Portrait photography Brighton - relaxed, natural brand photoshoot with fundraising consultant Analiese

This article is about how I worked with fundraising consultant Analiese Doctrove who needed portrait photography in Brighton for her new website. One of the big shifts for independent consultants like Analiese is the need to be more visible and invest in their professional profile, to convey their experience and credibility to potential clients. We worked together to create a relaxed, natural brand photoshoot that gave her the confidence to market her work and launch her new freelance career.

Portrait photography Brighton for charity consultants

Analiese got in touch with me after seeing a friend and colleague, Vic, post her brand photos on LinkedIn. She'd been working in the charity sector in senior fundraising roles for 19 years and was about to take the leap into self-employment. She was now about to launch her new fundraising consultancy practice and website, aimed at working with small to medium sized charities on fundraising. The only image she had on her LinkedIn profile was old and didn't show her face clearly, but it was the only one she could bear to use.

Like so many people I work with, Analiese told me that she hated having her photo taking but knew that she needed high quality photos of herself to match the professional image she was creating through her new website. She needed portrait photography in Brighton that would elevate her online profile, while conveying the qualities she brings to her work - warmth, confidence and experience.

One of the big shifts for independent consultants is accepting the need to be more visible and investing in their professional profile, to build trust with potential clients and communicate their offer clearly. Yet, consultants are human, often hate having their photo taken, and fear coming across as corporate or fake.

Planning a relaxed and authentic brand photoshoot

After Analiese messaged me on LinkedIn we had an informal video call so I could understand her situation and what she was looking for. She knew she needed more than just a new headshot - theh aim of her new website was to convey to potential clients precisely how she can help them solve their problems, and quickly create rapport. To do this, we planned a brand photoshoot that would give Analiese time to relax and be authentic on camera.

Analiese was able to access to office of a creative agency she'd previously worked with which was the perfect setting for the photoshoot - lots of natural light, space and modern bright decor. The office was close to The Level in Brighton, providing some good outdoor options. We kept the brief simple - the aim was to take natural, relaxed portraits of Analiese as well as some working shots, in a range of outfits, to give her a versatile bank of images to use on her website, socials and for pitches.

Like most people, Analiese was a bit apprehensive about being photographed. My main job on the day of the photoshoot is to help people relax, so we started things off with an informal chat to break the ice. We talked about the different outfits she'd brought, and what would work for the different scenes we had planned.

We then started taking photos at a relaxed pace, enjoying the winter sunlight streaming through the windows, and having a natter throughout. I always give lots of guidance on how to pose, and friendly encouragement, as most people find it awkward and need to be reassured that all is going well!

Professional photography to launch the website

After we finished the shoot, Analiese met her mum on London Road to peruse the impressive array of charity shops and decompress after her hour in the spotlight. A week later, she chose her final images from the online gallery I shared, I gave them a full edit, before sending the final set for her to download.

When she received the images, Analiese wrote back to me:

The photos are AMAZING! Thank you! I wasn't sure what to expect but they are brilliant, they are exactly what I was hoping for.

It goes to show that when you have a professional picture taken you don't notice all of the things about yourself you don't usually like! 😂

She then wasted no time in adding the photos to her website and social profiles and announcing her services to the world.

Analiese's LinkedIn profile

Building online visibility with brand photography

Analiese was able to overcome her nerves and build her confidence to create a professional and authentic set of Brighton portrait photography images. Through a combination of thorough planning, practical posing advice, and supportive and lighthearted encouragement, we created images that will support Analiese's consultancy business and marketing for years to come.

Want to find out more about working with me? Head to my contact page and drop me a message. Or, if you're ready to have an informal chat, here's a link to book a call with me.

Scroll down to see more images of Analiese and how she's used them across her new website.