How To Choose Your Brand Colors
When it comes to Personal Branding and promoting yourself or your company online, color becomes an ever-important part of the business. We are all aware how much color affects us psychologically, so it becomes important to intentionally select colors that will benefit the business in the long run and avoid the issue of having to change them a year or two down the line. Plus, having brand colors not only creates consistency in your communication, but also allows you to more effectively communicate what you're trying to say.
HOW TO SELECT YOUR BRAND COLORS
1. GET INSPIRATION FROM YOUR HOME
Look around your house. Are there certain colors that you've always been drawn to? Is there a common accent throughout your home? You have a history of preferences and your home is a great reflection of that. Another place to look is your closet. Are there colors you absolutely love to wear? Do you stick to neutrals or do you prefer bold tones and patterns? Your personal preferences should be the starting point, always.. because this is your company and it should align with your style.
2. PICK A COLOR BY MEANING
Every color has a specific meaning and you can pick colors that communicate to your potential clients without you having to say a word. Here are some common colors and what they represent. Color has a lot of subconscious meaning behind it. If your brand uses specific colors, if you love to wear a certain color that you consider to be part of your personal style, or if you use one color over other in your marketing materials, you're communicating a lot more than you think to your audience!
🔴If your brand color is RED
You are powerful and bold. You don't mind standing out in the crowd and have a love for excitement. Your business is all about passion, with a hint of playfulness and vibrancy.
🟡If your brand color is YELLOW
Your cheerful disposition precedes you. You love sunshine, brightness, and always present a happy face to your audience. Your optimism simply shines.
🟠If your brand color is ORANGE
You are warm and friendly to others and tend to be confident in social situations. You're not too serious about life and want your business to reflect that light-hearted quality.
🟢If your brand color is GREEN
Your positive take on life is refreshing to others. You love nature and are health-conscious, which is probably why you are drawn to this earthy hue.
🔵If your brand color is BLUE
There's a reason why most banks have blue as their brand color. Trustworthy and a bit corporate, you are perfectly professional and easy to have confidence in.
🌸If your brand color is PINK
You have a sensitive and feminine approach to life and want your business to reflect that airy quality and soothing calmness.
🟣If your brand color is PURPLE
You are creative and wise, and command respect from others with this royal hue. There's also a bit of mysticism and mystery around you, which makes your business very special.
🟤If your brand color is BROWN
Your stable personality is often comforting to others. You tend to be natural and wholesome, with a grounded approach to business.
⚫If your brand color is BLACK
You are the epitome of sophistication and professionalism. Your no thrills approach is all about luxury and conveying a sense of authority.
⚪If your brand color is WHITE
You have a balanced and calm approach to live, with a love for pureness. You like things clean and simple, and your business reflects that.
3. LOOK AT THE COMPETITION
While it's never a good idea to copy your competition, it does sometimes help to see what everyone else is doing... so that you can do something completely different! If everyone else is using bright and airy white with blues, why not use a moodier palette instead? It will set you apart and make you stand out in the sea of sameness. One caveat, of course, is that whatever you choose should still reflect your own sense of style, so definitely keep that in mind!
I love working with color when it comes to photography. It’s all about pairing visual storytelling with hues that enhance and communicate what we’re trying to say, and it’s one of the few art forms that allow you to marry strategy and pretty visuals. You can also mix and match colors to create a unique voice for your business. Combine a professional and trustworthy color like BLUE with a personal favorite like GREEN (as shown above) to instantly create a more approachable and friendly feel. It’s almost magical once you start to intentionally use color because you will end up with images that are so much more effective in communicating to your audience.
And if you’ve been thinking about taking your business to a whole new level and upgrading your social media or web imagery - or maybe you’re starting your own business - you can find out more about how a Personal Branding portrait session might be a good fit for you by clicking the button below.
