Yesterday I spent a lovely couple of hours with Helen of Helen Workman Coaching Ltd.

Helen got in touch just after Christmas and we spoke on the phone to find out what she needed. Like a lot of women in business, Helen needed some natural images for her website and social media.  Here’s  little bit about Helen.

Helen is a coach specialising in transition and transformation. She’s passionate about working with women in this space, focussing on mindset and building confidence in order for her clients to positively manage change in their lives and create the life transformations they dream of. Helen has changed careers, set up her own business and recently relocated from London to beautiful North Yorkshire with her daughter and husband. So she’s experienced her fair share of life transformations and the challenges that come with them!

You can contact Helen via email hi@helenworkmancoaching.com or on her Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomencoaching/

www.helenworkmancoaching.com

Personal Branding Photography

When I speak to people about personal branding photography I’m always very conscious of the fact that it’s such a big thing. Not only do you have to be happy with the style of photos but you need to connect with the person doing them. It’s quite a vulnerable position to be in really. You’re putting your faith in this unknown person, and trusting that they capture the “real” you – having never met you before!

And I think it’s really brave. In a society where women are judged so harshly for the way they look to get professional photos becomes a much bigger deal.

Personally I find being completely honest about the whole process really helps.  So we’ll talk about how you want to look, how comfortable you are in front of a camera.  We’ll talk about what you’re going to wear. Obviously where we do the shoot matters too. So if you’re shy, I’m not going to suggest we stand in the middle of a busy cafe.

So then the day of the shoot arrives.  In Helens case, we’d chosen to use Redbrick Mill in Batley. Have you been there?  If you like interior design then I dare you to go there and leave without something new! It’s home furnishing heaven.

I like to arrive early (though I had already spoken to Bo Concept and Heals) so I can check out the light. I honestly think that light is the most important part of my job. It’s the difference between reasonable photos and stunning ones. And by getting there early I can find the best light and not have to drag you round too much.

So we started off with a few really basic photos, on a plain background.  These are more about relaxing you into the shoot.  And I’ll do my best to make you laugh… though don’t be expecting top quality jokes (eh Helen?). I’ll get you to lift your chin, look in different directions, do fake smiles, cheesy smiles or act serious. And none of those ‘poses’ actually matter. It’s the natural expressions between those poses that I like to catch.

Then we’ll start introducing a few props, or maybe we’ll get you to change outfits. We’ll keep moving around and doing different poses. I like to keep it moving so you don’t have too much time to consider that you’re stood in department store having your photo taken.

The whole thing lasts about an hour or so. It’s relatively painless…or that’s what I’m told.

and then you end up with photos like these –

A huge thanks to Helen for being so much fun on the day.

Maryanne

If you’d like to book your own Personal Branding Shoot, just get in touch.  Im currently booking for May 2018.