How professional headshots promote brand identity
And how I work with you to achieve them
I imagine you’re probably sceptical about how headshots can genuinely reflect your brand. And for good reason!
While there’s nothing wrong with simple corporate-style headshots (in the proper context and use), we’re used to seeing them repeatedly feature the same poses on a pure white background. Vanilla Headshots!
Great for the purpose but usually quickly forgotten.
But headshots have moved on! Now, they’re more than just an introduction photo or a way of ‘putting a face to a name’.
The best photographers work with you to make your headshots a powerful business tool.
They showcase your personality, communicate your message, and display your unique skill set. In this age of authenticity, brand identity sets you apart from competitors and attracts your ideal customers.
To gain more perspective, we should examine personal branding and how headshots add value to your brand’s identity.
What is personal branding?
Personal branding is an expression of your unique value (Brand Identity). It’s how you show the ethos, attitudes, values, skills and purpose you want your ideal customers to connect with.
Your “brand” is how your audience feels and connects with you. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying about what they think of you when you’re not in the room!
What do you consider to be your unique value?
Perhaps you’re a dynamic person who offers the spark of energy your client needs for their project. Maybe you’re calm, caring and a great listener, giving each customer a high level of individual support. Or your forte could be an analytical and strategic mindset to achieve the best outcomes for your client.
Your branding reflects these values through the words you say, the messages you send, and the images you share. While it’s great that the digital world gives business owners a vast audience and a massive opportunity for promotion, it’s also an overcrowded space, to say the least.
A high-quality professional headshot or personal branding photography strengthens your brand, setting you apart by showing the real you.
Here’s a brand identity test.
Just for fun – Below are five personal branding headshots. Can you work out the brand/profession from the image and identify the founder’s unique attributes? Find the answers at the end of the blog post!
If you’re still wondering how headshots fit into the picture of business branding, here’s more about their specific benefits.
Why are professional headshots important for your brand identity?
While on-site (location-based) personal branding photography is trending and can add a dynamic dimension to your business, headshots also play a vital role in branding.
Headshots work alongside other types of brand photography to create a complete, professional, and engaging representation of your business. These elements build trust and communicate your brand identity to your audience.
Here’s how the different types of photography work together, using a product-based independent candle maker as an example:
- Headshots:
- Smiling in their studio, surrounded by craft tools and materials
- Smiling in their studio, surrounded by craft tools and materials
- Product Photography:
- Product and packaging shots highlighting unique details like eco-friendly materials or personalised labels
- Product and packaging shots highlighting unique details like eco-friendly materials or personalised labels
- Brand/Storytelling Photography:
- The candle maker working in their studio, pouring wax, designing labels, or attending a local artisan market
- The candle maker working in their studio, pouring wax, designing labels, or attending a local artisan market
- Event Photography:
- Photos from a candle-making workshop the business hosts show attendees engaging and enjoying the process
You need elements of each area for a holistic approach to creating your visual brand identity.
Think of it like getting ready for a big night out: the perfect outfit, sparkling teeth and minty fresh breath. Now, you wouldn’t leave the house without doing your hair, too, would you?
If you don’t include headshots in your branding, your business image isn’t quite the complete package.
That’s because headshots are the best medium to showcase your personality, which is essential to your brand. They show you – the boss, founder, expert – as an authority in your field.
Together with on-site branding photos and high-quality design and messaging, they present a multi-faceted business identity that people connect to because it’s real and human. In fact, 88%1 of consumers say authenticity is crucial when deciding which brands they like and support.
How can authenticity be achieved in headshots, then?
Authenticity in headshots goes beyond capturing a person’s likeness—it’s about reflecting your personality, values, and brand identity.
Achieving this requires a thoughtful approach that combines expertise, creativity, and genuine collaboration.
For me, it’s about identifying your purpose, having a customised approach, and applying creative ideas to capture the real you.
- Spending time understanding Your Brand – and your concerns about putting yourself out there!
- Tailoring the session to align with your personality and brand.
- Using lighting and background to set the tone, whether bright, energetic, soft, and approachable.
- Guiding you into natural positions that exude confidence and authenticity.
- Encouraging genuine expressions that feel true to you, whether warm and welcoming or bold and dynamic.
- The overall composition, including wardrobe, backdrop, and angles, must be considered to ensure the final images are on-brand.
- Applying a story-driven approach through everything – Even the most straightforward headshot can tell a story when considering all the above points.
The process for your personal branding headshot session
If you’re reading this article, the chances are it’s because you’re interested in more than just a quick headshot for your LinkedIn profile or a simple corporate headshot. This is about building your brand identity.
Preparation is key to creating photographs that genuinely reflecting your personality
Pre-Session Consultation:
We begin with a discovery call and discuss your goals, values, and how you want to be perceived.
- What message or story do you want your headshot to convey?
- Who is your target audience?
- Are there specific brand colours, styles, or themes you want to incorporate?
- What’s your purpose? (One of the more difficult questions many struggle to define)
- The industry you work in and how you differentiate yourself
- Words or phrases that describe your brand’s personality (e.g., professional, approachable, creative)
- Where the headshots will be used (e.g., on LinkedIn, the website, and speaking engagements)
Mood Board Creation:
- After the consultation, we create a Pinterest mood board with thoughts and ideas that align with your brand. This board serves as a reference point and shoot list for the photography we must capture (along with your headshot, of course!).
Customised Session:
- With all the information gathered, it’s a case of arranging the session and creating your new headshots and brand photos!
Continued Assistance:
- It’s all very well; you received your new headshots and have a library of visual content for your brand, but if you don’t know how to use them from a technical (resizing, cropping, uploading, etc.) or marketing (scheduling, re-purposing, etc.) perspective, then I’m more than happy to advise.
You will also find my article about planning and preparing for a brand headshot session helpful as I cover several of these points in more detail
My approach
We have the structure and process, but how do bring it all together?
When planning your professional headshots, consider your personal and business purpose. A pre-session consultation helps us understand your focus and purpose and customise your session to align.
However, I get it!
Defining your purpose is difficult. It’s a profoundly introspective question that can feel broad and overwhelming. You may say it’s because you “want to help” people (It’s the most common answer I receive), but I want you to think deeper than this.
Yes. We all want to help our clients, but what drives you to want to help in the first place? What do you get from it? How does that align with your branding?
- “What impact do you want your business to have on your clients or community?”
- “What drives you to do what you do?”
- “What motivates you to get out of bed and pursue your goals?”
My genuine interest in people helps me highlight your individualism. By approaching your shoot this way, we ensure that the results align with your purpose and that we achieve an authentic connection with your ideal client.
My Purpose.
Since finding and redefining my own purpose after a bereavement and a wellness journey, I understand how the power of personal narrative drives your purpose.
My About Me page and article “Pain, Passion, and Purpose” outlines my journey in photography. It can help you understand what makes my approach different from other photographers.
Whether you’ve experienced struggles, creative revelations or career changes, your story forms part of your unique value proposition: it’s what connects you with your customers.
Why work with me?
And how I create images that reflect your authentic story?
Firstly, I want to reassure you that it’s normal for many to feel sceptical that this works or worry about being photographed.
There’s interesting psychology behind why we have these common hang-ups, such as hating photos of ourselves. If you’ve not read it, one of my most popular articles, “Why do I hate seeing myself in photographs?” is worth checking out.
It’s all very well; I can tell you I’m a people person who genuinely cares about getting to know you and your business. But what makes it so?
An expert photographer requires a mixture of skills to elevate the experience. So, where does mine come from?
A Police Officer's approach:
It starts with empathy.
In my policing days, I developed a knack for connecting with people from all walks of life and putting them at ease, especially in fearful, high-pressure situations where nerves can quickly take over. I learnt to understand body language and empathise, which translates well if you’re nervous about being photographed, and I’ll probably know before you do whether you love an idea or not!
Investigation, observation, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills are also crucial.
- Small details (which others might overlook) can make all the difference from a stand-out headshot to one that doesn’t cut it.
You don’t need to worry about the subtleties as I photograph you; I’ll be acutely attentive to specific elements in the shot, such as angles, shadow lighting and anything distracting.
For me, the most significant detail is ensuring your eyes are the prominent feature of the headshot and achieving just the right balance of reflected light. Your eyes draw customers in and can create an instant, positive impression.
- It’s worth remembering that the same skills help me analyse your brand messaging and ensure the results are cohesive.
Listening about what you do and what your goals are. We’ll squash any lingering insecurities by discussing tips for flattering poses, for example, and chat our way to a calm, comfortable atmosphere.
A Military Mindset:
Similarly to my time in the police, another perspective that makes my approach unique is the applicable lessons I learnt as a reservist in the Territorial Army.
Discipline and reliability are foundational – In the military, you learn to show up on time (5 minutes early!), be prepared, stay focused, and execute tasks to the highest standard. Essentially, it’s about bringing my A-game to the table, no matter what the project is.
Adaptability in dynamic environments—Military life requires thinking on your feet and adapting quickly to changing situations. Flexibility is key, whether dealing with unpredictable weather during a brand shoot or adjusting to your unique needs.
I stay calm under pressure and always apply a problem-solving approach to creative solutions for any challenges.
Strategic & Tactical Planning & brief(orders) for success – (The 5, 6 or 7 P’s! depending on your background and Google search results 😉) Planning and a good brief is the backbone of every project.
- S: Situation – You need images for marketing
- M: Mission – To create images in line with your brand identity and business to support your marketing
- E: Execution – The “how-to” and actions we will take to achieve the project goal!
- A: Administration and Logistics – Equipment, your brand guidelines
- C: Command and Signal – Coordination. Managing expectations and good communication
Teamwork + communication + coordination = Collaboration – Collaboration is key. We’ll work together as partners, listening to your needs, providing clear direction when necessary, and ensuring we’re on the same page.
The main lesson from both the Police and the Military is that having a positive attitude and a can-do approach makes a big difference. I’m definitely not a ‘smile, click, done’ photographer! I’m always open to your ideas and suggestions for images and take on any potential challenge—you do you.
And I’ll create an experience where you feel supported, understood, and confident.
My inner Geek:
I’m always looking to improve my knowledge and services. My slightly geekier side means I enjoy researching and learning about the psychology of brand identity, how it affects people, and how to use that knowledge to create fantastic photos for my clients. Check out my articles:
Peace of mind:
Don’t worry— This isn’t my first rodeo! With 15+ years of experience providing professional photography, I’m here to discuss what’s important to you and ensure you’re ready and relaxed for your shoot. And a natural calm brings out your best and produces the best photos.
Some other factors to reassure you
- 160 5-star Google Reviews: It’s always great to hear from my clients that my expertise and positive approach make them feel at ease.
- Qualified member of the Guild of Photographers
- Award-Winning Photographer – Most recently, LUXlife Magazine’s Creative and Visual Arts Awards 2024 for Commercial Photographer of the Year and The Excellence Award for Headshot Photography Services – London. Plus Acquisition International Business Excellence awards for the Best Commercial & Brand Photographer in 2023 and 2024 and the London & South East Prestige Awards in 2023 and 2024
- I care about getting to know the business community and advocating for their ongoing success. I can advise them on organising and using their images or inviting them to local networking events. I’m also the founder of Bexley Linkup, which we launched in the summer of 2024
At the end of the day, if you need more help with ideas, you can rely on my experience. I’ll make suggestions and keep talking to you throughout the shoot to ensure you’re happy with the direction.
Now, it’s your turn.
Your brand, your story
Although my story made me the photographer I am today, it’s not about me. It’s about you and capturing the essence of your brand identity.
That begins with learning everything I can about your goals and industry. But the real key to brand-focused professional headshots is the personal touch. Each shoot is a unique experience tailored to your brand identity and business goals.
It’s all about what makes you unique as a business owner and the subtle details that help you stand out. Along the way, we’ll have a blast as we get the chance to be creative, ditch the standard headshot formula, and showcase your business’s ‘why. ‘
So, we’ve torn down outdated expectations and validated the importance of professional headshots for your unique personal branding! You’ve got a good understanding of your business motivation and some exciting ideas for your brand identity!
Now, it’s time to bring those ideas to life and elevate your brand image with high-quality, customised headshots.
What’s next? Book your personal branding headshots today!
Ready to take the next step?
Schedule your personal branding headshot session. I’m here to guide you through the process, and I look forward to working with you!
Brand identity test - Answers
Have a look through to see if you worked out their professions just from their headshots – Click the images to learn more about their personal branding experience.
