Rebranding with Golden Hour Headshots: How to use natural lighting to change your visual messaging
Benjamin wanted to convey a more approachable image to his audience. That's where we stepped in to help transform his visual messaging.
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.
Golden Hour Portrait by Henry David Photography
Location Spotlight:
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis offers an ideal portrait photo location for academics and professionals. The beautiful Danforth campus and its iconic Brookings Hall exudes of history, grandeur and prestige, creating a truly collegiate Ivy League aesthetic. The classic architecture adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to the event, with leading lines that make for naturally captivating framing of the subject.
Instagram Worthy Spots in St. Louis: “A Not So Secret” Guide - Vol. 1
What makes it so special, you ask? Well, you couldn’t ask for better natural lighting…
It may sound overdone, but there are many good reasons why parking garages make for great Instagram-worthy spots: the urban-industrial concrete, neutral colors, leading lines, and rooftop access for city skyline views, the list goes on and on.
That said, the not so secret spot I’d like to recommend to you is not your average parking garage!
Located across the street from the U.S. Bank building in downtown St. Louis, the 7th Street Parking Garage is quickly becoming a favorite photo location of this St. Louis based portrait photographer.
What makes it so special, you ask? Well, you couldn’t ask for better natural lighting…
Check out the amazing, flattering, soft light you get through these floor-to-ceiling panel windows. They’re frosted in a way that diffuses the sunlight as if a photographer were consulted to design them.
Fitness Model Morganne Venters, lifestyle portrait photoshoot at the 7th Street Parking Garage in downtown St. Louis. Natural diffused light from floor to ceiling frosted window panels.
Fitness Model Morganne Venters, lifestyle portrait photoshoot at the 7th Street Parking Garage in downtown St. Louis. View with backlighting from the west wall.
If that weren’t enough, there is a giant greenhouse-style arched roof that makes for some wonderfully compelling portraits with soft, beautiful overhead lighting.
Model Mya Toennies, fashion photoshoot at 7th Street Parking Garage in Downtown St. Louis
Directions: Enter the parking garage on 7th street. The entrance is nearest to the intersection of Locust St and 7th St. Drive up to the top floor and have an awesome time shooting at this very special location!
Pro tip: Try this location in the fall or spring, I highly recommend avoiding going at the peak of summer as it can get extremely hot!