Headshot vs. Brand shoot? What’s the big difference?
Nowadays, owning a business (of any kind) now comes with a new role: content creator. Businesses owners, entrepreneurs and professionals can no longer hide behind the curtains when it comes to their digital presence. You can pick your poison: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or whatever social platform pops up, your business has to be present somewhere.
That’s where I come in, I can help you build your digital vault of content, but what kind of content do you need?
So let’s break it down, there are so many buzzwords that are thrown around these days: lifestyle photography, brand photography, personal brand photography, headshots, environmentals… and so on and so on.
The real skinny is that all of these words basically mean the same thing! There are two main categories of photography you really need to be concerned about: headshots and brand shoots.
What are headshots?
Headshots are often used predominantly in the corporate world. They are simple, clear, clean images generally posed on a neutral colour backdrop. These images have very little unique identifiers, and are shot from the waist up.
When do I need a headshot?
Headshots are great for LinkedIn profiles, profile pictures for business purposes, and speaking engagements for professional gigs.
What is a brand shoot?
Welcome to my favourite part of the photography world, the brand story.
A brand shoot brings all the little details that are the fabric of your business to life. During a brand shoot, we celebrate you, the person behind the scenes who stayed up all hours of the night to create this power house business/career. We dig deep to expose what makes your business stand out and share that story.
The main parts of our shot list will include (but is not limited to):
Elevated headshots. Think of a more intriguing version of the traditional headshot that speaks to your personality.
Your services/offerings. What is your client attractor? For example: If you are a spa, we need to capture the experience your clients walk through from beginning to end.
Environment. What type of environment do you live in? Do you work from home, do you have an office space, do you co-work?
The process. What do you do, and how do you do it without giving away any secrets? Viewers want a sneak peek of behind the scenes of your day-to-day life.
The Benefits of a Brand Shoot
Versatile digital assets. During our brand shoots, we plan a shot list with a mix of portraits and lifestyle images. We want to specifically shoot content that addresses your digital needs for the upcoming quarter. These assets can be used on social media platforms, magazine features, speaking engagements, product/service announcements and so on. You will also start building a vault of images you can access at a moment's notice when a new opportunity arises.
Enhance your online presence. Current professional images give your online platforms that artist flair that matches your business's story. We want to create a cohesive story that is branded from your website to social media to features.
Take in that champagne moment. Brand shoots are a great opportunity to celebrate you. It’s the time to take a back seat to the hustle culture you have had to endure while building your business and raise a glass to yourself for all of your hard work.
Create a connection. Although it’s not always our first priority to be in front of the camera, we need to build a connection with your audience. This begins by opening up the curtains and giving your audience a sneak peek into your process (without giving away trade secrets) and introducing them to you (and your team).
My brand packages can either be a one-time session or we can work together on a quarterly basis. To start off our relationship, explore available branding packages and book a free coffee chat. We will discuss your needs and what package may suit you best. From there, we do a full consultation and figure out all the details: location, wardrobe, hair + makeup, and our coveted shot list.
Looking for a luxurious photography experience? Don’t forget to check out The Luxury Edition.
Now that we discussed the ins and outs of headshots vs. brand shoots, which one feels right to you and your business? Do you need a quick, simple and clean image to represent you or a full in-depth session that tells your business's story?
If you want to book a brand shoot or headshot, I am happy to help.
