tips for Branding

photography

real — photos-of-you

how to get more

from your branding photos

Bright smiling woman in casual studio portrait in white top and mustard cardigan at Jo Worthington Photography.

After many years as a branding photographer, I’ve learnt a lot about what makes a really useful set of branding photos. Now I can use that knowledge to help you get more from your photoshoot, especially when it comes to using your images across your website and social media.

Glamorous portrait of a woman with blonde hair and flawless makeup, studio photography.

01 / Think about how you’ll use your photos

When you’re having branding photos taken, don’t just think about the photos you want for Instagram.

Think about your website too.

You’ll want a mixture of:

  • Landscape photos for website banners and wide sections
  • Portrait photos for sections that have square/portrait layouts and for social media
  • Photos with space around you so you can add text alongside or over the image or just to give that feeling of space on your page
  • Close-up detail shots that tell a little more of your story, such as hands on a keyboard, writing notes, packaging an order or working on something

Creating a variety of photos means you’re not trying to squeeze the same three photos into every part of your website.

02 / Colours

Before your photoshoot, have a think about the colours you want to use across your branding and website.

If you’re creating a website with warm, soft, earthy colours, your photos will work better if they sit comfortably alongside those colours.

Things to think about:

  • Your clothes – If your website is going to be full of soft blues and greens with a calm, natural feel, wearing a really bright red top probably isn’t going to sit quite so nicely alongside it.
  • Location – What will be in the background? Do you want a natural outdoor environment or is your work predominantly in a clinic or an office. It’s good to have a balance of outdoor – think going for a walk. For Indoor settings you could be sat at your desk or on an armchair sipping a coffee.
  • Props (if any) – Elements/objects that add to your story. Mug, notepad, camera etc…

You don’t need everything to match perfectly. You just want the overall colours to work together.

03 / Create a shot list

Pinterest is brilliant for this.

Create a board and start pinning anything that catches your eye. Poses, locations, colours, compositions, props, details… anything that gives you an idea of how you’d like your photos to feel.

You don’t need to copy the photos exactly. It’s more about creating a visual reference for your photographer and working out what you like.

I’ve got a whole post about how to pose for your branding photos if you’re never quite sure what to do with yourself in front of the camera.

How to Pose for Your Branding Photos

04 / Don’t forget the props

Props don’t have to mean holding a giant bunch of flowers or sitting next to a laptop in every photo.

Think about the things that are actually part of your business.
Your favourite notebook, sketchbook, packaging, tools, products, books, coffee cup, camera, paintbrushes, laptop or anything else that helps tell your story.

The right props can give you something to do in front of the camera and, more importantly, help your photos feel like you and your business.

I’ve shared some ideas here:.

How to Choose Fun Props for a Branding Photography Shoot

And one final tip…

Take more photos than you think you need..

You never know when you’ll need a wide image with space for a heading, a close-up for a blog post or a little detail shot to break up a page.

A good branding shoot isn’t just about getting a lovely photo of you.

It’s about creating a library of images you can actually use.

Natural portrait of a woman in an outdoor park setting, showcasing professional photography by Jo Worthington.
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