Personal branding is essential in today's competitive world, regardless of your profession. Taking the time to reassess your visual messaging can lead to a more approachable and authentic personal brand.

One recent project involved working with Benjamin P. Davis, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of African American Studies at Saint Louis University and author of numerous books and scholarly works in political philosophy.

Known for his willingness to tackle polarizing subjects, Benjamin wanted to convey a more approachable image to his audience. That's where we stepped in to help transform his visual messaging.

During the rebranding session, we focused on capturing a warm and inviting first impression. A key aspect of this process was the headshot. Benjamin needed a professional photograph that would accurately represent him to potential readers, students, and colleagues. We wanted to showcase his expertise and approachable personality.

Through the use of simple natural lighting techniques, we were able to capture Benjamin's genuine smile and friendly demeanor, creating headshots that exude approachability, while still emphasizing his professional background and status in the academic world.

The end result of the rebranding session was a collection of photos that captured Benjamin's essence as a scholar and writer. The images conveyed a warm and inviting feeling, while still maintaining a professional tone. Benjamin now had a visual presence that would help him connect with his audience and make a strong first impression.

Golden Hour Backlighting

Photographers love to shoot at Golden Hour, and for good reason. The light available an hour before the sun sets allows for artistic expression and evocative storytelling that hints at dreaminess and mystery.

Benjamin wanted a photo option with a blurred out background, and in particular, the kind of photo that had "bokeh bubbles." These beautiful and cinematic circles of light are created by using a shallow depth of field. To get the maximum effect, we held our photoshoot at Golden Hour, about an hour before sunset.

The filtered light through the trees gave us not only the perfect background, but also added a flattering rim light that outlines and separates our subject from the dreamy background.