Recently, I had the opportunity to work with Joan creating personal branding portraits for an upcoming talk she was giving with a peer. While Joan holds an esteemed position in her field, she was struggling with her image. Her peer, whose photographs would be next to hers on all the marketing material for the event and who would, of course, be standing on stage with her - in a word - polished. While Joan knew that her personality was different than her peer’s, she still felt like she wouldn’t measure up to her peer's pristine appearance. Determined to feel like she belonged beside her companion both in her own eyes and the eyes of the audience, she decided to invest in portraits that would elevate her presence while building her confidence, helping her feel like a true equal.

Often, when I speak with someone and they are vulnerable with their insecurities, I anticipate body language that matches the mindset. Body language is more of an opportunity than an issue, as I know we can work together to establish an authentic, confident presence. As we began Joan’s session, however, I was immediately struck by her poise. She exuded confidence - in every angle and expression. I was a bit baffled, wondering if I’d accidentally mislabeled my consultation notes. The empowered woman I saw before me was nothing of what I expected. She effortlessly settled into herself.

Bemused and smiling, I showed Joan the photographs on the back of my camera commenting on how stunning and confident she was, expressing how assuredly she moved. She couldn't believe it. She looked at the photographs with a mix of relief and disbelief, exclaiming, "Really?! That's a relief. I feel so fake and vulnerable." It was a moment that spoke volumes.

Imposter syndrome is a sneaky creature that affects so many high-achieving individuals, regardless of their talents and success. We all have moments when we compare ourselves to others, thinking we fall short. But here's the thing—we rarely know the full story behind someone's seemingly perfect image. We don't see the struggles, the doubts, and the insecurities they may be grappling with. We're all on our own unique journeys, and it's essential to remember that.

So, as Joan smiled in front of my camera, I couldn't help but admire her tenacity and determination to overcome her self doubt. She was a reminder that true beauty and strength come from embracing our potential, not belittling it; from seeing who we are and what we have to offer and moving towards being the best of ourselves despite what insecurities may be gnawing at us. It's about recognizing our worthiness, celebrating our accomplishments, and showing ourselves some much-needed compassion.

In the end, Joan’s portraits showed a woman who was resolutely overcoming her doubts and fears. They were a testament to her journey and a reminder to us all that we can have success in every opportunity that comes our way if we allow ourselves. Each of us has our own unique brilliance and inner strength, waiting to be discovered and shared with the world. Embrace your confidence, embrace your authenticity, and embrace the beauty of your own remarkable journey. It is through embracing our true selves that we shine the brightest.

I don't often share that my first "real job" out of college was at a big box photography studio. Mostly, because I don't feel good about the work I did there. I was a cog in a machine that treated customers like numbers. It was a "sit here, look here" * snap * formula the generated photographs, not portraits - and it still pains me to think of some of those experiences.

People are SO much more than what the camera sees! (It's just a machine, afterall.)

It's about connection and communication. It's about what the subject wants to see in themselves. It's what they want people to know about them. It's about an authentic moment that reveals the beauty of who that person is.

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Photographs become portraits when you can SEE the INNER PERSON.

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My favorite moments are through genuine connection, knowing that someone can look at the portrait - be it a headshot, brand photograph or conceptual portrait - and see part of themselves.

On location brand photography for Riverside Farm and Garden, a DIY Home Project and Farm store, located in Pfafftown, NC | Winston-Salem On Location Brand Photography | Jasper & Fern

On location brand photography for Riverside Farm and Garden, a DIY Home Project and Farm store, located in Pfafftown, NC | Winston-Salem On Location Brand Photography | Jasper & Fern

Walking into their store, I was swept back to my childhood days of tip-toeing behind my granddaddy as he sorted hay bales, searched among his many loyal tools to find just the right hook and stopped to riffle through a few of his antiques. The smell of the mulch outside drifted sweetly through each opened door, another happy customer searching for just the right loyal tool to add to their own collection. Friendly smiles met them, a familiarity in their eyes. Surrounded by shiny metal, garden seed, and an array of DIY home supplies, I felt oddly at home.

It was a gorgeous sunny day. My hiking boots were on and ready to summit mounds of mulch, scale truck sides and kneel me safely in a ditch. Camera at my side, the growling of the loader engine quickly found my finger on the shutter.

I was in HEAVEN at Riverside Farm and Garden Supply. My love for the outdoors and our branding services were getting to combine and I couldn't have been more thrilled - especially to be working with such kind, warm people!

I excitedly moved about, crouching and climbing to photograph all the scrumptious textures and perspectives of their supplies; setting up portraits on the loader and about the farm to showcase each individual's role and where they thrive at work.

It was an energizing morning!

On location brand photography for Riverside Farm and Garden, a DIY Home Project and Farm store, located in Pfafftown, NC | Winston-Salem On Location Brand Photography | Jasper & Fern

As a small business owner who wants to make the most polished and professional impression you can to establish a report with your potential customers, you know the importance of a consistent aesthetic that is recognizable and easily linked with your brand. You value consistency and brand recognition for your business whether you’re posting on social media, being featured in a publication, featuring a product or service in an advertisement or simply connecting one-on-one in person with your customers.

Keeping a consistent aesthetic to help your people connect with your brand is a detailed process. That’s why, when it comes to creating the most useful collection of brand photographs, we start with our 10 fundamental brand photographs that every small business needs and then build from there.

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1. Headshot

   Headshots are a great way to have an immediate, personal connection with the viewer. They can be used to introduce your team members on your website and social media platforms, letting your clients know who they are and their specialties.
   Headshots can also be a great option to have on hand to quickly send to a publication that may be writing a feature on a specific individual and their skills/contributions. Headshots are some of the most basic and versatile photographs you can use as a business owner.

Headshot created to capture the personal brand of Donna M, a local Publications Manager. | Winston-Salem Headshot and Brand Photographer | Jasper & Fern

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Staff portrait created during a headshot and branding session for local Winston-Salem small business Salem Law - including the very important office pet! | Winston-Salem Small Business Photographer | Jasper & Fern

2. Your Team

Portraits of your team and staff together are a great way to showcase the atmosphere of your company. The relationship between co-workers and between the company owner and their employees gives a customer valuable insight into how they may be treated and the general values of your company.

Some of our favorite ways to use these professional portraits are for your website About or Contact page, thank you cards and greeting cards, and for sharing news involving your whole team.

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Brand photograph for Pfafftown, NC small business, Riverside Farm and Garden, showcasing the friendly and informative atmosphere you can expect at their shop. | Winston-Salem Business and Brand Photogragraphy | Jasper & Fern

3. You and Your Team at Work

Another way to build a brand atmosphere for your potential clients is to showcase you and your team at work. A client can glean valuable insight like how important each project or client is to you or the attention that will be given to their need through witnessing your team work. These photographs give your Customer Care a chance to shine!

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Brand photograph for WO Designs, a Winston-Salem based Interior Design company, showcasing the layouts they create for clients when styling their spaces. | Winston-Salem Small Business and Brand Photographer | Jasper & Fern

4. Products & Services You Provide

Reinforcing your copy with attractive images depicting what you do can make you memorable to your potential clients. When they land on your website, advertisement or a social media post, they are receiving information about what you do visually as well as contextually. The more you can do to make yourself memorable the better - especially in a fast paced world that requires content to grab a person’s attention.

Use photographs like this to help tell the story of your process, give clarity on what you do and provide insight into your brand personality.

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5. Tools of Your Trade

Sometimes it can be difficult to explain to a potential client what it is you do - especially if your niche is so unique and unknown that everything you do is new information to your audience. Showcasing the tools you work with can help you stand out from your competition and be memorable. You can also use these types of brand photographs to provide you the opportunity to speak about a specific part of your process or share valuable educational information with your client.

Brand photograph created for Charlotte based doula, Mama Mpenzi Doula, showcasing her go-bag and essentials for meeting and caring for her expecting mothers at the hospital. | Winston-Salem Small Business and Brand Photographer | Jasper & Fern.

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Brand photograph created for Title Boxing in Clemmons, NC showcasing their boxing lessons. | Winston-Salem Small Business and Brand Photographer | Jasper & Fern

6. Working with Your Customer

When a customer can see what it looks like to work with you, that’s one more important step towards them paying for your services! Many people have apprehension about new experiences or services/products they are not familiar with. You can eliminate those fears by showing your customers not only what it looks like to work with you but also how it feels to work together.

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Brand photograph created for Cooper Counseling, a Mount Airy based counselor, showcasing an office atmosphere that attracts and helps their target client feel comfortable. | Winston-Salem Brand Photographer | Jasper & Fern

7. Your Brand Atmosphere & Location

A potential client can tell a lot about your business by how the atmosphere comes across. Just think about a dentist’s office that has dim lighting, grey carpets and white walls with a greenish hue and no magazines, friendly photographs or comfortable furniture to be seen. Would you feel relaxed walking into this office to have them poke around in your mouth with sharp tools? Likely not - unless your target audience is clinical people with nerves of steel, that is. That’s why you want your building, office or created space to appeal to your specific customer. (Don’t have an office or building but want to create a similar atmosphere? We have a skill for that! Just email us and let us know what you’re looking for.)

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Brand photograph for our own studio, Jasper & Fern, showcasing our work tools and notable personality items that capture the heart of our brand. | Winston-Salem Small Business and Brand Photographer | Jasper & Fern

8. Brand Details of What You Do & Your Brand Personality

Photographs that showcase your brand personality through details help round out a client’s impression of you and general experience with your brand. These photographs provide you an opportunity to share details, stories or experiences in a softer, more subtle way so that your audience doesn’t feel like you are constantly selling to them or promoting yourself.

Keeping a consistent aesthetic with your branded detail photographs gives a polished appeal to your business.

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9. Personality/Lifestyle Portrait

These days people don’t want to only see the traditional headshot when they are seeking out a business. They want to learn a brand’s story and invest in the personality and values behind a company. Having Personality/Lifestyle brand portraits is the perfect way to build this relationship - and there are a plethora of ways to do this!

Brand Portrait for small business Carla Day Consulting, a Winston-Salem based health inspector, showcasing the confident, firm and intense personality she has when she is advocating for a client. | Winston-Salem Branding Photographer | Jasper & Fern

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Brand photograph created for Yudy McGuinness Artistry, a Winston-Salem, NC small business, created as a hero image for advertisements and for a banner on her social media accounts. | Winston-Salem Business and Brand Photogragraphy | Jasper & Fern

10. The Hero Shot

Having a captivating photograph that brings all the elements of your business and brand - what you do, how you make people feel, etc - is pertinent to having well rounded brand aesthetics that appeal to your target market. This image should be recognizable and unique and used often. Ideally, this photograph will give you the platform to speak about any topic related to your brand or business.