What’s Your Brand Story? Featuring Women with Moxie Campaign

by Erica J Mitchell | Oct 25, 2021 | Blog, Client Branding, Photography Tips

Photography images in this post by Erica J Mitchell Photographer for a Women with Moxie video event campaign.

Your Brand Story

At its core, business photography is telling a story without words and when paired with a marketing message it adds depth to your brand. Whether you service people as a specialist in your field or selling a product, there is a way to photographically tell your story to grab the attention of your ideal clients.

Your brand has an origin story, a target market and a goal.

For a service example, you created a consulting firm to provide professional guidance, support and tips for women in leadership positions seeking help to become more efficient and better at their roles. You would have a professional headshot and portraits of you in your working environment and images of you working with your clients. You want to show who you are, what you do, where you do it and how it works.

For a product example, you created the best luxury flashlight for outdoor activities and you want to sell your flashlights to an outdoor company or directly to customers seeking a high quality product. You would have professional photographs of your flashlight for your shop as well as in the field. You would show in photographs the solution you are solving for the outdoor industry.

What Images Do I Need?

The images captured for most business branding photography needs are product presentation, client interaction, interiors and exteriors, object details, working process, creative spaces, and lifestyle photography along with environmental portraits of the business owners or employees.

Who are you?
Business Portrait

What do you offer?
Service or Product Feature

What does it look like?
Finished Product

How do you do it?
Development and Production

Why is it important?
Lifestyle, Community and Culture

Where are you?
Storefront, On-location, Online

What happened?
Event Coverage

Women with Moxie Networking in Portland Oregon

What’s Next?

Time to share your brand story images!

You’ll receive web and print file formats for quick and easy use to get your brand seen. Update your profile photo, your website and start posting your new images on your social media platforms to generate higher visibility of your business in the marketplace.

Being Published?
Use Your Photography in Printed or Online Articles

Need Photography for Your Website?
Be Visual and Professional Online

Elevate your Digital or Print Presentations, Business Cards and Brochures

Use Your Photography in Social Media Platforms to Market to your Fans

Have Personalized Photography when you are Networking In Person

Want to see more Brand Photography?

View Branding Gallery

Interested in Working Together?

Let’s answer these photographically and then share your story with your audience on your website and social media platforms to generate higher connectivity of your business.

Our goals are to create custom photography of your brand to show your customers and clients who you are and what you are doing. They will resonate and become familiar with the work you do. Ultimately, we want our images to sell your work when you aren’t showcasing it in person.

We photograph on location using natural light or in studio to create the desired look.

Let your posting, advertisement or marketing message stand out with well balanced, high quality, artistic photographs that will attract your ideal clients and customers.

BOOK NOW

Top 3 Challenges and Benefits for Photographing Outdoors

by Erica J Mitchell | Sep 15, 2021 | Headshot, Photography Tips

Working outside has its challenges and benefits. Let’s talk about why you would choose to have your headshots done outside instead of inside at The Natural Light Studio.

1. The first challenge and benefit is the weather.

Unlike working inside a temperature controlled studio, an outdoor photography session has to work with the weather. Sometimes that means in the winter months rescheduling for that clear day, warmer or cooler temperatures. However the benefit of the weather is it can give us a beautiful natural setting for our backgrounds.

2. The second challenge and benefit is light.

Working outside requires a bit of timing when it comes to the sunlight we all enjoy. Believe it or not but the best days to photograph are those cloudy days. Ideally this gives us softer sunlight with low contrast that compliments our skin so well. We also have to think about what time to photograph which is different for each area. The best time to photograph is 1-2 hours before sunset. Here in Portland the sunsets are around 8:30pm in the summer and 4:00pm in the winter. Keep this in mind when choosing which season to book your session.

One trick most photographers use outdoors are light modifiers to bounce in light or create shadow. Visit Using the Sky as Your Light Source.

3. The third challenge and benefit is location.

In some cases a location will be obstructed by construction, traffic, or unknown factors.

In others, being outdoors gives us a fantastic space to play around with backgrounds and other elements that can enhance our headshots.

Outside locations provide a space to move around and supportive natural elements we can include in our headshot sessions to amplify our personality, profession and brand.

Josie’s Session at Cathedral Park in Portland, Oregon

For Josie’s session we photographed at Cathedral Park (Map) in North Portland’s St. Johns District. It’s a wonderful park that has an overhead bridge connecting HWY 30 to St. Johns and N. Lombard Street.

The iconic gothic bridge seems like a prototype to the well known art deco style Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco but in fact, they were created by two different bridge designers.

The designer for the St. John’s bridge perched above Cathedral Park was David B. Steinman who is quoted saying, “If you asked me which of the bridges I love best, I believe I would say the St. Johns Bridge. I put more of myself into that bridge than any other bridge.”

He created a cathedral-like base to the bridge which can be seen from the most east point creating the cathedral view. It also houses several large parks that that make up Cathedral Park with paths that lead to the river front which is where our adventure began.

To learn about locations for headshot sessions view our two types of sessions spaces Outdoor and On Location Sessions or The Natural Light Studio for more.

Headshot Pricing

Using the Sky as Your Light Source

by Erica J Mitchell | Apr 23, 2021 | Blog, Headshot, Photography Tips

Springtime Portraits for the Portland Housing Development Center

Group photos for the NW HDC using the sky as the light source and bounce and flag cards as modifiers to get the desired look.

STEP ONE – SCOUT LOCATION

We started by scouting the area at the shooting time which was just after 10am. The sun is high in the sky during this time of year with the angle of the sun.

Believe it or not, but the best weather conditions are cloudy days. The clouds create the desired diffused lighting ideal for outdoor naturally lit photographs.

USING LIGHT MODIFERS

We placed each subject in the shadows of a large building about 4 stories high. The building created a barrier between us and the sun but allowed for us to use the bright sky to bounce back on the subject.

Another great option we used was the flag card, a large black form core board held just to the left or right of the subject to create shadows to help define the shape of the subjects face.

To learn about group headshot sessions view our Group Headshots Gallery and Services for more.

“Affordable homes and facilities designed, developed, and sustainably resourced to meet the needs of diverse communities.” Learn more at their website https://www.hdc-nw.org/

How to Prepare for a Headshot Session

by Erica J Mitchell | Mar 31, 2021 | FAQ, Photography Tips

Alright!

You’ve booked your new headshots session.

Now it’s time to think about how to prepare.

First, I recommend getting a good night sleep before your shoot.

Get hydrated and allow for plenty of time to get ready.

If your clothes need it, a quick ironing goes a long way for your headshot.

You’ll also want to pick out an outfit or two! Think comfort, and think layers.

If you are not used to a makeup and hair routine, consider giving yourself a few minutes to apply foundation and a quick style.

Once we are on set I’ll take it from there, I’ll guide you through some simple poses, postures and techniques that can get us ready for your new headshot.

Portrait of a client at The Natural Light Studio.

A few tips on getting ready for your professional headshot session

Whats should I wear? focus on your clothes that you love to wear, that you feel comfortable in, and that align with your professional style or brand colors.

When picking outfits, think layers! Feel free to bring an additional jacket, scarf or cardigan, and/or bring another top. I personally prefer black long sleeve tops layered with a denim short sleeve button up. For outdoor sessions, it’s suggested if needed to wear a tank top for easy changing. Don’t forget to iron your clothes!

What colors should I wear? Solid neutral colors translate the strongest in photography. Bright colors can work great, however, I suggest avoiding tops are bright red or bright green when shooting outdoors. In the studio these colors don’t reflect as much and can be very complimentary. Most popular colors are black jackets with solid colored tops in blue and white.

Textures such as linen, silk, sweaters, or knits work great. When working with patterns, choose a design that is smaller in print. Large dots or stripes can distract from your headshot. But with that being said, don’t be afraid to bring your favorite patterned top just in case!

When choosing tops, focus on complimentary neck lines. For example, I prefer a black V-neck line with a washed out denim jacket. I like the contrast between the top and jacket and the texture of the denim. Other clients will have a round neckline blouse in auburn with a black blazer.

Make sure to give yourself plenty of time if you are using a professional hair and makeup stylist or if you are doing it on your own. For minimal makeup a few things to think about: I’ve found that foundation and mascara are the most important when being photographed. For outdoor sessions when styling hair consider a setting spray or style for possible windy conditions.

Large Web Behind The Scene Erica J Mitchell Photographer-1

A client getting ready for a headshot session.

One of my amazing assistants and clients on location for a headshot session.

During your Session

We will use a posing stool for easy sitting shots and standing poses for natural movement.

Most shots are portraits only, above the waist unless requested.

I may have an assistant with me to use modifiers to control light.

For outdoor sessions, it is highly recommended to wear walking shoes.

Be ready to relax and have some fun 🙂

Common Headshot Outfits

Click on image to enlarge.

Indoor On Location Headshots in Portland Oregon

QUESTIONS?

Let me know if you have any questions, I’d be happy to help provide any additional support for you to prepare! If you haven’t booked your session yet, hop over to Book Now to submit your form.

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