Realtor Personal Branding Photos
Meet Paul Kepler of the Kepler Group LTD - aka “The Protector.” (You really need to see his video - no really you do!) Paul is an independent insurance broker and senior living advocate. The best way to summarize Paul is in his answer when I asked him what his core values are. His response: honesty, integrity and doing the right thing all the time. And I can say from personal experience, that this is 100% true. He’s always serving his community. He’s an Ambassador with the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Directors for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce.
Why do you do this type of work? My father passed away unexpectedly 25 years ago and left my mom with a great deal of debt. Unfortunately he didn't have a life insurance policy to help her financially. She struggled for years to make ends meet with a situation that was completely avoidable. Losing a loved one is traumatic enough, I want to help people avoid the same painful struggles she went through.
Describe your ideal client. Who are you hoping to connect with through your images? My ideal client is open to the concept of protecting themselves, those they love or their employees and is willing to take action steps to sleep better at night. I hope my images convey a message of connection. I am all about the relationship when it comes to helping others navigate the insurance landscape. I hope my images reinforce this ideal.
How does your client's life change after working with you? What's the outcome? The primary thing my clients tell me is they now have peace of mind. For example, putting protection in place after 10+ years of "I'll take care of it tomorrow" relieves a significant trigger point in their life.
What is your signature method or process? Tell us more about working with you. I like to meet with my clients face to face, get to know them, their goals, dreams and desires. Once we've identified hese points, we work together to tailor a solution unique to them.
What do you do for your clients that is unexpected? How do you make them feel special? Doing whatever it takes to help them. I can typically meet, research, apply and get a client coverage within a few weeks. However, there are cases that are more challenging resulting in longer approval times. For example, I've been working to find one particular client coverage for several months. I won't give up until I am able to find him a solution.
When people see your brand images, what do you want them to feel? I want people to feel like they are the only client I have. I want them to see experience, integrity and trust in my expression. I want them to know that I will do right by them.
Where do you draw your inspiration from? I draw my inspiration from my faith, life partner, family, friends and network. I also practice gratitude every day in every way; easier said than done. I feel very fortunate to have such amazing people around me.
What do you love to do outside of work that can give us a peek at who you are behind the scenes? I truly enjoy spending time with my life partner, family and friends. I love wine tasting, traveling, food experiences, golf and networking (I’m all about being a connector).
Learn more about Paul Kepler of the Kepler Group LTD.
Personal Branding Image Library
Meet Michelle King, one of our recent clients who was looking to create a library of images to use for her website and print collateral.
Why do you do this type of work? We live in a world where so many of our challenges feel overwhelming. I love connecting with people, meeting them where they are and helping them to navigate past their challenges to build a life that works for them.
Describe your ideal client. Who are you hoping to connect with through your images? My ideal client is someone who is ready to tackle their challenges (personal or professional), who is willing to become more self-aware through self-evaluation and exploration. I am hoping that people who are interested in coaching, leadership development, personal development or business development will see these images showing kindness, compassion. fun, and someone they can trust.
How does your client's life change after working with you? What's the outcome? That's my favorite part! When I work with a client they walk away with a plan they are excited about, tools to navigate future challenges and a greater sense of themselves.
What is your signature method or process? Tell us more about working with you. My signature method is called Crafting Your Personal Vision which begins by evaluating your satisfaction in different areas of your life, focusing on your values, and aligning them with your personal vision. At the end of the session you have developed a personal board of directors to support you in pursuing your vision. My method is solution-focused. What this means is that I help clients work on what they have control over in their lives and how they can get to a solution (or definitive steps toward the solution) in every session.
What do you do for your clients that is unexpected? How do you make them feel special? I am a certified Mindfulness instructor and a Connection Practice instructor so one of my specialties is helping clients find a way to incorporate mindfulness into their daily routine. As a Connection Practice teacher I can help them to learn how to resolve conflicts and develop their intuition. I also provide two services that help my clients feel truly heard - I send a follow-up email after each session with what we discussed and what we agreed they will be focusing on for the next week and I offer SOS sessions where a client can reach out to me to schedule a quick 15 minute session when they need some immediate help.
When people see your brand images, what do you want them to feel? I want people to feel that I am someone they can talk to easily, someone who will truly listen, care and help them to find their way.
Where do you draw your inspiration from? Everywhere! Honestly I am continually inspired by my clients, my friends, family and the world around me. Particular influences are individuals who have sought to help people feel more connected like Brene Brown, John Maxwell, Simon Sinek, and Martin Seligman to name a few.
What do you love to do outside of work that can give us a peek at who you are behind the scenes? I am a stained glass and mosaic artist. I have a workshop in my garage and about 6 projects that are in all states of development. I love using beautiful glass to create art pieces. I am also a writer, love to read (you should see my stack of books), and enjoy cooking. I'm a mom of six so family activities are important to me. My husband and I love to travel and our mutual passion is music festivals and concerts.
What the three core messages of your business? 1. Everything you need is already inside you. 2. Asking for help is a strength. 3. Together we can find the solutions
Learn more about Michelle King HERE.
Grandparent Photo Sessions
These sessions titled My First Best Friend originally started as my personal project. I felt a calling to photograph the unique relationship between and grandparent and a grandchild because I had a truly special relationship with my Grandmother. She has passed many many years ago, but thankfully through photographs I still see her everyday and I can even hear her laughter when I look at her picture.
I can’t tell you why it is truly so important to get my message out to people to take advantage of these portrait sessions. But it’s something I’m so passionate about.
You just never know how much time we will have on this earth with one another so do something special for you, for them, for your children and come in and see me. I promise, you will never regret having these portraits done.
Photos last forever
Thank you to the 300+ smiling faces that got in front of my camera in 2019.
I look forward to entering my THIRD DECADE in business and seeing all of you in 2020!
$10,000 fine and a year in jail?
Great news - I have a Child Performer Services Permit and can officially photograph minors under the age of 18!
It’s surprising how few people are aware that anyone working with any artist, model or performer who is under 18 years old in the state of California for a fee MUST have a Child Performer Services Permit. This includes managers, acting coaches, publicists, and photographers. The penalty for not having this permit is a year in jail and a $10,000 fine. The law, AB 1660, states that anyone who works with child actors in the state must be fingerprinted and pass an FBI background check. “AB 1660, prohibits registered sex offenders from “representing or providing specified services to artists or performers under 18 years of age.” Fingerprints and FBI background checks are required to ensure that registered sex offenders don’t skirt the law by working under assumed names.” Totally creepy right?
So the process to get fingerprinted for the FBI is not that easy. The process and forms needed are lengthy but I passed and have my Child Performer Services Permit proudly hanging in my studio.
It’s important to know who you are working with, whether it’s a modeling agency or advocate. There are several photographers on the “Approved List” for a San Francisco based modeling agency who do not have this permit!
Web Site Redesign Photos
One of the things we love to do is collaborate with web site designers. We can assist them in coming up with branding photography ideas that will create a cohesive feel to the new site. If someone is researching your company online first, which you know is definitely going to happen, then you’ll want to show them photos of your team…and perhaps even of your business site and office. What can they expect when they decide to work with you? Do you portray the culture and professionalism of your company?
Above is an image of a 50+ person non-for-profit company spread over multiple locations. We brought our studio to them and photographed the board of directors and all the staff. It was a lot of fun and very convenient and efficient for the staff.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can do the same for you, please drop us a line!
Is your brand just a pretty logo?
If you regularly read my blog, you’ve heard me say MANY times before, if you're not showing up as the face of your brand, you may be hurting your business.
The facts are simple:
Visibility builds the KNOW LIKE AND TRUST factors.
It can help create connection.
It allows for engagement
And simply, it makes you feel familiar.
In this day and age, the key to get through all the noise in the marketplace, is to attract your audience to your business through repetitive and unique visibility. It’s how you turn an impersonal business into a brand that makes people want to do business with you.
Three simple things you can do today to move from faceless to the face of your brand:
1) Update your Head Shot. Add or update your image on your About Me web page and on your social media profiles. While you're at it, share some news about your business.! This is a great strategy to get you and your brand top of mind.
2) Brand Your Email. Add a branded signature to your email. Close out your messages with your smile! Add a signature that incorporates your brand colors and fonts as well as your social links. This reminds your audience who you are and how they can stay connected with you.
3) Post regularly to your favorite social media avenue. Where do your clients regularly hang out? Facebook? Instagram? Twitter?
BONUS TIP :
Visit your own website. How’s the ratio of words to images? With less time to make an impression, more words do NOT mean people will stick around an actually read all of it. It’s like that resume tip, give the juicy information but leave them wanting more.
Ready to revamp your brand visuals? Let's chat to talk about brand photography for your business.
What Not to Wear For Your Headshot
Check out this week’s Facebook Live video. Jennifer Warren of Lunar Digital Marketing and I talk about the latest news my the studio as well as an experience I share with a recent client on planning your clothing choices for your headshot session.
A villa in Tuscany Italy
I was fortunate enough to go back to paradise in Italy again. This time to photograph the exterior during the Summer months with the lovely addition of a gorgeous pool surrounded by the luscious Tuscan landscape.
If you have ever wanted to visit Tuscany and stay in a villa that is just 10 minutes from one of the most iconic towns and vineyards.
If you’d like to see the rest of photos including the beautiful interior, visit this blog post.
