What if I told you that one of the most powerful things you could do for your business is simply show people who you really are?
Not just your job title. Not just your accomplishments. Not another perfectly polished headshot that looks like everyone else's.
I'm talking about YOU. Your personality, your story, your passion, and all those little things that make you different.
That's exactly what we set out to capture during my personal branding photoshoot with the incredible Brennae Brooks, also known as The Veteran. The Lawyer.
That's exactly what we set out to capture during my personal branding photoshoot with the incredible Brennae Brooks, also known as The Veteran. The Lawyer.
And guess what? Her authentic branding photographs helped her capture 35,000 views!
Let's talk about why that matters and why your personal brand deserves to be so much more than a traditional headshot.
Meet Brennae Brooks: The Veteran, The Lawyer, and the Woman Behind It All
First, let me introduce you to Brennae!
Brennae is an Air Force veteran, former Board of Veterans' Appeals attorney, and founder of The Veterans Compensation & Pension Law Firm, PLLC, where she represents veterans and their families in VA disability compensation appeals.
But here's what I absolutely loved about working with her.
Brennae is SO much more than her professional title!
She's a writer, researcher, educator, entrepreneur, creator, and a woman with a whole lot of personality.
Her energy in the studio was contagious! She's confident, high-energy, incredibly driven, and genuinely fun to be around. I absolutely loved having her in front of my camera, learning about her business, and helping her bring her vision to life.
And as someone who loves helping other entrepreneurs grow their businesses, getting to combine photography with conversations about branding and business strategy is always a bonus for me!
One of the things Brennae shared before her session really stuck with me:
"I don't want to be photographed as just what I do. I want to be photographed as who I am."
YES! THIS!
That one statement perfectly captures what personal branding photography should be about.
Your Clients Want to Connect With a Person, Not Just a Profession
Let's talk about something I think a lot of business owners overlook.
People want to know who they're doing business with.
Think about it. When you're looking for an attorney, therapist, realtor, photographer, or any other service professional, you're not just evaluating their credentials.
You're also asking yourself questions like:
Do I feel comfortable with this person?
Can I trust them?
Do they seem approachable?
Do I connect with their personality?
Can I see myself working with them?
Your branding photographs can help answer those questions before someone ever picks up the phone.
For Brennae, this was especially important.
Her clients are often veterans and families navigating complicated VA disability appeals. Many have experienced frustration, uncertainty, and years of waiting for answers.
They need someone knowledgeable and experienced, absolutely. But they also need someone who understands their experiences and genuinely cares.
Brennae brings something incredibly meaningful to that relationship. She's served in the military herself.
And that brings me to one of my favorite parts of her session.
The Camouflage Portraits: When Your Story Becomes Your Brand
One of the looks we photographed featured Brennae dressed in camouflage.
And I LOVE what those portraits represent.
Because the camouflage isn't just an outfit. It's part of her story.
Before she was an attorney advocating for veterans, she was serving her country as an Air Force member herself.
During her time working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals, she read the stories of veterans struggling through the claims process. Some waited years for decisions. Others passed away before their cases were resolved.
Those experiences left a lasting impression on her and helped inspire her commitment to advocating for veterans through her own law firm.
So when someone sees Brennae in camouflage, they're seeing something meaningful about the woman behind the business.
She's not just representing a community. She's part of that community.
That's the beauty of intentional personal branding photography.
We can use wardrobe, expressions, styling, and storytelling to communicate things that a traditional corporate headshot simply can't.
And you don't have to be an attorney or a veteran to do this.
Maybe you're a realtor who loves fashion. A therapist with a playful personality. A business owner who enjoys traveling, reading, or creating.
Those parts of your life aren't necessarily separate from your brand.
Sometimes they're exactly what helps someone remember you.
35,000 Views: What Happens When You Stop Trying to Look Like Everyone Else?
Now let's get back to those 35,000 views!
Brennae's authentic branding photographs helped her receive 35,000 views, and I think there's an important lesson here for entrepreneurs.
You don't have to sacrifice your personality to be taken seriously.
Somewhere along the way, many professionals started believing that looking professional meant looking a certain way.
The same poses. The same expressions. The same stiff headshots. The same version of what they think a business owner should look like.
But what if the very thing you're trying to tone down is what makes your brand memorable?
Brennae wanted photographs that felt sophisticated, powerful, feminine, creative, and authentic.
She wanted to show strength without intimidation, confidence without arrogance, and professionalism without losing her personality.
And that's exactly the kind of balance I love creating in my Memphis photography studio.
Of course, views don't automatically equal new clients or booked consultations. But 35,000 views represent an incredible opportunity for people to discover her brand, become familiar with her story, and begin building that connection.
That's something worth celebrating!
Professional Doesn't Have to Mean Boring
One of my favorite things about personal branding sessions is showing clients that they can have BOTH.
You can have the polished executive portraits that look incredible on your website and LinkedIn.
AND you can have the fun, expressive, personality-filled photographs that make people stop scrolling on social media.
You can be intelligent and playful.
You can be sophisticated and bold.
You can be powerful and approachable.
You don't have to choose just one version of yourself.
For Brennae, we wanted a collection of photographs that could grow with her business and future projects. Images she could use for her law firm's website, speaking engagements, publications, social media, educational presentations, and more.
Because great branding photography isn't just about having pretty pictures.
It's about having a library of images that tells your story and supports the business you're building.
And when those photographs actually feel like YOU, showing up online becomes a whole lot easier.
Why Authentic Branding Photography Matters for Your Business
Here's something I want every entrepreneur reading this to remember.
Your clients have options.
There are other attorneys, photographers, realtors, coaches, and business owners offering services similar to yours.
But there's only one YOU.
Your experiences, personality, values, and the reasons you started your business are things no competitor can duplicate.
When you allow those things to show up in your branding, you give potential clients an opportunity to connect with something deeper than your services.
You give them a reason to remember you.
And sometimes, that connection is what encourages someone to take the next step and reach out.
That's why I always encourage my branding clients to think beyond the standard headshot.
Let's photograph the professional, absolutely.
But let's also photograph the human being behind the business.
Celebrating Brennae Brooks and Her Mission
Brennae, I genuinely loved having you in my studio!
Your energy, determination, creativity, and passion for serving veterans made this experience such a joy.
I loved learning more about your business, hearing your vision, and helping create photographs that represent the many different sides of who you are.
And seeing your images reach 35,000 views? That makes me so excited for you!
As you continue growing The Veterans Compensation & Pension Law Firm and expanding your work in education, writing, research, and advocacy, I'm cheering you on!
If you'd like to learn more about Brennae, her mission, and the services she provides to veterans and their families, visit The Veterans Compensation & Pension Law Firm by clicking this link.
You can also follow her on Instagram at @theveteranthelawyer.
Ready for Branding Photos That Actually Look and Feel Like You?
If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, attorney, realtor, or professional in Memphis who's tired of having branding photographs that don't reflect your personality, I'd love to help you change that.
At Hadonica's Photography, my personal branding experiences are designed to help you feel confident, comfortable, and completely yourself in front of the camera.
We'll create beautiful, intentional images that reflect your professionalism while celebrating the personality, passion, and story behind your business.
Because your brand deserves more than just another headshot.
Your clients deserve to meet the real you.
Ready to bring your brand to life?
Explore Personal Branding Photography at Hadonica's Photography
I can't wait to help you tell your story!
