Headshot or Personal Brand Photography
At the heart of every brand, commercial or personal, is an identity screaming to be shared with the world. I help capture the exact messaging and lifestyle you want to share.
” Branding is the art of differentiation ”
-David Brier
How do you want to be seen in the world?
We only get to make one first impression. A powerful headshot or portrait, though, leaves a lasting impression. These beautiful moments where you are looking your best are frozen in time. Use them to get the next job or promotion. Add them to your profiles so everyone sees your beautiful confidence.
My superpower is helping people and brands showcase their personalities and messaging through imagery and storytelling
With a successful career in fine art photography, I help your brand excel through visual messaging. A picture says a lot more than a thousand words, it is our lasting impression on the world. I work with businesses or individuals to sculpt the exact story you want to tell. Branding is all about storytelling.
Derek’s photography skills are one of the best I’ve had the chance to witness. His giant portraits of beautiful wildlife are amazing. He did a few headshots for me and I am highly satisfied with his work. He does great work and bundles the deliverables in an organized fashion. Excited to work together again.
Will Leprestigue
Where to start?
Send me a message to begin your free consultation
What is the Cost?
Personal Brand Platinum Package
$2299
- 5-hour shooting session
- 6-10 different locations
- 6-10 clothing changes
- 30 professionally retouched images
- Color and Black and White images
- Free access to all full-resolution photos we take
Personal Brand Gold Package
$999
- 3-hour shooting session
- 4-6 different locations
- 4-6 different clothing changes
- 15 professionally retouched images
- Color and Black and White images
- Free access to all full-resolution photos we take
Personal Brand Essential Package
$749
- 2-hour shooting session
- 2-3 different locations
- 2-3 different clothing changes
- 8 professionally retouched images
- Color and Black and White images
- Free access to all full-resolution photos we take
Headshot In A Hurry Package
$499
- 30min to 1-hour session
- 1-2 location
- 1-2 different clothing changes
- 5 professionally retouched images
- Color and Black and White images
- Free access to all full-resolution photos we take
When do I get the images?
Brand sessions have a 2-5 day turnaround time, depending on the size of the package and the number of images taken.
What is a personal brand?
Brand Builders Group, a trusted personal brand consulting and coaching group, defines a personal brand as the digitization of your reputation. In an ever-present online world, so many of us have online reputations. People look you up, who you are, and what you are about all the time. A personal brand is how you are seen by your community or professional industry, and it is what people say about you when you are not around.
Who needs a personal brand?
Everyone needs and has a personal brand. In the end, our reputation is all we have. It defines us as trusted partners in relationships and business. A personal brand is expressed anywhere you frequent, from the grocery store checkout line to the boardrooms of large companies.
Is the personal brand shoot the same as headshots?
Not exactly. Yes, during a personal brand photo shoot with me, we cover basic headshots that are used on professional profiles like LinkedIn or on your company’s website. However, we will also focus on your personality—what you want people to see you as, from the laughing smile on your face down to the type of clothes you wear. Use these on your personal website or across all social media.
Why hire a photographer for branding photos?
Our phones take pretty solid pictures these days. Plenty of people get away with creating content for their lives straight off the phone. That being said, a professional photographer uses advanced techniques in lighting and composition to create a visually cohesive collection that stands out from the rest. Razor-sharp lenses, choice of background, and post-production editing give you a polished final product.
Where do the branding photos take place?
Together, we choose a location that best represents your brand identity. This could be in an urban location with tall buildings and street scenes or a rural area surrounded by natural backgrounds. For indoor branding sessions, we will choose locations that make the most sense for you. This could be your storefront, office, gym, studio, or wherever you feel like expressing yourself.
Everyone has a personal brand – by design or by default – Lida Citroen
LaShawn founded a community garden on the West Side of Chicago. She raises money to convert vacant lots into a blooming agricultural resource for her community, which may not have access to healthy food. Our branding shoot highlights her playful personality and her love for farming all in the setting she calls her second home – Finding Justice Garden.
My Headshots And Personal Branding Work Is For You If You
+ are an industry leader who needs images for your online marketing
+ want to establish your personal brand further to attract more clients & opportunities
+ wants to leave a lasting impression of confidence and trust
+ enjoy the less stuffy feel of shooting in a studio while having a great time in the process
+ are excited to showcase your expertise, your energy, your values, and your uniqueness
+ are ready to show how amazing you are and level up your game
+ want something with variety so you won’t have to pay for multiple shoots
My Headshots and Personal Branding Work May Not Be For You If You
+ aren’t ready to level up your online reputation
+ don’t have time to invest in yourself
+ think professional images aren’t your thing
+ want to keep your potential locked away from the rest of us
” I would highly recommend working with Derek. You will actually see yourself in the photos you get back- not just your image but also your essence. I’ve been working with photographers for 20+ years. An amazing photo comes from a partnership between an amazing photographer and a subject who feels comfortable in front of the camera. Shooting with someone who not only knows what they are doing but also loves the art of photography. Derek is extremely talented and professional while making the person in front of the camera feel at ease. I honestly felt like the shoot was captured while we walked around admiring the city of Chicago and having a good chat. It was phenomenal! Highly recommend!” – Heidi Johanningmeier Houchen.
personal brand photography for the visionaries, bold, ambitious, & creative
Hello! I'm Derek.
DEREK NIELSEN PHOTOGRAPHY RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT THE GLOBAL NEED FOR CONSERVATION THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY AND DONATES UP TO 15% OF ALL SALES BACK TO ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE WORLD.