An Interview with Amanda Hutchinson
Unlocking the Power of Branding Photography with Amanda Hutchinson
Hello, lovely readers! Today, I’m excited to bring you a deep dive into the world of branding photography with Amanda Hutchinson, the creative mastermind behind AKP Branding Stories. Amanda specialises in capturing more than just headshots for entrepreneurs and creatives - she brings out the heart and personality of every brand through storytelling photography. Having worked with Amanda personally, I can tell you first-hand how transformative her approach is.
More Than Just a Camera: Capturing Your Brand’s Story
Brand photography is more than just a photoshoot. It's about telling your story in a way that connects you with your ideal clients. And Amanda does this beautifully. In our chat, we discussed why her work stands out from the rest and how she approaches every shoot with the goal of making her clients feel comfortable and confident.
Amanda believes that every brand is unique, and it's this belief that drives her work. She shared with me how she tailors each shoot to reflect the essence of the business she’s working with - no cookie-cutter images here! In her words, “I could work with 100 coaches, and every shoot would be different because each person brings their own story.”
As a branding expert myself, I couldn’t agree more! It’s so important to show the world who you are, not just what you do. And Amanda’s approach highlights exactly that.
From Weddings to Branding: Amanda’s Journey
What makes Amanda’s story even more interesting is her unconventional career path. Believe it or not, she started her working life in crisis management and counterterrorism - yes, you read that right! After years of dealing with high-stakes emergencies, she found herself craving a creative outlet, which led her into wedding photography. But it wasn’t long before she discovered her true passion in branding photography, helping business owners show who they really are.
She shared an incredible story about how she transitioned from weddings to branding shoots, explaining that it was the joy of helping other business owners showcase their true selves that drew her in. As someone who's worked with Amanda, I can confirm that she truly has a gift for making her clients feel at ease while drawing out their personalities to create authentic images that resonate with their audiences.
How to Choose the Right Photographer for Your Brand
If you’re thinking about having branding photos done but feel a bit nervous, Amanda’s advice is simple: find a photographer you trust and feel comfortable with. This is key. If you don’t feel at ease, it will show in your photos.
She encourages clients to share their insecurities openly. Whether it's disliking a certain angle or worrying about a particular feature, Amanda believes in working with, not against, these feelings. After all, branding photography is about highlighting your strengths and showing the world the real you, not an airbrushed version.
Another great piece of advice Amanda shared was about aligning your photos with your brand’s story. If you're a quiet, introverted person, your branding shoot shouldn't involve loud, overly dramatic poses. It’s all about being true to yourself and making sure your photos reflect that.
Embrace Your Authentic Self in Front of the Camera
One of the most important takeaways from our conversation was this: Your photos should be an authentic reflection of who you are. Amanda has a gift for drawing out the unique qualities of each person she works with. She reminded me that the photos I share are a window into my business, and that people want to see the person behind the brand.
For many of us, being in front of a camera feels uncomfortable - trust me, I’ve been there! But Amanda makes it clear that the best way to get over this hurdle is to reframe how you think about these photos. Rather than focusing on how you look, think about the people you're trying to reach. Your clients aren't scrutinising your hair or your outfit; they’re looking to connect with you and understand your story. So let go of perfection, and show up as yourself.
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
I love how Amanda incorporates confidence-building into her photography work. One of her favourite pieces of advice, which also happens to be mine, is to feel the fear and do it anyway. This doesn’t just apply to photography - it’s about everything in business. You’ll never know what opportunities await you unless you take that first step, even if it feels a bit scary.
As someone who's had her fair share of nerves around the camera, I can tell you that it gets easier with time. And the rewards? Immense. Every time I’ve worked with Amanda, I’ve felt more confident, and that confidence shines through in my brand and the work I do with my clients.
Building a Brand Through Imagery
Your branding photos are the visual representation of your business. As Amanda said during our chat, “People buy from people.” It’s so true. In today’s crowded market, showing your face and personality is what sets you apart from your competitors. If your images don’t reflect who you are, you risk blending into the sea of sameness.
Whether you're a coach, creative, or entrepreneur, your brand photography should show more than just your business - it should show you. Your quirks, your passions, and the heart behind what you do. This is what Amanda specialises in, and it’s why I couldn’t recommend her enough.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking to step up your branding game, take Amanda’s advice to heart: find a photographer who gets you, embrace your unique self, and show up authentically in your business. Your clients are waiting to connect with the real you.
A huge thank you to Amanda for joining me on this episode of the Female Founders Podcast. If you're interested in learning more about Amanda or booking a session with her, you can find her over on Instagram at @AKPBrandingStories.
Thank you for reading, and as always, keep showing up, being seen, and being heard.
Until next time, Claire 💛
Listen to the full episode here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KPA9g1MqcErcvbNNNevei?si=uxNXVqMcTRmLnkdLRKgV5A
