Business headshots, and Branding Photos: What's the Difference?

Business headshots, and Branding Photos: What’s the Difference?

I’m so excited to talk about this topic! I find there’s a lot of confusion when I’m talking to potential clients who have reached out to me regarding headshots. What do you need? What’s the difference between business/ corporate headshots, branding sessions, and what exactly do you need!

Allow me to offer some clarity for you.

Now depending on which photographer you’re inquiring with they may label their sessions differently but here’s how I do it. Hopefully, I’ll cover enough overlap though that this will be helpful to anyone.

I’m going to provide lots of visual examples to help you along. Because even when I’m offering clear written examples it’s beneficial to see exactly what I’m talking about with your own two eyes! This is photography after all!

Business or Corporate Headshots

To me, these fall under the same category. You’re a business professional, and you need a nice, smiling photo, looking at the camera.

You might think that a business/ corporate headshot just means white backdrop and “stodgy”. There are many different variations of these headshots. When all is said and done however your headshot should be an accurate, well-lit, representation of you. A great first impression in the digital age!

I’m going to show you some photographs below and all of these are examples of business and corporate headshots. As you can see there are lots of different variations and options.

The way I would categorize the different styles that you see here is with the backdrops you see.

There are seamless single coloured paper or fabric backdrops with texture, that I bring – this how I take an image where a digital white background is needed. That means I am removing the background in the post-production, editing phase and adding a purely white background that blends seamlessly. This is really popular if you’re planning on using these with a website or any digital medium. And environmental backgrounds, such as a boardroom, office, or outside.

Nowadays we do both setups in one session. One seamless backdrop photograph and another with an office in the background.

It’s become really popular with my corporate clients to offer their employees more than one headshot. We’re throwing the old school portraits out the window, the ones where everyone complains about how they look in their pictures! I still hear that from a lot of people I meet, the “I’m not photogenic” response. Well, we’re changing that! You don’t have to, and shouldn’t hate your headshots. Even if you’re higher-ups have told you that today is picture day.

Offering up more than one style of headshot ensures that I will capture something that you like! Different poses, different backdrops, and different lighting all comes into play. I always make a point to explain my full shooting process prior and to show you, shock* the back of my camera! Now, a lot of photographers won’t do that, but I will. Because I want you to like your pictures, and nobody, I repeat nobody knows when you feel like you are looking your best! Secret tip! Confidence is a key factor in looking good in your headshots, FYI.

But I digress, for business headshots a one on one session is perfect, it gives us ample time to try all the variety of poses and backdrops as I mentioned above to guarantee I capture something you love. My 30-minute ‘Classic Portrait’ option would be well suited for this!

If you’re a larger business, corporate headshots are your route! My corporate clients typically offer their employees 3-5 different images of themselves to choose from after they go through my editing process. And this can include a shot specifically for your website with a digital white backdrop and something more relaxed that they can use at the bottom of their emails or LinkedIn. If you’re looking for clean, true to colour and sharp photographs and have over 5 employees. Then booking my ‘Corporate Headshots’ will be your ideal and most cost-effective option.

Branding Photos

These images typically offer more creative liberties than business and corporate headshots. We often get to play around a little more and inject your personalities into the session. They can be a lot more relaxed and can also put a higher emphasis on using the environment around them.

When we use the environment around us it can help create and tell more of a story. We want to draw people into our business and adding other interesting elements to the photographs can help us achieve that. Or simply, give us a different look to appeal to a different demographic.

I still always capture that nice, smiling, camera aware photograph that you need during this style of session. Because everyone and I mean everyone, needs that particular image for their, website, social media, and other promotional materials. People want to see your face and eyes! As creepy as that may sound, it makes a huge impact on your business and brand.

Here are some images from past branding sessions that I’ve done.

The key difference between a branding session and business/ corporate headshots here is the quantity. Branding sessions can include everything! I often photograph headshots, team photos, other marketing material, and product photography all in one session. Lifestyle and branding sessions are mainly ideal for people who need lots of images and content.

Branding sessions can be used by anyone! If you are a solo-entrepreneur or a big business it doesn’t matter! There’s a lot of fun brainstorming and back and forth that goes into these types of sessions and I love getting creative with my clients. We never fail to come up with something unique to let your voice speak! We both bring ideas to the table, you tell me what you’re looking for, your vision and I provide my professional recommendation on how we can make it happen!

I more often than not photograph these branding sessions in the place of business, it’s really handy if you have more employees for team photos. But if you don’t have a space that you feel comfortable using there is no rule that says I can’t bring my backdrops or that we can’t look at securing another space, such as a larger studio.

That’s the great thing about hiring a photographer like myself. I can customize and be flexible with whatever your needs are.

Because these sessions have a lot more content and moving parts it’s easier to simply go by the amount of time you need me for, that way we’re not restricted by anything and we can capture everything we need to in that amount of time! A good starting point is my 60-minute Branding Session, I work closely with clients for these photoshoots to make sure we’re using our time effectively and getting the images you need. If you feel like you need more time however there are always 90-minute options and up from there.

So What Do You Need?

Well, I think I’ve shown you that there’s a lot of flexibility between both styles of sessions. But ask yourself this question, what’s the bulk of what you need?

Do you mainly need lots of photographs for your social media? So that you can have a cohesive and strong presence online, a few professional headshots mixed in alongside some team photos and other fun, filler images – then a branding session would be best.

People that would benefit from this type of session the most: Small businesses, like hair stylists, florists, wedding industry professionals, and associates that do their own marketing such as fitness professionals, realtors, etc.

Or do you need just that clean, simple stand-alone headshot? With either a backdrop that I provide or your environment. Great for announcing a new team member, updating your LinkedIn account, or email sign off – a business and corporate headshot session would be most fitting for you!

People that would benefit from this type of session the most: Business professionals such as lawyers, financial professionals, salespeople. And creative industries, like, musicians, and actors, who are happy with a stand-alone shot.

Important Final Reminders

I like to show up to my sessions as prepared as I can, it’s important that I know what it is you’re looking for, or what it is you need from your session so that I can deliver a great final product for you.

I enjoy brainstorming with my clients, I find this super helpful if what you see here isn’t what you envisioned. Just because I don’t have it pictured doesn’t mean I can’t photograph it for you!

The most important thing to note, if you’re still feeling stuck, contact me! That’s my job, to help guide you in the right direction. To make my best professional recommendation on which type of session I think would work best for you!