We reach a goal, do something cool, get an opportunity, or experience something that brings a big positive emotion…. and then we quickly move on to the next thing.
Maybe in the moment we recognize how awesome it is, but it doesn’t take long before our minds and actions are looking at the next thing on our lists.
So this is my encouragement to you to:
Pause and let yourself soak in the win
Do something to celebrate it! In a way feels great to you.
If you like writing it could be posting on social media with a simple caption or a long explanation, sending the story of it to your email list or turning it into a blog post.
If talking is your thing you could record a mini podcast episode about it, send a voice note to your email list or business group you’re in or go on Stories and share about it face-to-cam.
Why? So that we don’t let these moments pass us by. It’s these things, these wins, that build the life and business that we want. Don’t let them pass you by in a blur!
So that’s the personal side. But what does that have to do with your clients and marketing?
These are the exact moments that deserve to be seen by them because your audience is looking for more than just what you sell or do. They want to connect with who you are! They want to celebrate with you and see where you’re growing and going. Sharing your celebrations can help do that in a really real and genuine way.
This is where branding photography comes in to help you do that! Celebration photos are one of the most underrated tools in your marketing! They add energy, personality and story to your marketing and show another side to your business.
Celebration photos make your brand feel approachable, real, human. They show confidence and momentum. They say: this business is active, credible and invested in its clients!
When potential customers see celebration photos, they get to feel like they’re part of the journey.
These images instantly shift your marketing from generic information sharing to engaging and personal. They create emotion and emotion builds connection.
If you’re new to this and don’t even know where to start just remember that, like everything, it’s something we need to consciously practice before it comes naturally to us.
Here are some ideas of things to notice:
I'll be the first to admit that these are some pretty big-deal things and I'm often the one that downplays wins into "the things I'm supposed to be doing". But even the things we think we have to do or do regularly can be wins. I'd even argue that if you do anything regularly that is a win in and of itself!
So if you think the things above are too obvious how about things like:
These things might feel a bit ridiculous to post an entire celebration post on Instagram about, complete with a photo of opening champagne, but I’m here to tell you it’s not! These are the moments that people connect with, that remind them they’re not alone, and that show your clients that even the little things are the big things to you.
When planning your next branding photo shoot here are some ideas to try:
Once you have them, celebration photos become incredibly versatile. You can use them across:
They can do the work in your marketing that has clients feeling connected to you and a part of your journey. One that they can see themselves being a part of too!
Your wins, big and small, deserve to be seen and celebrated! When you do this you’re not just telling people that you care about your work. You’re showing them.
If you’re an Ottawa business owner and you’re ready to start intentionally sharing your business through brand photos that align with you, celebration photos just might be one of the most powerful things you can add to your branding photo shoot!