How does branding help your small business grow?
I’ve found being a small business owner quite overwhelming with the many hats I have to wear to run it. I’ve spent years trying to understand what branding is and what it means to me and, more recently, to my clients.
I built up my photography business by researching my genres deeply to give the best service and images (to not be the wedding photographer who seemingly delayed/ ruined the whole wedding day or the family photographer who did not help parents and their children relax and have fun in front of the camera). I’ve set about doing the same for my branding photography clients.
So I delved into the question “What is branding, and why does my small business need it?”
Understanding my brand should have been simple enough. After all, I did have some relevant skills, having spent some time in my early career on the marketing and PR of films and pop stars and helping military service personnel work out what they had to offer the civilian workforce. I already had a brilliant logo (√) and a genuine reason for choosing it (if you are interested here’s more on how my Butterfly logo evolved), for which I’m pretty chuffed.
But as many brand and marketing experts have said, past, present, and no doubt long into the future, a brand is so much more than a logo, fonts, and words.
My branding journey turned out to be a deep dive into my life, loves, fears, blocks, and desires.
Who knew?! Well, it turns out lots of people…
For now, here is what I’ve learned from one small business to another that has made sense to me.
Growing up, we’d pop into our nearest town to go shopping. I remember even today that the shops/ services and the people who owned them were all known to me and my family, and they knew us.
From Edna, who ran the teashop, which was decorated with her massive collection of pottery frogs, to Michael, who ran the butchers and made amazing sausage rolls, My mum would pop into these places, getting what she needed, interacting, chatting about their lives.
We returned to those Butchers or that café not just because of the product or social interaction but also because of the person.
We knew them, we liked them, and we trusted them.
Simply put, Branding is YOU. It’s your business’s personality and identity, its core values.
It is the reason people come back to you rather than your competitor.
Branding is the way to connect with and keep clients. As not everyone can pop into your business to see what you do and how you do it, visual images are essential to growing the ‘Know, Like, and Trust’ that leads to people choosing your services above others.
Not surprisingly, this is where Branding Photography can help to forge that human connection over the ether.
How can brand photography help grow your business?
Visual images are more memorable than lots of text. They evoke memories and feelings. Making your business more memorable and stand out makes you easier to recall than your competitor. Seeing photos of you, what you do, and how is the closest you can get online to be a real person who cares.
People connect with people.
It gives you credibility and creates trust.
Professional, well-designed, and thought-out visuals signal credibility and trustworthiness. That you invest in your business with high-quality professional photos and a website and logo instantly conveys a level of professionalism. It shows you are a real person with a company that is more likely to provide the service or product you offer.
It shows your differentiation.
It’s much easier to show what you do or what makes your business different than the next with photos.
It helps with Consistency.
Visual branding images ensure Consistency across all touchpoints with your audience. Whether it’s your Website, social media profiles, advertising materials, or physical shop, a consistent visual identity reinforces your brand’s message and makes it easier for customers to recognise and engage with it. Also, having a load of on-brand photos to show easily to hand helps you turn up consistently – returning to credibility and trust.
Once done, you can repurpose the images across so many platforms to market your business and connect with your audience, including :
Your Website: from profile photos to blog posts to your newsletters.
Social media – Instagram posts, reels, ad stores, Linkedin, Facebook and Pinterest
For PR featuring you and your business in magazines and newspapers for reviews and adverts
For your online courses or e-book
Google Ads
Podcast artwork
Visual images are vital to your brand’s identity and communication strategy. They can help create a solid and lasting impression, foster emotional connections, build trust, and differentiate your brand in the marketplace, all essential for long-term success.
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Rent 2 Rent Revolution Event
Unveiling Opportunities: Capturing the spirit of the Rent 2 Rent Revolution Live Event
Suppliers
Photographer
BERTIES PHOTOGRAPHY
Event Organisers
POTTINGSHED EVENTS
Content Creator
SOCIALS BY ABI
Speakers
STEPHANIE AND NICKY TAYLOR
EMMANUEL ASUQUO
BRENDA OKANDJU
MARK FITZGERALD
MARIA ADEJOKE OPANIRAN
MIGEL HAYLES TAYLOR
JOSEPH DANIELS
LUKE WHYTE
Venue
AMERICAN SQUARE, LONDON EC3N
Mother’s Day - it’s not too late!
Wondering how to celebrate Mother’s Day during a pandemic? You’re not alone! In normal times you might have treated Mum to a Sunday lunch at the local pub, coffee and cake at the garden centre, or possibly a bit of a shopping trip, but that’s all out the window thanks to the coronavirus.
Need some inspiration – quick?
Popular Mother’s Day gift ideas this year centre around things mum can enjoy at home, from gardening tools to housewares and CDs. But if, like most people, you’ve barely seen your mum in the last year, you probably want to give her something a bit more personal. Something from the heart that tells her how much you miss her, appreciate her and that you can’t wait to give her a massive hug!
My family photoshoots are ideal for mums who have missed out on seeing their families grow for the last year. Whether you’d like your mum to have a beautiful portrait of your family, or want her to join you in the photoshoot, I promise you’ll end up with images that you’ll all love and treasure for years to come. Fees start at £75 for a midweek session. Please check out my package prices here for digitals and products.
A photoshoot with me is relaxed and fun – not just a chore to get through so Granny has some photos to hang on her wall! It’s all about capturing your personalities, your connections and the love that binds you all together, even if a year of being stuck together in lockdown has pushed you all to breaking point!
Book today – or buy a voucher
I’m taking bookings now for 29th March onwards, when restrictions ease to allow outdoor social gatherings of two households or six people. Photoshoots can be in a location of your choice – a local park, woodlands or your own garden. I know of lots of lovely places around Farnham, Guildford, Yateley, Fleet, Farnborough and beyond, so just ask me if you need ideas.
At least the easing of covid restrictions last Monday (8th March) means you can wish your mum a Happy Mother’s Day face to face this Sunday – you can even enjoy a coffee or picnic together, as long as it’s outside. But that’s about it, and the great British weather looks like it could put its own restrictions on outdoor meetings, so maybe a Mothering Sunday Zoom call isn’t such a bad idea after all! If you decide to keep it virtual, my photoshoot gift vouchers can also be emailed.
Contact me today to book a family photoshoot or buy a voucher for your mum.
In case you don’t know me yet… I’m Justine – an award-winning family, wedding and business photographer based in Farnborough, Hampshire. I am close to London and on the borders of Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire, but work all over the UK. I specialise in beautiful, flattering portraits, that look like how you imagine your best self to be, taken naturally. If you would like to receive more of this type of blog or hear about my photoshoots and special offers, please sign up here.
Half Term Family Activities with Teenagers during Tier 4
With half term coming up – where in normal circumstances we might hope to get some break from work and school, we are pretty restricted in what we can do. Sadly certainly no mini breaks or day trips and we can’t even meet with friends or eat out.
It therefore seems all the more important for me to try and do something with my two – even just one thing, in order to be different from the day to day.
The recent bout of snow we had here in Hampshire gave us all a much needed boost. I saw my two teenagers (as well myself and my husband) go outside that day with enthusiasm and smiles I hadn’t seen for a while. I guess because a change is as good as a rest (and we all need a bit of both at the moment).
With this in mind I have done loads of research across the internet, through google and Pinterest and my friends and business groups and thought I’d share here. Obviously, I don’t expect it to be easy and I assume I’ll get the usual level of teenage annoyance for interrupting desires for 24 hour lying in bed in PJs/ gaming/ Netflix.
I do think it’s definitely important for them to do their own thing, but I will be putting in the diary some family activity time.
My criteria, taking into consideration current Tiers and restrictions in my area of Hampshire and surrounding Surrey and Berkshire are the following:
- ideally away from screens.
- to do something together as a family – even for a short time and
- Something that is fun (that won’t be considered lame) and a bit different.
Disclaimer -I’ve included links where possible and I don’t profit from these. Some we have tried and enjoyed ourselves over the last year and some are recommended or I found and I liked the look of. Some are supporting local small businesses.
I am not responsible for slamming doors , rolling of eyes or stomping of stairs with screams of you being awful/ don’t understand / worst parent ever and other choice words.
Feel free to comment with your own and let me know how you get on.
Please check your own areas restrictions to make sure it’s safe for you to do any of them.
Let's go outside.......
Did you know that sunlight enhances the happiness hormone serotonin? And that Serotonin helps with sleeping , eating and digestion. It also helps suppress anxiety aggression and worry.
So with two teens, a peri menopausal mum and a dad sat working at a screen all day, I looked for some outdoor activities and ones that aren’t just about getting from A to B or walking the dog.
Scavenger Hunt
This is going to take a bit of effort, but I think will be well worth it. Teenagers are generally more likely to get involved if there are other people doing it or there’s something to win.
If you live in a place where you know a few people you can rope them in. You are the Lead and the only one access to all the information.
Think of a word (lets go with the word “Rainbows”) send to your friends 7 houses 1 different letter of that word to put in their window. It must be seen from the pavement /drive on the chosen day.
Next get each household to make up a clever clue to get to their house they then send it to you. (or you can make it up yourself). You don’t need to use just the homes and can add other locations too around your area, in walking distance.
On your chosen day (or days) get your households to display their letter and then email out the clues to those taking part.
Each family must take a selfie at the location with the letter in the shot
First family to send you the word with the photos as evidence that they went, wins!
Another version on the scavenger hunt can be:
Chose 10 items (or less) to find and photograph on your phone in your immediate area. You can make a list for your Teens and they can make a list for you the parent(s). Prize for the winning team. (It has to be things you have seen around before)
Here’s a list we came up with :
A yellow car
A church
A Road name beginning with W
A plant with flowers on
A gnome
A silhouette Soldier (the remembrance )
A Post office sign
An aeroplane
A Blue front door
A person (not you) wearing a face mask.
Other outdoor activities with a purpose to try.......
Create a walk using the what3words app and get the children to navigate their way round it.
If you haven’t heard of it the app was created because Street addresses don’t always point to precise location. What3words has given every 3m square in the world a unique 3 word address. The words are randomly assigned to each square and will always stay the same.
Or Geocaching
My children loved geocaching when they were younger but I think its still one we do to add a little challenge and get a longer walk out of them. For those who haven’t done it before
Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. Locally to me people have really upped their game with magnetic boxes hidden with the treasure and even fake tree stumps!
https://www.geocaching.com/play
https://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/
I had thought this was for children around 5-12 but looking at the reviews its seems to be enjoyed by all ages, with some the clues too challenging for younger children. If you haven’t seen it before
It’s a treasure trail with clues in local town.
Fun with Food
OK I admit I pretty much love any activity that means someone else has to cook/ think of the meal.
Over the first lock down we held this cooking competition over 4 weekends. Each person had to chose and prepare a main meal.
We just went on sites like BBC Good Food to select the meals.
We’ve just signed up to Mindful Chef – a company that delivers the ingredients and cooking instructions for meals (similar to Gousto or HelloFresh) We have loved using these to add some change to our weekly meals (especially inspiring vegetarian and vegan meals which mine weren’t keen on the idea of ). You could each chose a main meal to be delivered the week of half term and a day to cook the meal on.
You can give a score for each person for the meal out of 5. The categories we used were:
Tidiness of kitchen at the end (genius right? It meant everyone washed and tidied as they went) Presentation/look. Tastiness/flavour and originality.
For the prize, the winner gets to choose a takeaway. My daughter Ginny won and chose sushi.
You can add a dress up theme to the meal, if you’re really keen!
Tom had a fish dish and chose the sea as the dress up theme. I had a Moroccan stew and chose that we had to dress up as the other in the family (pulled from a hat so we didn’t chose the same person). Jasper handmade burgers and chips and chose Australia as the them (bbq) Ginny did a homemade pesto and pasta and had a Disney character dress up theme and even decorated the table with the same theme.
Another popular food one is to have a change to your normal food routine and try something new like:
Order an afternoon tea
Quite a few teashops are now offering delicious Afternoon tea deliveries. It has the added bonus of supporting small business. Also on my favourite theme of me not having to prepare it and getting a break!
I highly recommend our local Tea shop (local deliveries only) https://www.facebook.com/TheTeaShopAroundTheCorner/
And nationwide deliveries from Harriet’s Tea Rooms https://harrietscafetearooms.co.uk/
If you want to book your Teen something to do these guys have great online cooking courses for teenagers over half term
https://thenaturalcookcompany.com/
and don’t forget that over half term it’s Pancake day on Tuesday! You could each prepare a filling from savory to sweet (have you noticed I’ve got at least 4 meals cooked by other people over half term)
Games even teenagers will enjoy
My two will play games away from their computers/phones, but respond best to competition rounds like a Games Night. On New Years Eve for example we played 5 (short) different games with a score for each one won.
The following are recommendations are from friends as well as ones we have tried ourselves. Most have a start age of around 8 and be played as adults too. Some friends suggest turning off the wifi and putting away phones to ensure a good commitment.
Table Tennis on any table
In our last house we were short on space and bought a table tennis net with bats and balls . the net attaches to any table. This was really popular with my 2 (we do have a no smashing rule as teenage boys and husbands can do some damage otherwise)
This was such a good diversion that when we moved into this house with a separate dining room we decided to make the dining room table multiple purpose so the room is used more. The table is a pool table with a removeable table tennis table as the top. In the days of dinner parties a heat proof mat goes on top with a tablecloth. It also is used as our art / DT table with an oil cloth.
Google “table tennis net for dining table” to find lots of shops who sell them.
Seriously one of the best pieces of furniture we’ve have bought.
Board Games
that come highly recommended as popular for playing with this age group . Available online from the usual stores.
Taskmaster – we’ve never seen or heard of the TV show but the children got it for Christmas this year and we really enjoyed it. Really interactive and gets you moving.
The Sock Game – a lot of people have recommended, so we have ordered this for half term. It’s a sensory game where you rummage in the sock for certain items.
Pencil Nose – this is taking Pictionary to a new level where our pencil is attached to glasses and your draw with your nose. Lots of good reviews for all ages on this one.
Corks – we love this game (basically a grabbing game) You can play with up to 14 people so it’s also a great party game.
Escape Rooms online
ok, these are online on a screen, but have been really popular with friends. You can even join from multiple places and so play with friends and family at the same time. Check out:
https://www.sneakydogescapes.com/mindfall-remote
and
Also another screen based, but really great fun are VR headsets.
My son bought one just after Christmas with his paper-round and Christmas money and it is amazing. I hasn’t realised how far on the graphics have come (trying to work out how to steal is and download scenes where I can sit on a beach all day drinking cocktails)
We had the headset as the final game in a round of games on New Years Eve. I was dreadful at it but it was lots of fun. The headsets are a whopping £300 with the games around £20 each. However if you live in the Hampshire region of Southampton/ Portsmouth this marvellous company bring VR headsets to your door, fully sanitised and packed with 30 odd games and experiences ready to play within minutes.
Or why not indulge in an at home spa day
I was surprised that spa facemasks have moved on from the hideous finger painting mess of my youth and they are now paper sheets you just pop on your face (many bio-degradable). You can buy them in most pharmacies and I noticed the beauty section in the supermarkets have the same large selection. You can also make your own facemasks. I found loads of tutorials on YouTube (do search DIY spa face masks or your end up with a load of tutorials on covid masks!
My 13 year old daughter and I have arranged an afternoon of facemasks, hair masks braiding and nail decor to try out. You could go all out with a bigger budget and hire a hot tub (and imagine yourself at Penny Hill Park or one of the Centre Parks for the week)
For her birthday, in-between lockdowns, we visited The Trenza Hair braiding bar in Southampton and they are currently posting lots of ideas for at- home styles, including a home braiding kit check out their page https://www.facebook.com/Trenza-Braid-Bar-611212576043715
For more ideas see : https://www.emmaand3.com/spa-day-at-home-ideas-with-free-printable/
Upcycling
For the more crafty among you might fancy upcycling project with your teen. My daughter has been doing up her bedroom over lockdown (most Christmas gifts were requests for room things) and has a chair from ebay we are going to tackle.
For more ideas I came across this great facebook group https://www.facebook.com/useitcreatively/
(now want a whisky barrel to poke holes in and stick lights in for the garden!)
Or maybe teach them a new useful life skill?
It’s been my experience that my children really light up when they learn to do something useful. At this age they often assume they can’t.
…… like car maintenance? I may included this one as I only recently learnt how to pump up the tyres and refill the screen wash (dreadful I know).
So maybe a lesson to teach them to top up the oil and water, even change a tyre?
Sew a button or a hem? Change a plug or plug fuse or even a light bulb.
Thanks to the wonderful groups for many of these ideas including the wonderful Hampshire Business Woman’s Group https://www.thedaisychaingroup.com
and facebook groups that focus on lockdown family fun
https://www.facebook.com/groups/648946116007544
https://www.facebook.com/groups/871176893326326
https://www.facebook.com/groups/670287490403923
I am Justine I am an Award Winning Family, Wedding and Business photographer based in Hampshire, UK. I am mum to two teens who are 13 and 15. I work all over the UK and am close to London and on the borders of Hampshire Surrey and Berkshire. I specialise in beautiful, flattering portraits, that look like how you imagine in your head your best self to be, taken naturally. If you would like to receive more of this type of blog or here about my photoshoots and special offers, please sign up here.
Berties 2020
2020 started with an exciting full diary across all my photography genres of business, events, weddings and Families. It therefore seems a bit bonkers to be writing my first ever blog, in what turned out to be one the quietest working years for me since I began my photography business 7 years ago.
With the way the year has gone I guess it’s pretty fitting too.
Putting this round up of 2020 together has been really lovely. It’s reminded me that despite this tough year, that there have been many wonderful moments of absolute joy, that I have been lucky to be part of.
From the incredible, adaptable and positive souls whose weddings went ahead. Though much changed – it was heart bursting and an honour to be counted amongst your few to capture this special event for you.
I salute all my fellow suppliers, including registrars, MUA’s, venues and cake makers who worked incredibly hard make it happen, sometimes with just 48 hours’ notice. In these times it really showed that LOVE WON THROUGH.
To the wonderful families I was able to capture. I cannot thank you enough for welcoming me into your homes and on your favourite walks. It was a joy to spend time with you all celebrating your lives and little people.
And to the Businesses I have been able to work with this year, I am excited for your year ahead and hope my images help in these challenging times.
What else I happened?
- Those of you who know me, know I smile A LOT. The whole mask wearing thing has been tricky for me as a smiler. However, as a previously trained actress I can smile with my eyes. So far, I’m pretty confident this hasn’t scared anyone off. Or at least not suffering any long lasting damaging effects!
- I did some volunteer photography work with Rushmoor Volunteer Services. I photographed many amazing people who were interviewed for their volunteer work over lockdown, helping in their communities. It was very special and humbling to hear their stories. The website with my images will be going live in February.
- I got to design and deliver some gorgeous wedding albums and wall products. Thank you so much for your orders.
- My image from a styled shoot at Minley Manor was on the front cover of the May/June issue of Your Hampshire and Dorset Magazine
- I continued with my photography training online, with the most fantastic photography and business clever chops. Like Chris Chambers, Anna Hardy, the guys at Nine Dots, The Guild of Photographers, the wonderful Julie Christie at Togs In Business and Graphi Studios. All to make my business better and even stronger for 2021.
- A big thanks to the lovely Vicki Knights and Eddie Judd at Shoot Edit Chat Repeat for their podcasts, and to the very marvellous Ange Ward Brown whose all female photography group has been great, giving advice and making me laugh in the darkest of times.
- I celebrated, albeit a lot more quietly than planned, 20 years married to Tom
- I completed 1 week shy of the Couch-to-5k. Not completed due to the dog ramming into my knee, causing months of nonsense in pain and physiotherapy. Ridiculously frustrating not to complete it as I really am not a runner. Perhaps I will start again when it’s not quite so chilly.
- I grew my over plucked 80s eyebrows back.
- I won some awards for my photography with The Guild of Photographers. Namely a Silver Award, which has been a long term goal of mine. See below.
- I learnt that with more time on my hands, I am still not going to complete those upcycling and craft projects hidden in my loft and gave most of them away.
- After many years of disparaging comments to my lovely friends and kind offers to go camping – I finally did and found much to my surprise. I loved it.
- The year ended with a new addition to my services and that is personal branding photography with the very lovely Jenny Knight as my first customer. I have worked with Jenny in her role as a Celebrant (which she and her team are magnificent at) and she is about to launch a new business in 2021. Watch this space.
And finally
To the families shoots I didn’t get to do, due to restrictions – I really look forward to seeing you later in 2021.
To all my couples who weren’t able to get married this year. I send my love, enormous thanks for your kindness to me in spite of all the awfulness that was going on for you and your plans.
To these couples and my new bookings for 2021 and 2022. I know when we do meet again for your wedding it’s going to be one hell of a celebration.
Take care all and here’s to a Happy 2021.
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