High quality photography can make all the difference to the success of your business.
What is a Brand?
First we have to understand what a brand really is. There are a lot of photographers offering branding photography sessions without actually understanding what a brand really is.
Sometimes the easiest approach defining what something is is to first define what it is not. Now for this, I'll pass this off to what I feel, is the best answer I've heard.
Marty Neumeier, a renowned graphic designer and copywriter with a career spanning from the 1970s to today helping companies such as Apple, Netscape, HP, Adobe, and Google build their brands. In an interview with the guys at TheFutur, he stated the following:
"A brand is not a logo. A brand is not a product. A brand is not a promise. A brand is not the sum of all the impressions it makes on an audience. A brand is a result–it's a person's gut feeling about a product, service or company. It's in their heads and in their hearts. A brand is your reputation."
~ Marty Neumeier
What is Branding Photography?
Branding photography is the visual connection to your brand. It's the trigger. When customers see your visual imagery, it triggers that gut feeling about your business. Kind of like the scent of fresh cookies makes you think of grandma.
In the sales world the base gut feeling everyone should be striving for is trust. You want customers to feel confident that they trust your expertise in your field. That expertise needs to be shown in your branding photography.
Who Needs Branding Photography?
A headshot is great at introducing a person for the first time. But what headshots lack is context. Context tells more of the story about a person, or a business. It gives more detail about who that person is or what that business is about.
That's where branding photography comes in. It provides the narrative that all good stories need. It connects the 'what' with the 'who' and the 'where'. So in short, who needs branding photography? Everyone that wants to run a successful business.
"I Don't Need Branding Photography, I'll Use Stock Photos"
Hold on a second there. A recent study exposed an interesting fact. Visitors to your website can tell the difference between stock photography and real business photography. Corporate stock photos with random people in awkward poses and unwarranted massive smiles.
Just the term itself, "Stock Photography" means generic photography. It's not tailored to speak your message or tell your story. And because it lacks authenticity it's easily labelled fake resulting in zero trust associated with your business and brand.
High-performing digital marketing is all about reducing FUD (Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt) for those buying online. High quality branding photogaphy increases trust & authority reducing FUD. Stock photos, being inauthentic work counter to that goal.
Stock photos can be bought by anyone
Rule one in business is differentiate your business. How can you be different if anyone can use the exact same imagery for their business?
Let's not forget the completely obvious problem. If you manufacture purses or design clothes. If you make any physical goods, you're going to have a pretty hard time finding stock photography with your products in them. Stock photography is not a option. Custom branding photography is the solution.
Find some interesting story about branding or branding photography and imagery.
Maybe insert the video from Lewis Howes here
Branding Photography Sessions
for ALL businesses
Pre-Shoot prep meeting 3 Hours of shooting time 100+ final shots (approx)
Unlimited wardrobe changes Unlimited number of people Hair & Makeup Services In our studio, Outdoors, in your space or 3rd party studios*
* In our studio is the Toronto Headshot Studio. 3rd party rental studios can be used. 3rd party rental fee is not included in the session rate. 3rd party rental agreements are between the client and 3rd party and must be in place prior to the scheduled session. Some outdoor locations require shoot permits which can require a fee or a fine if proper permits are not obtained. Clients are responsible for acquiring the required permits prior to the session date. Neither the permit fee or incurred fine is included in the offered rates. Hair & Makeup services are optional and those fees are not included in the session rates. All fees for Hair & Makeup services are paid directly to the Makeup Artist following your session.
Location
388 Carlaw Ave Suite 202E, Box #41 Toronto, ON, M4M 2T4
