The 5% Share: Why You Don’t Have to Bare It All to Be Relatable

The 5% Share: Why You Don’t Have to Bare It All to Be Relatable

One of the biggest misconceptions I see in personal branding is this idea that you have to share your whole life online in order to be relatable. And honestly? That’s exhausting.

Here’s the truth: your audience doesn’t need (or want) every detail of your personal world. They just need a glimpse—a slice of humanity—that helps them see the real person behind the business. That’s where the 5% Share comes in.

The 5% Share means intentionally choosing a small part of your personal life to bring into your brand. Just five percent. Not everything. Not the rawest parts of your story. Not every detail about your kids, your spouse, or your day-to-day. Just a light window into your world that builds connection without crossing into oversharing.

Why does it work?

Because people connect to people. Your quirks, your interests, your everyday moments—they remind your audience that you’re not just a service or a product, you’re a person they can relate to and trust.

Examples of a 5% Share could be:

• Your love of a certain coffee shop or drink order

• A funny hobby or guilty pleasure (like your obsession with The Office reruns)

• Your gardening, baking, or DIY projects

• The running playlist that fuels your creativity

• A behind-the-scenes glimpse of your workspace or routine

Notice that none of these are overly vulnerable or deeply private. They’re simply conversation-starters that make you more memorable and approachable.

The beautiful thing about the 5% Share is that it gives you freedom. You can be strategic and intentional without feeling like you have to put your whole heart on display. It’s about showing just enough of your personality to make your brand multidimensional and deeply human.

So next time you’re stuck on what to post or how to connect, don’t pressure yourself to “bare it all.” Ask instead: What’s one simple, personal thing I could share today that would make me more relatable?

That’s your 5%. And that’s more than enough.

Behind the Scenes: How I Build Your Branding Photo Game Plan

Brand photos aren’t just for looking good. They’re for telling your story, building connection, and selling your services.

That’s why every branding session I shoot starts with a game plan. Here’s what that looks like:

1. We Start With a Chat
Before we schedule anything, we talk. I want to hear about your business, your audience, and how you want to show up. Are you launching something? Updating your website? Need fresh content for socials? We build the plan around your goals.

2. You Fill Out My Branding Questionnaire
This part gets detailed—but for good reason. Your answers help me understand your brand personality, services, messaging, and style so I can start visualizing what your shoot should look like.

3. I Create Your Creative Guide
Think mood board meets strategy doc. It includes your photo goals, shot list ideas, wardrobe tips, and visual inspiration—all in one place. This is the roadmap for your session so we both show up prepared.

4. We Plan the Details Together
Location, outfits, props, timing—we go over everything so your session feels effortless. I help with wardrobe and styling decisions, and we pick locations that support the story you want to tell.

5. Shoot Day = Confidence + Clarity
You show up relaxed because we already did the prep. I guide you the entire time so you’re never wondering what to do. We capture images that look and feel like YOU.

Brand photos don’t need to be stressful or stiff. With the right plan in place, they’re intentional, fun, and effective.

The Top 5 Mistakes People Make Before Their Branding Shoot (and How to Avoid Them)

So you finally booked your branding session... amazing! But now you're wondering, "What do I do to actually get ready?" You're not alone. Prepping for a branding session can feel like a lot, especially when you're not sure where to start. Here are five common mistakes people make before their shoot and how to make sure you avoid them.

1. Waiting Until the Last Minute to Plan Your Wardrobe

We've all done it. Thrown something together the night before and hoped for the best. But your branding photos are a visual representation of your business, and that means your outfit matters. Give yourself time to plan, try things on, and even get input. Your wardrobe should reflect your brand personality and make you feel like the best version of yourself.

We'll also talk through this extensively during the planning process, and I'll offer tips and guidance based on your brand so you're not doing this alone.

How to avoid it: Start early. Lay out your outfits a week in advance and make sure everything fits, feels good, and photographs well. Bonus tip: bring a backup outfit or layers in case something doesn't feel right day-of.

2. Not Thinking Through Location (or Just Picking Somewhere "Pretty")

Yes, aesthetics are important. But a location should be more than just "cute." It should support your brand message. Are you more modern and polished? Outdoorsy and grounded? Bright and creative? The environment should align with your vibe.

How to avoid it: Think about where your clients find you and how they experience your brand. Choose a space that helps tell that story, whether it's your workspace, a coffee shop you love, or a studio that offers versatility.

3. Showing Up Without a Clear Goal

It might sound obvious, but walking into your session without knowing what you want to walk away with can lead to photos that miss the mark. Are you updating your website? Creating a social media library? Launching something new? The clearer you are, the more strategic your session can be. We’ll work through all of this in the pre-session process, and these details will be reflected in your personalized Creative Guide so you’ll never feel unprepared or uncertain.

How to avoid it: Talk with me about your goals. As your photographer, I'm here to help you think through what you need and how to best bring it to life. Share what platforms you use most, what you need images for, and what kind of content you want to create. This helps shape the shot list and overall flow.

4. Skipping Hair, Makeup, or Grooming

You don’t need to look like someone else, but you do want to feel confident and put together. Sometimes that means a professional stylist. Other times it means just giving yourself enough time to prep.

I partner with a talented hair and makeup artist, Valerie Hammer Makeup Artistry, who understands exactly how to make you look and feel your best specifically for photos. Makeup for photography is different than everyday makeup, and Val knows how to enhance your features in a way that translates beautifully on camera.

How to avoid it: Think about what makes you feel confident in daily life and mirror that for the shoot. Whether it’s a blowout, a fresh shave, or clean nails, the small stuff makes a big impact.

5. Trying to Do It All Alone

Branding photography isn't just about snapping a few nice photos. It's about telling a story. And stories are easier to tell when you're not doing everything solo. From shot planning to styling, a little support goes a long way.

How to avoid it: Lean on me throughout the process. Ask questions, share ideas, and let's collaborate on how to bring your brand to life through visuals. I’m here to guide you every step of the way—from shot planning to styling—to make sure we’re telling your story in the most authentic and strategic way. If it’s helpful, we can also bring in additional support like a brand strategist, stylist, or makeup artist.

Getting branding photos taken is a big step in putting yourself and your business out there. When you take the time to plan and avoid these common missteps, you set yourself up for images that don’t just look good, but actually feel like you.

Why the Creative Guide Matters (And Why I’ve Been Loving the Process Lately)

The past few weeks have been full of questionnaire deep-dives, brand voice sleuthing, Pinterest rabbit holes, and the best kind of back-and-forths with clients who are ready to show up and stand out. These guides are the secret sauce to a strong branding shoot—and lately, I’ve found myself really enjoying putting them together.

If you’re new here, the Creative Guide (aka the branding brief) is basically our visual roadmap. It’s how we go from "I want new photos" to "This feels like my brand." It covers everything from location ideas to wardrobe suggestions to how you want your brand to feel when someone lands on your site.

Yes, it’s strategic. But it’s also collaborative and creative. We get to play with color palettes, think about how you want to connect with your audience, and brainstorm visuals that make your brand personality shine. It’s the phase where I learn your quirks, your goals, and how you want to show up in your space—then translate that into photos that work across platforms.

Is it nerdy that I get excited about brand adjectives and prop lists? Maybe. But this step really does make a difference.

So if you’ve got a session coming up: don’t skip over the Creative Guide. It’s not just pre-work—it’s where the vision starts to come together.

Why Your Brand Needs You In It: How Showing Your Personality Sets You Apart

A harsh truth: There are probably a lot of people who do what you do.

Maybe you're a life coach, a therapist, a graphic designer, a baker, a copywriter, or a social media guru. And with so many voices online, it's easy to feel like your message might just get lost in the noise. But.......no one else is you.

And that is your brand's superpower.

That’s why showing your unique personality through your branding isn't just nice to have; it's essential.

Why Personality Matters in Branding

Your personality is what makes your business relatable, memorable, and magnetic. People are drawn to people. Before they buy your product or book your service, they want to know who they’re supporting. They want to feel something. And your visuals? They’re the first introduction.

Think about it. Would you rather work with a business that uses stiff stock images or one that shows a real person with a welcoming smile, doing what they love in a space that reflects their vibe? Easy choice.

What Makes You You?

Start by asking: What makes you different?

• Are you bubbly and playful or calm and grounded?

• Do you geek out over your morning coffee or organize your day by color-coded spreadsheets?

• Do you work from your cozy home office with your dog snuggled by your feet or bounce around between cool local cafes?

These little pieces of your life are exactly the things that make you stand out. And they deserve to be captured and shared.

How to Infuse Personality Into Your Branding Imagery

Here are a few simple ways to bring you into your brand photos:

1. Choose Locations with Meaning
Your shoot location should tell a story. Whether it’s your favorite studio space, a local park you love, or your own kitchen table, a thoughtful location adds visual depth and authenticity.

2. Show the Behind-the-Scenes
Let your audience in. Candid moments of you working, laughing, sipping coffee, or prepping for a client meeting say way more than a posed headshot ever could.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Personal
Yes, it’s branding. But it's also your life. Showcase what brings you joy—your plants, your pets, your playlists. It helps people connect the dots between your business and your values.

4. Dress the Part (Your Part)
Choose wardrobe pieces that make you feel comfortable and confident. You don’t have to wear a blazer if that’s not your vibe. Go for color, texture, accessories—anything that helps express your unique energy.

5. Let Go of Perfect
Authenticity is more powerful than perfection. People want to see you as you are, not a polished version you think you should be. Embrace the quirks.

Final Thoughts

Showing your personality isn’t about being loud or quirky if that’s not your thing. It’s about being real. Honest. You.

Because the truth is, people don’t buy from businesses—they buy from people. And your audience is waiting to connect with someone who feels relatable, trustworthy, and real.

So if you're planning your next branding shoot, ask yourself: What do I want people to feel when they see these photos? Then show that.

And if you need help bringing that vision to life, let’s talk. I’m here to help you craft images that tell your story in the most you way possible.

You’re More Than a Headshot: What Branding Photography Really Captures

Let’s get this out of the way: yes, you probably need an updated headshot. But no, that’s not all branding photography is about.

Branding photos are about connection. They’re about story. And most importantly, they’re about helping your dream clients feel like they know, like, and trust you. (even if they never met you)

You Are the Face of Your Brand

Whether you're a service provider, coach, creative, or small business owner, people want to see you. The real you. Not just a stiff smile in front of a white backdrop, but the version of you that shows up for your clients. Branding photos let you step into that role with confidence.

More Than a Smile: Your Personality Matters

The goal isn’t to look like everyone else in your industry. The goal is to look like yourself so the right people say: "Ooh, I want to work with her." Branding photography captures your quirks, your energy, your vibe; so that the images don’t just look nice, they feel like you.

Context Is Everything

A great headshot says, "Here I am." Branding photography says, "Here’s what I do, how I do it, and why it matters." We shoot in environments that tell your story- your workspace, a favorite coffee shop, a location that resonates with your brand style- and include props, outfits, and poses that speak to your daily life and deeper mission.

Photos That Work as Hard as You Do

These aren’t just pretty pictures to sprinkle on your about page. Branding photos are strategic tools you can use across your entire marketing ecosystem: Instagram, newsletters, lead magnets, service pages, launch graphics, even your Zoom profile pic.

Your Brand Is Personal—Your Photos Should Be Too

If your current visuals don’t fully reflect who you are and what you do, it might be time for an upgrade. Think of your branding session as a confidence booster, a clarity moment, and a creative celebration all in one.

Ready to go beyond the headshot? Let’s create brand imagery that actually tells your story.