7 Steps to Getting All New Branding Photos as an Online Therapist
Your sign to update your branding photos this year because 75% of potential clients make a decision based on photos
I always say as therapists (and other service based professionals): ✨YOU✨ are the brand.
There is no product you sell.
There is no physical representation of your work.
You are both the brand + the product. If you work from home (or you’re thinking about opening an all-telehealth practice), your online presence is even MORE important because it might be the first way potential clients connect with you.
This winter break, I FINALLY made time to update my branding photos for my professional therapy website - If you’re in Louisiana, highly recommend Brandon Slaughter for all your branding needs.
Was it easy to prepare outfits, bookings, makeup, etc between the rush of the holidays (even with taking 3+ weeks off from my practice - learn how to do the same)
Of course not!
But when you own a small business (especially an online service based business like my other home-based therapists), taking the time to calendar in emails, phone calls, and prep time is SO WORTH IT for quality photos you can use for your website, psychology today profile, and flyers. In fact, research suggests over 75% of your clients might be making their decision on a therapist based on photos they see of you online.
If you’re wanting to start a new month off with fresh branding photos that capture your ideal clients and fill your online practice, you can follow the exact steps I took below to beat the overwhelm and give your brand the update it deserves.
BONUS: You can do most of the legwork from the comfort of your own home.
1.Start collecting inspiration - Go onto Pinterest and start a private board. Then search posts like “professional headshots” or “branding photos”. Start saving ALL the ones you like and then edit it down to only the ones you love. You can also start a section on that board for outfits that you would like to wear for your photoshoot.
2. Book your photographer - One of the most important steps - you want to make sure your photographer captures your vision! When trying to find a local photographer, you can ask on your local therapy Facebook groups or even find therapist websites with professional photos you admire and ask them for a referral to their photographer.
3. Book your space - Some photographers will have their own studio you can use. However, if you’re an online therapist, you may prefer a space that feels “homey-er”. In that case, you might ask a stylish friend if you can borrow their therapy office or even their home. Or, you can also book an Airbnb that matches the vibe you’re looking for. That way, you have multiple rooms in your control that are professionally cleaned and decorated. Just make sure to message the owner and ask if they’re comfortable with you doing professional photos in their rental space.
This is a sample message you can send the owner:
“Hi, ______! I'm a local therapist in (NAME OF CITY) looking to do some more headshots and other content between 12/27-12/30. I think your beautiful home captures exactly what my clients are looking for in a therapist. I would gladly book two nights as per your policy, but wanted to ensure you were comfortable with me doing professional photography in your home. Thank you!”
4. Book hair + makeup - Similar to finding a photographer, I asked my network who they had used for their weddings, photo shoots, etc. You can find an artist that specializes in your particular hair needs and look that you’re going for (i.e. dramatic makeup or more natural).
5. Make any physical preparations - I started preparing about 2-3 weeks in advance as most hair stylists suggest. You should be getting a fresh haircut at least a couple weeks before your shoot so your stylist can work with fresh hair. You might also choose to do any special skin care treatments a few weeks in advance or get your nails done beforehand. DO NOT experiment with any new skincare regimens right before your shoot to avoid adverse reactions (from experience!). You might also ask your dental professional in advance about any teeth whitening services if you so choose.
6. Prepare the night before - I loved booking my own space so I could stay the night over and get a feel for the space. You might look at potential furniture set ups for any photos you have in mind and check the space for any problem areas you definitely don’t want showing up in photos. Email or text to confirm times with your makeup/hair artists and photographer. Lay out your clothes and any jewelry the night before to decide exactly what you’ll be wearing and how you’ll be styling your outfits. Wash your hair, as most stylists will ask to work with fresh hair, put on your favorite skin mask, and get a good nights sleep.
7. The day of your photo shoot - I had a friend with me that helped not only ensure my hair and clothing were in place throughout the shoot, but she also was the best cheerleader that kept my energy up throughout the day. Highly suggest having a supportive friend with you! You can also choose to prep bottled water and any drinks or snacks for everyone throughout the day which is always a nice touch. Make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day (I sipped on lemon water all throughout the night before and day of - not sure if it does anything, but it did encourage me to stay alert and hydrated). Lastly, don’t forget to have FUN! You are doing a great service for your future self.
TIP: Check with your CPA to see which parts of your professional branding photos are tax deductible (i.e. the photographer, makeup and hair, photography space, etc).
Always dreamed about having your own online practice with a “fancy” professional website and beautiful photos?
“The 5 Client Practice: The Agency Therapist’s Guide to Building a Mini-Private Practice on the Side” is my signature workshop if you’re a therapist in community mental health who wants to start you own weeknights and weekends telehealth practices that you can run from the comfort of home.
“The 5 Client Practice” includes all the detailed checklists you need specifically to open your very own private practice that you can run right from your laptop.
Save on overhead (yes, you can start an all telehealth practice in 1 day for under $300) and start seeing 1-2 clients after work today.
