Mastering Networking for Career and Business Growth: Practical Strategies for Professionals

Whether you’re entering the world of corporate networking for the first time or you’ve been building business connections for years, one thing remains clear—networking is a vital tool for career and business success. It’s more than handing out business cards or expanding your LinkedIn network—it’s about creating relationships that can lead to new opportunities. In a professional setting, it’s not just about who you know, but who knows and remembers you when opportunities arise. With the right approach, each connection can become a valuable part of your growth strategy.

At Dwayne Brown Studio, we understand the importance of networking in today’s professional world. Here are some key strategies for both newcomers and seasoned professionals to help you build meaningful connections that last:

1. Seek Insights, Not Favors

When approaching potential contacts, avoid directly asking for a job or a favour. Instead, ask for insights or advice. This approach demonstrates respect for the person’s expertise and opens the door to genuine conversations. People are often more willing to help when they feel valued for their knowledge, and this positions you as someone focused on growth and learning, rather than just seeking immediate gain.

2. Showcase What You Offer

Effective networking means ensuring your connections know what you bring to the table. For experienced professionals, it’s essential to regularly update your network on your skills and achievements. For those newer to networking, focus on establishing a reputation for reliability and value. Use examples of your past work, client success stories, or testimonials to demonstrate your abilities and trustworthiness.

3. Build Your Network with Purpose

Begin by assessing your current network. Identify colleagues, clients, and peers you’ve worked with or connected with through other avenues. Networking isn’t just about reaching out to top executives—everyone in your circle has the potential to introduce you to new opportunities. Start with those who know you well and expand from there.

4. Approach Conversations with Clarity and Respect

When reaching out to people in your network, structure your conversations for maximum impact:

  • Set Clear Expectations: Be upfront about why you’re reaching out—whether it's for a brief chat, industry insights, or potential collaborations. Respect for their time ensures a productive discussion.

  • Be Transparent About Your Goals: After catching up, explain your current professional situation. Whether you’re seeking new business opportunities, clients, or advice, clarity about your needs makes you come across as proactive and prepared.

  • Ask Thoughtful Questions: Invite your contacts to share their perspectives. Asking, “If you were in my position, what steps would you take?” gives them the opportunity to offer helpful advice without feeling pressured.

  • Get Permission for Referrals: If they suggest someone you should meet, ask for permission to use their name when reaching out. It makes for a smoother introduction and sets the tone for a productive connection.

5. Start Where You Feel Comfortable

For professionals new to networking, it’s often easiest to start with contacts you’re comfortable with—colleagues, mentors, or past clients. These familiar faces can help you build confidence and refine your networking style. Even if the conversation doesn’t lead to immediate opportunities, it strengthens your communication skills and keeps your efforts moving in the right direction.

6. Consistency Pays Off

Networking is not a one-time task but an ongoing effort. Once you’ve made a connection, keep it active by staying in touch with updates, checking in periodically, and offering support when appropriate. The more consistent you are in maintaining relationships, the stronger your network will be—and the more likely your name will come up when opportunities arise.

7. Networking for Growth

At Dwayne Brown Studio, we believe in the power of professional connections. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or a professional looking to expand your horizons, networking is about more than just advancing your career—it’s about cultivating relationships that promote mutual growth and learning.

Remember, networking isn’t something you do once and move on. Approach each interaction with purpose, clarity, and gratitude. Every connection is a chance to grow, learn, and explore new possibilities.

If we can do anything to help you expand on your network, either with a LinkedIn introduction or with a new profile portrait, we’d be happy to help!

Cheers, Dwayne
Dwayne Brown Studio

Black & White Photography for LinkedIn

Black and white (BW) headshots can be a compelling choice for your LinkedIn profile. There are several reasons why BW might be a better option than colour for a professional headshot.

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How to Choose the Right Headshot Photographer

Investing in professional headshots is more than just capturing a likeness; it's about conveying your unique personality, professionalism, and brand story. Choosing the right Ottawa photographer for your headshots can make all the difference in how your potential clients, employers, and colleagues perceive you. A skilled photographer has the technical expertise to capture high-quality images and understands the importance of client comfort, effective communication, and storytelling. By selecting a photographer specializing in headshot photography and prioritizing these elements, you can ensure that your headshots look great, effectively represent your brand and make a lasting impression.

© Dwayne Brown Studio Inc. / How to Choose the Right Ottawa Headshot Photographer

Top Nine Tips When Choosing The Right Headshot Photographer

Tip 1: Look for Specialization

Seek out photographers who specialize specifically in headshot photography. By choosing a specialist, you ensure you're working with someone who has honed their skills and expertise in capturing the perfect headshot.

Tip 2: Review Their Online Portfolio for Consistency

When evaluating potential photographers, review their website to ensure consistency in style and quality. Look for a portfolio that showcases a variety of headshots and demonstrates the photographer's ability to capture diverse subjects effectively.

Tip 3: Prioritize Comfort and Connection

Opt for a photographer who prioritizes your comfort and confidence during the shoot. A photographer who can establish rapport, provide guidance, and create a relaxed atmosphere will help bring out your best expressions and ensure a successful session.

Tip 4: Assess Equipment and Technology

Consider the equipment and technology used by the photographer. Look for someone who invests in high-quality cameras, lenses, lighting gear, and editing software to deliver professional-grade headshots that meet your expectations.

Tip 5: Seek Recommendations and Reviews

Don't hesitate to ask for recommendations from colleagues, friends, or industry professionals who have had positive experiences with headshot photographers. Additionally, read online reviews and LinkedIn testimonials to gauge client satisfaction and the photographer's reputation.

Tip 6: Assess Communication Skills

Communication is key to a successful collaboration. Choose a photographer who listens attentively to your needs, asks relevant questions, and communicates clearly throughout the process. Effective communication ensures that your vision is understood and executed effectively. This starts with email correspondence and a phone call!

Tip 7: Evaluate Their Ability to Tell a Story

Look for photographers with a keen eye for storytelling. A great headshot goes beyond capturing a likeness; it conveys personality, emotion, and narrative. Choose a photographer who understands the power of visual storytelling and can craft headshots that resonate with your brand identity and message.

Tip 8: Seek Creative Collaboration

Opt for a photographer who values collaboration and creative input. A photographer who welcomes your ideas, offers suggestions, and works collaboratively to bring your vision to life can ensure that the resulting headshots align with your brand story and messaging.

Tip 9: Investing in Your Professional Brand

When selecting the best headshot photographer, consider it an investment in your professional brand. While upfront costs are essential, focus on the long-term value of high-quality headshots as an asset to your career. A skilled photographer can capture images that enhance your professional image and serve as a valuable asset for various purposes, including networking, job applications, and personal branding. Choose a photographer whose rates align with your budget while delivering the quality and service necessary to enhance your professional brand effectively.

Emotional Intelligence vs Artificial Intelligence

As the founder of Headshots Matter and a corporate portrait photographer for many years, I've been thinking a lot about the benefits and concerns of artificial intelligence and how it impacts corporate and creative headshot photography.

As we navigate the era of advancing artificial intelligence, it's vital to recognize its impact on the photography industry. While AI may present new avenues for post-production and creative ideation, the unique value of emotional intelligence remains unparalleled. It is the cornerstone of creating authentic, evocative, and on-brand headshots and portraits, reassuring us of our professional worth and inspiring us to refine this personal and distinctive skill further. 

Recently, I had the honour of collaborating with a prominent government official. Her portraits needed to convey confidence, professionalism, approachability, and friendliness. This collaborative process, requiring a keen sense of emotional intelligence, underscores the unique value that only a human photographer can bring to the table, making us all the more essential in this era of advancing artificial intelligence.

While AI-generated portraits may offer convenience, they cannot replace the role of emotional intelligence in capturing the essence of a subject's brand story. As photographers, we bear the responsibility and privilege of ensuring that the images we create are visually appealing and emotionally impactful. We are the ones who shape the setting, the lighting, and the mood, decisions that mirror our unique perspective and creative control, empowering us to remain essential in this era of advancing artificial intelligence. 

In this era of advancing artificial intelligence, I am intrigued by its impact on the photography industry. Yet, it's a subject that unites us, igniting our curiosity and propelling us to explore uncharted territories. This curiosity and engagement, the lifeblood of our industry, inspire and motivate us to keep it vibrant and evolving, reminding us of the unique value we bring as photographers.

I'd love to hear your views and ideas on how artificial intelligence impacts your business.

Cheers, Dwayne

The Real Deal

I’ve always loved photographing portraits and people very much. Still, I also love capturing journalistic corporate imagery - or imagery I call the real deal. I had the opportunity last week to spend time with the folks at George Partners during one of their team meetings. For this style of photography to be successful, it’s essential not to impose myself too much but just to be there to capture. In light of the time we’re in with AI-generated images, stock photography and over-retouched photos, it’s great to have the opportunity to photograph real people doing real work. Thanks so much to our new friends at George Partners!

Cheers, Dwayne

Friday Night Spaces - Infinite Opportunities

As much as I love photographing faces and corporate folks and students doing things, it’s also fun to photograph cool spaces on a Friday night! 

As long as the Infinity Convention Centre has been open, we’ve been asked to drop in and photograph the over-set-ups for their most unique and special events. Last night, we had the opportunity to capture some iconic imagery of the set-up for Caivan’s jungle-themed Christmas party. There were many moving parts, including many people fine-tuning lighting and the overall room and space. The challenge is always to do our best to ignore the chaos and to find the uniqueness of the offering and, of course, Infinity’s attention to detail.

Thanks so much to Chris Bosley (Infinity’s GM) and the rest of the team for always making the gig fun and exciting!

Cheers, Dwayne.

New Perspectives

When you first start in photography, you’re taught to learn all the rules and how not to break them. You study how others do things and do your best to shoot with as few mistakes as possible (or at least not make ones that anyone notices). Then, you gradually shoot better and consistently, allowing you to make a living as a photographer. When it gets fun, you not only get to make mistakes intentionally, but you start looking for new ones to make. And you look for new views to see the familiar - capturing the usual in unusual and interesting ways.

The creative irony is that good or even great photography is all about mistakes and being able to repeat happy accidents. I’m super grateful that I get to do what I do and to look for new perspectives to see, capture and share!

Cheers, Dwayne.

© Dwayne Brown / Fuji XE2 / Infrared / 7.5mm Fish Eye

Objects in Mirror....

For anyone who knows and/or follows me on social media, knows how much I love photowalks and photodrives. They inspire me, they calm me and perhaps they even re-align me! Today was a such a cool day for all those things and I was lucky enough to do it with my favourite person, my wife, Jennifer. It makes us both so happy to just get in the Jeep with our cameras, and venture down a road we’ve never been before. Lucky us!

Cheers, Dwayne.

© Dwayne Brown Studio / Objects in mirror…..

Creative Road-tripping

Photography isn’t something you vacation from - its more about getting closer to it, when you make space for it. That said, taking a couple weeks to focus on a creative road-trip has been a wonderful opportunity to unclutter the mind and resharpen the eye. It’s also been a quiet time to brainstorm new ideas and refocus old ones.

For the most part, I kept the camera pointed at the openness and quiet of nature, and sometimes the composition of urban architecture. And yes, at times, I also captured Jennifer with her ever-present camera. Something Jennifer has helped me better understand is that by putting ourselves in unfamiliar surroundings, we can enhance our beginner's mind, which helps to keep our creative eye observant.

It was humbling to explore the textures of rock and water, and how they collide. It was equally humbling to explore old cities where rich history meet the present. I even had the chance to capture three new 60at60 portraits of some dear friends and creative colleagues.

I’m now very excited to get back to our corporate photography projects and continuing to move our headshotsMatter project forward. I’m very grateful to Jennifer for accompanying me on this creative journey and to everyone who we had the opportunity to visit, learn from and photograph!

Cheers, Dwayne.

Looking onto the St. Laurence at Kamouraska, Quebec

Jennifer at Kamouraska, Quebec

Bridge Structure - Fredricton, New Brunswick

A Murderous Conversation - Camp Hill Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Roadside Search for Erratics - Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

Erratics - Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia

Three Hearts - Hall’s Beach, Nova Scotia

Crossing the Bay of Fundy

Stepping Back in Time - Saint John, New Brunswick

Historic Facades - Saint John, New Brunswick

Hirtle’s Beach, Nova Scotia

Creative Determination

The concept of creativity gets talked about a lot these days and it’s often regarded as doing something that is traditionally creative - like photography, art, music or writing. These are of course great expressions of creativity, but without determination and consistent practice its hard to get excellent or even good at one’s creative craft. It’s also difficult to make a dream a reality without the commitment of putting one’s self out there.

I’ve known Stuart Hoopfer for many years and his story is a cool one and a great example of creative determination. I first met Stuart when he was still in the restaurant business. While working as a manager at a downtown restaurant, I still remember the day when he shared with me that he wanted to get better at playing and performing, and he was going to do this by committing himself to a weekly gig at 10 Fourteen in Hintonburg. Last night we were lucky enough to catch Stuart play one of his many gigs at 10 Fourteen. It was super fun to see him in his flow and really enjoying performing!

In Stuart’s words, “I think a major thing that has helped me hone my craft is loving to play. I’ve played for 3 hours on countless occasions over the past many years. It’s helped with my stamina for vocals and improved my passion and technique. Also, given me more enjoyment seeing others enjoying it.”

If you’d like to see Stuart play, it would be best to follow him on Instagram at: @shoopf

Cheers, Dwayne.

Capturing the 'A Game'

We LOVE photographing personal and corporate branding portraits. And it’s super fun helping an individual tell their professional brand story with imagery. All that said, our job is so much easier (and more fun) when someone like Maria Ford, not only shows up with great clothing options, but also with her emotional and intentional ‘A Game’!

Thanks Maria!

Montreal Photowalk / New Bright Ideas

Sometimes it’s hard to put my finger on exactly what the value is, for escaping the normal commercial/corporate gig in Ottawa, for an intensive few days of photowalking. Is it a break? Is it in opportunity to sharpen the creative saw? Or is it an opportunity to let new ‘new bright ideas’ percolate in? I think it’s perhaps a combination for all three. Capturing to just capture and sharing to just share - is very liberating!

Montreal is a perfect city for photowalks. It’s a wonderful alchemy of old and new. It’s also full of random examples of creative expression. The beautiful architecture, the cultural mix and the diversity of the people are all so inspiring! And the coolest bonus is, that I get to do it with my very creative wife, Jennifer! :)

© Dwayne Brown Studio / Urban Photowalks

Meditative Floral

I’ve always loved photographing flowers, not just because they’re beautiful, but more because of the quiet meditative process involved. Once you slow the world down and get low and really close with the camera, there is a fascinating world within and such wonderful patterns to capture. You even need to control your breathing and be very still, much like traditional meditation. And the best part is, it’s kind of hard to think of anything else outside of the garden! :)

Cheers, Dwayne.

© Dwayne Brown Studio

Headshots 2022 / What's Your Story

As I tip my toe into 2022 (by shooting a self-portrait), I’m asking myself, “what do I love photographing the most?” The simple answer is, headshot portraits! Photographing people of all walks of life and of all levels of business, has always been super fun and rewarding for me. In the early days of my photography, the only individuals being photographed commercially were typically senior executives and/or people with some kind of recognizable profile. These days it’s more exciting, with everyone needing and benefiting from a professional profile portrait. Over recent years we’ve seen LinkedIn grow exponentially with incredible networking and marketing benefits to its users, regardless of industry or corporate position. LinkedIn allows us all to share our unique personal and/or professional brand story, with our profile headshot as the cornerstone of that story.

The uncertainty and challenges of the pandemic have reminded me that even a simple headshot is a helpful way for individuals and organizations to take control of their image, vision and narrative. And it's an opportunity for us all to tell a forward moving story during a somewhat stagnating time. So, as we move into the new year, I’ll be pushing harder than ever to ask our clients, “what’s your story?” and to help them tell it with simple and evocative imagery!

If you or your organization are in need of a headshot refresh, we would love to help!

Cheers, Dwayne.

Self-portrait / © Dwayne Brown Studio

Happy New Year 2022

As we bid goodbye to another year, many folks are quick to say ‘good riddance’ to 2021. Yes, it’s been challenging but like every year, there have also been many gifts. I’m very grateful to have worked with my creative partner Anita on so many fun corporate projects, for some really great clients as well as a special initiative to help local businesses get a leg up during the pandemic recovery. We’ve also had a great year photographing lots of headshots for individuals who’ve wanted to refresh their personal and professional brands. I’ve also had the great experience meeting headshot photographers in other cities around the world as I’ve continued to curate and expand the headshotsMatter project.

As we welcome 2022, its my optimistic hope that our city continues to pull together with kindness and entrepreneurial tenacity. We truly do have an incredible city to live and work in! Thank you to all of our awesome clients and friends for supporting the studio. And on a personal note, I’m very grateful to my partner Jennifer for her incredible support and to our family for being so terrific.

Happy New Year and thank you!

Dwayne.

© Dwayne Brown Studio

© Jennifer Kimberly

The Road Less Traveled

We all love familiarity. But creativity loves the opposite, or at least I find it thrives on it. As a photographer, I have my familiar tools and consistent approaches that I use in my corporate work. But it’s always fun and creatively helpful to venture down a road less traveled or even better, one you’ve never experienced.

Yesterday, Jennifer and I went on a post-Christmas ‘photodrive’ and we took the Jeep down a few roads we’ve never driven before. It reminded me just how good it is for the eye to experience newness. It really helps to open the mind, which always helps to create cool imagery. This concept of experiencing newness or the unknown is also so helpful with other things in life. It’s how we try new foods, experience new travel destinations or even meet new people. For me though, it keeps my photography interestingly fun and my business always moving forward. Ask any entrepreneur or creative professional - they all do their best work when exploring the road less traveled!

Dwayne.

© Dwayne Brown Studio

Pre-Christmas Boxing Day Event

I had the fun opportunity to shoot an activity/event for the first time a couple days ago at the Infinity Convention Centre. It was a competitive boxing event and I was hired to capture the overall space and to record the uniqueness and elegance of the set-up for Infinity. Once I had the overall ‘big story’ shots done, I was packing up my gear and thought, “I’ve never shot an event like this up-close and from the mat”. So I found a super close spot that also gave me a perspective that highlighted the Infinity space. The experience reminded me just how lucky I am to be a photographer. My ‘camera’ has and continues to give me so many cool and unique experiences. Thanks Infinity!

Dwayne.

© Dwayne Brown Studio

The Strength of Nice

We had the cool opportunity to photograph a pretty awesome local entrepreneur this past week, Nazim Ahmed, for his newest venture, Creative Layer. I’ve known Naz for quite a while, from his early days as one of the original founders of dna11 and canvaspop. He of course has always been professional and creative, but more importantly he is exceptionally nice. While we were shooting, we talked about the core values of doing business with honour and treating people with respect and kindness. These are all values that most folks talk about, but Naz actually puts these principles into action and I believe they are integral part of his business success.

If you don’t already know Naz and/or you’d like to learn more about Creative Layer, please follow him on LinkedIn!

Cheers, Dwayne.

© Dwayne Brown Studio

In Pursuit of Fireflies

Last night my partner Jennifer and I had the idea to head out to photograph some fireflies. We have a great natural location close to home, where we know you can see a great display of these beauties. We set out just before dusk with camera, tripod, creative intention and an open mind. All this said, we saw so many fireflies and they were magically beautiful, but they were way more illusive to capture that I thought. The cool thing is, because of an open mind, we still came home with some pretty interesting photographs.

Perhaps more importantly than the resulting imagery, was a reminder of why I love being a photographer. I love curiosity, I love discovery and I love that we can venture our with a couple cameras and have the coolest of experiences!

Dwayne.

© Dwayne Brown + Jennifer Kimberly

© Dwayne Brown + Jennifer Kimberly

© Dwayne Brown

© Dwayne Brown