Recently my client told me the pitfall she fell into when she launched her online business a year ago before the lockdown and I thought to share it with you:

”Magdalena I spent more than £3k on branding, website designing & website copy BUT I had no budget left for a professional brand portrait photo session!!!!

I left with having headshot taken in a local photography studio near me, £100…so I can have something on my website.”

A year later I’ve learned my lesson:

• Energy attracts energy (people buy from people) but how they can trust me and work with me if they do not see the person behind the brand on my website?

• It’s not the font choice or logo only but showing who is behind the brand helps convert followers into clients. It’s ME!”

As a UK Professional commercial & brand portrait photographer (who used to hide behind the brand images I took for my clients) I can’t stress enough the importance of showing up, being visible, introducing the face behind the brand on your website and social media channels.

Over the last few years, I’ve worked with hundreds of soulful, purpose driven UK small business owners based in Sussex and London area and here is why you should invest in the personal brand portrait photo session.

Why you should invest in the personal brand portrait photo session:

1. It takes about 50 milliseconds (that's 0.05 seconds) for users to form an opinion about your website that determines whether they’ll stay or leave…

   I know! That’s not a lot at all.

2. The first thing your audience will notice is the main picture on the website (a “hero” image)- this needs to a picture of the person behind the brand - YOU, rather than a stock image.

Yes, you can use stock images like many others business owners but you want to differentiate yourself from the competition, right?

Little reminder: you’re unique and we can’t wait to meet you. Yes, YOU.

3. Yes, brand message, website copy and aesthetics (logo, font, brand colours) including website user experience is important but a website without the picture of YOU (especially is you’re a service provider) will be lacking your energy.

It will be difficult for you to build trust and connection with your audience and potential clients.

My visibility message to you:

Whether you are a yoga teacher, holistic therapist, business coach, web-designer, virtual assistant or purpose driven business owner like me, I invite you to put aside a budget for a professional brand portrait photo session.

How much to put aside… depends on how important it is for you and for your business to be visible.

The price of the brand photo-session includes:

1. Planning & creative designing of the brand photo session to your specific needs,

2. Photographer service for the day including travel time & admin

3. Editing of the final images and

4. The commercial licence for you to use brand images freely across the website and social media, publication etc.

I can’t put the specific price tag on the brand photoshoot as each shoot is unique because you are unique, your story is unique, your business values and believes are unique. Hence each brand photoshoot is bespoke.

The “uniqueness” applies to a professional brand photographer creative work too: experience, style, niche, background etc.

Saying that, expect brand photoshoot price range starts from:

• ~£350 (mini brand photoshoot: 15-20 minutes),

• ~ £599 onwards for 1-2hours brand photoshoot

• ~ £899 onwards for half day and up to £1,800 for all day photoshoot.

  This might not include travel & accomodation costs, costs of purchase additional images, extra editing time, make-up & stylist artist as some photographers might require it although I am not as my style is all about authenticity.

Please take your time and energy to select the right brand photographer, a creative & sensitive soul who truly understands your uniqueness as a business owner and captures it in the most authentic & gentle way if you’re a little bit camera shy like me.

Remember, energy attracts energy.

I truly believe in that.

Magdalena, Professional Personal Brand Portrait Photographer, Videographer and Visibility mentor based in UK Sussex, Brighton & Hove, often in London

1) 5 BIGGEST RISKS OF ONLINE INVISIBILITY FOR YOUR BUSINESS

2) HOW TO MAKE YOUR CORPORATE HEADSHOTS POP

3) 13 TIPS TO RELAX AND FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF CAMERA DURING PHOTO SESSION