The short answer - be authentic, do what you love and take pictures.

Just that simple.

Instagram is a social media platform that connects likeminded individuals and brands, if your true to what you love, it is easy to connect with others in your tribe. As a business owner, you can use Instagram to show the authentic value of your personal brand through images, video and captions that speak to your audience. For years I overthought the strategy I needed to implement into my feed, but with trial, error, and Holistic Fashionista classes comes wisdom.

Which brings me back to - be authentic, do what you love and take pictures.

Let’s call this exercise ‘Self Portrait Photography with Purpose’, a must try for introverts and creatives. By taking others out of the equation you are able to be yourself, in creative settings that showcase your talents and brand story. Running a business reveals many sides of ourselves, this practice is meant to assist you in capturing moments that communicate your essence so that your able to confidently promote yourself to the world.

Work through the below 5 steps and see what you come up with. No worries, it’s going to be great, because it’s going to be unique to your energy and expertise. The goal is to walk away from this project with at least a series of 3 photos of you in a setting you enjoy, doing something you love, that your excited enough about you want to post it to your IG feed. I encourage you to show your face, but if that feels overwhelming, think of a clever way to style a shot that makes you feel wonderful. Don’t overthink this – that’s why there are only 5 steps, it’s short sweet and to the shot. . . Go for it!

Create the New Earth with Holistic Fashionista

Take a moment to think about your personal brand and reflect on the below questions.
What does an experience working with, or, purchasing a product from you look like?
What’s your inspiration behind what you do?
How do you define your personal style?
What do you get excited about?
Brag on 3-5 things about yourself.
When you’re finished with the above questions, close your eyes, take a deep breath and look at your answers. You should be looking at a paper full of your personal brand characteristics. Use these answers to create visual communications that capture your energy and offerings to your new and future IG audience. People enjoy connecting with real people, be sure to sprinkle in some photos of yourself so people are able to connect your face to your work.
It’s so hard for me to pose in front of people, I have like 3 go to poses. Lol. So I can understand how being in front of the camera is sometimes anxiety producing. Ease yourself into creating self-portraits one photo at a time. When your alone, you may feel more relaxed and in control of the environment, which makes for a great picture. Since your alone you will need a camera with a self-timer or remote, a cell phone usually works well for this. Prop your camera against a sturdy surface or a tripod and set to selfie mode so your able to see yourself in the shot and adjust as necessary.
The most important part of this 5-step plan is to snap a picture doing something you sincerely love, that also correlates to your business. If you’re a writer, read, write or get a flick of something you do to inspire your writing. Maybe you’re a massage therapist, what kind of oils do you use, where do you get them from, what does your work space look like. These are all opportunities to show the things you love about your work that also make you genuinely happy.

When taking a shot, always aim to tell a story with the picture. Snap in series of 3s so you begin to build a content library for later. You can have multiple pictures in the same outfit, space or with the same people. There are no rules, do what feels good for you. Every personal brand has a person running the business that people want to connect with. You don’t need a huge photography budget or dramatic backgrounds. Just get focused shots of yourself in natural lighting, doing you, preferably with a smile.
Got the pics – I’m sure they look great! If you need to touch them up a little, try an app like Snapseed, VSCO or the IG filters and viola, you’re a self-portrait professional. Post your favorites images to your feed with a captain that feels true to you and go on about your business – literally. If you continue to create self-portrait series over time you will begin to see a theme to your photos, which only strengthens your brand’s identity. That’s it, you captured some dope pics and have some for later! Please do not let being seen in business hold you up, you have an empire to build.

Being seen as a soulpreneur does not need to be taxing – this is coming from an anxious introvert. The world needs you – there is no need to hide, instead show up in the spaces that light you up and capture it. Don’t take yourself too seriously – picture taking should be fun. Get into it and get it over with. Then treat yourself to a rejuvenating soak with Taila.Made’s Serenity crystal bath salt. You deserve it!