Leandra Weber, Author at Leandra Weber Photography - Page 11 of 15

Author: Leandra Weber

Yoga photoshoot on Mallorca

2 May 2024

Yoga photo shoot - These asanas look best in front of the camera

Yoga gives people a very specific glow. My job: to convey these positive aspects by photographing the yoga poses. Yoga photo shoots can be a great way for personal brands to showcase their brand and personality. Yoga has a positive effect on body and mind on many different levels. For yoga instructors or coaches in particular, such photo shoots are an opportunity to capture expertise in pictures.

Yoga - religion or spiritual trend?

Yoga can be seen as a spiritual practice with its roots in Indian philosophy. Although the practices are often associated with a spiritual orientation, the movements on the mat are anything but a religion. In the Western sense, yoga is simply a sport that can range from slow, flowing movements to sweat-inducing workouts.

Yoga has been scientifically proven to be a great way to strengthen and relax the body and mind. Stress hormones such as cortisol are reduced by focussing on the breath, the body is strengthened and stretched and the mind is relaxed. According to the logical philosophy, the path of the yogi consists of 8 different steps - yoga asana, the movements we call yoga, is just one of them.

Yoga therefore goes far beyond the simple level of sport by preparing you for a meditative state. The aim of yoga is to centre the mind and find inner peace. The actual, traditional goal of yoga asana is therefore not a muscular body, but the preparation of the mind for long and deep meditation. In short, yoga combines physical movement with wellness practices to strengthen the body and mind.

Yoga photoshoot for personal brands

Have you successfully completed your first yoga teacher training and can't wait to show the world what you've learnt? If you want to make yoga your business, there's no way around a yoga photoshoot. For personal brands, a yoga photo shoot can be a great way to showcase your brand and personality.

By photographing yoga poses, positive aspects of the body, mind and soul can be conveyed and the finer values of the business brought to the fore. Especially for yoga trainers or coaches, yoga photo shoots are an opportunity to present expertise and knowledge at the same time.

The photos are also a powerful marketing tool to improve online presence and social media activities. Photo shoots are now an important strategy for far-reaching visibility within social networks. They generate specific content that can be shared via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, thus increasing the visibility and brand recognition of the personal brand.

These poses look best in front of the camera

Yoga flows can be recorded wonderfully as videos. But what about static images? Yoga often thrives visually on the transition from one pose to another. Even though yoga is not originally about looking good, you soon realise that some poses are simply more suitable than others.

Asanas that are recommended for a yoga photo shoot can depend on what type of yoga is being practised and which pose best suits the person's personal style and body shape. Different asanas have different effects on the whole body and mind. If you are just starting out in your yoga career, an experienced yoga teacher or coach can help you choose the right poses.

Tree (Vrksasana): Esimple, but expressive. The fact that the arms are free allows you to play with light and shadow.

Bow pose (Dhanurasana): A little more challenging, this asana is great for emphasising body shapes.

Chair (Utksita Konasana): With a lot of power coming from the legs, this pose expresses strength and stability. The face is picturesquely framed by the raised arms.

Twists: The shoulders are emphasised and you can play with the view to the back and different perspectives. It's especially great when you can use the evening sun on Mallorca to illuminate certain parts of the face.

Warrior (Virabhadrasana III): The powerful dynamics of this asana are great to capture on camera. Both from the front and from the side, there are many angles here that show every yogi in the best light.

No matter which asanas you decide on in the end: Practice makes perfect. However, it is advisable to bear in mind that the yoga photo shoot will not feel like your daily routine. Don't let this put you off. After all, it serves a completely different purpose! The true meaning of yoga is revealed in your personal practice.

Yoga retreat and event photography

To prepare for a yoga photo shoot, it is important to maintain your own routine so that the asanas sit without any problems. I notice time and time again that if a person feels good, the image will reflect that. A good diet, sufficient sleep and relaxation also help to ensure that body and mind are in optimum condition. On the day of the photo shoot, wearing comfortable clothes and minimal jewellery can help to draw attention to your posture and person.

Several outfits are also an option. It's also a good idea to give me a list of the poses to be photographed in advance. This way I can ensure that we capture the asanas in the best possible way with the location and lighting conditions. During the initial consultation, we also discuss how to handle colours and props.

How to best prepare for a yoga photo shoot

What shows your qualities as a yoga teacher better than in-action shots? As an instructor, it's important to document yoga retreats and events to showcase and promote your work. Professional images of retreats, workshops and events can be used to showcase the attendee experience, attract potential new clients and grab the attention of other yoga teachers and businesses. Maybe your next retreat collaboration is within reach?

By photographing yoga retreats and events, we can capture the relaxed atmosphere and the individual qualities of the instructor. The workshops and learning content itself can also be documented and presented in order to give participants and other interested parties a better insight into the programme on offer.

Working as a yoga teacher is often characterised by creating trust and connection with the participants. By emphasising the beauty and spirit of a retreat or event through images, these emotions and feelings can be passed on even after the event. Practical examples can also demonstrate that you are a true and committed yoga teacher.

More from us

You can find more business images and advertising shots in our detailed Portfolio.

Personal branding on LinkedIn

16 April 2024

Personal branding using the example of Franziska Zimmermann

The most fascinating thing about my work? The people I work with. With personal branding photography, I capture the essence of the personality and the brand. This often gives me an almost intimate insight into the character traits of each client. In the shoot with Franziska Zimmermann for Personal Branding LinkedIn, I once again gained a fascinating insight into the interplay between personality and business. After all, that's what my photography is all about: visualising these unique connections.

About Franziska

Franziska Zimmermann is a freelance business and event presenter, keynote speaker and advertising face from Esslingen near Stuttgart. What immediately fascinated me about her: The 37-year-old wears her laughter openly and knows how to infect others with her zest for life. Anyone who books her as a presenter for trade fairs and specialist events, keynote speaker at events and congresses or model and advertising face for their campaign not only gets a taste of her irrepressible joie de vivre, but also the highest level of professionalism and reliability.

With a background as a specialist and manager in the world of business and finance, she knows how to present herself skilfully. Her experience of over 20 years in front of the camera and on stage helps her immensely. Her motto: Make quality visible!

Franziska's success with her personal brand

A recurring theme in Franziska's life is sales and visibility. She started working as a model at the age of 16 alongside her A-levels. Born in Dresden, she was discovered and approached by a modelling agency at the gym. Through her work as a model, she quickly had to learn how to present herself well.

Today, Franziska is booked by major companies such as Bosch, Mercedes, Bauhaus and Union Investment as the face of their advertising campaigns. She has also been booked by start-ups, hotels and beauty and sports brands to appear in print, online and TV campaigns.

In addition to her work as a model, the 37-year-old has an exciting CV: from door-to-door sales for green electricity at the age of 20 while working and travelling in Australia, to her jobs as an event manager in a 5-star hotel and HR consultant, through to management consultancy in the finance, digital and M&A sectors.

Franziska's story with personal branding Linkedin as a corporate influencer

Franziska's position on LinkedIn is no coincidence: as Head of Business Development at a large German financial and tax consultancy, Franziska was a pioneer in building a personal brand on LinkedIn. She quickly realised that old approaches to sales processes are no longer enough today.

Cold calling alone is hardly sufficient, especially for complex and high-priced service and consulting products. People buy from people and trust is the basis for every sale. As a result, Franziska has utilised the power of LinkedIn and has patiently earned the title of "Professional in Corporate Influencing and Social Selling". Also on Instagram it has established a strong position in its niche.

When Franziska was still a full-time manager and "only" worked part-time as a model and advertising face, she sometimes seemed to be a different person on LinkedIn and Instagram. The reason for this is very simple: different target groups are targeted here. Instagram was primarily used to build her personal brand as a commercial model in order to be noticed by modelling, casting and advertising agencies, photographers and videographers. On LinkedIn, on the other hand, the clear focus was to position herself professionally as a specialist and manager on an equal footing with startup founders, managing directors in SMEs and finance and M&A managers in DAX companies. In addition to personal insights, she shares helpful knowledge about ESG, governance, risk & compliance or NextGen Finance and AI.

Franziska now uses all this "groundwork" in her self-employment as a business and event presenter and speaker. While Instagram and LinkedIn were two different projects in the past, she is now bringing the content closer together again.

Preparation Personal Branding LinkedIn Shooting

Franziska knows how important high-quality image material is for the continuous growth of her personal brand. When she was looking for a personal branding LinkedIn shoot, she turned to me. Franziska combines many talents and areas of interest, which was a welcome challenge for me as a photographer. How do I create images that show Franziska as a commercial model on the one hand and a business presenter and speaker on the other?

All under the guise of her motto "Making quality visible", we started creating mood boards together weeks before the shoot. After more than 20 years of experience in front of the camera and on stage, Franziska knows exactly what colours, patterns and styles work well for her personal branding. If you want to create such a mood board yourself: these things should definitely not be missing!

Define the theme and style: Firstly, think about the theme and style you want for the photo shoot. Then collect images that represent this theme and style.
Set colour palette: Choose a colour palette that suits your theme and style. Make sure that the colours look harmonious and support the desired mood.
Image variations: Look for a variety of images that show different aspects of the theme or style. This can help to find alternative approaches and thus leave a lasting impression.
Include texture and atmosphere: Add images that convey texture and atmosphere. This can be surroundings, outfits or lighting conditions.
Clear presentation: Make sure that the mood board is clear and concise. Use short descriptions or notes to record thoughts and ideas about each image.

The realisation of the personal branding LinkedIn shoot

So we needed a location that was just as versatile as Franziska herself. Now those who are here and on LinkedIn have been reading for a while that I am absolutely not a fan of studios. I love shooting with natural light and have created my own style of branding photography by pointing the lens towards the sun. For this LinkedIn branding shoot, however, we needed to find a location that would allow for business and lifestyle images in one go.

The perfect location for this: The Beam Studio in Fulda. Thanks to the large windows with plenty of natural daylight, we found a great compromise here. The great furnishings also helped us to present Franziska's business in as many different ways as possible.

However, in addition to choosing the right location, there is a lot more to optimal preparation. The viewer of the picture is often unaware of how much work and preparation goes into choosing the outfit with matching jewellery and make-up. Franziska's tip here: Let professionals get to work. That's why we also had a skilled make-up artist for hair and make-up at our shoot.

Of course, this is also about the set design: to ensure that personal branding images are coherent and of high quality, we also think about the notebook, magazine, matching water carafe on the desk and fresh flowers in advance. Of course, how could it be otherwise, all in coordination with our mood board.

Franziska also came up with a very special accessory for her pictures as a presenter and speaker: the film flap with her name. Today, she also uses the resulting image as a key visual on her Homepage and in their offers.

Franziska's 5 tips for authentic personal branding LinkedIn

Be yourself: If you like to laugh (I absolutely do), then laugh just as much during the personal branding shoot. If you don't like showing your teeth, then don't force yourself to do so in front of the camera. A fake laugh doesn't look authentic!
Show personality: It's not called "personal" branding for nothing. Even though LinkedIn is a business network, you should still give a few private insights here from time to time - ideally always with a connection to your business.
Always do the unexpected: Do things differently from others and/or have your own opinion.
Better done than perfect: Don't spend ages thinking about whether you should use a different photo or whether the text is already perfect. Continuity is important and that also means perhaps sending a post even if you are only 80 % satisfied with it.
Offer added value: Personal branding is not (pure) self-promotion, but people will follow you if you keep sharing tips and lessons learnt. Ask yourself the question: How can I help my network? This will pay you back a thousandfold.

Personal branding on LinkedIn is no easy task, but Franziska shows that it is possible to build an active community with enough continuity, determination and skilful presentation. As a business photographer, I would also be happy to help you with your LinkedIn personal branding. I am happy about Your enquiry!

More from us

You can find more business images and advertising shots in our detailed Portfolio.

About me and my career

25 March 2024

From wedding photography to Leandra Weber business photographer

When I began my journey into the world of photography, the path ahead of me was anything but mapped out. Even though I originally studied something completely different, my two grandfathers inspired me early on as a photographer and cameraman. Perhaps that's where my passion for the art of visual storytelling comes from. From the very beginning, I realised that my photography would be more than just pictures; it should speak its own language, evoke emotions and capture the uniqueness of each moment. Here I would like to share my very personal perspective on photography and tell you how I went from studying business psychology to becoming a Leandra Weber Business Photographer.

What makes my photography unique

Even though I came into contact with photography at an early age through my family, I decided to study business administration with a focus on business psychology after graduating from high school. Although I wanted to start my own business as a photographer back then, I listened too much to the critical voices around me who told me that this plan would not guarantee success. As a result, I often received very little support. Perhaps this is exactly where the uniqueness that shows itself in my work in many different ways comes from. This starting point outside the typical school of photography gives my work a fresh perspective through creative approaches, which often produces special results.

The diversity is of course also due to my local flexibility, which I have worked hard to achieve over many years. In recent years, I have created a second foothold for myself in my absolute favourite place - Mallorca. By constantly commuting between Mallorca and Germany, I can fulfil a wide range of customer needs and at the same time pursue my own artistic vision.

Today, I specialise in business photography and branding in particular. Through years of experience, I have developed a sound understanding of the needs of companies and brands. This helps me to find customised visual solutions that effectively convey the identity and message of my clients.

New projects

A new project that combines the elements of photography with the world of user-generated content (UGC) and modelling has kept me particularly busy over the last few months. My aim is to combine these points to create a unique platform where brands can interact with models and influencers to create authentic and engaging content.

A big part of my work is my preference for natural light. I use natural light almost exclusively in my photography. My opinion: Natural light provides the most authentic and atmospheric results. Some of my clients wonder why I don't use lamps or flashes, but in my opinion no artificial light can replace the beauty of natural light. However, if necessary or on special request, I still have this equipment to hand.

One of my favourite techniques is to photograph against the sun and use the reflections of the sunlight to illuminate my model's face in an indirect, natural way. This approach often gives images a very special atmosphere and a lively energy. Mallorca, with its golden light in the often clear evening hours, is definitely the perfect spot for this all year round.

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What makes business photography on Mallorca so special

Inspiring backdrops: Mallorca offers a stunning natural environment with picturesque beaches, historic buildings and a rich culture, providing the perfect backdrop for business photo shoots.
Sunny climate: The sunny weather on Mallorca provides ideal lighting conditions that enhance the beauty of the images and give them natural warmth and vibrancy.
Diverse locations: From luxurious villas to modern event venues, Mallorca offers a variety of locations that are perfect for different types of business photography.
International flair: As a popular holiday destination, Mallorca attracts people from all over the world, which offers a great opportunity to capture the internationality and diversity in business photos.
Professional services: First-class service providers such as photographers, stylists and event planners are available on Mallorca to help ensure that business photo shoots run smoothly and successfully.

More about business photography

From wedding photographer to branding photographer to my personal brand Leandra Weber Business Photographer, I've done pretty much everything in photography along the way. As I'm anything but lazy about travelling and have a great drone pilot at my side in my husband Erik, it always comes back to Drone footage and landscapes. Especially in Namibia I also found it extremely exciting to photograph animals. That alone gives you an indication of what my photography is all about - character.

Because that's exactly why I love photographing people so much. Capturing facial expressions and personalities in an image as skilfully as possible is the first step; putting this image in the right context is the next. In business and branding photography, this context is often that of a certain marketing effect. This is exactly what I enjoy so much: photographing people in such a way that the message of their brand or personality is communicated to the target group through a simple image.

This is how my own brand Leandra Weber Business Photographer came about: years of work, years of trial and error, a lot of failure and, above all, perseverance. Was it worth it? Absolutely!

Services of Leandra Weber Business Photography

Personal brand/business photography of the self-employed and entrepreneurs
Sedcard photography for models and actors
Modern business photography in companies - individual & group photos
Corporate photography in companies (work situations, team pictures, business portraits) to replace stock photos
Brand/advertising photography for companies to equip their social media channels

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More from me

You can find more business pictures and advertising shots that go beyond my work as a portrait photographer in the detailed Portfolio.

Personal branding shoot on Mallorca

17 March 2024

Personal branding shoot

Personal branding is an unbeatable marketing tool across all industries. However, the term now goes far beyond a stylish logo or an appealing website. Personal branding is the art of positioning yourself as the face of a brand, presenting yourself authentically and consistently and thus establishing an emotional connection with your audience. It's about defining personality, values and visions and staging them in a targeted way. As a business and brand photographer, the personal branding shoot with Selina Lehmann was one of many, but one that left a lasting impression.

There's a lot to tell about Selina. But before I reveal how Selina built the biggest Mallorca account on Instagram, let's take a look at personal branding. I'll also explain why a personal branding shoot is more important today than ever.

What is personal branding?

Personal branding is the targeted development and marketing of one's own personality as the main component of a brand. Individual skills and experience are emphasised as a unique selling point in order to build a unique identity online. The aim is to skilfully communicate individual values, achievements and visions using images, video and text in order to increase reach and achieve professional or personal goals.

In an increasingly digitalised world, in which social media dominate our everyday lives and competition on the labour market is constantly growing, individuality is becoming an increasingly important factor. There are thousands of people offering the same or a similar service. A particular service is no longer unique, but widely available. The only thing that makes the offer unique is the person behind it. Whether freelancer, entrepreneur or artist - a strong personal brand makes the decisive difference between success and failure.

Moreover, personal branding is much more than that: it is a tool for self-development and self-realisation. By consciously examining your own identity, strengths and weaknesses, you learn to optimise business processes and work more effectively in the long term.

Personal branding shoot on Mallorca

Mallorca, the beautiful island in the Mediterranean that I call my second home, is the perfect place for a personal branding shoot. Here I was able to work with Selina Lehmann, who shares the same passion for this Mediterranean spot. Selina is slowly but surely turning this passion into her profession as an influencer. Together we created images for her personal brand. With every personal branding shoot, I also learn something from my clients. And when it comes to personal branding, Selina has a lot to teach us.

In Mallorca, one of the most sought-after destinations in the Mediterranean, the diversity of culture, companies and lifestyles come together, opening up unique opportunities to create a strong personal brand. In this context, personal branding becomes a decisive factor for individual success and professional development.

Mallorca's picturesque backdrops, vibrant cities and diverse industries create an inspiring stage for the development of individual talents and the ambitions that go with them.

Cultural dynamics and diversity: Mallorca is and always has been a melting pot of different cultures and nationalities. Personal branding makes it possible to position yourself internationally within this cultural diversity.
Tourism sector as an opportunity: Mallorca is also an important tourism hotspot due to its beautiful landscape and comes with a certain reputation. Images from a personal branding shoot on Mallorca embody the Mediterranean dream of many holidaymakers, evoke positive emotions and thus increase engagement.
International networking: The island is not only a place for local companies, but also attracts international investors and professionals. A well-established personal brand makes it possible to position yourself in a global network and utilise the international opportunities that Mallorca offers.

Selina Lehmann - the influencer who lives and loves Mallorca

Selina Lehmann, 1992 in Augsburg in Bavaria born, has made a name for herself with her Instagram profile @mallorcaornowhere and @selinamariaangelina has developed into a prominent influencer on Mallorca. At the age of 16, she moved from Germany to the sun-kissed island together with her parents and four brothers. The move initially took her to Puerto Cristo, but she later found her home in Santa Ponsa.

Selina came to the island 16 years ago with no knowledge of Spanish. Her experiences on Mallorca have not only taken her through various jobs such as waitress, shop assistant and receptionist, where she was able to perfect her Spanish, but also through the ups and downs of life on Mallorca. Her unique background and authentic presence make her an inspiring personality who not only entertains her community, but also provides them with in-depth information and special insights.

After many jobs in various industries, she paved her professional path with a degree in online marketing. The 32-year-old currently works as a marketing manager at an international insurance agency. In addition to her main job, she is passionate and dedicated to building up her Instagram channel, which has been growing continuously since 2018 under the name “mallorcaornowhere ” and now has over 190,000 followers.

Selina's content

Selina's content focuses on the beauty and secrets of the island of Mallorca. Her channel has an international focus, with holidaymakers and expats being her main target group. As a bar and restaurant tester and hotel tester, her aim is to offer her followers real added value. She negotiates special offers for her community and provides tips and impressions that go far beyond the usual tourist routes. With the clear goal of monetising her account and making a living from it in the long term, Selina Lehmann focuses on authenticity and a personal connection to her followers. As a young mother of a child who was only born last year, she also shows the facets of island life with a family.

Selina is currently working on updating her comprehensive Mallorca guide, which contains over 180 pages of insider tips and information from 18 years of Mallorca experience. The publication of this guide not only demonstrates her deep connection to the island, but also her expertise in the field of travel and lifestyle.

The shoot with Selina

Selina and I worked together on two different days and created exciting content for her two Instagram accounts. The first shoot took place in Valldemossa and Deia. For the second shoot, we first travelled to her hometown of Santa Ponsa. Then we took pictures at the Islas Malgrats at sunset, which are characterised by the typical warm light of Mallorca. Selina's sunny personality, with which she inspires and delights her followers, was captured perfectly in the pictures. This is exactly the part of her personal branding that makes her so distinctive. Selina inspires with her authentic enthusiasm for the beauty of Mallorca - a passion that we both definitely share.

Does your personal brand need support with high-quality content? Together we will realise the vision of your own brand. There are still a few spots for personal branding shoots on Mallorca this year. I look forward to hearing from you for our joint project.

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More from me

You can find more business pictures and advertising shots that go beyond my work as a portrait photographer in the detailed Portfolio.

Available light - my absolute passion in photography

12 March 2024

Available Light - what does it mean?

Available light means nothing more than utilising natural and available light without resorting to artificial light sources.

I have been a passionate available light photographer ever since I first held my camera in my hand. Although I can handle artificial light sources and my warehouse couldn't be better equipped with them, I generally avoid using artificial light and only use lamps and flashes in extremely dark locations. However, this situation rarely arises and usually only when I have no say in the client's choice of location 😉.

I often get astonished looks on set because I "don't set up a big light at all." 😉 But my motto is always to use the available light first, even if the lamps are in the car for emergencies. Even my occasional efforts to experiment with a reflector on the beach always end up in the bin because, in my eyes, nothing really comes close to natural light.

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Where can you find AL?

Available Light (AL) comes in many different forms, e.g.

➤ on a window front in cafés or beautiful bright daylight studios

➤ as incident light in alleys through reflective buildings

➤ at the blue hour (twilight)

➤ at the golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset)

➤ Even on a cloudy afternoon

➤ and of course as direct sunlight

Available light using the example of backlight photography

I am particularly fond of backlit photography. In 70% cases, I therefore deliberately choose the sun behind my models in order to realise my personal image style. This may seem unusual to many at first, but the end result is nevertheless convincing with an atmospheric effect.

However, backlit photography is not easy and the biggest challenge is to create a sharp and clear image. The right moment and the right incidence of light must be present. Thanks to years of practice, backlight photography is now very easy for me, especially at sunset. Thanks to the reflection of the sun in my lens, I can immediately see how soft the light falls on my model and where exactly the fine line is between a face that is too light or too dark. Over time, you develop an eye for later editing while taking the photos and know exactly which settings are necessary and which angles are suitable for taking the photos.

Unfortunately, the time for golden light in the evening is very limited. For me, an hour or sometimes even half an hour before sunset is perfect for photography. This type of photography inspires me so much that I'm just in my flow and time flies by. I'll be sharing some tips & tricks and the different types of available light and how to use them in more detail in the coming posts.

Here are some examples of different types of available light photography with the corresponding conditions.

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Natural light in a bright daylight studio

Diffuse light on a cloudy afternoon

Direct sunlight on the face in the afternoon

Reflective light in the alleyways of Fornalutx

Last but not least: Backlit photography at sunset

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More from me

You can find more business pictures and advertising shots that go beyond my work as a portrait photographer in the detailed Portfolio.

Photo shoot on Mallorca with Lea - A guest post

6 March 2024

A photo shoot in Mallorca - my dream workplace: golden sunsets, rocky coastlines and endless beaches.

I'm Eva, a professional model from Germany. Lea and I were allowed to do a UGC shoot around the whole island together for the fashion brand Lascana. Not that things didn't go according to plan, but definitely differently than expected. But let's start from the beginning:

Preparing for a photo shoot on Mallorca

In preparation for the shoot, Lascana sent me the outfits for the entire shoot day to try on in Germany. I tried everything on in front of the mirror and consulted with Lea about every single outfit. The clothes had to fit perfectly for the shoot and be wrinkle-free. Anything else would result in an incredible amount of extra work in post-production, which we naturally wanted to avoid.

So I tried on the outfits and then took them back to Mallorca, where I ironed them again and hung them up neatly. I then met up with Lea in Palma's old town to look for locations. She had already picked out the best spots in Mallorca's diverse landscape. The only thing missing were the locations in Palma's old town. What can I say? With little breaks in sunny cafés, it was one of the most pleasant location scouting experiences I've ever had.

All the companies and brands for which I have handled UGC shoots so far have very different ideas about the end product. This makes it all the more important to stay in direct communication with the client from the outset and to understand their expectations precisely. That's why there's always a briefing before every shoot, which centres around Mallorca's diverse spots.

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Photo shoot on Mallorca

Day 1

We started the day of shooting in Palma's old town. The cafés, parks and alleyways that we had chosen the day before were beautifully lit in the bright morning sun. The colours of the outfits harmonised wonderfully with the surroundings. The main element of the briefing was to present an outfit that you could easily spend the whole day in on Mallorca. The 10 outfits we had to shoot made for an incredible amount of logistical effort. The clothes had to stay stain- and wrinkle-free all day. This is one reason why we often have an assistant with us on such shoots to take care of the outfit management.

Producing a reel looks so easy on Instagram & Co. Of course, a clothes swap is nice to look at, but the work behind it - wow! In addition to the car we had to hire to get to all the different locations and work through the briefing from Lascana, we also booked a nice, bright room in a boutique hotel to produce content here too.

Once we had these edits and pictures in the can, we moved on to my favourite part of the day: driving to the rocky coast of Cala Blava and shooting swimwear there. There were a few more spots on the way there, where the rented Mini also did us good service. There we waited for the sunset to capture the unique golden light of Mallorca. The briefing was also designed to show us as many places as possible on the Mediterranean island. We travelled all over the island and checked out the best spots. Lea, who has been photographing on the island for years, knows the greatest locations inside and out.

Day 2

After viewing the content we had produced that evening, it was already clear that we still had some post-production work to do. So the next morning we set off again with two outfits towards Palma's old town to shoot the last pictures and videos. Unfortunately, the weather didn't really play ball here, which led to a lot of extra work for Lea in post-production. In the pictures and videos, the lighting conditions should of course be as uniform as possible. Bright sunshine on one day and cloud cover on the other didn't help, but the results are still very successful and our little weather mishap is not visible in the results.

The post-processing

I've been working with Lea, who I still know from school, for many years now. So on my Model website I also get a lot of great shots of her in particular. Nevertheless, it always amazes me how much work the photographers and videographers still have to do after the shoot. My job at this photo shoot on Mallorca was “only” to stand in front of the camera. Post-processing images and videos, editing, GEMA-free music and much more can often take weeks. To be honest, I'm really glad that I'm in front of the camera.

In addition to the shoot for Lascana, we regularly work for other clients. For example, we also shot the spring collection for BRAX in Frankfurt at the beginning of the year. Lea also wrote a own article written. It was particularly challenging to make Frankfurt look as spring-like and warm as possible in January. Lea is now working with a few other people in addition to me. Models with which we give the campaigns of fashion and lifestyle brands a very individual touch.

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More from Lea

You can find more business and advertising images that go beyond Lea's work as a portrait photographer in the detailed Portfolio.

Employer branding: employee loyalty and corporate success

25 February 2024

Employer branding: employee loyalty and corporate success

Employer branding is on everyone's lips. A company is only as good as its employees. In today's competition for skilled labour and talent, employer branding is becoming a decisive factor in a company's success. Through my work in employer branding photography, I have worked with many companies over the last 10 years and created images for their employer branding. I have therefore gained some insights into more or less successful strategies and have summarised these observations here. This article is not only about successful employer branding strategies, but also about the undeniable benefits for companies.

1 What is employer branding actually?

Employer branding is much more than a marketing term, but a strategic approach to creating a positive employer image. The aim is to attract and retain talented employees in the long term. It represents the values, culture and identity of a company, especially those that set it apart from other employers. A strong employer brand goes beyond salary packages; it embodies the workplace as a place where employees find room for personal development alongside their career.

Due to the constant shortage of skilled labour, employer branding is becoming increasingly important. Companies in the same sectors are fighting for skilled professionals. If the salary expectations are similar, the decision in favour of or against an employer is based on the working atmosphere. Companies that strategically design their employer brand not only have an advantage when recruiting, but also promote employee loyalty and commitment.

The employer branding process involves analysing the existing corporate culture, identifying the unique selling points as an employer and developing an authentic communication strategy. The aim is to communicate to the outside world what makes the company appealing. This could be after-work activities, free training, additional holidays, sports programmes or flexible working hours. In short: everything that makes work enjoyable.

2. advantages of a strong employer Branding

A convincing employer image has numerous advantages that go far beyond simply attracting talent. Firstly, the obvious: Those who present themselves as an employer with great conditions are more likely to attract and retain talent. This makes recruitment more efficient and cost-effective.

First and foremost, a positive employer brand significantly strengthens employee loyalty. Employees who are proud of their employer and identify with its values tend to stay with the company for longer. This not only reduces staff turnover and the workload for the HR team, but also the cost of constantly hiring and training new employees.

The employer image also has a positive influence on the corporate culture. Employees who identify with their employer's values are more motivated and committed and thus contribute to a productive and positive working environment. Last but not least, a positive employer brand also strengthens the trust of customers and business partners in the stability and quality of the company. It is widely recognised that happy people work more effectively. So if the employer makes an effort to provide free training, activities such as yoga and flexible working hours, they can expect an effective workflow. Overall, a strong employer image therefore contributes significantly to the long-term success and competitiveness of a company.

3. google as an example of successful employer branding

But now to the practical things. Of all the companies that have created a reputation for themselves with good employer branding, one stands out in particular. An outstanding example of successful employer branding is Google. The innovative tech company has not only managed to be recognised as a leading player in the industry, but also as an extremely attractive employer.

Google consistently emphasises its corporate culture, which is characterised by creativity, openness and collaboration. These values are not only emphasised on the company website, but are also communicated through various communication channels, including social media. Well thought-out employer branding photography shows videos and stories of employees and gives potential applicants an authentic insight into everyday working life at Google. If you take a look at pictures of employees' day-to-day work, you will be surprised by open-plan workspaces, different workplace concepts, hang-out areas and sporting activities.

In addition, Google invests heavily in employee development and training programmes - it benefits the company itself if employees enjoy further training. Flexibility is also emphasised, be it through working hours or the option to work remotely. This flexibility is reflected not only in the working conditions, but also in the innovative working environments created in Google's offices. Google also focuses on social responsibility and sustainability, which addresses the problems of modern society and puts them in a solution-orientated light.

4 Employer branding strategies

Google shows how it's done. Of course, not every organisation has the resources to offer all employees the same choice and freedom. Developing a strong employer brand requires thoughtful strategies that go beyond traditional methods. One effective tactic is the use of social media platforms with employer branding photography. Companies can authentically showcase their culture and interact directly with potential employees. Sharing employee stories and insights into everyday work life creates transparency and authenticity.

Employee engagement programmes also play a decisive role. Creativity is required here: training opportunities, health and wellness programmes, bonus schemes and flexible working hours. A supportive and encouraging working environment helps employees to identify with the company and enjoy working there.

In addition, companies can demonstrate their positive impact on society through social responsibility and sustainability initiatives, which not only strengthens their image but also attracts employees who identify with these values.

Overall, a successful employer branding strategy requires a multi-layered approach that goes beyond traditional recruitment and addresses the individual needs and values of employees. With professional employer branding photography, I support companies with their individual strategy.

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More from me

You can find more business pictures and advertising shots that go beyond my work as a portrait photographer in the detailed Portfolio.

SEO tips for photographers

19 February 2024

SEO photographer - step by step to a Google presence

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is a strategic practice that aims to improve the visibility of a website in the organic search results of search engines. For photographers, SEO is a decisive factor in being found online and thus attracting potential customers.

SEO is based on a variety of factors that help to strengthen the relevance and authority of a website. There are some basic elements that should be considered in every industry. For example, choosing relevant keywords that appeal to the target audience, as well as designing the website with clear structures, meta tags, image descriptions and URLs to make it easier for search engines to understand. In addition, the provision of high-quality, relevant content on the website is a key element.

However, when it comes to SEO for photographers, there are some specific points to consider that differ from the approach in other industries. Through years of working on my own website, I have accumulated a lot of knowledge on this topic. Successful SEO may be the reason you're reading this article in the first place. So here are my best tips for SEO for photographers from more than 10 years of experience.

Why is SEO so important for photographers?

In principle, SEO is important for anyone who wants to be found online. Optimising the website increases visibility on Google. As a result, a photographer appears higher up in the search results and is therefore easier for potential customers to find. SEO also allows a photographer to focus on specific keywords. This allows niches such as product, wedding or business photography to be defined more precisely. The target group thus comes organically and directly to a specific provider of the service they are looking for.

Let's be honest: in addition to shoots, post-processing and organisational tasks, self-employed photographers often have little time to constantly present themselves on various social media platforms to attract new customers. SEO offers the opportunity to establish yourself as an expert in the industry with a long-term and less costly marketing strategy.

Because that is exactly the point of SEO. It is a long-term strategy for sustainable marketing. In contrast to paid advertising, once established SEO is a reliable source for continuously generating traffic to an optimised website. The advantage here is that there is finally no need for ongoing expenditure on pay-per-click advertising.

What is SEO?

Photographers have a few things to consider when working with SEO that aren't as prominent in other industries. Photographers are visual artists whose work is mainly based on images. Therefore, the visual presentation on the website is crucial. This means that images, galleries and portfolio pages play a prominent role. The SEO strategy must aim to optimise these visual elements. The difficulty here is to find imaginative alt texts and to shorten the loading time of the sometimes very large amounts of data with as little loss of quality as possible.

Many photographers also offer their services mainly locally. Be it in a specific city or region: local SEO is of particular importance here. Optimisation for local search queries, setting up a Google My Business profile and targeting local keywords are essential in order to be found here. Photographers often present their work in a portfolio. An effective SEO strategy for photographers must ensure that the portfolio is easily accessible, contains clear and relevant descriptions and is optimised with the right keywords.

Step by step to the best SEO photographer

1. keyword research

Choosing the right keywords is the central pillar of any SEO strategy. The keywords should precisely reflect the type of photography and services. For example, “wedding photographer Frankfurt” or “portrait photography Mallorca” could be relevant keywords.

With the help of the Google Keyword Planner, it is very easy to carry out comprehensive keyword research to identify the most suitable terms. This includes not only general keywords, but also so-called long-tail keywords that are more specifically tailored to the services. It is particularly worthwhile at the beginning to focus on keywords with low search queries and slowly work your way up to the more highly frequented keywords.

2. on-page optimisation for photographers

A clear and user-friendly website structure makes navigation easier, and not just for visitors. but also search engines. Each page should contain meaningful meta tags and descriptions that briefly summarise the content. As images are an essential part of the photography website, it is crucial to use meaningful image descriptions and alt texts.

Loading times can be optimised with the help of various tools, even with large amounts of data on the website. Search engines measure the loading times of websites and thus categorise their user-friendliness. Not to mention the fact that every user on the web knows: if the website takes too long to load, they simply click on the next link.

3. local SEO

In order to be found by people in the local area, it is a good idea to optimise the website with relevant keywords such as “Photographer [location]”. Local directories and “Google My Business” should also always be up to date. Photographers should ensure that their business address, telephone number and opening hours are entered correctly. Customer reviews are important, as is the integration of local backlinks. Social media presence and regular updates strengthen local visibility even further.

4. content planning

Creating high-quality content is an essential part of the SEO strategy. A blog that is regularly updated with relevant content not only improves visibility, but also strengthens the authority of the website. To do this, I have a note on my mobile phone in which I enter every content suggestion. I then match these with the relevant keywords.

5. measurement of SEO success and adjustments

Photographers can use analytics tools such as Google Analytics to monitor traffic, dwell time, conversions and other relevant metrics and optimise their strategy accordingly. This allows targeted adjustments to be made to the SEO strategy in order to achieve continuous improvements. SEO enables detailed measurement and analysis of website performance.

6th online course “SEO for photographers”

Overall, SEO is an essential marketing strategy for photographers to be successful in an increasingly digital world. It's not just about being found online, it's also about building a long-term, sustainable presence to target your audience in the long term. I have been working for years with an industry-specific strategy that is specially tailored to the needs of photographers. Here I present my images not only aesthetically, but also in a search engine-friendly way.

Due to the need for SEO, I will soon be creating an online course that explains the most important steps to follow. This course provides information and precise step-by-step instructions on the topics of SEO analysis tools, blogs as traffic generators, backlinking strategies, meta descriptions and much more.

More from us

You can find more business images and advertising shots in our detailed Portfolio.

SEO for the self-employed - Trends 2024

15 February 2024

SEO for the self-employed

SEO (search engine optimisation) is a familiar term for most self-employed people with a website. However, in addition to the actual work, customer acquisition and leisure time, there is rarely enough time to deal with the Google ranking. SEO for the self-employed is therefore often outsourced to experts. However, achieving reach with your own website can also be easy. Once you have familiarised yourself with the subject, you can save a lot of time and, above all, money. If you do SEO yourself, you should always keep an eye on the latest developments.

I have been optimising my website for search engines for years. The result is that this article is currently being read. Over the last 10 years, I have experienced the changes in the online world first-hand. Every year I keep up to date with the latest trends and adapt my strategies for Google accordingly. Today, digital presence is critical to business success and SEO is the key to being and, more importantly, staying visible in the vastness of the internet. With the emergence of new technologies and changes in online user behaviour, traditional SEO strategies need to evolve. To this end, there are also some trends in 2024 that I have summarised in this article!

Why is SEO important for the self-employed?

SEO is crucial for self-employed people to be visible and competitive online. By optimising their websites in a targeted manner, self-employed people can ensure that potential customers can find products or services more easily. With an effective SEO strategy, the likelihood of ranking higher in Google and other search engine results increases.

Good keyword research is still the cornerstone of a successful SEO strategy, but unfortunately it is no longer enough. Google now places greater emphasis on evaluating websites not only according to keywords, but also according to the quality of their content and the credibility of sources. Anyone with a blog should create high-quality and relevant content for their target audience rather than stuffing their website with as many keywords as possible. Keyword stuffing is not appreciated at all. The focus is on emphasising expertise, offering added value and thus increasing the length of stay as well as social sharing.

The authoritativeness, i.e. the authority of a website in the respective industry, can be strengthened by backlinks from other high-ranking websites. Visibility in the search results ultimately leads to more visitors to the website, which in turn increases the chances of customer acquisition. Companies can use SEO to better address their target group and strengthen their online presence. The best thing about it: SEO for the self-employed may start slowly, but after a certain amount of time it brings sustainable and lasting traffic.

1. prioritisation of mobile-first:

Mobile optimisation is nothing new, but it will be twice as important in 2024. With the increase in mobile search queries in recent years, Google has continued to shift its focus towards mobile users. The introduction of the mobile-first indexing algorithm has meant that mobile optimisation for websites is no longer optional, but absolutely crucial. This trend emphasises the need for freelancers to make their websites responsive and ensure that they work smoothly on a variety of devices.

Responsive web design: Implementation of a responsive design that ensures that the website is optimally displayed on different screen sizes. However, most modular systems include a built-in option for this.
Optimise loading times: Fast loading times are crucial for the user experience. Reducing image sizes and minimising unnecessary scripts makes every website more efficient.
Improve mobile navigation: Simplifying navigation for mobile users with clear menu structures and easy-to-understand call-to-action elements helps boost website rankings.

Overall, mobile optimisation is not just a passing trend, but a crucial strategy to stay relevant in the digital era and meet the expectations of modern internet users. With smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices, consumers have access to information anytime, anywhere. This is leading to a dramatic increase in mobile search queries as people increasingly search for products, services and local information on the go.

2. artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: the evolution of SEO for freelancers

With the unstoppable rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the SEO landscape has also changed fundamentally. Search engine algorithms are increasingly supported by intelligent systems that are able to recognise patterns, analyse data and make search results more precise.

A crucial factor is the integration of AI-based SEO tools to refine SEO strategies for the self-employed. These tools can efficiently process volumes of data to identify relevant keywords, perform competitive analyses and even make predictions about future search trends. Personalised user experience is at the heart of this, and AI helps to create tailored content for different target groups. Choosing the best SEO AI tools often depends on a company's specific needs and goals. However, here are my three favourite SEO AI tools that have saved me a lot of work over the years:

Google's Natural Language API:

This tool from Google offers natural language processing functions that help with analysing content, keyword research and improving texts for search engines.

SEMrush:

SEMrush is an all-in-one platform that offers various SEO tools. It enables keyword research, competition analyses, backlink checks and much more.

Yoast SEO:

Although it's more of a WordPress plugin than a standalone tool, Yoast SEO is extremely popular for optimising website content. It offers guidance on how to improve SEO factors such as meta descriptions, URL structure and readability.

3. voice search and conversational SEO

The increasing use of voice-controlled assistants has revolutionised the way people search for information. The use of voice search, whether via smartphones, smart speakers or other devices, is growing rapidly. Conversational SEO refers to the optimisation of content that takes into account the natural language use of users. Instead of short keywords, spoken search queries tend to consist of complete sentences. Self-employed people should therefore design their website content to respond to questions and longer expressions.

Adapting to voice search requires not only the integration of relevant keywords, but also the creation of informative, clear and concise answers. Clever use of FAQ sections and structuring content in a natural, spoken form are key aspects of conversational SEO. By adapting their content to the language habits of users, freelancers position themselves optimally for the spoken search trend.

Bonus tip: Sustainability and Core Web Vitals

Google has increasingly focussed on the user experience, and the Core Web Vitals are a central part of this. At the same time, the topic of sustainability is gaining importance in society, which is of course also reflected in SEO trends. The Core Web Vitals are a group of website performance metrics that aim to improve the user experience on websites in terms of end device energy consumption. These include:

LCP (Largest Contentful Paint): The time it takes to load the largest visible content on a page.
FID (First Input Delay): The time between the first user input (click, tap, etc.) and the website's response.
CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift): The visual shifts of elements on the page during the loading process.

Optimised performance according to the Core Web Vitals is not only rewarded by search engines, but also contributes significantly to visitor satisfaction. Search engines are therefore increasingly taking into account websites that implement sustainable practices. This can relate both to the ecological footprint of the website and to general corporate ethics.

There are various approaches to SEO for the self-employed:

Environmentally friendly hosting: The selection of hosting services that rely on renewable energy sources.
Reduction of resources: Optimisation of images and other resources to minimise loading time.
Transparent sustainability practices: Communication of the company's own sustainable corporate practices on the website.

SEO for the self-employed: outlook for future developments

The future of SEO for freelancers promises continuous innovation and change. Increased integration of technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) could influence the way users search for services online. The self-employed should be open to these developments and adapt their digital strategies flexibly. I am attentive to emerging trends in the SEO landscape and proactively respond to new technologies.

SEO for the self-employed is a complex topic. However, with a little input, the workflow comes naturally. The upcoming SEO for the self-employed course takes you through the topics of website design, keyword research, Google My Business and content strategy in a condensed format. Click here for the course page.

More from us

You can find business pictures and advertising shots in our extensive Portfolio.

Finding the ideal UGC Creator - new projects in photography

4 February 2024

Find UGC Creator - new projects in photography

Social media has drastically changed the way we consume and share content. The rise of user-generated content (UGC) has not only transformed the dynamics of online communities. It has also opened up new worlds for me as a photographer. Many companies are faced with the challenge of "finding a UGC creator". Therefore, they rely on influencers as usual - we offer a new opportunity here.

My role as a photographer extends beyond simply capturing moments; it involves creating a comprehensive experience for my clients, personal and business alike. For businesses, UGC is a great way to hand over marketing to the direct target audience. Normally, users and influencers handle the creation of the images and videos - I have seized the opportunity and approach this together with my models in a professional environment with high-quality equipment.

But first things first: What actually is UGC, how does the whole topic of finding the UGC Creator work and what advantages does this type of marketing offer?

What is UGC?

UGC (user-generated content) refers to content that is created by users and not by the brands themselves. It therefore includes photos, videos, reviews and other posts created by the community and shared on social media platforms. The content is all about presenting a physical or digital product, service or service in a favourable light.

Whereas in the past it was only influencers with a large following on social media, UGC now also allows small accounts to create content. The reason for this is that the images and videos are shared on the brand's pages and not just on the content creator's pages. This is the key difference between influencers and a UGC creator.

Social media naturally plays a crucial role here. After all, platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube offer the ideal platform for spreading UGC. Users share authentic experiences and thus create a credible connection to brands. Most people find it easier to identify with other end consumers than with professional models.

Where influencers mainly work with a handheld camera and tripod, I offer companies the combination of professional model and professional photographer. Fashion brands in particular appreciate the high-quality camera equipment and expert post-processing with Photoshop & Co. Our set-up is often more elaborate than that of single UGC creators, whereby we tell a complete story about the products with our photography and videography - more on this later.

The advantage for companies is clear to see here: Whether it's a single influencer or my model/photographer team, the production of content is much cheaper than a complete shoot with numerous professionals and is also more accessible due to the personal touch of the target group on social media. However, finding the ideal UGC creator remains a challenge for many brands.

Video vs. photo in the UGC

The collaboration between models and photographers has met with a great response in the fashion world. We not only deliver high-quality photos for fashion brands, but are also increasingly focussing on video material. The visual dynamics of videos on platforms such as Instagram generate greater reach and engagement. Moving images not only convey style and aesthetics, but also tell stories in a way that photos alone cannot achieve. Photos and videos come from a single source and are thus kept in a consistent style. This ensures a uniform presentation of the brand to strengthen the brand identity.

Finding the UGC Creator and the shooting process: fashion brands, locations, editing

For fashion brands, the shooting process depends on the number of outfits and the briefings. The brands send us their clothes based on the model's size. After receiving feedback on what doesn't fit, we create a plan with different locations. Depending on the briefing, we then create videos and photos at several different locations. The material is then refined in the subsequent image and video editing with Photoshop and Final Cut, including music and other effects.

The timeframe for finalising the material depends on various factors, including the complexity of the project and the client's requirements. Typically, companies receive their content approximately 2-3 weeks after the shoot date. Importantly, shoots for fashion brands are often planned a year in advance in order to present the latest trends in time for the next season.

Locations in Frankfurt and on Mallorca

Thanks to my years of working on Mallorca and in Frankfurt, I have the best locations up my sleeve. For Lascana, we shot 7 different outfits in a variety of locations on Mallorca. The end result is, in addition to the presentation of the products, almost a little trip around my favourite island. With our insider knowledge of locations, we can design the visual content to match the brand aesthetic and the respective requirements.

The collaboration between models and photographers for UGC Creation extends not only to fashion, but also to jewellery and other products. This synergy enables companies to develop a comprehensive visual strategy and tell authentic stories. From the best locations to professional editing, this service offers everything needed to make a visual impact. It also establishes a lasting connection with the target groups.

Finding the ideal UGC creator is not easy for many brands, as the style has to match the respective brand identity. Thanks to a professional approach, my work is not limited to one style, but adapts to the wishes of my clients through strategic planning. In the model section (link) you can also see the models I have been working with successfully for years to offer brands more opportunities for individualisation. 2024 will bring many new and exciting projects. You can reach me for bookings via my contact form or simply book a telephone appointment in my online calendar.

More from us

You can find more business images and advertising shots in our detailed Portfolio.

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