How can I show off my personality more in my work?
I am working on launching my own photography business on the side. I want my photos to be known for being fun and natural, and have my customers trust me to capture a great moment. How can I showcase all of this in my work? I know this will come with time as I build brand recognition, but where to start? Thank you!
Follow these 6 recommendations:
1.- Meticulosity
Meticulous people make sure they fulfill their plans to the letter.
They are good at controlling their impulses and remembering the wisdom of their long-term decisions. After the IQ, this trait is considered one of the best indicators of the results that the person will achieve in his life, such as success in studies.
2.- Adaptability
Everyone faces situations that cause anxiety but who have great capacity d and adaptation can work more easily under pressure without allowing adversely affecting their behavior and decisions.
People who do not have a good dose of this trait seem to have poor work performance but their effects can be mitigated with an appropriate mindset.
Several studies indicate that being able to refocus a stressful situation as a potential source of growth rather than as a threat to our well-being can help people recover from these experiences in a faster and more productive way.
3.- Acceptance of ambiguity
Are you one of the people who prefer that their tasks be predictable and well defined or do you enjoy the unknown?
People with a high tolerance for uncertainty can incorporate many points of view before making a decision, which means they are less dogmatic and have more nuanced opinions.
"The low tolerance for ambiguity can be considered as a type of dictatorial characteristic. They try to synthesize complex messages at a single point, which can be a typical feature of destructive leadership," says MacRae.
Someone who can accept ambiguity will have the facility to react to changes, such as a changing economic scenario or the emergence of new technologies, and deal with complex problems.
A low capacity to accept ambiguity is not always a negative thing. On some issues, such as those related to laws and regulations, it may be better to use an orderly approach that allows all the details in the process to be resolved.
4.- Curiosity
Compared to other mental traits, curiosity has somehow received little attention from psychologists.
However, recent research indicates that an inherent interest in new ideas brings many advantages to the workplace: it can mean that you are more creative and flexible in the procedures you use, it helps you learn more easily and increases your overall job satisfaction.
An excess of curiosity, however, can also lead you to have a "butterfly mind", flying from one project to another without finishing executing them.
5.- Risk tolerance
Would you avoid a potentially unpleasant confrontation or would you prefer to go ahead with it knowing that discomfort in the short term will resolve the situation and bring long-term benefits?
The ability to cope with difficult situations is critical for management positions where you need to make decisions to favor the general good, even when you have to face strong opposition.
6.- Competitiveness
There is a fine border between fighting to achieve personal success and entering into an unhealthy situation of jealousy for the advancement of others.
In its best facet, competitiveness can be a powerful motivation that leads you to make the additional effort necessary to achieve a goal. Its worst face, however, can lead to the breakdown of the work team.
I think you can really just start by being authentic as a person, communicating that authenticity to your audience/clientele, through your actions and how you treat them. This is the most underestimated but most important aspect of not just being a business person, but of being a good person, in general. Establish that kind of authenticity, and then ripple it out through how you express yourself. Choose colours for your branding theme that really speak of what you want to communicate, same with font and any symbolism that you may want to convey. I think that colour is still the main (and simple) source of expression these days. Good luck!
I think sometimes it is good when you are just getting started to do some sample, unpaid shots of what you want to project. Get some of your friends to pose for you as if you were doing it for a Client. What do you want to project? That is the Key thing. You can''t be all things to all people, Decide on a few tactics you want to focus on.
Hi Whitney. How exciting congratulations on branching out.
The first question to ask is do you know what your own personality is? Are you being true to yourself?
Start by hanging out with like minded people (artists who may even being using a different genre to yourself but will know how to promote their art).
Try networking places such as BNI or Toastmasters.
Do you work in an office at present? - if so offer to do a free exhibition of your work to brighten up their walls - try it for a month and just before Christmas is a good time. By doing one or more of these things you can get people to notice you.
Is there are coffee shop or restaurant near you that may take some of your work to display on their walls? If you exhibit them well they could also be for sale and put red dots on those that have been sold so people know that your work is being appreciated by others. A good thing is to ask if you can keep the work for a week or so after they have paid for it so that others can appreciate what has been sold.
Then of course their is creating a website or going in with other artists. There are plenty of places that will sell your art for a commission. Leading me on to another point - make sure you know your true value. If you start too cheap people will not take you seriously. I hope these ideas will spark others inside you.
Wishing you every success
Carol
I would start with a blog, where you discuss on how ti take fun and effective pictures. Giving small hints will draw the attention of the public, and it is a great way to funnel this attention to your website
Hi Whitney,
Congrats. Just bring on your idea. I would like to suggest you to build one pager site like KaboomLab.com. All you need to follow search engine guidelines and you are awesome.
Personal Guidelines are following:
1- Unique Idea
2- Present pictorial and informative copyscape content (Blog)
3- User engagement interface
4- Social Media appearance (Mostly Photo sharing websites)
-->Do not do anything else.
---Best of luck---
Hi Whitney,
There are many online platforms that can help you to showcase your work:
1) Behance: You can build your portfolio on Behance and showcase your work and photography in a better way. You will get appreciated for your work on Behance.
2) Pinterest: Create a profile on Pinterest, create boards of different categories and share your photography.
3) Viewbug: Viewbug runs weekly contests for photos shared by their users. You can also participate there.
4) Social Media: Keep sharing your work on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and G+ etc.
Hi Whitney,
The best available tool for you is the social media like Facebook .Prepare a Facebook page and start introducing and inviting others.There are many other social media sites for such introduction of work.
As a photographer you know that you have to maintain a portfolio to introduce your work to potential customers.
You can start your own magazine covering your best works and introducing to your clients.
In-house exhibition once in a while is also a good idea inviting some influential friends and customers.
Best of luck.
Zafar
Toronto, Canada
647-818-8550
When I design branding for a client I always ask a number of questions to get to know them, which means I get a kind of 'background' on them and create designs from there which reflect them and their business. Thus could be used with your photography, so it becomes informal and relaxed as well.
Make sure you have a professionally designed website to showcase your work, it may cost more but this is your image/brand/and entree to every potential client. As a sales tool, your website portfolio should be easy to view but also display your images to have the wow factor! And have a blog on it so you can share tips, talk about some of your photo shoots, etc
Also use twitter or even facebook to get people to look and comment on your website. You want traffic to your site so google will rank you.
An official launch of your site and business would give you something to twit about, and you could use this to post on PR sites before and after the event.
Most of all, look professional, so together with your website have some marketing materials, a logo a postcard and a business card a least. Also a rate card.
Enter some photographic competitions, there are a lot on the web now so could be good publicity whether you win or not!
Connect with me on Linkedin too!
Your personality is a combination of your talent, your mother's & your father's seen through the eyes of a trusted friend, then combined again. It helps to write it down as a "tree" then to write the result at the end.
Try using surprised expressions to convey the desired effect in your marketing. Likewise overlapping images with advertising.
Do you have a website, Facebook page or LinkedIn account where you can strut your stuff? They are a great way to showcase your personal style through their design, commentary and of course, some examples of your work. If you have the time, creating a blog that features short blog posts on how you "capture the moment" and other photography tips can position you as an expert.
You may also want to consider a tagline for your studio that captures the essence of you, something like, "Naturally fun photos". Hope this helps and good luck with your new business.
Start off by being yourself and blending in until you get comfortable. Learn their hobbies and interest
Some years ago, I heard Joyce Tenneson speak and her answer to your question was: Do not worry about your style (personality as a photographer). Do not think about it, just shoot. Photograph for five years, then look at your work and you will know your style.
Your personality will naturally develop and become recognizable as, uniquely, you.
If you don"t already, make a website and domian name. I would have as many pictures as you can that reflects multi moods and objects. so they know you can do more than one type of photo. I would have an launch party, open house invite all your customers and friends. Post on Linkedin make a face book page. connect your links to web site and other platforms. Tell alittle about you. explain what you can do for the clients. Get testimonials. There is a lot to be done if your starting out.. This is where you start, get a internet precence, Let your work speak for its self.. If you need help with setting your social media, this one of the things I do, so I can help you. You need to get your work out on sites. show case your self.
I hope this helps, congrats, and Best wishes
annette
919 333 0092
Well, what's your personality? It depends. "Fun & natural, trust me to capture a great moment" those are marketing terms, but that isn't automatically your personality. Show us what you're showing everyone now, show us what you do but don't show the world, then we have something to work with.
Having a regular blog about photography tips, where you like to shoot, your lessons learned, how you got into photography, your best memories as a kid with photography, tips on how to get children involved and natural in photo shoots, etc. If you start a blog or even a video blog (video yourself talking about these things), is a natural way to bring your personality through your work.
Also - having some presentation about photography tips (speaking engagements) is a great way to show off your personality, your knowledge and your skill.
Hi Whitney,
Congrats on starting your new venture! I love photography so feel free to send over links of your work, I would love to see!
In order to get your brand and name out there, I would make sure you have a portfolio. I love Squarespace for an easy and quick way to get a beautiful portfolio website up and running.
I would also recommend jumping on Persicope to do video tutorials and introduce yourself through video.
Hope that helps!
Charlotte
Create a blog...about something you are intensely passion about...be transparent and authentic in your writing and stories...everything else will take care of itself and you will show your true personality and it will be like a magnet to your audience.