Did you know that photos with faces get 38% more likes than those without?

When I saw Jimmy’s social media Instagram account with no picture of him across the grid layout …. I had to step in as a UK Professional Branding Portrait photographer and visibility coach!

Let’s start from the beginning…

Initial branding photo session consultation

When I met Jimmy for the first time, I quickly discovered that he is a camera shy. For a really long time he has been hiding behind his Instagram account: “that_meditation_guy” and brand (I know he is not the only one doing that…)

His story is one of the most inspiring I have ever learned.

Based in London, UK, from working in the corporation, enjoying his teenage lifestyle: partying and DJ-ing in clubbing, struggling with an insomnia problem… to his breakthrough moment attending a Vedic meditation course in London which turned his whole live around meditation and becoming a meditation teacher. 

After learning to meditate correctly, the change in his life felt so profound he had to learn more so he threw himself into learning everything he could about the science and philosophy of meditation. He attended retreats and even completed a meditation teacher training course which means he is now trained to teach 12 different styles of meditation. 

So as it turns out, meditation not only fixed his mental and physical issues, but it’s given him a greater purpose in life - to help others who are struggling like he was years ago. 

Power of branding images on social media

During this period, he started an Instagram account in order to share his journey and the success of that has blown him away. 

He gained 22,000 followers in less than two years despite the fact he is a camera shy and tend to hide behind the little pieces of artwork he uses to tell his story. 

And that’s where I had to step in…. with my camera.

As Personal Brand Portrait Photographer based in UK, London & Brighton, I truly believe:

• It’s time to stop hiding behind your logo, brand and stock images. We do not want another “ghost Instagram account”.

• Your audience really wants to learn how real you are! By showing your face on social media: Facebook & Instagram you can connect with your audience and followers at a much deeper level.

• Photos with with faces gets 38% more likes than those without.

• By sharing frequently your authentic and storytelling branding images of you and your passion you can create a powerful tool for communicating key messages with your audience, followers and potential clients. Your engagement will improve immediately.

• For better engagement combine branding pictures of you with a powerful message and branding design. Love seeing my clients not only sharing branding portrait images of themselves but also incorporating a powerful key message or quotes for better engagement.

See for yourself a few examples how Jimmy’s is using his branding portrait images we created together:

Are you meditating? 5 tips how to start meditation:

Along with his business partner Jimmy is working on a program which will take an absolute beginner through the various different styles of mediation and explain the science and underpinning philosophy behind each one. By going through that and the guided mediations a person will be able to discover which mediation will suit their mind type and life circumstances. 

Jimmy’s 5 tips how to start mediation:

1. Choose a style of meditation that fits your life circumstances. For example, many people like Vedic meditation because you can do it anywhere, like on a park bench or on public transport. 

2. Find a real teacher - either online or in person. Apps are a great place to start but they don’t offer personal feedback and research shows this to be a huge advantage. 

3. Choose a style of meditation that is established and has scientific backing. Lots of people online claim to have invented a great meditation style but without any research you can’t know if they really work. 

4. Thoughts are not the enemy. Many people mistakenly believe they need a clear mind to meditate. This is not the case. The mind secretes thoughts like the liver secretes enzymes. An experienced meditation teacher will help you to work around thoughts without a problem. 

5. Go easy on yourself when you first start learning. The mind and body will take some time to adjust and this can bring up some uncomfortable feelings, especially for those with a unresolved stress and trauma in the past. Understand that this is a process and with time this adjustment period will make way for something much more positive. 

I truly can’t wait to see his website and course to be released. You will be first to learn about it, promise you.

What have I learned from this branding photo session?   

Well, I love capturing branding and lifestyle portraits of women but it's nice to do a man's portrait every once in a while... especially when it comes to portrait that's impactful, distinctive and authentically like the one we created with Jimmy. 

“Had a great experience working with Magdalena. I ‘m camera shy and so it’s tough to be out in public posing for pictures but she gave me clear instructions and we captured some very easy and natural looking photos. Highly recommended *****” 

You might enjoy my other blog posts on visibility :

1) 8 WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR BRAND IMAGES - UK BRANDING PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER

2) SOCIAL MEDIA VISIBILITY AND MY APPROACH AS FEMALE PERSONAL BRAND PHOTOGRAPHER FROM LONDON & BRIGHTON

3)8 MAKEUP HACKS BY A PROFESSIONAL FEMALE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER

4) HOW SHOWING YOUR FACE WILL HELP YOU ATTRACT CLIENTS AND WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT - BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

 Magdalena

UK, London & Brighton Professional Brand Portrait Photographer for social media and websites

Ps. My waiting list has opened to anyone who wishes to update their visibility presence on social media once the current uncertain situation gets lifted… Be first to be photographed!

My name is Magdalena Smolarska. I am an International Female Personal Branding Portrait and Social Media Photographer & Videographer based in sunny Brighton & Hove, and London, Sussex, UK. 

My mission is to empower and inspire through my camera. Working with women stepping into their power and fullness is sooooooo satisfying. To know that I can be an inspiration, a catalyst for them to be visible, confident and authentic, infuses my work with purpose.

Purpose driven entrepreneur, empowered empath, creative visibility business coach and mentor.

I work with entrepreneurs, freelancers, business owners, bloggers, influencers, artists, holistic and creative individuals to promote their personal brand.

Together, we can create something impactful, distinctive and authentically unique.