Because You’re Worth It!: A Peek Behind the Curtain of Your Next Personal Branding Session

Because You’re Worth It!: A Peek Behind the Curtain of Your Next Personal Branding Session

Hello, Kristina here! I wanted to take some time today to talk to you in a candid way about what you can expect from me when you book a session with Kristina Maness Photography. You’re a gem, unique, not like anyone else. And your brand is just as rare and individual as you are.

That’s why you need a photographer who gets it. Someone who gets YOU! A personal branding session is all about putting you in your brand. My process not only results in great photography but it helps you further define your brand along the way. Whether you’re a mid-sized business with a captivating brand presence looking to routinely update your stock photography for your blog or a small business owner learning about Instagram for the first time I’ve got you covered. I will learn all about you and use images to tie your brand values back to you.

But first a little bit about my business:

Who is Kristina Maness?

Hi, hello! That’s me, Kristina. I’m a Tampa branding photographer, social media expert and small business owner like you! I specializes in brand consultations and photography with women-marketers, -entrepreneurs, -small and mid-sized business owners, -CEOs, -corporate event planners, and all around ladies in leadership, to tell the story of your unique brand so you can be even more successful than you are today.

That’s right, I’m invested in your success. And it’s for a couple of good reasons, too. First, I’m a SoHo-Tampa girl. I love to see our Tampa Bay business community grow and flourish with women bosses. It’s such a powerful aesthetic to see ladies dominating in business in every pocket of Tampa Bay. It’s empowering.

Next, I feel good when I help you connect, engage and create authentic dialogue with your target market through the introduction of these photos on social media. And don’t worry, you will kick up engagement when your post your branding session. Another thing that pumps me up is bouncing around to fun music. Both are things that we will do in your session. 

Finally, my clean, modern, elegant style will help you and everyone around you see both beauty and uniqueness in your brand. We’ll shoot at a location that makes sense for your brand, and no matter where that is, I will find the clean lines, muted tones and curate simple rooms and spaces that will make your brand aesthetic the engaging focal point of each image.

One thing you’ll learn about me is I think in images. When we start talking about your brand I’ll immediately start creating visuals in my head that will translate tp your digital photos. The shot list is a compilation of mental images and Pinterest collages that will be adapted to our chosen environment in real time. The result is a completely original and authentic, tailored, professional photoshoot that delivers on your brand image beyond expectations.

Your personal branding photoshoot journey

Have you had an awkward photo experience? Maybe you didn’t know what to expect or just feel weird about waking up at the crack of dawn to have your makeup done by a stranger whie another stranger takes your pictures. Eek! Guess what? 

I don’t like that either. And it’s not what I’m about. When you embark on a personal branding photoshoot journey with Kristina Maness photography, I’m your single point of contact from the get go, and you get to know me well!

That’s a good thing, because you’re putting me in charge of brand images that will captivate, grip and engage your audience. It’s important to get to know each other throughout the process and that we are comfortable, as it impacts the flow of the sessions. While I can’t guarantee I won’t bust out in song, I promise it won’t be awkward, it’s what you come to expect from me. And you can also expect that I’ll deliver the highest quality branding photos in Tampa Bay, which is why you’ll make the choice to partner with me, Kristina Maness.

Here’s what your photo journey will be like when you do:

Step 1: First you find me.

Have you ever been scrolling through Instagram and stumbled on the most perfect photos and wondered how to get some of your own? That’s where I come in. If you’re a small or medium-sized business seeking to present a clean, sleek splash in your marketplace you need photos. When you first start looking at my Pinterest or Instagram, you may feel compelled to reach out. Please do! That will start the process of framing your brand in the most professional light.

Step 2: Then we meet.

After you reach out on Instagram, Pinterest, on my website or via email, I will video chat with you. At this point, it’s a coffee talk. It’s all about getting to know you better, and an opportunity to learn about me as well. I have no doubt that after a brief call we’ll begin to build a rapport, authentic trust with one another and within that time we’ll know if my services are a good fit for what you need.

Step 3: Let’s make it official.

After our initial call, there may be a brief period of a day or two when you come to terms with the fact that you can’t live without my photography services, and during that time, I might check in on you via email because I’m excited about your project and care about your brand. 

Ultimately, when you make the decision to work with me we make it official with a 35% deposit to reserve your session date and begin exchanging project notes and images. We’ll schedule a second, more in-depth video chat about your brand right away.

Step 4:  Now, we talk about your brand.

At this stage we talk branding! You’ll use my customer portal to fill out a questionnaire in advance of our meeting. We will talk about your answers to the questions, but mostly you’ll be given the opportunity to explain your brand, mission and values. Those are the things you want your photos to reflect.

For this discussion it’s worthwhile to block out an hour and a half to hash out every tiny detail that could make a big difference in your photography session. Ask yourself these questions before the branding session FaceTime call:

  • Who am I and where is that reflected in my brand?
  • What are my brand values?
  • Where do I spend most of my time when I work?
  • How do I work?
  • What things are unique to my business that set me apart from competitors?
  • What is my value proposition?
  • Who is my target market?
  • What social media platforms and digital assets do I use to connect with my audience?
  • How did I become a small business owner?
  • Where do I see my business headed in five years? What about ten?

Step 5: Brand boards and information exchange

In the period before the session, we’re deep in your brand the whole time. That means doing activities like creating a vision board using a tool like Canva or Pinterest. A branding board or branding vision board is a tool that helps me to appreciate your vision. This can include things like your brand logo, images you love, brand colors, gripping filters and camera effects you’d like to try, images that remind you of your brand, mission and/or values.

The brand board will be what I use to advise you on things like your wardrobe and tools of the trade you should bring. Files with information like wardrobe suggestions and pre-shoot information will be exchanged during this phase. We’ll also discuss the kinds of shots we need to take and how they relate to your brand. This is where we talk about things like editorial quality headshots that focus on movement and authenticity, but it’s my creative eye behind the camera that brings those photos to life.

Step 6: Photos, baby!

Now comes the fun part! We’ll get together for your branding photo shoot. A full day shoot includes on-location hair and makeup, and can include up to two locations with multiple shooting environments. 

Your job during the photoshoot is to relax a little, get pampered, have a good time and get some great photos. My job is to ensure your poses pop, your eyes are dancing with light and that there are no shadows obstructing your best features. 

I won’t show up empty handed either. I will bring props and equipment, too. Shooting photos well is a lot more active than people may think. Often times, I’m my own photographer, photo technician and assistant and you’ll see me frequently dragging lights, ladders and walking into all kinds of environments to get the shot.

Step 7: Receive your brand photos and beyond

Please allow up to six weeks for me to edit and return your photos to you. When you receive your branding photos, don’t stop there. Now, it’s time to post them! Learn everything you need to  from my upcoming Instagram education series. Sign up with your email for more information!

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