Bloom Branding

Bloom Branding Strategic, elevated brand photography for leaders in health, law, and consulting; bringing clarity, confidence, and authority to their next chapter.
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This graphic felt like a fun way to properly introduce myself again 👋I’ve been pretty quiet online lately while refining...
27/05/2026

This graphic felt like a fun way to properly introduce myself again 👋

I’ve been pretty quiet online lately while refining the direction of Bloom ... and over the past year, my work has naturally shifted towards working with surgeons, legal and health professionals who want to elevate how they show up online.

A lot of people assume branding photography is just “getting new headshots”, but for the clients I work with, it’s usually about something bigger:

Stepping into a new chapter.
Building trust before someone even makes contact.
Creating a brand presence that finally matches their reputation.

A few random facts about me:
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I photographed my first paid portrait session back in 2011

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Before photography, I worked in graphic design and web design — which is probably why I care so much about how a business feels, communicates and positions itself, not just how it looks online

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I’m a mum of two girls (now 19 and 21, which still feels surreal to say out loud)

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My Spotify playlist is an eclectic mix of Dom Dolla while editing, 90s classic bangers for the car, PD podcasts while cooking and brown noise for sleep

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Renovating with a glass of wine at sunset is pretty much my ideal weekend

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I have a soft spot for rescue cats

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Mental health and wellbeing matter deeply to me — especially creating an experience where people feel comfortable and genuinely seen

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Most of my best business ideas happen while running

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I love working with people who are brilliant at what they do but hate being in front of the camera‍

Anyway — Hi, if you’re new here! I’d love to know what industry you're in and if we share anything in common!

Yesterday I shared how I get the most naturally looking photos by capturing the moments in between or directly after my ...
04/10/2023

Yesterday I shared how I get the most naturally looking photos by capturing the moments in between or directly after my prompts. ⏳ The split second moments where you unconciously let your guard down and truly relax behind the camera 😌💆🏼‍♀️. Remember? The eyes give away everything 👀

But how do I actually elicit a specific expression on cue?

SCENARIOS! That's it☺️ I simply ask you to imagine a scenario and we role play it. I think up the relevant scenarios and then we act them out.

So let’s say you’re a therapist or life coach and we’re aiming for an 'aspirational' or 'lifestyle' shot, which is super important for your transformational messaging to attract your dream clients on your website, socials and sales pages.

SCENARIO TIME!!! 💃🏻🕺 I simply direct you using a scenario (with easy instructions) to elicit the look and expressions I want.

It could go something like this …

ME: "Walk towards that wheelie bin, strut your stuff, head up high, give the birds in the trees a cheeky smile. Mind out for the bird sh$t! Now swish your dress softly from side to side. Don’t show them too much leg 🤣 Amazing! Nailed it!”

And that's it!

I give you a different scenario for every series of shots on our run sheet, so you'll never wonder what to do, where to look or how to place your hands. We effortlessly flow from one scenario to the next, using our run sheet like a loose script. We know when to change outfits and what props we need, because it's on the run sheet! All the strategy and planning were done before shoot day, so the pressure is off.

It's entirely up to me to move you into the best light, shoot from the best angles, frame the ideal backdrop and confidently lead you through the session :-)

How does this sound?
Would you try it?
Tell me in the comments ⬇️

Jo x

Sorry guys, but there is only one answer here -- hire a photographer who is good at what they do!!!! 📷💁🏻‍♀️Find a photog...
02/10/2023

Sorry guys, but there is only one answer here -- hire a photographer who is good at what they do!!!! 📷💁🏻‍♀️

Find a photographer skilled in eliciting GENUINE emotion. There is no substitute for a real smile and relaxed body language.😊

After studying body language for over 10 years, I know this to be true -- the eyes don’t lie 👀. If the muscles around your eyes don’t follow suit, it’s a going to look awkward AF 😳 Ew … you know the headshots that make your insides squirm?! 🪱😬 I see them every day on LinkedIn or when I get my teenagers’ school photos back.

My GO-TO METHOD when I’m asked to capture a ‘natural’ or ‘relaxed’ or ‘candid’ portrait in any situation (headshot/family/bridal party/) is to capture the moments in between or directly after my prompts ⏳. The split second intervals where you unconciously let your guard down and truly relax 😌💆🏼‍♀️. The snippets of time when you’re not all ‘in your head’ 🧠🫤

It’s these split second moments that I’m ready for, despite still joking around with you, or laughing alongside you 😄, I’m clicking the camera with precision and purpose 🏹🎯.

“Jo has the ability to truly draw out the inner essence and capture it for the world to see, a skill that is rare for headshot photographers.”
~Deb R

“Getting new headshots for work, Jo helped me feel so comfortable, my natural smile came out.”
~Rachelle C

“Jo knew exactly how to get the best shot.”
~Jack T

“Jo was also super personable, energetic and has a magic way of finding the perfect angle, lighting and expressions.”
~ Lisa C

“Jo simply tweaked my natural positioning and used prompts and scenarios to effortlessly draw from me the looks we had talked about. I would go so far as to say the shoot was actually empowering!”
~ Lisa O

So if you’ve read this far, you might be wondering what my prompts are and how they elicit the gold nugget shots?

I’ll drop my secrets to prompting (to elicit emotion) tomorrow morning 😁 Tune in then or click the 🔔 to get the reminder✌🏼

Jo x

5 ways to spice up 🌶️ your profile photo … and make it STAND OUT 💁🏼‍♀️Boring headshots don't get any attention. Nor do ...
16/09/2023

5 ways to spice up 🌶️ your profile photo … and make it STAND OUT 💁🏼‍♀️

Boring headshots don't get any attention. Nor do they express who you are.
Let's explore 5 creative ways of showcasing your individuality ...

🎨 1: Show us your skills

Who said your profile pic has to be a traditional head and shoulders?
Tell us a story of what you do and set the scene with your skills in action.

🎨 2: Include a prop

Props add a fun and unexpected element to your profile. Make sure it's relevant!
If you're a product-based business, show us what you make or sell.

🎨 3: Make it pop

Create a 3D pop out effect in Canva, then add a contrasting outline colour and colourful background gradient or graphic (all in your brand colours).

🎨 4: Add movement

Grab attention by using implied or actual movement or actions that create tension and engage the senses.

🎨 5: Aesthetically pleasing

Use the colour picker in Canva to match the background colour to a tones of your outfit. Even better, use a colour, shade or gradient from your brand colour palette.

And because you've read to the end, here’s a BONUS TIP 🎉🎉🎉

🎨 6: Use a Canva template! 👌🏼

Open Canva and search for 'Instagram Profile Picture Template'. There are endless options!

Just remember not to change your profile pic too often as the goal is to build a recognisable brand ☺️

Did you find this helpful? Follow for more headshot inspo 💡

💾 SAVE this post to remind you to do later

Do you need photos for:
📷Your launch? 🚀
📷Your new website?💻
📷A speaking gig?👸

DM me for packages. 📲
You can choose from a shoot in my professional studio and curated natural light spaces in Ashgrove, (Brisbane), your workplace, outdoors (nature or urban) or let me scout the perfect backdrop to suit your brand.
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✌️ Joanna // .au
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A reminder for me, as much as it is for you 💪🏼
06/09/2023

A reminder for me, as much as it is for you 💪🏼

Are you telling a story with your photos?Are your photos relatable to your dream clients?Do your photos give a glimpse i...
03/04/2023

Are you telling a story with your photos?

Are your photos relatable to your dream clients?

Do your photos give a glimpse into what it would be like working with you?

Do they STOP . THE . SCROLL?


At Bloom Branding Photography I work to uncover every micro story you want to tell in the next 6-12 months. Then we pair outfits, backdrops and props to bring it all together in a run-sheet. But I’ve gotta admit, a lot the best imagery involves a Spotify playlist and a sudden burst of inspiration, where I yell “STOP! I have an idea!!!” … and off I run to my prop storage room 🎶💃🏻🫣🤣💥🕶️🦩🍾🥂

Michelle from celebrating approval of a tricky loan for her dream clients 💥🥂

Drop me a DM if you need photos for your biz, but have no idea where to start ☺️ I’m up for the challenge! 😁😎

What the heck is personal brand photography?It’s a collection of intentional and influential photos of ‘you’ for your bu...
05/12/2022

What the heck is personal brand photography?

It’s a collection of intentional and influential photos of ‘you’ for your business or brand. The photographer captures essential headshots and profile photos of you, then expands into more creative portraits and behind-the-scenes imagery that tell a story about who you are, what you do and who you work with.
Often the photos are aligned to your marketing strategy or campaign, but not always. At the very minimum, the photo shoot is carefully planned and styled to express the vibe or essence of your brand and attract or influence your dream client.
Location, backdrop, props, outfits, accessories, poses, and expressions are usually decided prior to your shoot so that they tell a specific story or message about your brand or service or product. You and your photographer decide ‘how’ you want to be seen by the people you want to buy from you.
The resulting photos are valuable assets for your business and can be used absolutely everywhere; from profile photos, your website and social media content, to marketing materials like price lists, sales pages and guides.

Link to blog post here!
https://www.bloombranding.com.au/blog/what-the-heck-is-personal-brand-photography/

Address

7 Findlay Street, Ashgrove
Brisbane, QLD
4060

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+61421310580

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