Not Comfortable Being in Front of the Camera? Here Are Some Alternatives.
What is the importance of founder photos, anyways?
Founder photos help to humanize your brand.
When your customers are able to put a face to the product, they are able to feel more kindred to you and your company and therefore more inclined to buy your product.
Founder photos say, “Hey, I’m a real person just like you and this product means something to me so I know it can help you, too!”
Of course, being in front of the camera is not everyone’s cup of tea. While headshots are always a good option (and it is handy to have at least one up to date headshot on hand), they are not always necessary. Plus, a headshot that feels uncomfortable or forced will read as uncomfortable and forced and will likely be ineffective anyway when it comes to marketing.
But fear not! Utilizing a lifestyle approach goes a long way to take the pressure off, and creates photos that are authentic and inviting to your customers.
Essentially, lifestyle photographs are showing you in your natural habitat and, therefore, at your most relatable.
No photographer? Here’s what to do:
Before we dive into alternative founder photo options, it’s important to note that it is not necessary to hire a photographer or even have another person take your picture. While we always advocate for professional, high-quality imagery for your brand, self portraits are great option for:
achieving founder photos if you’re too nervous or uncomfortable having someone else take your photo,
achieving found photos quickly and simply,
and exercising your creativity and skills.
You don’t need fancy equipment, either. Prop up your phone using books if you must, set the self-timer, and voila!
Okay, now onto alternative options. Rather than sitting yourself down in front of a camera and staring down the barrel of it, try these:
Shoot what you are comfortable with. If head-on shots are not for you, try other angles! Shoot your profile or looking down while tucking your hair behind your ear. You could shoot from a distance (at your desk or curled up on a couch) or from behind you as you enter a room. Play around with different angles and distances and find what feels most natural.
Utilize close ups. Maybe it’s a pencil tucked behind your ear, your hands while you work, or hugging a laptop to your chest. Maybe the image is head-on, but only actually shows a sliver of yourself.
When in doubt, go with action. Action shots are great because they have the potential to be the most authentic. Photograph yourself doing what you love or in an environment that you love, running your business, and using your product. You may even forget the camera is there as you engage with your brand and your surroundings! Pro tip: creating action blurs are also a creative option for getting that lifestyle effect and showing yourself while also giving yourself the grace of not being crystal clear in the shot.
Photos strictly of yourself are also not the only way to infuse a bit of who you are and how your audience can connect with you into your brand. Taking a moment to capture the unique ways you participate in the community you’ve built and giving glimpses into your life as it pertains to your brand are great options as well.
More tips:
Get into a habit of setting up your phone or camera and capturing yourself in action, be it your view, your notebook in your lap, your hands typing. Try setting your phone up, out of the way, and recording yourself while you go about your business. You may end up with several screen-grabs that would make great founder shots. This practice will also help you gain comfortability and just incorporate getting images of yourself into your work habits!
As you are branching into self portraits and different styles of founder photos, take note of what feels most natural and authentic. Note which photos you found yourself enjoying creating. Usually, the content that brand owners have the most enjoyment and authenticity creating ends up performing well too. Paying attention to what that means for you and the photos that you capture of yourself will help you learn how to spend your time and evolve moving forward.
Keep your brand and its mission at the heart of what you are are sharing of yourself. Referring back to what your brand stands for and the message you want to communicate with your audience will help guide you in ways to share yourself partaking in that.
Not quite sure where to begin with your founder photos?
Schedule a creative direction call with Theresa. We’ll not only walk through some of the ideas you’re facing, but ensure you know what to bring to your photoshoot, what to wear, how to set the tone, and how to keep the shots within your branding!
