"pivot!"


Surprisingly, or maybe not so, I get asked fairly often what brand photography is. It seems that people are familiar with the concept of professional headshots, product photography or advertising for a big brand, but not so much with the relatively recent rise of the personal brand.


And I have to admit that, until a few years ago, I wasn't even aware of it myself! I was a wedding photographer, knowing that I wanted to pivot and work with businesses but totally unsure how. Products? Corporate officey shots of people in suits? I even considered food photography (because who doesn't love food?!!).


But none of those things really grabbed me. Not enough to completely change my working life anyway. I thought I could do them, but they weren't exciting, so I didn't do anything about it for ages. But then...


Absolute lightbulb moment! 💡💡💡


I saw something online about brand photography.


Ohhhh, I have to know more about this! What IS this thing that makes me feel all motivated and eager?

brand photography, what's that then?


Put simply, it's using high quality, professional images to tell the story of someone's personal brand and business.


Personal branding is when people market themselves as their brand, and in today's fast-paced digital era it's become absolutely crucial to create a distinct and authentic identity in order to stand out and connect with their audience.


It's so much more than a corporate-looking headshot (they're so 10 years ago); it's a creative take on business images that portrays the person's unique personality, values and story in a way that'll attract their ideal clients.


Who wants to see a polished facade when they're looking at a business's Instagram profile or website? Nope, me neither. We want to see the PERSON behind the business. Who are they and what are they like?

ooh, tell me more


It sounds good, doesn't it? Brand photography's become my absolute passion now.


Why? Because I've seen the difference it can make.


I've seen business owners go from scared (a lot of people feel like this on different levels ranging from a bit icky to terrified) of showing themselves in their marketing to absolutely loving it! But the thought of putting their face out there for all to see used to make them feel physically ill. So they didn't.


They hated every photo they had of themselves. They worried about what people would think. They thought no-one wanted to see them anyway. It was easier not to.


Until they had a brand shoot! Then they realised that having photos taken could be fun and easy and the result can be images that they love and are proud of. That they can be excited to show their face and that having a bank of images that are uniquely them and that tell their story makes marketing so much easier, too.


They no longer fear showing up and do so consistently, regularly attracting new clients and growing their business.


Their new bank of images (I feel it needs a nicer name than 'bank', message me your suggestions 🤣):

  • Increases their business and self-confidence
  • Helps to build know, like and trust with their audience (more clients, people!)
  • Shows their uniqueness and helps them to stand out
  • Makes their branding and messaging look visually more consistent
  • Enables marketing to be so much easier and actually enjoyable
  • Makes them look professional and credible
  • Saves them so much time and stress (no more scrabbling about for content)


Photos can cover things like:

  • Professional profile shots
  • Working on computer/phone etc
  • Working with others
  • Interacting with clients
  • More informal, having a coffee or reading-type shots
  • Behind the scenes
  • The workspace
  • Lifestyle shots
  • Daily routines
  • Action shots


And the photos can be used in so many places! Like:

  • Social media posts
  • Website
  • Blogs
  • Emails
  • Profile photos
  • Printed resources
  • Banners
  • Business cards
  • Leaflets
  • Presentation slides


I could go on!

more interesting than a headshot?


Yes!!! You now feel clearer about what brand photography is all about (hope so anyway, otherwise my blog's a big, fat fail). I would love for you to click my Insta link or have a look around my website to see some of the types of images that I create for my clients.


I hope you'll agree that they're a lot more interesting than the old corporate headshot with the white background.


And it was worth the pivot!

PS This is not me in the pics, it's the very lovely Hollie from The Creative Virtual Assistant (thank you, Hollie).