Stand Out in Chicago and the North Shore: Incorporating Your Personal Brand Identity into Photography for Small Businesses

As a small business owner in Chicago or the North Shore area, you know the importance of creating a strong brand identity. With the right images on your website and social media platforms, you can attract customers and set yourself apart from the competition.

Here are some valuable tips to help you incorporate your personal brand identity into your photo shoot and create unique images that help you showcase your business.

LOCATION: Choose a location that reflects your brand values. Whether you prefer an a home office, a co-working space, or a more natural, scenic setting, the location you choose for your photo shoot can help convey your brand identity. Dana, one of my recent branding clients, is a travel agent. She chose a hotel as one of her locations. This allowed us to use the lobby and a hotel room to align with her message as a travel agent.

DRESS TO IMPRESS: Your outfit and accessories can say a lot about your business, so choose clothing that aligns with your brand personality. Dana works with client’s who are planning luxury vacations to warm-weather destinations, so her outfits were tailored casual clothes with a warm weather vibe.

PROPS: Use props and accessories to add personality and show the tools of your trade. From a laptop and coffee mug to a stack of books or art supplies, props can help showcase your business and add some personality to your photos. Dana’s props aligned with her travel theme, she had sun hats, sunglasses, a suitcase, passport and tote bag.

BRAND COLORS: Use your brand colors in your outfits, props, and background to create a cohesive look and feel that reflects your brand identity. This can help you stand out and create a memorable impression on your audience. Consider using one or two key brand colors in your outfit, props, or background, and then complementing them with neutral or muted colors. This can help create a balanced and cohesive look that's still visually appealing. We coordinated Dana’s vibrant brand colors with neutral clothing pieces, props and backgrounds.

POSING: Choose poses that match your brand personality. Whether you're going for a serious, confident look or a more relaxed, friendly vibe, your pose can help convey your message to your audience. I take the time to prepare my client’s for their personal brand photo session with guides, questionnaires and planning meetings, so I have a strong understanding of the feel and vibe my clients want to convey. Dana wanted friendly and approachable images to connect with her audience.

If you're a small business owner in Chicago or the North Shore area, these tips can help you create stunning photos that showcase your personal brand identity and attract customers.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s connect and start a conversation so you can start capturing images to use across all your marketing platforms and standout in your industry!