Caroline Tran, a 30 Rising Star of Wedding Photography in 2012, will be speaking about building a recognizable brand at Rise + Shine, Rangefinder’s one-day business summit of the year for emerging wedding photographers. Read more about this amazing opportunity here, and book your spot!

If I were to stumble upon a photo of yours, would I recognize it? Would someone who interacted with you and your brand remember you a year from now? Why do we remember some brands, while other brands are forgotten?

8 Common Branding Pitfalls in Wedding and Portrait Photography

I started thinking about this when I would talk to people about being photographed, oftentimes for big milestones like their wedding, and I’d ask them who their photographer was. More than expected, they responded with something along the lines of, “Oh… this guy/girl… I don’t remember his/her name.”

If your clients don’t even remember you, how will someone who has never personally interacted with your brand remember you?

Six-Figure Wedding Photography: The 3 Building Blocks of Branding For Your Ideal Client

So, what makes one brand more memorable than another? Here are three tips to make your brand stick in people’s minds:

1. Evoke an emotion.

They are more likely to remember you if you made them feel something. Don’t just deliver pretty photos; move them emotionally and you will have earned a place in their hearts.

2. Publish a consistent style.

If you want people to remember you, your style needs be visually recognizable.

3. Remain top of mind.

Interact with your audience regularly, whether it be over social media or through strategic email marketing, so that you remain top of mind for that moment they suddenly need a photographer. Maybe they didn’t need a photographer today, but they may next year, or the years after. Make sure they think of you first.

Caroline Tran is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to her class for Rise + Shine, she’ll be teaching “Pick Up Points: Posing Cues for Authenticity and Flow” on Feb. 25, 6 p.m., at WPPI 2020.