Beyond The Headshot: How a NYC Criminal Defense Lawyer Prepared for Her Personal Branding Photoshoot
Why a Versatile Photo Gallery Matters for Brand Identity
In an insatiable digital age, “one good headshot” is swallowed up and forgotten about instantly. Gone are the days when one polished, traditional portrait was strong enough to carry your whole identity as a business professional, much less a business owner. Particularly when you are the face directly behind your brand, a handful of nice headshots will serve you about as well as a blurb in the Classified Section of your local newspaper – you’ll be considered outdated and overlooked (by the few eyes who are still reading a printed ad).
This is where the value of a full branding portrait session cannot be overstated: When you approach a brand photoshoot with the purpose of telling a story, you’ll take your audience on a journey far beyond what the standalone headshot can do. You’ll engage and educate your audience; and, with some good old fashioned consistency, you’ll increase your chances of converting that audience into loyal clients and customers.
How We Built a Lawyer’s Personal Brand
So how did I practice what I’ve preached as a brand photographer and apply it for maximum results for my client Carla, of Carla Sanderson Law? As an attorney who specializes in criminal defense and immigration law, building brand awareness wasn’t enough. Her brand imagery needed to take it that extra mile to build authenticity, authority, and– most importantly– trust. In order to do this, I felt it would be most beneficial to utilize Carla’s actual office space as the location for her brand photoshoot. Adding this element of reality to her images not only told the story of her true day-to-day life, but it also demystified what to expect when working with her for any potential clients.
Prior to beginning our shoot, we made sure to curate the space for a clean and sleek appearance, while still maintaining a worked-in feel with props such as her laptop, books, and notebooks present.
Carla’s completed gallery speaks for itself: Her branding images tell a story of an approachable, friendly, yet professional and experienced attorney who takes her business seriously, and her client relations personally. There’s plenty of variety and versatility that does more than showcase the nuances of her brand; it sets her up for success to show up on social media consistently and confidently in her marketing efforts.
If you’re an entrepreneur based in New York and you’re ready to upgrade your branding imagery to reflect the true personality behind your business, reach out and let’s give your brand visuals the attention to detail they deserve!
