Gone are the days when the camera-shy could hide behind their desks.  The rise of social media and online networking means that practically all of us need to show our faces on the internet.  Many people take their own photos and it’s not that difficult to spot – surprised expressions and raised shoulders can lead to an altogether uncomfortable-looking result.

I recently took a business portrait for Rachel Fletcher, a financial coach who is launching her own business.  This week, I sent Catherine Osborn to interview her and find out how it went!

CO:  What were you looking for in your business photo?

RF:   I wanted a really great shot that would look professional whilst letting my character shine through.  It needed to be personal.

CO:  Why did you decide to go to a professional?

RF:   Originally, my husband offered to take the picture and I thought about it seriously.  He has a good camera and takes great family shots.  I wanted something more businesslike though and I decided that it was worth making that investment as much of my online presence and branding will be built around this photo.

CO:  Did you have any concerns or worries and did Alison put you at ease?

RF:   Absolutely!  I HATE having my photo taken, I’m totally unphotogenic.  Alison quickly inspires confidence though and I just decided to relax and let her lead me through the whole process. She’d obviously thought through the process in advance – location, lighting etc. – and I was able to relax knowing that she could picture the final result in her head long before the picture was taken.

CO:  Your hair and make-up looked great, who did it for you?

RF:   Thanks!  I did!   I kept it simple – I don’t usually wear a lot of make-up but I went for foundation, mascara and a little lip-stick just to even out the skin tones.  Alison advises people on her website to stick to their usual make-up routine, just to make it heavier and that’s sound advice.

For my hair, I just used lots of hairspray and that was it.

CO:  What do you think of the photo?

RF:   It’s absolutely fantastic and it’s already brought me tangible results.  As soon as I put it on my LinkedIn profile, old contacts started to get in touch to say how much they liked it and I have regenerated some valuable business relationships as a result.

I don’t mind saying that Alison managed to shed a few pounds for me in the process!  She achieved that by using careful positioning and lighting, rather than massive amounts of digital manipulation.  In fact, the only adjustments she made were minor, to remove the odd blemish.  She also used some really clever mind techniques so that when she was taking the photo, I was thinking about something I felt totally passionate about, and that comes through in the final picture.

When my husband saw the portrait, he just said, “Wow!” and I think that says it all.

CO:  Do you have any advice for people needing a business portrait?

RF:   Firstly, do go to a professional, it’s surprisingly affordable and yet, such a key component for your online brand.

When choosing your clothes, make sure they coordinate with the rest of your branding in terms of colour, style etc.

And finally, ask your photographer for a digital print that you can use however you wish – the last thing you need to be worrying about is copyright.  It will cost a little bit more than a single print but you can use it again and again.

Rachel Fletcher is the founder of Rachel Fletcher Associates Ltd, Executive Coaching for Finance Managers.

As a Finance Director working in a Global FMCG working with Sales, Marketing and Operations teams, Rachel has specialised in bringing Finance expertise to the heart of business. She is passionate about helping Finance professionals transform into Business Leaders. Rachel Fletcher can be contacted via LinkedIn.

Catherine Osborn is a freelance writer who helps to take the pain out of creating well-written, compelling copy.  Find out more at catherineosborn.wordpress.com.

1. By moving out of the studio and into the garden, we benefit from the injection of colour from the beautiful spring flowers, but the wide open spaces give the children (and, therefore, me!) more scope to run around and it can be quite exhausting to pin them down. Toys offered a welcome distraction and we had most success with toys and objects that were new to them, such as the croquet hoops.

2. Daniel has just come out of a stage of not wanting to be photographed and, thanks to years of coaxing by his mum, now wants to say, “Cheese!” at every opportunity. The key here was to give him time to relax and start playing, and try to catch him unawares.

3. Elena, on the other hand, is the most serious-looking two-year-old I’ve ever met! Although we did get her to smile in the end, Mum was more than happy with the serious shots. Catherine told me, “These photos sum her up perfectly and when I look at them I see echoes of me at the same age and also my late mother and grandmother.”

Whether they’re overly serious or too obliging with the cheesy grins, it’s a real pleasure to photograph kids with character and we’re already planning the next shoot!

When you’re in the car, do you ever find yourself admiring the view and wishing you had your camera with you? One Saturday a few weeks ago, it was my turn to do the early morning journey to take my daughter to work in Henley.  On the way back I was drawn to the view of the river but realised I didn’t have my camera with me.  I decided to use my phone and surprised myself with the results.  Then, I went back via Marlow and spotted the rowing club preparing to go out so I took a few more photos.

Mobile cameras are getting better and better so next time you see something that catches your eye, just reach for your phone!

Gemma and Paul are getting married next month and I am very excited to be photographing them at these beautiful venues.  Gemma’s grandparents got married at the same church and she and Paul are keen to repeat history by posing at the door and by the lych gate.  The first thing I noticed as I walked up to the church was scaffolding which I was told will be there on the day.  One way to solve the problem is to photograph Gemma and Paul at the gate facing the church.  Hopefully you will agree the view through the gate looking away from the church is also pretty. 

I hadn’t been to Old Luxters Barn before.  It is well worth a visit.   There is a countryside mural on the wall inside which, as you can see, works very well as a backdrop.

I have been photographing boots and shoes for www.lamapeach.com for the Autumn/Winter 2010 display book.   The boots and shoes are sold in top London stores and range in price from £200 – £350.  However, if you really want to get your hands on this vintage footwear, visit the website direct or talk to my lovely friend Geraldine Pipping at Scarlett Monroe in Marlow, Buckinghamshire – www.scarlettmonroe.com.

L-R: Mary Fraser (Success Network), Ginette Gower (Thames Valley Chamber), Ute Wieczorek-King (Success Network), Henrietta Bailey (BusinessLink), Shemila Tharani (BusinessLink).

Success Network has recently announced that collaboration is its theme for 2010 but the concept is not a new one.  In 2009, one of the group’s Inner Circles (peer-support business clubs), of which I’m a member, worked together to produce an e-book of success ‘recipes’ to inspire other women who are starting out in business.  We’re not profiting from this book, which is available to download free of charge from the Success Network website.

Roselin D’Costa runs an up-and-coming home-based catering business called Shantana’s which specialises in business lunches and parties with an unusual flair.

The difference is she uses her Goan culinary expertise to create an impact with colour and flavour, especially in her curries which use a lot of coconut and fresh chillies to enhance her special Goan flavours, likewise with her home-made samosas.

Her speciality is her green sandwiches, which use a secret ingredient to make them an unusual alternative to the everyday business lunch.

And Roselin boasts a three star award for catering and food hygiene, so you know you are getting value for money.

Contact Roselin through www.shanatanas.co.uk or on 07930 371524

This cape is special because it is a most carefully preserved example of its kind. Each nurse received the soldier’s badges when they died as mementoes, and they sewed them on the inside of their capes (the red side) as a very private gesture. This particular cape shows badges from English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, French, Australian, New Zealand, Indian and Polish soldiers, and probably some more that haven’t been recognised, but one of them is Diane’s Princess Mary Nursing Corp badge.

Because the cape is still in such good condition, and considered the best example seen, the family have donated it to the Medical Military Museum at Aldershot, where it will be brought out on display for special exhibitions, otherwise suitably stored to expertly preserve it for future generations to remember.

Alison took photographs of this cape before it was passed on to the Museum, so that there was photographic evidence of it being worn by Jan, Diane’s daughter, even if it is inside out!

He was such a good boy.  All that water and not a tear!

Congratulations to his parents Becky and Gavin for a lovely day.