial twist, I knew this photo shoot was going to be fun!
This company wanted something a bit different. They wanted their staff page to raise a smile and show some personality. I thoroughly enjoyed working with all of them. Not only did I get to do some fab headshots, I also photographed some great abstract images to be used for their website (you can see them at the end of the post).
To find out more about my corporate shoots or if you'd like to book a staff headshot photo session for your company website and social media platforms - drop me line! Gem x
Business Headshots with Helen
“ Gemma was so good at putting me at ease, I hate having my photo taken and yet she made the whole experience enjoyable. I’m also really pleased with the photos, they are perfect and just what I was hoping for, no actually they’re better!” Helen
Tell us about your new business venture?
I’ve recently set up my own company, Heronsbridge Consulting, which works with organisations and smaller businesses to help them grow. Basically when a business isn’t sure what it wants to do next or finds it difficult to prioritise, I help them develop strategies to grow and differentiate in competitive markets. Together, we establish a plan that works for them, setting clear goals and targets. We look at everything, from distribution to marketing, to business case development to customer targeting to brand positioning. Being small, I can easily adapt and tailor what I do to meet the client’s needs.
My first engagement has been working with the Office of National Statistics on formulating their Digital Services and Technology Strategic 3 year plan. I have really enjoyed working with them and working in a different industry has been really interesting. I am also working with smaller business clients who are looking for ways to expand and make their business a success.
What were you doing before you started your business?
I’ve pretty much always worked in strategy and planning roles. I worked as a Management Consultant in the City of London and that gave me the opportunity to travel across Europe and work for some fantastic organisations.
In 2007 I decided to return to Wales and I started to work for Principality Building Society. I worked there for nine years across various roles, mainly in the fields of Project Management and Strategy. My last role there was as Head of Customer Insight and Strategy, which I absolutely loved. However, after working there for so long I wanted a change and to work in a role where I could interact with many companies on developing their ambitions, rather than being tied to just the one. There aren’t many consultancy firms of this nature in Wales and so I decided to set up on my own.
Why did you decide to start the business?
As I mentioned, I really started to miss the excitement of working with different companies on different ventures. I’d enjoyed working at Principality, but having mainly established their strategy there was little more to be done that would be new and challenging for me.
There are so many great established organisations in Wales and also some very exciting new businesses being set up here, that I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to use my skills and expertise to help these companies grow and to stand out in an ever increasingly tough market. I also like the challenge of being my own boss. It’s always been something that I had in my sights and by taking the plunge I hope that I show my children that it is worth taking the risk and putting in the hard work to achieve your dreams.
Is there anything you have learnt from being a mum that helps you in your work life?
Absolutely. I think since I have been a mum I am much more organised and probably a lot more patient. You need to be when you have three little ones to run about after. I also have a motto of ‘Being Present’, it just means that I try to 100% focus on whatever it is that I am doing. So when I’m at work I am completely focused on that and when I’m with the kids they have my undivided attention. I also think being a mum has made me braver in terms of what I take on and set out to achieve, as it’s always at the back of my mind that I am a role model to them.
How do you juggle being a mother and working at the same time?
I am very lucky to have a strong support network. My husband is very supportive and is also hands on with the kids, he even does the night shifts more than me as I am so rubbish without sleep. My parents have always been a fantastic support to us and they have my three little ones two days a week when I am at work. On top of that they will also babysit, although I try not to ask them too often. I really don’t know how we would manage without them. I also have a great Nanny that helps out on other days. She first looked after my boys before they started school and is now back with us since we have had our number three.
By working for myself I am lucky that I can be flexible when I need to, it just takes good diary management and a lot of organisation. If anything I think my little ones benefit. They know I am always there for them whenever they need me but they also know they have a wider circle of people that love them and who they can also count on.
Do you have any advice for anyone who would like to start their own business?
Go for it! Even if for some reason it doesn’t work out, you will never regret trying, but you will regret it if you don’t give it a go. The other bit of advice I would give is to do your research and be clear on what you are trying to achieve. Bounce ideas off people you know and trust to see whether your business idea makes sense. If you can’t explain what it is that you do, then it’s unlikely that your customers will understand you or buy into your business.
