Developing ideas for your hero image.
“Do you know how to juggle?”
Early on, when I migrated my business from newborn photography to personal brand, I was brainstorming images with one of my clients. Holly, a Disney focused travel agent, wanted an eye-catching way to show her personality while also pulling in the elements of her brand (colorful, fun and childlike.)
She wasn’t a juggler but I knew I could make it LOOK like she was at least trying to juggle. 😉
Ultimately, what I wanted to create for her was an image that would make people stop and look and would help them get a sense of her personality as well as her brand promise.
So…we created the hero image with the help of two friends and some Photoshop magic! Holly LOVES it! It shows her positive energy and personality AND it’s a great hero image that captures people’s attention.
That’s when I knew I was onto something.
I believe that the most powerful photographs are those that tell a story AND draw you in, wanting more! When it comes to personal brand photographs, the best way to come up with ideas that will tell a story and draw people to you is to really understand the foundation of your brand.
Stick with me here if you just rolled your eyes at the mention of brand foundation. I know it can sound boring but it truly is how I come up with powerful and creative ideas for my clients.
You see, I think of branding as a mix of the technical and the creative.
The technical side includes the brand elements like the problem you solve, who you solve it for, what transformations you provide for your clients, what makes you truly unique.
The creative side includes the emotions you want people to feel, the stories about your life and business that will resonate with your target audience, how it feels to work with you, phrases you often use, messaging you use, your personality traits, activities you love, routines and rituals, etc.
The magic happens when you mix the technical and the creative to come up with unique ideas for your images. Then you layer on the details like the proper background (locations), clothing, props and even other people to complete the “picture.”
You guys, this is WAY more fun and effective than having that photo of you on your laptop at your desk, I guarantee it!
I’m not saying you need to learn how to juggle but I KNOW that there a whole bunch of ideas we could create together that would really help you stand out while staying real at the same time.
I would love to hear, what ideas come to mind for you and your hero image now? Grab a call with me.
About Melissa
Melissa Henry, CEO of Melissa Demple Photography, helps speakers, authors, and entrepreneurs become KNOWN. Walk away feeling like a rock star with powerful clarity on your personal brand, including unique images that wow your target audience and help you sell out your programs, books and win those coveted keynote spots!
Quoted in Forbes and Entrepreneur and featured in Thrive Global as well as on podcasts such as The Rita Made Me Do It Show, No Fat Cats, and Two Girls Talking, Melissa understands the challenges of standing out in the crowded marketplace and will make sure you & your business do too!
With extensive expertise in consulting and over a decade building her own brand, Melissa provides an extraordinary experience for purpose-driven entrepreneurs who want to become known as experts, thought leaders, and seven-figure business owners.
