The Art of Being Seen: Why Your Strategy Needs a Soul

Seven years ago I started my business as a photographer in Newcastle. My camera was my comfort tool. I had taken it everywhere from events to places just snapping away and helping my busy and anxious mind focus on something.

Starting my business I had no knowledge of how to market myself and I truly believed that the photos I took and shared would sell themselves. People weren’t interested in me they wanted to see how good the photos were.

Dionne Slater -Brand Photoshoot 2020

I quickly realised that this wasn’t the case and through lots of networking, getting into the press for the first time sharing my story people related to my journey. It was the connection and energy they picked up on first not necessarily my work.

Yet, online I was still posting example after example of what I could do making it all about my clients and hiding behind the lens quite literally.

When I finally started to think about my strategy more of who I was, what I wanted to do, who I wanted to work with and most importantly why. Things began to change.

I invested in myself through programmes, masterminds, attending events outside of my city to open up my experiences and network. I shared my journey. It wasn’t that I suddenly started becoming big headed and vain but instead started valuing that my audience connected with me in real life but hadn’t had the opportunity to online.

I went for a personal styling session which was game changing when it comes to fashion the closest I have been to knowing anything about it was watching project runway back in the day and deciding I would be a fashion designer. As that show faded so did my knowledge of the fashion world.

On my shopping trip with Style by Bella

I got to a point in my life as a 20 something, where I was no longer a teenager/student but I also didn’t feel like an adult. When I shopped on my own, I no longer knew which brands were for me they either felt too young (crop tops and mini skirts) or too old (Long flowery tops and dresses to cover you up)

I felt like I had lost myself through what I was wearing.

After the styling session I booked my own brand shoot with a good friend and fellow brand photographer I had one before but this was different. It felt special I was wearing bright colourful clothing. I took taller, I felt empowered and in that moment I was finally in my clients shoes this is what I want every one of my clients to feel in front of the camera.

From the back of the shoot I went on to launch my new programme and my business grew more than it had in the past 4 years.

Photo from my brand photoshoot with Zoe Cambell.

My true belief in fact its not a belief, it was down to the fact I finally had a strategy, I had strong messaging, I was showing up for the first time EVER truly as me. That energy can’t be matched.

My brand, strategy and business finally had a soul. It was no longer playing small, following the crowd, competing in the void. I was out there just being completely myself and that was magnetic.

Thinking about finding your own soul in your brand then let’s have a chat, I have limited availability for my 1-2-1 offers. Book a call now or learn more