Two #Petaluma Artists Profess That Your Profile Photo is Your Brand in NY Times Article

Two local artists were recently quoted in a New York Times article, When Selfies Won’t Do Glamour Photos Replace Selfies for Personal Branding. Heidi Margocsy (and partner Tara Baxter) of In her Image Photography are turning profile photos into a personal branding venture. It's their opinion that no longer is it that a selfie will do for a profile shot. It is your first impression many times and you want to make it your best.  Ms. Margocsy indicates that getting professionally prepared photos for your social media pages, like Facebook and Twitter, has become infectious and she is now booking as many as 5 new clients per week.  People see them and they want to quickly depart from the informal and poor quality of a self made iPhone photo.  She calls it “empowerment photography” for woman and a “self esteem boost” when her cleints get over a 100 comments on their profile photo makeover. 

One of her subjects in the article is Wendi Koble a Petaluma Videographer of Swoon Films.  She explains that her Facebook Page exploded with comments ranging from “this is the coolest selfie ever” to “ Va-Va-Voom”. 

I had to take a look myself and I must say, I am very impressed with their work, both in photography and videography.  Wendi created a film for In Her Image Photography which portrays Heidi and Tara’s vision of a new better way for woman to step outside the box and into their unique imagination.  The video is called In Her Imagination.  I also found some nice photos on In Her Image Photos on Pinterest.  

Part of branding is an expression, a design, and impression you want to create that differentiates you from everyone else.  Can you accomplish that with a selfie you take at arm’s length?  Does it display confidence in yourself?  Is it the impression you want to leave with others? You have to assume that everyone in the world may see you: future boss, mother-in-law, etc… Is that the one you want them to see?  When you go shopping do you just take the first item you see off the rack and walk up to the counter and buy it not even checking to see what it looks like on or if it even fits.  Or do you try on a few things and take a look in the mirror to see if the color, fit and style is right for you before you purchase and wear it in public?  It’s obviously a personal choice for many.