How do you stand out in a world saturated with images? As business owners, we have to navigate the strange digital space where young girls eating spaghetti on camera go viral while we struggle showing up in a professional and engaging way. For many of us who are used to be behind the camera, the prospect of putting ourselves in the spotlight can be downright daunting.
As a seasoned portrait photographer specializing in headshots and glam portraits for camera-shy women, I'm in awe of the transformative power of embracing one's unique beauty. Time after time I watch people going from shaking at the idea of being photographed to standing up a little taller, a little more confident at the end of the process. At the risk of sounding pretentious, I’ll say that professional photography can truly change your life.
So what’s the significance of capturing individuality in headshots and how it can be a game-changer for those who prefer to stay behind the scenes?
IMAGE: Melissa Pancini - Nutritional Consultant - Metabolic Balance
In headshots and personal branding portraits, the goal is not to conform to societal expectations but to celebrate the unique features and qualities that make you one of a kind. From the subtle lines etched by time and every gray hair to the captivating stories reflected in the eyes, the confidence of embracing these distinctive elements is what sets you apart.
Personal branding journey is a long one, and it takes both time and money to nail it down. When you’re ready, hiring an expert to help you discover your USP (unique selling point) is a great investment. If you’re not ready yet, you can simply ask your friends: what am I really good at? Why do they like being around you?
People might have different answers and different perspectives, but it will surely give you some food for thought. You can get clarity on what qualities to focus on, and how to bring them forward through imagery and copy.
Your personal brand is an extension of who you are – your story, your values, and the essence of what makes you you. Capturing individuality in portraits for your business goes beyond showcasing a polished exterior; it's about conveying authenticity, relatability, and the genuine essence of your personality.
Figuring out your USP can be a revelation – especially if you don’t like being on camera. Knowing you don’t have to act or pretend to be someone you’re not is liberating. When you’re aligned with your authenticity, showing up online – and on camera – suddenly becomes fun instead of a burden. You can see personal branding portraits as an opportunity to step into the spotlight on your own terms. It's not about conforming to a preconceived notion of beauty; it's about boldly asserting one's identity and owning every facet of it.
IMAGE: Jennifer Beale – Connector, Community Builder, Award Winning Networker
As a logical thinker, I always try to understand the underlying reasons behind people’s feelings and actions. As a photographer, understanding why some individuals shy away from the camera is crucial in creating a comfortable and empowering photography experience. At the end of the day, not liking photos of oneself is rarely just a matter of personal preference – more often, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Here are some common deep-seated reasons that contribute to camera shyness.
Distorted Self-Perception: Many people struggle with their self-image feeling like they don't meet societal standards of beauty. Comparing yourself to others and the fear of being judged can be difficult to battle if one struggles with their self-esteem.
Perfection Paralysis: We can be unnecessarily hard on ourselves trying to live up to unrealistic expectations of being perfect. Then, we get caught in a trap of excuses that we’re waiting for the perfect moment that is unlikely to come. “When I will lose a few pounds…”, “When I’m less busy…”
Negative Reinforcement: Sadly, many of us grew up in less than perfect environment where we were made to question our looks and self-worth. A random mean comment made in high-school can be more detrimental than we realise – something to unpack and to deal with. If not for photography, then for your own well-being.
“Cheese” orders: please don’t make your kids smile and say “Cheese!” when they don’t want to! Parents forcing their kids to perform on camera is one of the most common reasons for people to develop a distaste for being photographed in adulthood.
For two years, I’ve been running a photography campaign – the 40 Over 40 project – where I photographed women 40+ of all backgrounds, shapes and sizes. As a part of the process, I took interviews asking about their experience of being over 40 and how they felt about the societal beauty norms.
The answers I got were unanimous: the outdated beauty standards have plagued society for far too long. The cookie-cutter expectations of what is considered beautiful have left countless people feeling inadequate and uncomfortable in their own skin. The tide is shifting, albeit ever so slowly, to embrace beauty in a more inclusive way, accepting that it does not exist in any specific shape or size. As a photographer, I see my mission to help the change, challenging the outdated norms and redefining beauty through my lens.
As a photographer who has worked extensively with camera-shy individuals, I've witnessed the profound impact that embracing oneself can have on self-esteem and confidence. It's not just about taking a pretty picture; it's about sparking a transformative journey towards self-acceptance.
In a world that often values conformity over individuality, personal branding portraits serve as a visual rebellion. It's a statement that says, "I am more than meets the eye, and I refuse to be confined by outdated beauty standards." By taking sides against societal norms, we can provoke a positive change in how beauty is perceived and celebrated.
IMAGE: Hilda Gan – RN, MHSc, CHRL - President and Chief People Officer of People Bright Consulting
The Empowering Experience of a Photo Session Done Right
So, how does one go from camera-shy to camera-confident? The answer lies in the collaborative and empowering experience of a professional photoshoot where your X factor – your USP or your superpower if you will – takes the central stage.
If there is one important thing that will truly determine the success of your photo session, it’s your confidence and trust in your photographer. Everyone’s process is different. I personally believe that the factors below are essential pieces of the puzzle, where the photo session itself is just one part:
Consultation: a planning session before the photoshoot to discuss your personal brand, your story, and your vision sets the tone for a personalized and meaningful photography experience.
Wardrobe styling: your fashion choices help expressing your X factor, however not everything that looks good photographs as well. It’s a big relief to know that the outfits you’ll bring will help you look your best.
Hair and Makeup: for camera-shy people, it’s a gamechanger. Natural or glammed up, it’s all about making you feel more confident and camera-ready.
Guided selection: a step often overlooked, the process of selecting your images is a critical part. Being able to compare images side by side and having a second opinion from the artistic perspective ensures that you will make the best choices.
IMAGE: Nancy Gordon and Fredene Plouffe, Real Estate agents with Royal LePage
In a world where individuality is often overshadowed by societal norms, personal branding portraits offer a unique opportunity to reclaim one's narrative and capitalize on your X factor.
To those who shy away from the camera, I invite you to challenge the status quo. Step into the spotlight, not as a conformist to outdated beauty standards, but as a trailblazer redefining what it means to be truly beautiful. Your story is waiting to be told, and through the lens of professional portraits, you have the power to tell it authentically, boldly, and unapologetically.
Veronica is the owner of Vongue Art Photography - a full-service portrait studio in Toronto specializing in headshots and personal branding. Veronica's mission is to help camera-shy professionals look and feel their best in photos, and capture you the way you want to be seen. You deserve to have portraits that make you feel beautiful and proud!
Portrait of Carole Filion, Mindset Coach and Mentor
There's a unanimous consensus among experts that a sharp, professional headshot is non-negotiable in today’s digital business world. However, the real questions emerge when we consider taking it a step further – when and why should you invest in your personal brand photography, and what tangible impact does it have? Why bother putting your face out there if you’re not a model or selling your radiant smile?
Let’s explore why your portrait is more powerful than you might think.
The Face Factor: Why your photos speak volumes
Portrait of Dr. Lucille Necas, The Joy of Purpose
Imagine your personal brand as a storybook, and each photo of yourself is a chapter. Even if you're not selling your looks, people connect with faces and personalities. Humanizing your brand makes it relatable and approachable. Your face becomes the visual anchor that helps your audience remember you in the sea of online content.
Still wondering what does your face have to do with what you sell? Think again. When you choose a lawyer, real estate agent or a business coach to work is (and boy, it’s not an easy task!), you expect certain professional qualifications. But how do you pick the one out of many, all other things equal? It’s their personality that makes you want to work with them. Whatever traits you are drawn to in people, they are embedded in their brand, and it all starts with first impressions.
So, whether you're a coach, consultant, or a product-based business owner, your face is your secret weapon to stand out in a crowd. People connect with people, not logos!
Strategic Placement: Where and when to shine
Now that we've established the importance of you showing up, let's talk strategy. It's not just about plastering your face everywhere; it's about knowing where and when to showcase your personal brand photography for maximum impact.
1) Your website: Your website is your virtual storefront, and your photos are the welcoming committee. Your best shot on your homepage creates an instant connection with visitors and it could be a deciding factor in whether they are scheduling that first discovery call with you. I kid you not, this is how I chose my therapist. Don't shy away from including photos across different pages to maintain that personal touch throughout the browsing experience.
2) Social media: Whether you are more present on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok, social media is where your personal brand photography can truly shine. Depending on the platform, you might choose to show more fun and quirky side of your personality, or authoritative and educational. Regardless, no one is just one thing. And the beauty of social media is that it gives you an opportunity to showcase different sides of your personality, allowing more people to relate to you and identify with what you do. Use professional and personality-packed photos for your profile pictures and cover images. Intersperse candid shots to give your audience a closer look at the human behind the brand.
3) Email marketing: Inject a dose of personality into your emails by incorporating your photos strategically. A well-placed portrait in your email signature or a candid moment in your newsletter can make your messages more memorable and personable.
4) Events: Whether you’re organizing a virtual summit or an in-person conference, your face should be front and center. Attendees connect more with real people, so use this opportunity to showcase your personality and make lasting impressions.
Humanizing your brand makes it relatable and approachable. Your face becomes the visual anchor that helps your audience remember you in the sea of online content. ~ Veronica Kucherov
Portrait of Sushma Kashyap, Founder, Upright Bookkeeping
Setting the Stage for Success: How to become photogenic when you think you’re not
Still have hard feelings about putting your face in the spotlight? You are not alone. So many successful business owners put off their photo session as long as they can simply because being in front of the camera feels so uncomfortable. It might all make a lot of sense from the business perspective, and yet, there is nothing more personal than your face. How do you step out of your comfort zone when deep down you believe that you just don’t look good in photos?
Let's talk about the crucial planning stage. It's not just about grabbing your smartphone and snapping a selfie (although those have their time and place). Strategic personal brand photography begins with meticulous planning. To look good, you have to feel good first. And to feel good, you need to trust the process. Here is how to do it right:
• Planning like a pro: Before you start worrying about posing and your facial expressions, take a step back and ask yourself: What story do you want your photos to tell? Are you the friendly next-door expert or the sophisticated industry maven? Align your photo strategy with your brand message. It's the difference between a scattered photo collection and a cohesive visual narrative.
• Know your audience: Your ideal client is at the heart of your personal brand. It’s not just about you – it’s about what you can do for them. Thank about speaking to them at their eye-level. If your audience is stay at home homemakers, go for casual, relaxed shots that exude approachability. If they are high-level corporate executives, opt for images exuding strength, power, and authority.
• Outfit selection: Your wardrobe can make it or break it. Choose outfits that not only align with your brand but also look fantastic on camera. Solid colors often work best, avoiding busy patterns that might distract from your message. Don't forget about accessories – they can add that extra pop of personality without stealing the show.
• Getting camera-ready: Talking about “feel good first”, it’s hard to show up with confidence if you’re concerned about your hair being out of place or makeup done right. A professional touch with a skilled hair and makeup artist ensures you look your absolute best, boosting your confidence and translating into stunning visuals. Think about these photos as an investment in your brand and in yourself. If it’s worth it to pamper yourself for someone else’s wedding – it's okay to pamper yourself for your business success!
To look good, you have to feel good first. And to feel good, you need to trust the process. ~ Veronica Kucherov
Portrait of Carole Filion, Mindset Coach and Mentor
DIY vs. Pro: Imperfect action beats perfect inaction.
Professional photography is not cheap, and you know that you get what you pay for. As a professional photographer, my suggestion is either to do it right and consider it an investment, or DIY it yourself. Yes, I just said it. I heard too many horror stories about people deciding they are never doing a professional photo shoot again, because their 5-minute headshot didn’t turn out everything they wanted it to be. If you prefer to invest time, there are a lot of resources online that can help you understand the basic principles of photography, such as lighting, posing, and composition. If you are just starting out and have limited funds, with the right planning and a good eye, you can get you “good enough” images until you can afford the magic that a professional photographer brings to the table.
When to DIY: If you're confident in your photography skills, have a solid understanding of your brand and your marketing plan, and don’t shy away form a camera, DIY-ing your personal brand photos can be a budget-friendly option. Invest in good equipment, pay attention to lighting, and, most importantly, be patient with yourself. Research the examples and practice posing and facial expressions in front of the mirror. The DIY approach saves you money as long as you are realistic about the time that you will have to invest in exchange.
When to choose a pro: Hiring a professional photographer can elevate your photos to a whole new level, and ultimately saves you time – and yes, money too. Apart from the obvious – such as technical expertise and an artistic eye – a seasoned photographer can help you with your styling and planning. From location research, arranging a hair and makeup artist, and mapping out your shot list in line with your marketing strategy, the main benefit is in taking the stress out of your photo shoot, and freeing you up to focus on being your authentic self.
In conclusion, whether you choose the DIY route or opt for a pro, the key is to approach personal brand photography with intention and to be kind to yourself in the process. Your face is your brand's greatest asset, and your story is what makes you unique. To bring that story to your audience, the only step you need to take is the one outside of your comfort zone. I know it takes courage. You got it! Cheers to showcasing the amazing face behind your brand!
Portrait of Sushma Kashyap, Founder, Upright Bookkeeping
Veronica is the owner of Vongue Art Photography - a full-service portrait studio in Toronto helping camera-shy people over 40 look and feel their best in their photos. Veronica's mission is to photograph you the way you want to be seen. Whether it is to level up your business marketing, or to preserve your personal history in custom heirloom albums and wall art, you deserve to have portraits that make you feel beautiful and proud.
