HEADSHOT vs BRANDING SESSION | What is the difference?

The difference between headshots and a branding session (and how they impact your business).

Getting professional photos taken for your brand can be overwhelming. Not only do you have a slew of different photographers and photography styles to choose from, you’re likely wondering whether you need a headshot or a branding session. 

And if you thought those were the same thing, this post is for you.

Let’s get into it!

What’s a headshot?

When you hear “headshots,” you probably think of an actor passing a photo of himself to the judging panel at an audition. This is typically a professional photo of you taken from the chest up in your Sunday best. It’s a clear, clean, and professional photo of your face, but “faceshots” doesn’t have the same ring to it. 

Like actors, business owners can use headshots to look more professional. You can use them in publications, presentations, as your Linkedin profile picture, or to accompany team bios on your website.

Headshots are a quick and easy way to amp up your professional image. 

Are they great for branding your business?

Not so much. 

That’s where a branding session comes in.

What’s a branding session? 

Headshots are merely one small piece of a larger branding session. You’re not getting a quick picture taken, you’re working with a photographer to strategize, create, and capture a visual identity for your brand. Photos from a branding session take many forms including product shots, lifestyle shots, and of course, headshots.

Where a headshot captures you in a moment in time, complete brand photography tells the entire story of your brand. Branding sessions often take advantage of different props, outfits, and sets to show off the people behind the business.

This could look like…

• A photo of you sipping from your favorite coffee mug while working on your laptop.
• A candid photo of your team gathered around a project. 
• A shot of your product in a branded environment. 
• Curated content images to use on your social channels.
• And so much more. 

The creative opportunities available with a branding session are endless. You’re left with tons of photos you can use to tell your story across ALL of your brand’s touchpoints from your website and social channels to printed marketing materials. 

These are the photos that will attract potential clients and customers to your brand. Why? Because they tell the story of your business, showcase the human behind the brand, and establish a cohesive, on-brand image. 

Check out the difference for yourself! Here are some killer brand sessions we’ve had the pleasure of curating and capturing.

Like what you see? Get in touch with us today to see how we can elevate your image with a branding session. 

We’re Natural Intuition Photography

We’re a down-to-earth photography duo that wants to help boost your business AND help you feel more comfortable in front of the camera.

When we plan a session, we think about how you want potential customers to perceive you and your brand. We’ll help you draw out those qualities in yourself so they show up authentically in your photos.

Because brand imagery is so important, we make sure to capture the absolute best of you. For you (and for us), this is more than just a photo shoot. This is a powerful investment in the success of your brand and we’re more than ready to help.

Ready to take the next step? Get in touch with us today to book your branding session!