Headshots and Personal Branding for a Nurse Practitioner at Wellesley

When it comes to personal branding, nothing speaks to prospective clients like a professional headshot that shows who you are and what your business offers. This session with Patti, a nurse practitioner, is a good example of how that works in practice.

Who Patti is and what she needed

Patti spends her days helping people who struggle with mental illness and depression. She wanted a headshot that said something about her work before a new client ever picked up the phone: this is a friendly, welcoming office where you can feel safe.

That one idea shaped every decision we made. Anyone looking for a mental health provider may be nervous about making that first call, so a stiff, corporate headshot would have sent the wrong message. We needed warmth first.

Part one: casual clothes, casual setting

With that in mind, we chose casual clothes and a relaxed setting for the first half of her headshot and branding session. Casual outfits and a comfortable space let her natural friendliness come through, which is what someone looking for a mental health provider hopes to see.

Part two: a peaceful setting around Wellesley College

For the second half, we moved outdoors to a peaceful setting around Wellesley College. The beautiful architecture and golden hour light gave the images a calming feel and a sense of self-assurance. Those are exactly the qualities people look for in a calm, confident nurse practitioner.

Two looks from one session gave Patti options. The casual set suits a website or about page that should feel welcoming. The outdoor set gives her something polished for profiles and directories.

Why the setting matters as much as the outfit

A headshot does not need to look the same for every profession. A few things we thought about, and that are worth asking yourself:

• What do your clients feel before they meet you? If they are nervous, show them warmth. If they are about to make a big decision, show confidence.
• Does the background say the right thing? A cozy room, a quiet campus and a plain studio wall each tell a different story.
• Does the clothing fit the work? Casual can be exactly right when approachability is the point.
• Is the light kind? Golden hour light is soft and flattering, which is why outdoor sessions work so well in the right season.

Your headshot is a first impression

Whether you own a bakery, run a gas station, lead a company or sell homes, your headshot matters. It is the first contact people have with you, and it forms their first impression. Make sure that first impression shows the heart of what you do.

If you are planning your own session, my headshots page explains how it works. When you are ready to talk it through, get in touch here.