At the time of writing, we have Entrepreneur’s Day coming up! I have the honour to work with many different entrepreneurs for their business profile portraits and personal brand photography. To me, it is very important that these entrepreneurs exude confidence in their business portraits.
Entrepreneurship and visibility
As you start your own business, you must be increasingly aware that being an entrepreneur, visibility is key. Personally having my business portraits photography, I certainly find it the case as an entrepreneur myself.
While having the best products and services is core to having a viable business with longevity, being able to stand out among competition in a crowded market place is key. It is important your customers and clients get to know about your offerings and how good you are in what you do. A business does not sustain if clients do not know about you, even if what you offer great products and / or services.
Further reading: Founders photos and group portraits
Visibility and personal brand
Visibility goes hands in hand with building brand recognition. It positions the entreprenurs as industry authorities. A personal brand enhances trust and credibility, engages existing and potential clients. It also attracts diverse opportunities, from speaking engagements to partnerships. In the modern world where online presence is the prominent form of interactions, people do not only want to know about your business – they also want to know about the faces and stories behind the business.
Your business portrait as an entrepreneur is among your most paramount visibility tools. High quality business portraits are visual representation of your personal brand and professionalism. They invite trust. They contribute to a consistent and professional online presence, and convey authentically. These business portraits can be a powerful tool for establishing and reinforcing your identity as a successful entrepreneur. I often say to people – invest in yourself, so people invest in you. It is of utmost importance to inspire confidence of others in you and your business.
Related reading: Personal Brand Photography: What to wear to a photoshoot
Key to exude confidence in your business portraits
So, what is the key to come across to exude that air of confidence in your business portraits as entrepreneurs?
Authenticity
I would say, at the foremost is to be yourself. Authenticity is a powerful tool for building trust and confidence with your audience. Your portraits should reflect your true self, values, and personality.
When you embrace your true self in your business portraits, it often translates into greater self-confidence during your photo sessions. Confidence is infectious and can be sensed by your audience, reinforcing their trust in your capabilities.
Story telling via business portrait photography
Authenticity in your portraits allows you to tell a compelling and relatable story about your journey as an entrepreneur. Sharing your values, challenges, and successes can create a narrative that resonates with your audience and builds a stronger emotional connection.
Further reading: website photography
Consistency
Authenticity in your portraits ensures consistency between your online and offline personas. When people meet you in person, they should see the same person they’ve come to know through your business portraits and online presence. This consistency reinforces the trust and confidence your audience has in you and your brand.
Prepare and Relax
Before your portrait session, take some time to prepare. Know the purpose of the photos and the message you want to convey. This will help you feel more confident during the shoot. This is something I help my clients extensively with. The moment you engage me as your business portrait photographer, we will kick start into the planning mood! Anything from brand vision down to details of what to wear for the shoot will be reviewed prior to you visiting the photography studio.
Engage your audience
Eye contact is a great tool in engaging your audience and communicates a strong sense of confidence. When having your portrait taken, look directly at the camera with a steady approachable gaze.
Dress for success
How you present yourself is directly impacting on your confidence, and confidence of the others in you. Choose outfits that make you feel comfortable and reflect your personal style. Your attire should be appropriate for your industry and the message you want to convey. Well-fitted, tailored clothing can make a significant difference in how you feel and how you’re perceived in your business portrait pictures.
Master the power of posture
Good posture can instantly boost your confidence in portraits. Stand or sit up straight, shoulders back, and chin up. A strong and open posture conveys self-assuredness and professionalism. This is one part where my expertise comes in, to put you into poses that not only speak confidence, appear approachable but also look flattering.
Posing of men and women are often different. Taking up space in postures often gives an air of confidence. Often it works well for men in more square shaped poses to mark the space around them. For women these poses may make them look bulkier and negate their femininity. Poses that involve putting their arms out but creating more angular shapes would be my recommendations for confident women posing.
Further reading: male portrait photography
Image Editing and Retouching
After the photo session, some light editing or retouching may be necessary to enhance the final image. It’s essential to maintain a natural and authentic look, so make sure to communicate your preferences with your photographer prior to having your business portraits photography session.
Business portraits as your visibility tool
I hope these tips help you create business portraits that not only make you look confident but also help you feel confident! This confidence is crucial for building a strong personal brand and making a positive impression in the business world.
You can also refer to my further resource on: What to wear for branding photography
Want to plan a business portrait photography session to enhance your brand and visibility? I would love to hear further from you. Please contact me here.
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