No More Boring Branding Photography
Oh hey, you’ve probably heard me go on (and on) about branding photography before. And if you haven’t? Well, welcome, grab a seat, and get comfy because I’m about to. Yes, I absolutely love my beauty and boudoir clients (because, duh, who doesn’t love making people feel like a million bucks?), but I also have a big ol’ soft spot for branding sessions.
Here in Louisville Kentucky we’re kinda a big deal. Some of the biggest companies in the world call this city home, and let’s not forget our impressive medical schools cranking out future brain surgeons. We’ve got over 600,000 people just in the city—and if you count the metro area, it’s over a million. That’s a whole lot of people trying to get noticed.
And guess what? You have to stand out.
You have to connect with your employers, employees, and clients. You have to get seen in a city where there are more bourbon bars than people named "Jim" (probably). It can feel overwhelming, like trying to yell over a thousand other voices in a crowded coffee shop. The good news? Consumers are nosy—I mean, web savvy. They’re gonna stalk your website, scroll through your socials, read reviews, and probably even ask their hairstylist about you before they ever reach out.
And here’s the kicker—AI is making people more skeptical than ever. Nobody trusts robotic perfection anymore. If your online presence looks too polished, people are gonna assume you’re either (A) a bot or (B) a corporate overlord with no personality. What they really want is to know that you’re a real human being who also struggles through the school drop-off line, eats too much ice cream, and knows where the old cinemas used to be.
So, let’s talk branding photography.
Consumers aren’t looking for stuffy, airbrushed-to-oblivion headshots anymore. They want to see you—the real, messy, hilarious, imperfect you. Your branding photos should tell your story, not just show off your "business professional" side.
Sure, some companies still want that classic headshot on a baby-blue background that screams, "We are serious people doing serious business things." But let’s be real—what about everything else that makes you you? Are you fun? Are you sarcastic? Do you also have an unhealthy addiction to iced coffee and accidentally buy too many planners every year? (Just me? Okay.)
Think about how you actually spend your days. Instead of stiff studio shots, imagine these branding photos instead:
You at your desk, surrounded by entirely too many coffee cups.
You with your one-eyed rescue dog that’s been your ride-or-die for 14 years.
You cracking up mid-snort-laugh because your friend just said something ridiculous.
You meeting a client at your favorite local coffee shop, deep in conversation (or pretending to be).
People want real.
Here’s an example: I was recently looking for aesthetic services (because yes, I have concerns about wrinkles), and I found a website that was brilliant. It had a photo of a nurse doing a laser treatment, squinting, and her tongue was sticking out the side of her mouth. She was so focused on her work, and you knew she took her job seriously. That one picture sold me more than any corporate "About Us" page ever could.
Now, let’s drive this home with a little side-by-side comparison.
Boring CPA Website:
Lists their experience.
Talks about their degrees.
Generic headshot that screams "I also do real estate on the side."
Awesome Bakery Website:
Lists their experience and has photos of them covered in flour, baking in their home kitchen.
Shares personal photos of them walking their elderly, one-eyed dog at Iroquois Park because they’re on a fitness journey.
Shows them at the splash park with their kids, looking like a lobster because they forgot sunscreen again.
Now tell me, who would you rather give your money to? The CPA might be great, but the bakery owner? Feels like someone you’d grab a coffee with. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good dog and splash park moment?
Your brand should show off your personality, quirks, and real-life moments—because that’s what makes people want to work with you. If you’re ready to ditch the stiff, boring headshots and show off the real you, let’s make some magic happen.
📩 Shoot me an email, and let’s chat about how we can level up your branding images!
Here’s an image of me being really excited to talk about branding!!
