What Makes a Brand Photoshoot Actually a Brand Photoshoot and not a headshot session? Let’s jump in!

When people hear “brand session,” they often picture a simple headshot update—something quick, clean, and perfect for LinkedIn. And yes, that’s one piece of the puzzle, but a true brand session goes so much deeper. It tells the full story of the person behind the business: the personality, the process, the mission, and all those little visual details that make a brand unmistakably yours.

Brand photography gives entrepreneurs the tools to market themselves with confidence—not just once, but over and over again across websites, emails, social content, printed materials, and more. Instead of relying on stock images or snapping a quick photo on your phone, you walk away with a library of cohesive, intentional visuals that support every part of your brand.

So let’s chat about the main types of photos we create during a brand session—and why each one matters.

Lifestyle Headshots: Clean, fresh, and current.

Every brand session starts with a handful of updated lifestyle headshots. These aren’t stiff portraits or traditional studio shots. They’re warm, approachable, and aligned with your brand’s personality. Why? Because you are the face of your business—not a logo, not a tagline, not a perfectly curated color palette. While all of those other things make a cohesive brand story, your customers/clients will react most strongly to your face.

Your clients want to see WHO they’re working with. A great lifestyle headshot builds trust before someone even reads a word on your website. It says, “Here I am, and I’m ready to help.”

You in Action: WHY do you do this job you do?

This is where a brand session separates itself from basic headshot photos. People don’t just want to know what you look like; they want to understand what you do. Behind-the-scenes images make your process feel tangible.

If you’re a coach, I might capture you mapping out a strategy session or chatting with a client. If you’re a artist/maker, I’ll photograph your hands working, materials spread out around you, or the magic happening mid-process. If you’re a service-based entrepreneur, this could look like prepping client materials, consulting, or doing whatever sparks that “ah-ha” moment for your people.

These images answer a question every potential client has: What does working with you actually look like?

Your Product: The hero of the story

If your business sells a physical product, we’ll make sure it gets plenty of love. Product images aren’t just pretty—they’re essential. They help people understand quality, scale, texture, and use.

Some shots focus on the product itself, beautifully styled and lit. Others show the product being used, held, packaged, or gifted. These images help customers visualize your product in their own lives, and that’s what drives connection (and sales!).

Your Tools + Equipment: What do you use to do your job everyday?

Even if your “product” is knowledge or a service, your equipment tells part of your story. Maybe it’s your laptop, notebooks, favorite pens, camera gear, or the tools you rely on every day. These detail shots are perfect for marketing graphics and text overlays because they’re clean, simple, and brand-forward without showing your face in every image.

For makers, artists, healers, and creative entrepreneurs, this might be scissors, brushes, tarot cards, measuring tapes, pottery tools… you name it. These photos bring texture and authenticity to your visual presence.

Personality Images: The magic that builds connection

This is my favorite part—where we let your personality shine. These are the moments that help your audience feel like they know you. Maybe you’re a total bookworm, a coffee devotee, a plant lover, a dancer, or someone who could talk about cheese boards for hours.

These images bring warmth and humanity to your brand. They help you stand out in a sea of sameness because no one else has your energy, your quirks, or your spark.

A brand session isn’t just about looking professional—it’s about showing up as the fullest, most genuine version of yourself. When all these elements come together, they create a visual story that’s compelling, memorable, and uniquely you.

If you’ve been thinking about refreshing your brand visuals, this might be your sign to finally make it happen. Let’s make some magic together this year!

PS: not ready to invest in a full brand session? Check out the branding mini event I am offering!