How to use props for your Personal Branding photography sessions

Are you tired of seeing the same coffee cups, mobile phones, and laptops in every Personal Branding photoshoot? Don’t get me wrong, I still capture people in the midst of their work, whether they’re sipping coffee, typing away on their laptops or chatting on the phone. However, I always strive to take their Personal Branding sessions to the next level by incorporating additional props and elements. This helps to make their photoshoot truly unique and brilliant.

Here are some ideas on how to use props to tell your story and showcase the personality of your brand in a unique and memorable way :

What you wear for the photo shoot is very important and I always send my clients a guide before the session but accessories are also very important. You can make a statement with hats, sunglasses, jewelry, watches, and bags. These everyday items can help make your photos look natural and relatable and changing up your accessories can help us to create a variety of different looks with the same outfit.

– Tools of the trade:
Computers and mobile phones are essential props for any branding photoshoot. But you can bring along notebooks or pens that match your brand colors for a consistent online presence and to showcase your knowledge and expertise.

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I once had a Personal Branding session for a professional DJ and she brought along her headphones. Including items that people can relate to can help make your photos more approachable and resonate more with your audience.

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– Products
Showcase the products you sell. You might have your products featured on your website but it is important to have photos of YOU with them. It would be even better if we can show how you make these products! People are very curious and love to see „behind the scenes”. If you don’t have a physical product, you might want to bring props that represent the services you offer.
For example, you could bring a sign that says „I Offer ____” and show pictures of the services you offer.

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-Books
Show off your love of reading by adding your favorite books to your prop list. Are you an industry expert? Share the magazines and journals you read to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in your field.

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– What would you like to celebrate?
Whether it’s a birthday, milestone, award, or upcoming client win, you can bring balloons, candles, champagne, cake, and confetti! Even if you don’t have any wins yet, let’s anticipate them and get the party started!

In addition to props, you can include people in your branding photoshoot! Showing how you interact with your clients can tell a lot about you and your business.

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What do you have marked on your calendar for the upcoming weeks? Are there any special occasions you’d like to promote on your social media, emails, or other marketing channels? Are you a speaker at an event? Show off the program or your event badge!

One of the most common sources of anxiety when being photographed is not knowing what to do with your hands. Fortunately, providing a prop to hold, especially one that requires a specific action, can quickly put these worries to rest! Another solution to this problem is to practice posing beforehand. An experienced photographer will take pictures of you in different positions and practice the different poses until you feel comfortable with them.

The more comfortable you feel, the more confident you appear, and this will be evident to the viewer.

So don’t be afraid to get creative and bring a variety of items to your photoshoot!

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How to use Personal Branding photography for branding and marketing purposes

Do you know that you need to update your social media profiles but dread the thought of jumping in front of the camera?

Are you sick of spending hours looking for a good photo of you (that you actually like) in your iPhone to post for your business only to end up posting nothing?

Wish you were younger, 10kg lighter and 20 times better at taking selfies?

I hear this all the time from clients who are concerned when it comes to showing up for their business and work online.

You want images that look professional – but not too stiff and fake.

Getting yourself out there in an authentic way on Social Media can seem overwhelming, a bit daunting and can make you feel quite vulnerable.

But what if you had a collection of images & videos of you that you love? Images that not only tell the stories you know you need to be telling but show an energetic and confident you to help connect PEOPLE to your brand.

I work with executives and business owners who know they need to show up online and can help you tick this off your list.

Just send me a message at info@carmen.photo to learn how simple this can be with the right person in your corner (and behind the lens).

 

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Photo workshop Carnival in Venice 2020

Details: This is a two-day workshop designed for a small group (6 people).

You will photograph not only the colorful carnival costumes, but also the best known attractions such St. Marco’s Square, Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sights, St. George Island, and the Grand Canale. If the weather is nice, we can also take a boat trip to the colorful island of Burano, known for its brightly colored fishermen’s houses.

I will make sure that we will be out early (before the huge crowds), so we’ll capture the beautiful sunrise light which will increase our chances to take impressive shots. My aim is to help you not only to go back home with some great photos, but also stimulate your creativity and to improve your photography technique in general.

We will have individual and group discussions where I will guide you, we will generate ideas, and most importantly, we will have fun! 

 

Friday 21st February
11.00
After check in at our hotels we can either walk around Venice ( I know a location where the masks meet) or take the water bus to Burano – depending on the weather.
It’s best to visit Burano on a sunny day.
In the afternoon we will return to Piazza San Marco and can take a short trip to San Giorgio Island to photograph the masks. These is a place were the masks are gathering and only few people know about it. 
We can stay near San Marco square at Blue hour to take some photos of the lagoon or go to Ponte Dell’Academia to take some iconic photos of Santa Maria della Salute.
Free time after 7.30 pm.
Every night during the Carnival there will be live music and dancing in Piazza San Marco.
Saturday 22nd February
We will start the day at sunrise at (6.30am) in Piazza San Marco. This is the main opportunity to photograph the costumed people – before the huge crowds arrive in the square.
Also, at around 7.00 am, the square is usually closed by Police for around 30min for check ups – they want to make sure everyone is safe. If we are in the square, near Doge’s Palace there is no problem to take photos. Otherwise we will have to wait outside and miss the best time with the masks.
If we are lucky, the sunrise will help us create beautiful pictures with the masks and the Venetian lagoon. Foggy mornings also offer great opportunities for photos.
We will stay in Piazza San Marco until 8.30-9.00. After that we will go to the hotel to have breakfast and leave the tripods and other equipment that we don’t need during the day We will meet again at 10.00 for a walking trip around Venice or we can go to Burano ( if we haven’t been there the previous day, on Friday).
In Venice we can go up to the Campanilla to have a nice view of Venice lagoon, walk to Rialto Bridge, Fondaco dei Tedeschi, Ponte dell’Accademia, Arsenale, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, Punta de la Dogana ( Dorsoduro area), Old Jewish quarter, Teatro La Fenice etc.
There are a lot of lesser known areas of Venice where I can take you. We would want to avoid San Marco square at noon because it will be packed with tourists.
Saturday afternoon (4.30 pm) will be again in San Marco Square/ San Giorgio island to photograph the costumes. These two locations provide us the best opportunities to take good photos of the masks.
We can have dinner together at 7.30 and discuss our photos.
Sunday 23rd February
Same program as Saturday in the morning – we will start the day at sunrise at (6.30am) in Piazza San Marco.
At 10.00, again a walk around Venice to photograh the architecture, the people, the gondolas etc
The workshop will finish around 4.00pm.

Equipment: I recommend a dSLR type camera with lenses which allow you to shoot subjects near and far (for example a 24-70mm and a 70-200mm), a tripod, spare batteries and spare storage cards.

This course is designed for Beginner and Intermediate levels.

Price: 590 CHF per person includes learning about your camera settings and capabilities (ISO, exposure, focusing), advise on how to get the best images (locations, composition, technique), and how to establish a rapport with the ‘models’ in carnival costumes, while at the same time dealing with other photographers present. 

You will learn also some post processing techniques for Lightroom and Photoshop.

A non-refundable deposit of 250 CHF is due by 5th February 2020 in order to secure your place. If you bring a friend, you both get a discount of 50 CHF off the price of the workshop. 

The price doesn’t include international travel, meals, drinks, insurance, accommodation, or airport transfers. However, I can give you some recommendations for accommodation and means of transportation.

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Hello Autumn!

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Autumn is my favourite season and I want to give you the opportunity to create some great memories.
The Autumn photo sessions are great for families, couples, engagements, seniors or pets.
Book your session now!
LIMITED SPACES!

You are amazing.
Your photos should be too!