In this professional contexts session we had a look into branding ourselves as future professionals. We first looked at reasons why we should brand ourselves, for example it can: promote a professional persona, validate us as photographers etc. We then had a look at what kind of branding can help, here is a list:
-business cards
-logos
-websites
-blogs
-social media
- news letters: mailing list
-correspondences
-font
-email footers
Business Cards
Business cards should look simple, clean and classy to really be remembered by those who receive it- additionally white negative space is useful as you can write notes, numbers etc on the in the moment. Furthermore, business cards should include: name, occupation, email address, phone number, website, social media handles. Optionally you can have your own photos printed on the back of them almost as a mini portfolio.
Social Media
It is a wise idea to create new social media, such as Instagram, purely for you and your photography to separate your business and social life. You don’t just have to post your own photography to your social media but also images/information about galleries, events, photo books, updates etc so that your followers can keep up to date with what you’re up to and following.
Newsletters
Once you work out your desired mailing list of photographers, newspapers, publishers, editors, artists, galleries etc you can start emailing yearly or twice yearly updates just to keep them all in the loop about what you’re up to. This is a bit more of a professional way to keep your peers up to date, but also to slyly remind the of you, in hope they may contact you for future jobs.
Emails
Some ways to keep your emails professional and concise is to:
- get an email footer: this way you can keep a mature and accomplished closing of an email
-always put a subject matter as this entices people in to read your emails
-adding PDFs or pictures can be helpful as the person who receives the email can easily save those documents and go back to them.
Top Tips for Professionalism
- have different portfolios for different genres
- be polite, honest and concise
- show a diverse body of work
- make everything relevant to your work