Know who you are

I am a converted believer that when you are in business for yourself, it is so important that you be yourself and that your personal truths should permeate through all aspects of your business, especially your brand.

I have to truthfully admit here, that until recently I did not really live this way. I spent years comparing myself (that ole’ chestnut) and questioning whether I am good enough… worse again, the same enough.

As I raise a little 7 human, I find myself encouraging her to be more of herself and trying NOT to blend in, but to shine. Raising a child to be a fully independent and whole being has made me shift focus back and realise that as the adult setting the example, I have spent a lot of my life living just the opposite, trying to conform (yuck) and fit (squeeze) into moulds that I just am not.

Make it your truth

When you talk about branding, it is so easy to get caught up in what everyone else looks like, the logos, and pretty packaging, the look… the image.

After years & years of fiddling with these things, I now realise that the power of a brand, is really in the individual or team it represents, not the paper it was printed on. Branding is values, branding is service, branding is ethics, and core beliefs, not fancy swirls and gold foiling… although I have to admit I am a sucker for great packaging… love pretty boxes wrapped in gorgeous silk ribbons, with tissue paper, and pretty notecards…. so long as what’s inside and the manner it was delivered matches. There has to be a connection.

Don’t be afraid to own it

When Maz came to me, knowing exactly who she is, knowing exactly what client she wants, and being fully aware that she is the face, the life pulse and the brand of her business, I had a truly clear idea of what we would need to create her visual personal profile to match the ideal client she wants to attract.

Brainstorming

She came to me with a great selection of images on how she wanted her final images to feel. This is truly a great way to make sure you get what you want. I am totally fine with this kind of process, as it really gives me a great idea on where to head, but still allowed me to just go with the flow when we were in the shoot.

Fun for Real

We had a great team on board for the shoot with Maz, and we all had an absolute ball. We decided to get loose pretty early on, to get a lot of the casual and fun shots that show just how down to Earth & real Maz is

Then turned a little corporate for a while

[one_half]

[/one_half]But still kept it

FUN

 

&

 

FRESH

 

&

 

MOST

 

IMPORTANTLY

 

MAZ

 

Then it was time to get down and a bit fab-u-lous

And it would not be a shoot with me without just simple stunning genuinely connected genuinely hot momma portraiture

 

What do you want?

Maz is a great example to me, she has overcome some pretty heavy things in her life, to find who she really is at her core, and is not afraid to be her true self… in her business… and in her life.

I love working with people who are clear on what they want, and aren’t afraid to go after it. I know it is not always easy to be able to voice what your heart truly desires, it can be downright scary to open up to let your true self shine.

But, if you can get the right support team around you, if you can make some time to shut out what everyone else is doing, and stop the cycle of failure by comparison, it can be absolutely delicious to discover

The Team

Talented Ms Melina Dee on makeup and model (er client) Marylin Schirmer creator of the Institute of Women