​In today's highly competitive market, building a strong brand is essential for businesses of all sizes. A strong brand can help you stand out from the crowd, build customer loyalty, and drive growth. But, how can you ensure that your brand is the best it can be? Here are some tips and strategies to help you boost your brand and take it to the next level.
 
Define your brand identity Before you can start building your brand, you need to know what it is and what it represents. Your brand identity should reflect your values, mission, and unique qualities. Take the time to clearly define your brand and make sure that it aligns with your target audience.
 
Develop a consistent brand message. Consistency is key when it comes to building a strong brand. Make sure that all of your marketing materials, from your website to your social media profiles, have a consistent look and feel. This will help your customers recognize your brand and remember it long after they've interacted with you.
 
Invest in high-quality design. A well-designed logo, website, and other marketing materials can make a big impact on your brand. Investing in high-quality design will not only make your brand look more professional, but it will also help you stand out from the competition.
 
Engage with your audience. Building a strong brand requires engagement with your target audience. Regularly interact with your customers through social media, email marketing, and other channels. This will help you build a relationship with your customers, understand their needs, and keep your brand top-of-mind.
 
Focus on providing exceptional customer service. Providing excellent customer service is one of the best ways to build a strong brand. Make sure that your customers feel valued and heard, and always go above and beyond to resolve any issues they may have.

Continuously evaluate and refine your brand. Building a strong brand is an ongoing process, and it's important to regularly evaluate and refine your brand to ensure that it's meeting the needs of your customers. Take the time to assess your brand, gather feedback from your customers, and make any necessary changes to improve your brand and grow your business.
 
Boosting your brand takes time, effort, and a commitment to excellence. By following these tips and strategies, you can create a strong, memorable brand that sets you apart from the competition and drives growth for your business. Schedule a complimentary consultation with us to help you get started with personal branding for your marketing.

Sonia A
Professional Photographer

This is one of the best times to capture new photos of your family, but it is often easier said than done.
Not everyone loves to be in front of the camera, kids just want to play, and more often than not, someone in the group has very high expectations. These factors can all make family photo time a less than pleasurable experience.
Here are some top tips to ensure everyone has a good time and you get the photos you are hoping for.

1. Make It Fun
When a family photo session doesn’t come across as too serious, more family members are willing to participate. Make the day about having fun and spending time together, not capturing the perfect photos. Plus, photos are easy to fit into the day if you approach it correctly. Does the family always drink cocoa around the tree? Get everyone to pose for a quick group shot before you sit down. Better yet, capture a candid shot of everyone sitting around the tree instead.

2. Respect People’s Wishes
Sometimes, people just don’t want their photo taken. It’s important to respect this if you want to maintain peace during the holiday season. If it’s your children who don’t want their photos taken, respecting their wishes will help gain their trust, making it easier to ask for photos later in the day or on another day.

3. Choose Your Location Wisely
Your family should feel comfortable during any photo session, so choose your location wisely. If you won’t be taking photos at home, choose a location that will allow everyone to stay engaged and relaxed. 

4. Prep Your Family
Not everyone in your family has necessarily been involved in a shoot before, so it helps to prepare them. You will, once again, need to find that balance between keeping it light-hearted and ensuring they know what to expect. Tell them more about the activities you have planned and what they should and shouldn’t wear. Your outfits don’t need to match but they should ideally be coordinated. Knowing a bit about what to expect can help participants feel more relaxed.

5. Let Everyone Be Themselves
Your family photos should highlight everyone’s unique personalities. Remember, you are not working with models, so temper your expectations. Allowing everyone to be themselves results in genuine shots.

6. Get Them Involved
One way to get family members excited about a photo session is to get them involved in the creative process. Let them have a say in where you take photos and what you should wear. When the shoot becomes a group effort, it feels less forced.

7. Include Everyone
Nobody wants to feel left out, so you may want to plan your shoots out in advance. Taking a shot of grandma and all the grandchildren? Don’t forget to take the same shot with grandpa. It’s especially important that all children feel like they were equally included to avoid issues after the session.
The above tips can be used regardless of whether you are hiring a professional photographer or using your smartphone or DSLR to capture some photos. There are very few times in the year when most family members are in the same place, so take advantage.

With Love,
​Sonia A

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is a few months away, but it means it’s safe to start getting excited about all of the colors, festivities, and above all else, the photo opportunities. If you love taking photos of your children, you’re probably already dreaming up a few photo ideas for the holidays – we have a few to get you started.

1. What’s Christmas without cookies. If you have a little one who loves cookies, dress them up in a cute outfit or even like an elf and capture them stealing a few of the cookies you’ve left out for Santa.

2. All that glitters. If your children are slightly older, you can get some beautiful shots by simply adding a little glitter to the mix. To capture this unique shot, zoom in and get your child to blow beautiful glitter out of their hand.

3. Dress the trees. Have a lovely tree outside or live near a park? Dress your kids up, decorate a portion of the tree with brightly-colored baubles and get them to pose underneath it.

4. Elves love pillow fights. For something more playful, dress your kids up in striped pajamas to fit in with the Christmas theme, add some bunting to the room and get them to have a playful pillow fight while you capture the action.

5. Santa’s sleepy helper. If your child is still little, you can capture so many cute shots of them while they sleep. From placing them on top of a red Santa sack stuffed with pillows to capturing them fast asleep on a children’s Christmas book, there are lots of ways to get some sweet, sleepy shots.

6. The baker. Of the many things that are great about Christmas, food is one of them, so why not take your camera into the kitchen and capture your children baking in their Christmas hats.

7. The reindeer and his friend. If your pets are a big part of your life, get your children and your pets to wear a pair of reindeer antlers and capture a few fun, giggly shots.
Christmas is such a fun, colorful time of the year that it’s almost impossible to run out of inspiration for your photo and once you get going, you’ll soon think of many more ideas that you and your children will love.

Love,
Sonia 
​etmportraits.com

The holidays, while filled with great events and memories, are also an expensive time. One of the most precious gifts is giving a family portrait instead of just a picture of your pets.

Take your family portrait this holiday season and make it more special than ever. Take the best pictures of your family to preserve those beautiful memories for years to come.
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You can now order a family portrait session with us, who work side-by-side with you for a one-of-a-kind, cherished piece of artistry that will last for generations. We know you have been looking for the perfect way to say I love you! Here is your chance to do just that and make your loved ones happy simultaneously!
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Etmportraits.com
281.758.8686

​This time of year, many families are celebrating the holidays and taking time to snap family portraits. Professional Portrait Studios can help create beautiful and lasting memories for your family. They can also help capture the spirit of your family at this particular time in your life.
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There are a couple of options when thinking about locations.

• A professional portrait studio is a great option if you're celebrating a special occasion or want to have some updated family portraits taken in controlled environment. Professional Studios typically offer a variety of backdrop and lighting options, as well as props so that you can create unique and memorable photographs. Etmportraits have skilled photographers who will be able to capture your family's personalities and spirit in their photos. So if you're looking for something special, consider booking a session at a portrait studio with a variety of backdrop options (canvas or modern backdrop), and also skilled artists to light you the best possible way.
• Family portraits taken in your home is a unique way to capture your family's memories.  Your home is excellent for family portraits because it is full of personal memories and sentimental value. Plus, it's a setting that your family is probably familiar with and comfortable in.
• Another option would be go for interesting location for your family portraits, think outside the box and choose a place special to your family. Maybe it's your grandparents' farm, the spot where you got married, or the place where your kids were born. Whatever it is, pick a place where you'll have fond memories of being together. By choosing a unique location, your photos will be sure to stand out from the rest!

When it comes to family portraits, there are so many things to think about, right? What should we wear? How do we pose? Which background looks best? But one of your most important decisions is what your family will wear. Coordinating colors or color schemes can make your photos look polished and professional.

Are you looking for a way to show your personality as a family? Why not try posing in creative ways? This can be a fun way to express yourselves and help you connect with one another. A Professional Photographer can help with this and even give tips on how to pose when you are looking to have a family portrait taken. Whether you go for a large wall art or Christmas card, you will want to make sure that you are posed in the best way possible.

Have you thought that your family portraits could be a large piece of wall art? Professional photo labs can enlarge your photos to any size you want and look great. Whether you have them printed on canvas, metal, or paper, your family portraits will look amazing as large wall art! Archival quality photo prints are a great way to preserve your memories. Not only will they last for years, but they also provide a high-quality option for displaying your photos. Unlike regular prints, archival prints are resistant to fading and discoloration, making them an excellent choice for keepsakes. If you're looking for a way to protect your photos and display them in style, consider investing in an archival-quality print. You won't regret it!

When creating a wall portrait, one crucial tip is to hang it at eye level. This will ensure that your guests can appreciate the artwork without straining their necks. Another tip is to use a frame that compliments the artwork. A simple frame can make all the difference in the overall look of your portrait.
And lastly, don't be afraid to get creative! This is your chance to show off your personality and style. So have fun with it!

Consider working with a professional photographer if you're looking for a more professional portrait session to capture some holiday magic! 

In today's world, having high-quality images of yourself is more important than ever. First impressions are everything with social media, online profiles, and resumes. That's why professional headshots are so important. A good photographer can make all the difference when getting a great headshot. They'll also know how to use lighting and composition to create the perfect photo. Professional quality headshots help people see the real you and connect with you on a personal level. If you're looking to take your career to the next level, investing in a professional headshot is wise. A good headshot is about capturing personality, not just a great face. We appreciate it when clients trust us for their headshots or personal branding.

Our client Mr. Mike Fossen is the director of the Texas tutor Team. He is passionate about helping kids who need some boost to academic success. While talking to him, he explained how tutoring in summer gives your child the boost they need for academic success. Summer is a great time for kids to enjoy the weather, food, and friends, but it is also a great time to continue working on their math or reading skills for the next school year. His tutoring team is dedicated to helping your child build on their strengths and get ahead for the upcoming school year. ​​
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​It’s the start of a new quarter, which means it’s time to set new professional goals and map out the coming months.
If your 2022 plan includes leveling up in your industry, or you plan to enter an entirely new industry, you’re going to need headshots to go along with it.
Perhaps you already have some headshots – is there really a need to take new ones?
The answer is a resounding, yes!

As with most other things, headshots have changed. New trends have emerged and it’s clear to see who has adopted them and who hasn’t when you browse online profiles. Notice the profiles that stand out.
Naturally, your headshot should always match your industry if you want to get hired. If professionals in your sector dress in suits, you probably should too. The good news is there are ways to integrate industry norms with today’s headshot trends.
Headshots today are centered around vibrant colors and quality lighting. And, with easier access to hair and makeup professionals, as well as high-end photographic equipment, headshots are now more about the close-up.
Backgrounds are also playing a more integral role as they give the viewer some extra insights into your personality and profession.
Basically, it’s about using the finer details to help you stand out among your peers.

Your headshots are one of the easiest and most effective ways to level up your professional profile online and EtmPortraits want to help.

When it comes to headshots, what you see should be what you get – it's how you build trust as a professional.
We understand you have a busy schedule, but your headshots should always be a priority if you rely on your professional profile to bring in new clients.
How can you tell whether it is time to update your headshots?
You can answer this with one simple question: Would a prospective client or employer be able to recognize you if they compared your online profile to what they see in person?
If the answer is no, it's time to update your headshots.
Aging is just one part of the equation, though. You should also update your headshots if you have changed your style or haircut over the past two years. The small details can make a big difference in how you look. Perhaps you switched from contacts to wearing glasses. This is the kind of change that requires updated headshots.
As a rule of thumb, it's recommended that you update your headshots every one to two years.
This month's Headshots Special is somewhat similar to our Custom Session, but the good news is that you can choose your images right after the session. We will deliver the images electronically by the next business day. A Headshots Special session won't take longer than 60 minutes to complete, and you will walk away with a brand new set of edited headshots.