Now that you have a digital library full of beautifully curated images, it’s essential to know how to use the pictures from your personal branding photography session.  One of the most potent aspects of your branding sessions is the ability to utilize every photo over and over. Each photo can be used on multiple outlets and can serve a myriad of purposes. These are not simple headshots. Your photos are perfect for social media, blog posts, media kits, digital ads, print materials, and last but not least, your website.  Think of your brand imaging as your custom gallery that can give each potential client a small glimpse into the experience you provide. Lets deep dive into my favorite ways to use your branding images and get you started today.

Websites

When was the last time you swapped out photos on your website? If you can’t remember, it’s definitely time. Adding new imaging to your website is an easy way to communicate your fresh aesthetics to both new and returning customers. Especially for creative entrepreneurs, it’s essential for your website to reflect your ability to remain contemporary and relevant.

Mixing photos and copy on your site’s pages is an essential first step in converting visitors to clients. People spend an average of fifteen seconds looking at a website before they decide to move on or hangout. Which means you have got to grab their attention FAST. Utilizing compelling and attention-grabbing photos is one of the most effective ways to create an instant connection with website visitors. My client Teresa White does this so well that you must click over and take a look.

Your blog posts, the home page, and banner should all include a captivating photo that invites the viewer to dive a little deeper. And ALWAYS include a picture of yourself on the About Me/ Us page. This is typically the 2nd most visited page on your website, it’s essential to show up and make that connection.

In addition to photos of yourself, your flat lays, and product shots will add depth and consistency across your website and social platforms. Think of every image as a window into your business and what it would be like for those potential clients to partner with you.

The Power of a Professional Headshot

The timeless adage “You never have a second chance at a first impression” continues to ring true in the digital age. For many business owners, a majority of first impressions you make will be online. Now that you have your professional headshots schedule a block of time, and go through every online account, and update your profile picture. This includes personal Facebook pages, your Gmail account, as well as the about me page on your website.

Professionals across various industries agree an inviting and polished headshot will help you stand out in any market.

Socials

If you are still on the fence as to the need to include professional shots in your socials, take a moment and check out my previous post on 5 Signs Your Business Needs A Branding Session.

For those of you with a library of images ready to roll, here are a few of my favorite ways to use your pictures on social media.

1. Mix branding photos in with your favorite polished iPhone photos. The Instagram trend is starting to shift away from highly polished feeds to include those less than perfect, but still curated images. Finding an elegant balance between the two allows followers to get to know you on a deeper level. Some of my favorite accounts who do this are: Danielle Shaub, Teresa White, and Meghan Grace. 
2. You can repurpose your content by varying the way you crop and post your image. So feel free to use the original but also zooming in and cropping is a great way to get a few extra miles out of an image.
   
3. Stories! Like it or not, it’s essential to use stories to connect with your audience on social media. Work your new images into your daily postings, or use them as a backdrop with text over the top. It’s a great way to foster brand consistency.
4. Repurpose content by sharing it again a few months down the line. Your posts are seen by a small fraction of people, and you are always growing your following. People won’t notice if you re-post a specific image. If you don’t want to have duplicates in your feed, you can always archive the original post by clicking the 3 little dots on the top right-hand side of your post.

The more you use your branding images, the more you build trust with your followers. People work with people that they know, like, and trust, and every time you post an image that is custom created for your brand, you are building trust with your audience. When people see consistency in your imaging, they connect it to consistency in the product or service you offer.

Click to learn more about a personal branding session in Nashville, TN.