Elevating Personal Branding: The Nordic Home Staging Experience with Alicja Korbinska Photography

In 2022, the vibrant presence of Nordic Home Staging emerged in Stoke Newington London, fuelled by an unwavering passion for metamorphosing spaces into warm, inviting homes. Lisa Vuolerma, the founder with Finnish roots, draws inspiration from the serene simplicity of Nordic nature, seamlessly blending it with modern elegance in her home staging projects.

At the core of Nordic Home Staging's success is not just the artful arrangement of spaces but also the art of branding. Lisa believes that personal branding photography plays a pivotal role in communicating the essence of her brand — a fusion of cozy Nordic charm and contemporary simplicity.

We sat down with Lisa to delve into her personal branding photography experience and discover the insights she gained in the process of building the Nordic Home Staging brand.

Home staging business personal branding photography, personal business portrait, bespoke business photo session in London, stagger with a dog arranging flowers, business portrait by London luxury phorographer, luxury photography experience,

how did your passion for crafting Nordic-inspired spaces lead to the establishment of Nordic Home Staging?

My connection to Finland has cultivated within me a profound admiration for the tranquil allure of Nordic scenery.

I established Nordic Home Staging to infuse every transformed space with the warm and welcoming essence of home, all the while preserving a contemporary and minimalist aesthetic.

This venture stemmed from my observations that such a cozy ambiance was notably absent in the UK during my extensive search for rentals and, eventually, a home purchase in early 2023.

Recognizing the considerable room for enhancements in the current market, I believe that incorporating Scandinavian design staging could serve as a distinct competitive advantage for sellers seeking to distinguish themselves.

How has personal branding photography contributed to shaping and communicating the identity of Nordic Home Staging?

Personal branding photography has been crucial in visually expressing the essence of Nordic Home Staging. It goes beyond capturing staged homes; it summarizes the philosophy and personality behind the brand. Each image narrates a story of warmth, simplicity, and a distinctive blend of Nordic inspiration. The session also really helped me clarify my brand image and identity and played a massive role in my whole marketing strategy for the year to come.

In what ways have personal branding images deepened the connection between your brand and your clients?

It has crafted a visual narrative that resonates with clients. The images don't merely showcase staged homes; they convey the emotions, dedication, and great attention to detail that Nordic Home Staging brings to every project. This fosters a sense of trust and connection, vital in our industry."

Were there specific elements or aspects of your brand that you aimed to capture?

The images aimed to mirror the seamless merger of Nordic warmth and contemporary design that defines Nordic Home Staging. From color palette choices to furniture placement, every detail was meticulously curated to convey the unique character of my brand.

How did you collaborate with the photographer to ensure your vision and goals were understood and met?

Communication was key. We had detailed discussions about the brand, its values, and the specific message we wanted to convey. This collaboration ensured that every frame aligned with the vision of Nordic Home Staging.

How do you plan to strategically use your personal branding images across different platforms to enhance your brand's visibility?

These images aren't just for display; they serve as powerful tools for marketing and branding. Whether on my website, social media, or marketing materials, personal branding photographs are strategically integrated to create a cohesive and instantly recognizable brand image. It's about making Nordic Home Staging memorable and distinctive.

Can you describe your overall experience with Alicja Korbinska Personal Branding Photography?

Working with Alicja was an enriching experience. Her keen understanding of personal branding and attention to detail ensured that every shot captured the essence of Nordic Home Staging. Alicja's collaborative approach and ability to translate my vision into visuals truly made the personal branding photography process seamless and enjoyable.

Did the photographer provide any additional services or guidance?

I found the entire journey, from start to completion, to be incredibly beneficial on various fronts. When discussing brand identity and character during our initial conversation, Alicja's thought-provoking questions compelled me to carefully consider my objectives. As a new company, some queries were challenging, prompting me to delve deeper into defining my brand and its message.

Alicja adopts a methodical approach, seamlessly guiding me through each stage of the process, and ensuring clear expectations for the next steps. She meticulously plans the photoshoot.

Note from Alicja:

Collaborating with Lisa and bringing her brand vision to life was an absolute pleasure. We also combined the interior photoshoot with the branding session to maximize the investment. Follow Lisa on Instagram to see what she’s up to and in the meantime take a look at a selection of images from our gallery.

"Crafting Identity Through Imagery: The Transformative Influence of Personal Branding Photography on Pretty Damned Organised"

Meet Ema Di Monte, the creative force behind Pretty Damned Organised, a professional organizing venture born out of her dynamic journey through London. Having navigated multiple relocations and high-structured environments, Ema discovered her true calling in the art of organizing homes, helping clients overcome fears and uncertainties to embrace a new and improved way of living.

 

At the heart of Pretty Damned Organised's success lies not only the meticulous arrangement of spaces but also the art of branding. Ema firmly believes that personal branding photography is a key element in conveying the essence of her brand—a harmonious blend of solving overwhelming problems with a touch of friendly charm.

 

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ema and delve into her personal branding photography experience, exploring the insights she gained in the process of crafting the visual identity of Pretty Damned Organised.

 

Capturing the Essence: Elements of Ema's Personality in Branding Photos

When asked about the crucial elements of her personality or professional identity that were important to capture in her branding photos, Ema highlighted trust, empathy, understanding, and non-judgmentalism. These core values are at the heart of her approach to organizing spaces and helping clients overcome fears and uncertainties.

 

Addressing Concerns and Challenges

Before the photoshoot, Ema harboured concerns about not being satisfied with the final photos. To address these concerns, she and her photographer, Alicja Korbinska, took the time to talk through doubts and uncertainties. During the shoot, Alicja's ongoing reassurance and guidance played a pivotal role in ensuring Ema felt comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

 

Collaboration and Vision Alignment

Ema emphasized the importance of clarity in her vision, stating that it was crucial not to portray someone else in the branding photos. Collaborating closely with Alicja, Ema ensured that her goals and vision were well understood, resulting in a set of images that authentically represent Pretty Damned Organised.

 

Unexpected Joys and Guidance

Surprisingly, Ema found unexpected joy in the photography session, exceeding her initial expectations. Throughout the process, Alicja provided not only photography services but also valuable guidance, from pre-session emails on makeup and clothing to understanding the specific requirements for the images in the context of Ema's new website.

 

Utilizing Branding Images Across Platforms

Ema plans to primarily use her personal branding images on her website, leveraging them to convey the essence of Pretty Damned Organised to potential clients and visitors.

 

The Alicja Korbinska Photography - Branding Experience

Describing her overall experience with Alicja Korbinska Personal Branding Photography, Ema used two words: "fantastic" and "professional." From seamless communication to efficient sessions, Ema felt fully supported both before and after the shoot.

 

The Ultimate Recommendation

In response to whether she would recommend personal branding photography to others looking to enhance their professional image, Ema responded with a resounding "yes." For those who, like herself, may struggle in front of the camera, Alicja Korbinska's expertise comes highly recommended. Ema is even considering working with Alicja again for a different project involving images and videos.

 

In conclusion, Ema Di Monte's journey through personal branding photography with Alicja Korbinska serves as a testament to the power of capturing authenticity and personality in visual branding. As Pretty Damned Organised continues to thrive, Ema's brand stands not only for well-organized spaces but for a genuine connection with clients fostered by the artful storytelling of personal branding photography.

 

What is Personal Branding Photography?

A personal branding photography experience can do wonders to elevate your professional image. Meet Dani Prieto, founder of Social Bubblegum, and dip into her shoot day at XCHGSpaces, Bishopsgate 22 with photographer Alicja Korbinska. 

“Alicja was creative and enthusiastic. She got my business right away.”
— Dani Prieto

Social Bubblegum launched in 2021 as a communications media agency. It’s now a more structured community interest company (CIC), and business owner Dani Prieto is more focussed in the coaching space. She helps creatives and social enterprises develop their media and marketing practices, while also offering ghost writing and editing services to new authors.

Why personal branding photography?

Dani wanted to put her face to her business, and to create more content for her website and social media. Her aim was to build a stronger brand identity and association of herself with the business. This is particularly important as she networks to raise her business profile. 

Hear directly from Dani Prieto on her experience

I found Alicja through Instagram, and I really liked what I saw before I spoke to her. Especially her personal branding photography, because this is what I wanted to imprint on the business, to build trust with potential clients.

When I spoke to her, she knew what I wanted from day one. The first time we connected on Zoom, I liked that she gave me a lot of different options. She was creative and enthusiastic. She got my business right away, and what I wanted to accomplish from the photos - that felt so positive.

When we got into the details of the photoshoot and what that would look like, she came up with some excellent ideas on how I could position my brand. We were using an office for the photoshoot, and we discussed the space, so I could build a picture of what we were aiming for. She gave me a wide spectrum of creative opportunity. That combined with the fact that she offered me a great proposal, I didn't really worry about talking to anyone else. I was like: "Let’s just do it!"

personal branding and business headshots photography on location in Liverpool street, London

Shoot day

I was excited to have my picture taken, I hadn't had that sort of shoot before, not for my own business. But it was brilliant, because she gave me so much direction. Which way I should look, making the most of the lighting, how to pose. I just needed to be there and be confident. A lot of work went in, and Alicja was making us laugh. She has a lot of energy, and was jumping all over the sofas to get different angles. I couldn’t wait to see the results.

Karolina was our make-up artist for the day, and this also added something special to the experience. I wasn't exactly sure how to do my hair and make-up, but Karolina was really knowledgeable and I could tell her what I liked and she worked with it. While Alicja took pictures, and focussed on posing me, Karolina would step in and fix my hair - I felt like a movie star! I thought: "This is what it must be like to be an actress." I had the full experience.

The photography process

Complete luxury photography epxerience in LOndon with personal branding photographer based in East London, Hackney

I was amazed by the variety of ideas that Alicja had. We were in this grand office which had a lot of open space, as well as communal areas. Alicja has experience with interiors, and it showed because she was inventive. Her ability to zero in on angles that I wouldn’t have picked up on myself, it was just fun.

We had a change of outfits, so I had two different looks. And that was something else I was surprised by - the amount of consultation I got generally, but also on wardrobe choices. It was great that I had her direction on which dresses to wear. This meant I turned up to the shoot as myself. Realistically, I’m not going to be wearing a suit - I was me, and I was comfortable.

The results

On print day, I met up with Alicja in person. We had a coffee and went through all the pictures together. I selected 11 pictures from a selection of 100 photos. It was a difficult choice, as she had so many to choose from. So I have those, as well as the box that she gave me with the prints in, and then of course the digital versions which I have been using on my social media.

I think they’re great! The pictures have given a fresh look to my social media, which I'm delighted with. I have gotten a lot of compliments from friends and family, people have been like: “Oh wow, you did a pro-shoot?" I was excited to post them, I literally put them online the day that she sent them over. The next thing is to put them on my website.

Who needs personal branding?

This service is for any businesses or business owners, as well as entrepreneurs and professionals who want to stand out from the crowd. If you are ready to invest in your visual marketing and elevate how you present yourself professionally, personal branding photography is for you.

It’s more than taking a few professional pictures. It's about creating an association between the human's skills and knowledge with the brand. When Alicja takes on a new client, for her, it's about getting to know the person and understanding their aims and vision for the business. On shoot days, she focusses on helping them feel at ease in front of the camera, and photographing with empathy. Working together to communicate ideas through the pictures.

It helps connect the humans (or human) behind the business to the people they want to work with. That matters, because people do business with people. So whether your B2B, or B2C, a CIC or an NFP, always remember that decision-making is the result of how a human has interacted with your brand. Personal branding photography is a trust building exercise, and it's an opportunity to elevate your professional image, but to also be creative, real and human. 

That's how you bond with your audience. 

What you get from the Personal Branding Experience

Type of package: Dani chose to go with the Refresher Collection for personal branding, which includes 10 pictures of her choice, and the full photography experience. She had a gallery of 100 pictures to choose from, with two different outfits. The pictures showed many different moods and compositions to ensure a good blend of options for her different platforms. 

Experience includes: This package includes a make-up artist on the day, as well as consultations on the client's desired outcomes, wardrobe advice, and different types of shots for branding. There is also a designing call, which involves a short consultation with the make-up artist. From there we build the session proposal.

Photography style: In this scenario, Dani's aim was to pitch her services in a professional environment, but not all personal branding photography requires this. It can be very humorous.

Setting: The client can come to the studio, or they can arrange for an appropriate setting of their choice.

Development time: It can take 2-4 weeks. Up to two weeks after a shoot, we'll do a gallery reveal over a call. Then after this, the final session is an in-person meeting to narrow down the final choice of photos, with advice from Alicja. The client will receive a printed contact sheet with all the photos as a reference if they ever want to purchase any more. For viewing, we review printed small copies of all the photos, though the contact sheet is probably efficient. 

Format: The basis of the package is that there is a session fee, and the client buys the photos on top, which are high-quality digital versions and complimentary prints to accompany them. More can be purchased later from the contact sheet.

Add-ons: There is a picture alterations period of up to six months on bigger packages. Smaller packages have up to three months. That means if you come back later for background removal, it's free of charge. There is a limitation of image alterations depending on your package. Banner alteration pictures are also available.

See my personal branding work.