Great photography is a key component to solid PR coverage. I shared a few reasons why in this blog post. The Coles notes are that, for journalists to feature you or your products in prominent media, photos are just as important—if not more—than the words on the page. Your story makes the hook, but your photos determine where you land on the page.
When I began work on my new website I knew I needed updated professional photos. I also knew I didn’t want to be alone in all of them. So much of my work is about collaboration, meeting in person and connecting with my clients and my community. As I considered asking friends and colleagues to pose for me and then thought about hiring models I realized I couldn’t be the only entrepreneur in this situation. Many service-based solopreneurs operate alone but work with others.
I put a post on my Instagram story asking if any other solopreneurs would be interested in a group photo shoot and got 10+ replies within a day. I picked the first four that replied and got to work putting a group photoshoot together.
The Solopreneurs
The entrepeneurs in the shoot are:
- Rachel Quinn, event planner extraordinaire and founder of Quintessential Events. Rachel has produced CelticFest Vancouver for several years as well as TED Conferences around North America.
- Nikki Lajeunesse, another event planner extraordinaire who specializes in community events and intimate celebrations. Nikki recently produced Yes Shef! With Worth Association.
- Ashley Ostonal, Reiki healer, sound practitioner, CCB facilitator and founder of Crystal Eyez 604. Ashley hosts sound bath and energy healing meditation workshops. She brought calm to our photo shoot!
Our Photographer
I booked an eight hour shoot with Rob Trendiak whose headshot, lifestyle and product photography I was familiar with. Rob is an award-winning headshots and corporate photographer. He’s worked with some of Canada’s largest companies and prolific CEOs, providing bold and creative images to help share individual and corporate stories. Rob created a fun, relaxed atmosphere and had some dynamic ideas for content that evolved throughout the day.
Photoshoot Location
We chose Main Street, Vancouver as our shoot neighbourhood and five locations within a few blocks. I wanted a diversity of settings and a mix of indoor and outdoor with a focus on local spots. We took photos at:
- This Worlds Ours. This inclusive centre for children has well lit meeting rooms which we used for headshots and some office, laptop and co-work shots.
- Federal Store. This coffee shop has some great outdoor tables with rich greenery and wooden tables. We got lunch here, which I do with lots of clients, and Rob snapped away as we ate, drank and chatted.
- 10th Ave. It was a bit of a dreary Vancouver day which presented an opportunity for some fun umbrella pictures as well as some solo shots and group shots along the bike street in this tree-lined Main Street neighbourhood.
- Revival. This vintage clothing and sustainable home goods store is gorgeous. Filled with statement jackets, unique jewelry, racks of incredible fashion pieces, the boutique created a great backdrop for celebration and event style images. Owner Christina Florencio jumped in a few shots and we popped a bottle of bubbly to get some fun photos.
- GENE Coffee Bar. To end the day we popped into GENE for a cookie and another coffee. We used a window seat and took turns at the laptop getting some last ‘action’ shots.
Props and Accessories
To showcase our day-to-day we brought a mix of laptops, magazines (my favourite props and places to local publications to land clients, BC Business, Van Mag and MacLeans), my favourite mug from Danica Jubilee, my favourite notebooks including my Priority Mom 90 Day Planner.
Other photoshoot props included clipboards and ear pieces for the event gals, favourite pens, sound bowls for Ashley and phones for everyone (of course). Umbrellas, tote bags, a travel mug and branded swag came in handy as well. Bring lots of options.
Why Do a Group Photoshoot?
It’s not just about pretty pictures; it’s about leveling up your business, building a media kit you’re proud of and creating content your audience connects with. Here are some of the reasons a group photoshoot worked and why I’d do it again.
- Diversifies your content. You don’t need 50 photos of you at the computer or on your phone. If your business is about people you need photos with people in a variety of situations and set ups – a day in the life.
- Collaborative energy. Being surrounded by like-minded solopreneurs was inspiring. We hyped each other up, swapped creative ideas, and turned the experience into a networking opportunity.
- Affordability. Four people, one photographer, top quality. Do the math.
- Fun. We had a blast at our shoot. It was a long day but we each got breaks and a lot of it was chatting and working (I actually got some emails sent and took some client calls) as Rob ‘captured the action.’ It’s much easier to relax when you’re not the only subject.
- Project managed. I booked the photographer and venues and created our schedule. I offered ideas on wardrobe and props. I led us through the day and kept us on our timeline. The others just had to show up and smile.
- Network on camera. When I’ve shared photos from our shoot I tag the other solopreneurs, this broadens the reach of my photos and gives them some visibility too. It’s a win-win, especially if these are business owners you do or could collaborate with.
- Content, content, content. Between the four of us we got 888 photos. Many are solo shots of others I won’t use but that still leaves A TON of personal and group photoshoot images I can use for months.
Say Yes, and Say Cheese
Photography is always worth the investment as your photos can make or break your media coverage. When a journalist is deciding whether or not to feature your story, your photos will be one of the first things they look at. An interesting or dynamic photo can be the reason a story gets picked up. The media needs visuals to grab attention. If you provide them with amazing images, you’re making their job easier, and they like that.
Photos also set a tone for the quality of your work and how seriously you take yourself. Raw and authentic content is amazing – and required – but curated with some professional shots that show you know your business, is the formula for both PR and social media success.
Join me for a Solopreneur Photoshoot!
If you’ve been putting off a photo shoot because of cost, nerves, time or just unsure how to get it organised, consider this your sign to get it done. I’m starting a waitlist and will match entrepreneurs in groups of four and facilitate the shoots similar to the first one. Costs are determined by locations and number of people but budget $700 – $800 per person. That’s less than $1 a photo.
Want to get in on the next group photoshoot? Send me an email at jenn@wintcommunications.com Subject: Solopreneur Group Photoshoot and I’ll get you on the list!
