As a personal stylist and image consultant, I get the question all the time from clients asking, “What do I wear to a brand shoot?” I completely understand the challenge of wanting to show your personal style and wear something you feel confident in, while simultaneously conveying your profession and hoping to be taken seriously. Heck, this same question was something I had to ask myself after I scheduled my mini brand photo session with Marissa Elise Photography to take these incredible photos that you see in this post. What I will tell you and what I had to think through myself is this: “Do I feel my absolute best in this?”
If the answer is “no” or if you have to pause for any amount of time and reflect on it, the answer is NO then it’s not the right outfit to wear. A brand shoot aims to convey your personality and sparkle and if you are not comfortable and confident enough to show up fierce in front of the camera, the photos you take will not do you any justice. Period. Now exactly what that outfit is will be different for everyone. There are many factors that go into building a killer outfit such as color, silhouette, aesthetic, purpose for the look, etc. But at the very core, the secret to a showstopper look is whether you actually feel sure of yourself in it.
For instance, for me, I knew with taking these brand photos that I wanted to go with something more fashion-forward to emphasize that I am a stylist. One of my favorite stores to shop at in Portland is Bobbles & Lace at 22 Milk Street, which has high-fashion, yet affordable pieces. I was drawn to this brown two-piece suit because it screamed boss lady, while I purposely went with accessories such as a lieutenant hat and strappy heels to dress up the look with fashionable elements.
I’ve followed Marissa for quite some time on Instagram and it was so fun to have our first time connecting in-person to be during a mini brand shoot. I was blown away by Marissa’s warmth and lively energy. Not only is she insanely talented, but Marissa is quick to give pose ideas and provides empowering feedback during her shoots. To her, everyone she sees in front of her lens is a superstar, a quality I deeply treasure about her. We had wonderful synergy and I was ecstatic with the final shots we got.
I had the opportunity to chat with Marissa about what it is she does specifically as a brand photographer and why it is so important for business owners. Keep scrolling to read her response and learn more about Southern Maine’s premier Brand Photographer…
Can you tell us more about yourself?
I was born and raised in Maine with amazing parents and a sister who is my best friend. We grew up spending a lot of time together as a family and have photos of so many memories from a young age. My first interaction with a camera, actually, was with a plastic, toy camera that would say “Give me a big smile!” any time I hit the shutter button. To no one’s surprise, I loved it but others probably got a little tired of the recorded voice throwing out prompts of what to do. In college, I dabbled in the “Photography Club” and took photos in the campus greenhouse with my point-and-shoot camera until I found someone on campus selling a DSLR camera for $300. I bought it with the money I’d save from working at the campus gym and was so surprised to find out that cameras had so many buttons – ha! During my college career, I had very little “free time” for hobbies so photography got put on the backburner UNTIL my, now husband, bought me an upgraded camera as a gift for graduating with my Master’s. He put a note with it that said, “Now, it’s time to explore your passion…” I had no idea at the time where that would lead me and now look where we are!
Why did you niche with brand photography specifically?
It took me lots of experimenting to find what kind of photography really spoke to me. It may surprise you but I’ve never really photographed weddings like many photographers have. It just never interested me. But, I also knew I didn’t want to only photograph succulents in random greenhouses, either. Then one day, years ago now, I photographed a friend and her jewelry business and I was OBSESSED. I felt so creative (something that was sucked out of me in a very science-driven major in college), and expressive, and I felt instantly more connected with and invested in not only my friend who I was photographing but also her brand. You know how they say there’s some things you just know in life? Well, this was one of them for me. Brand photography has connected me with such a beautiful network of like-minded and equally ambitious entrepreneurs that I now call friends and I am a cheerleader for each and every one of them.
What do you wish more of your clients knew before they step in front of your camera?
That they, as the person they are, are the magic. I want more people to truly feel proud of what they’ve accomplished, what they’re actively accomplishing, and the dreams they hope to someday accomplish. I want them to see themselves building the life they want and doing the thing they love. Photos act as a way of helping people show up as they are while also creating a time capsule of where they’ve been. Yes, I absolutely want my Clients to feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera but what I really hope is that they feel, on a deeper level, as impressive as I think they are.
Why is brand photography important from your perspective?
I could list a million reasons but, my number one reason is that, as a personal brand photographer, I truly believe that your brand is your story. And your story doesn’t exist unless there’s you. Your story is what connects you with your own business, your own dreams, and your own ambitions. Your story is what connects you to your potential clients, buyers, business best friends, and so much more. And one of the best ways to share your story is through images of you and what you do/offer and having all of the elements of your brand work cohesively is sure to up-level your brand. Consistent brand images are key because it helps to build trust with those who may be interested in what you have to offer which is crucial to a successful business!
Photography by Marissa Elise Photography
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