In this article, we’re going to take a dive into our recommended branding books for photographers.
Good branding is one of the most essential pillars of a strong business!
For this reason, it’s actually one of the first topic areas we explore in depth in our business course suite for photographers!
But what does good branding look like?
While it’s true that branding is going to impact how our businesses look – our visual identities – branding goes much deeper than this and should be a reflection of your purpose and goals as a business owner.
As you will find in these branding book recommendations for photographers, many of these focus on the unseen aspects of brand. We thought it would be helpful to share some of our personal favorites along with highly-praised books from various acclaimed authors.
Let’s get started!
Why is Branding Important for Photographers?
Branding differs from marketing in that it is the core of the “why” you are running your business and puts it on display for your future clients to see. Marketing is more so the delivery of that “why”.
Branding is important because without it your business will lack character and mission to last beyond your current successes and events lined up. It touches every aspect of your business and provides the firm foundation on which you can build a lasting company that continues to provide value to your customers (and employees) years down the road.
While businesses can sometimes have success without solid branding, we have found it to be one of the features of businesses that end up having more consistency in performance over time – since good branding will improve performance in marketing, sales, client experience, and so on.
Did you know – companies with strong brands are 21% more profitable!
So, with that in mind, here are some of our recommendations!
Our Recommended Branding Books for Photographers
Building a Storybrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Understand by Donald Miller
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller advocates for businesses to adopt a storytelling framework that places the customer as the hero and the business as the guide.
He argues that effective communication hinges on clarifying your brand message to address customers’ needs and positioning your products or services as solutions to their challenges. By identifying the customer’s problem, presenting your business as the guide with a clear plan, and showcasing how your offerings can transform their lives, businesses can create compelling narratives that resonate deeply with their audience.
The book outlines a seven-part framework to implement this strategy, emphasizing the importance of simplifying your message, focusing on the customer’s journey, and using storytelling principles to engage and persuade. Miller encourages businesses to use clear language, avoid confusing customers with complex messaging, and consistently communicate a narrative that is easy for customers to understand and connect with emotionally.
Ultimately, Building a StoryBrand provides actionable insights to help businesses clarify their brand message, attract more customers, and drive meaningful engagement through the power of storytelling.
The concept of the customer being the hero of the story that has partially influenced our creation of the Client Persona, which we talk about more in depth in our Branding for Photographers course.
When we can get a better understanding of who we are trying to sell our product or service to, we can better improve our approach to converting them from a viewer to an actual client!
Get Building a Storybrand on Amazon
Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
Start with Why by Simon Sinek explores the concept that successful leaders and organizations inspire action by starting with a clear sense of purpose, or ‘why’. He speaks about how most businesses focus on ‘what’ they do and ‘how’ they do it, but the most influential leaders and companies begin with communicating their underlying purpose—their reason for existence.
By articulating and aligning their ‘why’, leaders can attract dedicated followers and customers who share their values and beliefs. Through numerous examples, Sinek demonstrates how this approach fosters loyalty, innovation, and sustainable success in both individuals and organizations.
The book introduces the ‘Golden Circle’ framework, which emphasizes starting with ‘why’ at the core, followed by ‘how’, and then ‘what’. He contends that this inverted approach to communication and leadership inspires trust and loyalty, as it connects with people on a deeper emotional level. By understanding and effectively communicating their purpose, leaders can differentiate themselves in the marketplace, cultivate a sense of belonging among stakeholders, and ultimately achieve long-term success grounded in authenticity and purpose.
Without a ‘why’ behind your business, you will only get so far.
What is your goal ultimately?
What are you trying to do for your customers?
Zag: The Number One Strategy of High-Performance Brands by Marty Neumeier (w/ mention to his other book: The Brand Gap)
Marty Neumeier brings the spotlight down on the vital component of brand differentiation in his book Zag: The Number One Strategy of High-Performance Brands.
In this one, he additionally builds upon his previous book – The Brand Gap (which is also a great read!).
Neumeier outlines a strategy for differentiation in a crowded marketplace by encouraging businesses to ‘zag’ when others ‘zig’. To stand out and succeed, brands must avoid following the crowd and instead focus on creating a unique and compelling proposition that sets them apart. By identifying a niche or distinctive angle that aligns with their core strengths and resonates with their target audience, businesses can effectively capture attention, build loyalty, and drive growth.
This is a huge topic area and one we believe passionately in!
The book emphasizes the importance of simplicity, clarity, and boldness in positioning and messaging.
He advocates for businesses to disrupt norms, challenge industry conventions, and innovate in ways that surprise and delight customers. By zagging—taking unexpected and often unconventional paths—brands can carve out a memorable identity and create sustainable competitive advantage in today’s dynamic marketplace.
Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries and Jack Trout
Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries and Jack Trout is an older work from 1980 that emphasizes the importance of creating a distinct position for brands in consumers’ minds.
Similar to Sinek’s Start With Why, the authors argue that in a crowded marketplace, successful brands differentiate themselves not just by what they offer (‘what’) or how they do it (‘how’), but primarily by how they are perceived (‘why’).
The book introduces the concept of positioning as a strategic tool to occupy a unique space in consumers’ mental maps, focusing on simplicity, clarity, and consistency in messaging. They illustrate their points with numerous case studies and examples, demonstrating how effective positioning can lead to market leadership and sustained success.
The core idea of Positioning is that brands must actively shape perceptions through strategic communication and differentiation. By identifying and emphasizing a compelling point of difference that resonates with their target audience, brands can effectively capture mindshare, build loyalty, and drive preference in the competitive marketplace. The book’s insights continue to be highly influential in branding and marketing strategy, offering timeless principles for creating impactful brands that stand out and remain relevant in the minds of consumers.
How to Style Your Brand: Everything You Need to Know to Create a Distinctive Brand Identity by Fiona Humberstone
Fiona Humberstone’s book is a practical and visually engaging resource for anyone looking to create or refine their brand identity. It provides a step-by-step approach, combining theoretical insights with practical advice and examples, making it a valuable guide for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
While this books opens by discussing the need to have clarity on your businesses purposes, where we come to recommend this book is in how it presents solid information to help visually design your brand. The book explores in depth things like color psychology, typography, logo design and imagery, brand guidelines, and more.
Get How to Style Your Brand on Amazon
Conclusion
There are many books out there on the topic of branding.
The big idea behind branding is that it is the necessary foundation that is needed to build the rest of your business off of if you are looking for longevity. Without branding, your marketing will fall flat. Without marketing, you can only survive off of your sales and not thrive instead. Understanding your own personal brand is essential for business growth and success for any entrepreneur, including photography.
If you are needing help getting your branding in a better spot, check out our Branding for Photographers course, which is a part of our entire Business Suite for Photographers!
Chris is a SEO professional with a passion for helping photography businesses succeed online. With years of experience in the industry, he has a proven track record of increasing website traffic, improving search rankings, and driving revenue growth for his clients.
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