In today’s digital age, having a consistent online presence is crucial for personal and professional success. One of the most effective ways to build it is through visual content. This is where photography sessions come in. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or simply looking to update your personal brand, investing in a photography session can help you create a strong visual identity that reflects your values, personality, and unique brand. However, with different types of photography sessions available, knowing which one is best for you can be challenging. In this blog post, let’s explore the differences between a headshot and a personal branding session, to help you to decide which one aligns better with your needs.

Headshot Session

As the name suggests, a headshot session focuses on capturing your face from the chest up in a controlled environment. The background is usually neutral, and the lighting is carefully set up to highlight your best features. This type of photography is ideal for business purposes, such as using them for professional profiles, resumes, LinkedIn, or other corporate communications. This is all about presenting a professional image and making a good first impression. 

A headshot session usually lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour and involves a smaller number of images, typically between 1 to 5, that should be selected to showcase your best features and help you stand out in a competitive professional landscape. 

When it comes to choosing the right outfit for a headshot session,  it’s best to pick out clothing that is clean, well-fitted, and in neutral or muted tones. Avoid loud patterns or bright colors that may distract from your face. Solid colors are always a safe choice, and it’s best to avoid busy patterns or prints. 

It’s also essential to pay attention to the neckline of your outfit, as it can affect how your face appears in the image. For women, it’s best to avoid tops that reveal too much skin or have a plunging neckline. Men should opt for a collared shirt or a suit jacket, depending on the formality required for the image. 

Every other month, I designate a special day for Headshots and you can learn more about it right here.

Personal Branding Session

On the other hand, a Personal Branding Session is all about capturing your unique brand and personality, with a touch of lifestyle to create a connection on a personal level with your audience. This type of photography is ideal for creatives, small business owners, and all kinds of entrepreneurs, that need to show up professionally and build that “know, like and trust” factor to attract the ideal clientele.

This type of session encompasses a wide variety of locations, poses, outfits, and props to tell the story of your brand/business, and you’ll end up with a gallery of images to use on your website, social media, and all marketing materials, aiming increase visibility and sales.

During a personal branding session, your photographer will work with you to showcase your personality, values, and interests through “Work with Me” images, lifestyle candid photos, details of  “tools of the trade,” behind-the-scenes shots, and even signature image, for fill a banner for example.

A Branding Photoshoot demands much more planning than a headshot. The photographer should search the business/brand through an intentional Client Questionnaire and a Planning Consultation, then start to plan a strategic photoshoot, aiming to showcase the brand story, helping the clients with locations, outfits, and props choices, and then direct them to feel at ease over the session to bring their personality and convey the brand message to the photos.

More questions? Download my freebie The Top 10 Photos that Every Entrepreneur must have in their arsenal right here. 

In a nutshell, whether you’re looking to make a good first impression or create a strong brand identity, an intentional photoshoot can be an effective tool to showcase your personality, values, and unique brand. Headshot sessions are perfect for presenting a professional image and making a good first impression in the corporate world, while personal branding sessions provide the opportunity to tell your brand’s story, connect with your audience on a personal level and stand out from the crowd.

Now you know the differences between the two types of photography and want to take the next step in building your online presence, get in touch and I help you decide which is the best option for you now.

Xo,

Geise