24: Putting a Face to Your Brand with Mychelle Gacke

Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

I’ve been wanting to bring a brand photographer onto the show for a long time, and this conversation felt like the perfect fit. I’m joined by Mychelle Gacke of M. Kaye Photography, and we talk all about what brand photography really is, why it goes so much deeper than a quick headshot session, and how powerful it can be for coaches and business owners who want to show up confidently and consistently online. We dive into her journey into brand photography, what lights her up about working with small businesses, and how strategy and prep make such a big difference before you ever step in front of the camera.

We also talk through the biggest mistakes business owners make with photos, from relying too heavily on stock imagery to not having enough content to show up consistently. Mychelle shares what clients often worry about most, like what to wear and how the process works, and explains how she helps bring a brand to life through thoughtful planning, creative direction, and personality-driven images. We even touch on AI generated photos and why real human connection still matters so much in branding.

Toward the end of the conversation, we get really practical about what to do after your brand shoot is over. We talk about how to actually use your photos and videos, avoid overthinking them, and keep showing up even when it feels uncomfortable at first. Mychelle shares more about her new Beyond the Shoot sessions and how she helps clients turn their galleries into real, usable content. This one is full of encouragement, honest insight, and a behind-the-scenes look at how strong visuals can support a magnetic, aligned brand.

01:47 The Journey to Brand Photography

03:21 Understanding the Difference: Headshots vs. Brand Photography

06:24 The Importance of Authenticity in Branding

08:52 Common Client Questions and Concerns

10:48 Brand Strategy and Client Collaboration

13:08 Creative Photo Shoot Experiences

16:08 Maximizing the Use of Brand Photos

18:24 The Journey of Growth and Authenticity

22:15 Connecting with Michelle Gacke

Links: Connect with Mychelle and book a session! Visit her Website, Instagram and Facebook.

The AI Advantage Workbook: Eliminate the uncertainty in writing branded prompts! This free PDF workbook includes six reflective exercises to define your brand and a branded prompt formula—similar to Mad Libs—to quickly create content that actually sounds like you and connects with your ideal clients.

Branding for Coaches: Learn more about my branding and design services.

Instagram: Follow along between episodes @branchcreativeco