IF YOU WERE A SHOP WINDOW, WOULD PEOPLE WALK INTO YOUR SHOP? 

How many times did you enter a shop (even if you didn`t buy anything) just because you were curious about what was inside?

I used to walk to Selfridges after work as they always had beautiful, quirky shop windows. (PS if you haven`t watched Mr Selfridges, you are missing some serious romantic drama)

I used to walk around Marylebone during my lunch break as they had so many beautiful shops that they were just so pleasing to my eyes. Often, I had to pop in to see further.

In my opinion, business profile pictures are our shop windows, the first impression to potential clients. If they are appealing, they will make your potential clients know more about you.

That`s what your business profile and about me images should achieve too. They should make a positive emotional effect on your audience. 

Take 5-10 minutes and review your current business profile photo or about me images.

I suggest you do the revision with an open mind and with a view of an outsider. Make notes.

Without any judgements, simply ask the following questions:

• If you were a potential customer, what would be your first impression?
• Do you have a profile picture?
  
• Are the pictures clear? Are they well lit?
• Do you look the same or do you look completely different now?
• Do you look straight into the camera?
• Is your whole face showing?
• Are you smiling or are you too serious, stiff?
• Do you look professional?
• Do you look friendly, approachable?
• Does your profile picture indicate your profession? (However, you don`t always need to directly showcase your profession)

If you answered no to any of the above questions, my 5tips will help you. Implementing these small changes could massively improve your first business impression. 

MAKE SURE YOUR FACE IS SHOWING CLEARLY 

This picture is a professional image of me, well-lit, showing my profession, but I hide behind my camera, so people can`t see my face.

If I would use that as a profile picture, I would make a crucial mistake. That wouldn`t be appealing to a potential customer, who is looking for a photographer to work with.

My business is me, myself and I so it is super important to show my face. 

A photography experience can bring up lots of insecurities in my clients so being a role model to show my face is essential. 

In this picture:

• I look straight at the camera,
• My whole face is showing,
• The picture is clear, well-lit,
• I look friendly and approachable,
• And you can still guess my profession.

On an additional note, I don`t always use a profile photo, where I have a camera with me.

I feel it is not always necessary to show your work tools for a profile photo but sometimes, they can help you to convey a stronger message. See the next tip. 

INSTEAD OF A PLAIN PHOTO, USE A PROP TO CREATE A MORE POWERFUL MESSAGE

Let`s say, you are looking for a business coach. You don`t know anyone, so you start browsing on the internet, searching for the right fit.

Probably zillion pictures of business coaches will pop up. What will make you decide to learn more about them or scroll to the next one, is their profile photo. 

If you see a photo, like the one on the left, you realise that it`s a professional photo, and the person seems kind and friendly but it probably wouldn`t have a wow effect. This photo wouldn`t stand out. 

But if the same person uses the photo on the right, she has a so much more powerful and dynamic message. 

You can clearly see that she is a powerful business coach, who is going to help you to achieve your goals and dreams.

She has an action plan for you.

She is professional, kind, fun and approachable.

THE POWER OF BRIGHT BRAND COLOURS

If you have bright brand colours, you can create amazing contrast with a very simple,  old wall, as a background.

This makes you stand out and immediately draws attention.

MOBILE PHONE

I understand that you are not always in the position to have a full branding session with a photographer. And that`s absolutely fine.

You can have a profile picture done on a mobile phone, especially for social media but bear in mind the following:

• Instead of a selfie, can you ask someone to take your photos? If no one is around, can you put it on a timer? The back camera is better quality, and you would look more natural.
• Walk into the pose: Instead of sitting down and waiting for the click, stand up, walk around and sit down just before the click. The result will be so much more relaxed.
• Always wipe your lenses before taking a photo with your phone

LOOK AROUND

If you assume you can`t afford a branding photography session, you might be surprised.

Have enquiry calls with different photographers, and register to be on their VIP list. Sometimes they offer no-brainer discounts, instalment options, and even free sessions or amazing collaborations with other professionals to help your business in a more powerful way.

If you are on their VIP list, usually you would be the first to hear about these great deals before they are released to the public.

If you join my VIP list, you immediately get access to my free guide on how to feel and look your best on your next branding photoshoot. 

SZIA! I`M VANDA

As a personal branding photography specialist, I transform female leaders who hate their photos taken.

I offer an authentic photography experience where you find a friend in me and you realise that showing up in your business could be fun. 

I`ve helped an army of amazing ladies share their unique messages to the world and make them feel great about themselves. 

I would love to help you too so let`s have a friendly chat.