Headshots vs Brand Photography: What's the Difference?

When I say “brand photography”, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

For many people, their first thought will be headshots. Photos typically taken for ‘About’ pages and social media profiles, headshots are a really important part of running your business as it helps people to put a face to your name.

Headshots are an important part of brand photography, but not all of it. 

In today’s blog, I wanted to talk about the differences between headshots and brand photography - and why you should invest in the latter if you really want to make the most out of your visual branding.

What is brand photography?

Brand photography is visual storytelling that allows you to stand out from the crowd and establish yourself as a leader in your space. Branding is what differentiates you from your competition; this includes your logo, colour scheme, fonts and - you guessed it - photography. 

With more people launching their own businesses than ever before, the world of entrepreneurship is a highly competitive one. How do you turn your audience into your clients? And how does photography help you to do this just? Let’s dive into the psychology of brand photography and why it’s an absolute necessity for any business owner.

Why does brand photography matter?

From the moment someone finds you on social media or visits your website, a seed is planted. However, did you know that people only remember 10% of the information they read and that increases to 65% for content with images? This is where the power of brand photography lies– it starts with making you memorable and ends with making you unforgettable. 

That data refers to the power of all images - but what about photos of you and your team? With many of us still doing business remotely, it can often be a while before we see someone’s face, either on Zoom or in-person. Using a professional photo that truly encapsulates your personality is an excellent way to ensure your clients remember you.

Traditionally, headshots were quite a boring part of corporate photography. Picture serious faces with arms crossed in front of a white background. But nowadays, we’re seeing a new wave of colourful and interesting headshots that aim to get across what the person is really like. What is their personality? What do they love? Photos like the below from my recent photoshoots are all the results of a comprehensive brand photography process in which I work with clients to discover what their brand means to them, and how they want to come across.

Some business owners are happy to show their wild sides, while other headshots are still very professional and simple - but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Incorporating the company’s brand colours is a great way to catch the eye and make sure the thread of your branding is carried throughout all marketing materials.

What else can you use your brand photos for?

Headshots are certainly a part of brand photography, so you should look to use them across your social media profiles and your website. But what else are these photos useful for? Well, research shows that articles with images get 94% more views, and Google prioritises images with relevant images in its search results panel.

Even in print, your photos can make a huge impact. By including original photography in your advertisements, news stories and leaflets, you already elevate your brand above those who are relying on stock photography, which is often poor quality and used by other competitor brands.

There’s really no end to the value of a great set of brand photos. Of course, some of these should be headshots and, therefore, designed specifically for your LinkedIn profile and ‘About’ page… but what about these wonderful images I’ve recently taken for businesses?

Think website hero images, service pages, Facebook cover photos, email newsletters… the possibilities for images like this are endless! How do you use your brand photos? Let me know over on Instagram @ForYouPhotography, or get in touch with me via email to book your very own brand photography photoshoot (including headshots!)