by Danielle Andrews, President and Co-founder, The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada Inc.
Alright, wedding pros, let’s have a little chat. Actually, let’s call this what it is—a necessary smack upside the head. Why on EARTH do you not have professional branding photos yet? You, the person selling “luxury” and “experience” and “flawless execution,” are using a blurry, outdated selfie from 2017 as your headshot? Stop it. Right now.
Tracey and I? We get our branding photos done every quarter. Not once a year, not once every five years—every. single. quarter. Why? Because we actually run a business, and we know that branding photography isn’t just about looking cute. It’s about being ready for every opportunity that comes our way. Our professional photos are used on our Instagrams, in our newsletters, on our website, for conference speaker profiles, in the media when they request features, at the bottom of these blog posts, and for our biographies. We do not scramble when someone asks for a headshot—we have it locked, loaded, and looking fresh.
And here’s the real kicker: you NEED to look like your photos. My personal fear? Meeting someone and hearing, “You look nothing like your pictures.” Absolute nightmare fuel.
Story time! Tracey and I once attended a conference where the speaker’s headshot was plastered up on the screen—young, polished, put together. But when they walked on stage? The whole room gasped. They were at least 20 years older, 50 pounds heavier, and had a full head of gray hair, while their headshot had them with jet-black locks. The murmurs in the crowd? Unavoidable. The credibility? Shot. This is what happens when you refuse to update your branding photos, and let’s be real—if you can’t keep your own professional image up to date, why should couples trust you with the most important day of their lives?
Couples need to see what their wedding professional looks like, how they dress, and how they present themselves. You are a brand. Your face is part of that brand. And when you’re asked for a professional headshot and a biography, you shouldn’t be running to dig through old photos, trying to crop out your ex, or worse—sending something that looks like it was taken on a flip phone.
So, let’s get it together, folks. Book the shoot. Update the photos. And for the love of all things luxury, keep them current. Your business—and your credibility—depend on it.
We have written soooo many posts about branding photos, what you need and why you need them, how to plan your shoot, what to wear, and how to use the photos. Have a look: How to Plan a Branding Photoshoot, Elevating Your Wedding Planning Brand, Why Wedding Pros Need Branding Photos
And look at this, me practicing what I preach 🙂
Danielle Andrews, BA, WPICC
With over 25 years of experience in the Wedding Industry, Danielle has a deep passion for sharing her knowledge and helping others to succeed in this wonderful business.
You have seen her give expert wedding advice on television, in most wedding magazines, and major newspapers in Canada, the United States, and across the Caribbean.
Danielle is also a regular on the stage at International Wedding and Event Industry conferences.
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