The Pressure of Perfection: How It’s Stopping You from Showing Up in Your Brand Photography

Let’s be honest: as a female entrepreneur, you’re juggling a lot.

Running a business can be all-consuming - if you're a solopreneur your business will have ten departments and you're in all of them! You'll also be making sure you're offering a stellar service to your clients alongside living your own life and maybe even wrangling a family or a social calendar (or at least pretending you have one). And in the midst of it all, there’s that little voice whispering: “You need to look perfect before you put yourself out there.”

We’ve all felt it. The pressure to be flawless in our branding, on our social media, our websites— hell, even our morning coffee choices seem to carry the weight of our professional credibility. And nowhere is this perfectionism more paralysing than showing up in our brand photography.

As a photographer of incredible women business owners, I have daily conversations with women holding themselves back because they're afraid to be seen. Well I've got some tough love coming your way - if you can see your competitors online and watch what they're doing, see who they're working with, and build a picture of what it's like to work with them - so can your dream clients.

“I’ll Book a Shoot When…” (aka The Perfectionist’s Mantra)

Have you ever caught yourself saying:

- I’ll book a shoot when I’ve lost a few pounds.

- I'll get new photos when I’ve figured out my brand colours.

- I’ll be ready when I learn how to pose.

Sound familiar? If so, I’ve got news for you: perfection is a moving target. And while you’re waiting to be “ready,” your business is out there, right now, missing that vital bit of magic that makes it unique - you. Not the filtered, hyper-polished version of you—the real you. The one your dream clients want to connect with.

Why Perfection is Overrated (And Kind of Boring, If We’re Honest)

Here’s the thing: perfection isn’t relatable. Think about the brands and people you love following online. Are they stiff, overly curated, and intimidating? Or are they engaging, warm, and a little bit human?

We’re drawn to authenticity, not unattainable ideals. And that’s exactly why showing up in your brand photography as you are—not 10 pounds lighter, not with a different hairstyle, not in some distant, more “worthy” version of yourself—is what will truly resonate with your audience.

Showing Up as You Are in Your Brand Photography (Because Your Clients Actually Prefer It!)

Your audience doesn’t need perfection from you. They need connection. They need to see your face, hear your story, and feel like they know the person behind the business. And honestly? The more you embrace your quirks, your laugh lines, and even that slightly rebellious strand of hair that refuses to stay put—the more they will feel comfortable doing the same.

So, let’s reframe this.

Instead of aiming for perfection in your brand photos, aim for presence. Show up as the expert you are, the business owner you’ve built yourself to be, and the human your clients will love working with.

And if you need someone to remind you that you don’t need to be “ready” to be worthy of great brand photos? I’ve got you.

---

Want to talk about showing up in your brand photography?

Book a video call

Send me an email

Or just phone me! I love to help women business owners relight their fire!