My Greatest Strengths as a Brand Photographer

There are thousands of brand photographers in the world, and hundreds in Seattle alone. It can be overwhelming to realize just how many people offer the same thing that I do. But do all brand photographers really offer the same thing? I believe there is a place for all of us. And not just in the photography industry, but every industry. Each human is unique and can bring a quality to their service that no one else can replicate. If someone does try to replicate it, their clients will eventually sniff out the inauthenticity. We desire connection and to be understood. It’s such a good feeling to find someone who offers exactly what you’re looking for in a way that feels tailored to you. We can’t possibly appeal to everyone and it only hurts us to try. So, I try to lean in to my uniqueness and trust that out of the 8 billion people on the planet, there will be plenty who want to work with me!

Creating a Comfortable Environment

Planning meeting for Ever Afther

The most significant thing I can do for my branding photo clients is to curate a warm and welcoming experience with every interaction. It is essential for my clients to feel comfortable enough to be themselves and express their concerns. Being in front of a camera is already difficult for most people. The more I can do to ease discomfort and increase confidence, the better the results! I’m really good at this for 2 reasons. One, I’m a very empathetic and compassionate person. I can easily feel the emotions and energy of those around me and have a strong desire to help people feel better! Two, I have a lot of experience both behind and in front of a camera. I modeled for about 10 years and have been taking photos of people for over 11 years. Though there is always more to learn, I’ve dealt with a variety of photography situations that allow me to be super prepared for anything that may come up. I have effective planning skills that help me and my clients to avoid common problems and I know how to adapt as plans change.

Concept Creation

I believe that my concept creation process plays a huge role in what sets me apart from most other brand photographers. My ideal branding clients share their wildest hopes and dreams for their brand with me and then let me run with them. I take inspiration from all aspects of life, but I especially love fashion and editorials. For each of my clients,

From the Ever Afther branding session

I learn who their clients are, how they got started, why they love what they do, and what their goals are. I find a way to combine the exaggeration and dreaminess of fashion and editorial storytelling with the essence of their brand. This results in a shoot concept that has never been done before and perfectly represents my client’s brand. My clients are just as involved in this process as I am. That’s how we ensure that the resulting photos will tell the right story. It’s a beautiful collaboration and I’m so lucky to call this my job!

Communication

The key to any successful relationship or project is good communication. My communication is clear, concise, consistent, and compassionate. I’m always trying to provide answers to my clients’ questions before they even think to ask them. I will always make sure you know what to expect and how to prepare. Good communication creates space for us to address concerns before they become problems and helps us better understand each other’s creative approaches. Everyone has a different communication style, so I intentionally work on adapting to each client. I don’t know if perfect communication exists, but I believe that if all parties show up with an open mind, compassion, and the intention to create solutions, we will succeed! All of my branding photography sessions have been successful so far because of the amazing communication I’ve had with my clients (and because all of my clients are actually the best).

Lead with your Strengths

Your unique life has given you skills and attributes that not everyone in your field has. Even those who look similar will still present in a totally different way, because they are NOT you. You can still look to others to find things you admire, skills you’d like to gain or improve. But don’t forget to look to yourself and really hone in on the strengths you already have! I offer an important and unique branding photography experience, and so does everyone else. And that’s okay. Build your business, or whatever you do, on authenticity. Find your people and just keep going.

If you have any questions or just want to chat, send me a message here! Thanks for reading.