CURRENT ISSUE // 2024

the BLOG

PHOTOGRAPHY. BUSINESS. INSPIRATION. ETHICS. SEO. MARKETING. HAIR. MAKEUP. BRANDING. AND MORE!

I’m Alicia Leigh - the creative behind Alicia Leigh Photography. Put simply, I’m a brand photographer in the Austin, Texas, area. But more than that, I’m a business educator and creative storyteller. If you’ve come to learn about elevating your brand, running a small business, or tips and advice on photography, then you’re in the right place!

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5 GOTTA-HAVE PHOTOS FOR EVERY BRAND

Planning a professional shoot is so much more than pinning pretty outfits and shaving your legs, it’s about coming up with a solid strategy. And if you want clients to take notice, stick around, and rave about your business — then this guide may be just what you need.

5 Gotta Have Photos for Every Brand resource guide

How To Define Your Business Ethics (PLUS My Photo Editing Ethics)

Recently, a client expressed to me her disappointment when I didn't do more retouching to her photo than I had. But the things she wanted to change gave me pause. To change these things would feel…dishonest.

Luckily, I already knew how I stand on the issue. But there was a time when I didn’t. Now by having a clearly defined sense of my business ethics, it was easy for me to respond accordingly. I knew exactly where the line was drawn.

If you’re a business owner, it’s a good idea to define your business ethics ahead of time… before you face pushback. Here’s how I decided how much photo editing is too much (for me), and what steps to take to define your own sense of ethics in your business.

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Client Education, Featured Emily Agan Client Education, Featured Emily Agan

Why You Should Use Your Brand Photographer’s Hair and Make-up Team for your Photoshoot (Instead of DIYing Or Hiring Someone Else)

You’ve booked your first brand photoshoot, or you've considered booking it, but you see we also provide hair and makeup. Unexpectedly, you start to feel concerned. You think you’d feel more comfortable doing your own hair and makeup or going to a makeup artist that you’ve visited before.

Can’t I just do it myself? Or go to Sephora? Why isn’t that the same thing?”

As it turns out there are actually some pretty scientific reasons why DIYing or getting outside help for your hair and makeup won’t be the best decision for your photoshoot, and five BIG reasons why you should just go ahead and trust your photographer’s team.

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Featured Alicia Rios Featured Alicia Rios

FAQs for Personal Brand Photoshoot

So you booked a personal brand shoot, but now you have, ahem, questions. As a brand photographer, I am committed to educating my clients on everything branding and brand photography throughout the entire process, but there are a few questions I still get asked from time to time. My goal is to help you feel even more prepared, especially if you have a question you’ve been afraid to ask. Maybe you’ll see it here.

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Brand Photographer or a Portrait Photographer?

At some point in this entrepreneurship journey, you realized that you needed to show your face more. Word on the street is it’s crucial for building that like/know/trust factor that gets paying clients in the door. Now every other entrepreneur you know is posting gorgeous, laughing professional pictures of themselves on Instagram.

Meanwhile, your pictures are, well, lacking. So you did what any good small business owner does, you went looking for a good photographer. Now you find yourself faced with a multitude of choices….and questions.

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Common Brand Photography Mistakes to Avoid

Whether you’re preparing to work with a brand photographer for the first time, or you’re giving it another go after being burned by past experiences, take the right steps and get intentional with your plans so that you set your brand photo session up for success and prevent common photography mistakes.

Doing things that will contribute to the longevity of your photos and position you as a credible professional with real value will pay off for you BIG in the long run.

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My Favorite Client Management System for Small Business Owners

I knew a CRM was going to be a financial investment but also would require a lot of time upfront so I wanted something that did it all. I compared Dubsado to HoneyBook, 17 Hats, Tave, and a few companies met some or most of my “must-have” list… but here’s where Dubsado really turned the tide for me…

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