Capturing Essence

No longer are the corporate mug shots the standard of the business-world day. Images that we use for our business cards, brochures, corporate profiles and social media solutions require a whole new standard. We are in times of creative expression, and portraying the people we live and work with in new and unique ways is essential.

We are bored of serious stills and the power pout! We are tired of the same old office, desk and CEO expression for what business is really like. In this new era of image-based communication, we are demanding something more—something deeper, more meaningful and more connected.

Business is a network of connections and conversations that bind us together to work toward desired goals and outcomes. Connections are paramount. Understanding what makes us tick and what makes us succeed are the keys. Understanding the true nature of a person, their self-expression, is what it’s really about.

Very few business marketing people and photographers understand this. And then … every so often, you come across a gem photographer who does. Nicole Winters is the artist behind a camera lens that seeks to capture the essence of the people she works with.

Nicole says, “My photography is an art. Capturing the essence of someone in the energy business is not haphazard; it’s very methodical and intentional, all the while leaving things open enough for my creativity to come through.”

Nicole says, “Here’s how I do it. First, I do the background research on my client to get the very basics of who they are. I look them up online and get a sense of what they are up to in the world. Then I look for all the ways that I can create synergy and commonality between us. This is important because all people connect when they realize where we are the same.” Nicole adds, “Once that’s clear, I choose a location that’s true to what needs to be conveyed within the project.

My photographs could happen in a book store, in nature or in a very unique location. But not necessarily where you might expect. Once the client and I are together, I set out to intentionally create a meeting of openness and vulnerability. If I’m open and vulnerable, automatically, my clients feel comfortable enough to do the same.

We all relate to people based on our own perception of ourselves and experiences we have had. I create relatedness and trust in the space. Once that’s established anything can happen from there.

We are free to get an endless set of images that convey who the person really is. A place where that person is seen as approachable, lovable, likeable, trustworthy and open, and a person they really want to connect to and do business with. There you have it—my secret to capturing essence!”

What’s very clear about Nicole’s approach to capturing a client’s essence is that the open approach, the vulnerability, and the commonalities all lead to connection. Today the corporate culture requires not only that we learn to connect with others, but that we master it. We love it when we connect with others.