What is PErsonal Branding Photo session
You’ve probably heard the term tossed around: branding session. Maybe you even thought about booking one. But what actually is a branding session? And how is it different from a headshot?
Let’s clear this up—because if you’re running a business, your photos shouldn’t just show what you look like. They should help people trust you, connect with you and choose you. A good headshot can absolutely do that—but a branding session takes it further. It sets a broader visual tone, one that speaks not just to who you are, but to where your business is going and who it’s meant to serve.
Recently, I read Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, and one line jumped out at me: “We make judgments based on the thinnest slice of experience.” Think about something as simple as picking a bottle of wine. You’re in a store, surrounded by choices, and you don’t have time to research each one. So you grab the bottle with the label that speaks to you—maybe it feels classic, adventurous, or refined. That tiny moment is a judgment based on a design choice, and it shapes your entire experience before the cork is even popped. They don’t need a full story to form an opinion—just a glimpse. A glance. A blink.
Your visual brand is one of those slices. A few seconds, one photo, and someone has already decided if you feel like the right fit—or not. That’s why it deserves intention.
What PErsonal Branding is nOT
It’s not just a longer headshot session. And it’s not about reinventing yourself to impress people. A branding session isn’t about looking cool or on-trend for the sake of it—it’s about clarity.
It’s also not about faking it until you make it. That approach may get attention—but it disconnects you from yourself. Pretending to be who you think your clients want you to be doesn’t create connection. It creates a mask. And even if you succeed with that mask on, you’ll feel like a fake inside, and that cannot last. It's tiring.
Branding is not about pretending. It’s about presenting the truest version of yourself in a way that naturally draws in people you love working with. The kind of people who make the work more rewarding, more fulfilling and more aligned. And remember that wine bottle? You know the one—you picked it because the label looked just right: elegant, timeless, maybe a little mysterious, like it had a story to tell over dinner. Did you research the vineyard's history? Read reviews? Nah. You trusted the vibe. - That’s branding.
Now, look down the shelf. There’s a bottle with Comic Sans and a grape in sunglasses. You laugh. You judge. But guess what? Someone else is buying that one, proudly. And they’re bringing it to game night like it’s vintage gold. There is a buyer for every bottle, no matter how ridiculous, tacky, classy, or minimal the label is.
So here’s the punchline: your brand doesn’t need to be everybody’s bottle. It just needs to be the right one. And trying to be someone else’s cabernet when you’re actually a bold Syrah? Exhausting. Be the wine people reach for because you’re you.
That’s the point. You don’t need to be something you’re not. You don’t need to market like the trendiest startup or mimic a competitor’s vibe. You need to be aligned; with your message, your visuals, and the people you truly want to serve. When your brand is authentic, it doesn’t need to shout. It simply fits, and that’s what makes it powerful—and lasting.
I know this might sound a little philosophical—and maybe even a touch absurd—but I hope it’s also useful. Or at the very least, a decent story to sip on.
Your photos should reflect who you are and what your ideal client needs to see to feel like they belong in your world. If the message is unclear or misaligned, it can quietly push the right clients away, even if the photos look “nice.”
Branding Keeps You on Course
A branding session is so much more than a set of beautiful photos. It’s about setting the tone for what you’re aiming for—and aligning your image with the kind of business you want to build. Your photos are one of the first things a potential client will see, and that impression shapes who reaches out to you.
Everyone wants to look great. Everyone wants to look elevated. But if you’re serving a budget-conscious audience and your photos scream "high luxury," there’s a disconnect—they won’t feel like you’re for them. On the flip side, if you serve high-end clients, but your photos look overly casual or DIY, they won’t be drawn in either. You might look approachable, but not trustworthy. It’s not about being fancy or humble—it’s about resonating with the people you serve.
Here’s an example: A financial advisor who primarily works with retirees might want to avoid ultra-modern, edgy styling that feels more at home in a tech startup. Instead, something polished, classic and grounded will feel more relatable and professional to their ideal client.
Another example: A luxury interior designer needs branding photos that reflect her attention to aesthetic and detail. A casual outdoor headshot might not do justice to the brand she's building. Elegant spaces, elevated styling and confident expression. That connects.
So before you step in front of the camera, ask yourself:
- What kind of client do I truly enjoy working with?
- What kind of client brings me energy and joy?
These are your people.
Your ideal client isn’t just someone who pays you. It’s someone you genuinely enjoy working with—someone whose energy matches yours, whose needs align with your strengths, and who makes the work feel meaningful. That’s who your brand should be speaking to.
In many ways, your branding session is the roadmap. But what if you’re sitting there thinking, "I don’t even know what my brand is!" First of all—deep breath. You’re not alone. That feeling of confusion? It doesn’t mean you’re off track. It means you’re asking the right questions.
Branding doesn’t have to be a perfectly packaged mission statement. Sometimes, it starts with what you don’t want. Sometimes it’s just a gut feeling about the people you enjoy working with, the kind of energy you bring to your work or what you want to be known for.
Your branding session can help you see those pieces more clearly. The process itself becomes part of the discovery. So don’t worry if you don’t have it all figured out. We’re not building a persona. We’re uncovering the one that’s already there—and shaping how it’s communicated. It's a chance to pause, define the destination and make sure your visual presence is pointing you in the direction you actually want to go.
What a Branding Session Entails
Every branding session I offer starts with one essential question: Who is your ideal client?
From there, we shape everything else:
Tone + Presence:
Should your photos say high-end? Approachable? Grounded? Sharp? Relaxed? These qualities should reflect what your clients value.
Styling:
Wardrobe matters—but not for fashion’s sake. What you wear should resonate with your audience. Do you want to look relatable? Authoritative? Creative?
Location:
Your backdrop sends a message. Whether we shoot in your workspace, outdoors, a boutique hotel, or a co-working space, it should support the energy of your brand.
Where the Images Will Be Used:
Website, social media, business cards, print materials—every placement might need a slightly different feel. We plan for that too.
Who is the branding session for?
- Entrepreneurs and business owners
- Coaches, consultants, and creatives
- Professionals rebranding or refreshing their online presence
- Anyone who wants to build trust before they say a single word
If you’re leveling up your business or stepping into a new chapter, a branding session isn’t just helpful. It’s essential.
A headshot shows your face. A branding session shows your value. It gives your audience a feeling—and helps them decide whether or not they want to work with you. If you're ready to elevate your presence and speak to the right people, I'd love to help craft a session that feels true to your work and irresistible to your audience.
