A Personal Branding Photoshoot – Kat’s Story
So, you’re thinking about getting professional photos for your business—but you’re not sure what you need? Or maybe the thought of being in front of the camera makes you a little uneasy?
I get it. Personal branding shoots can feel daunting, but they don’t have to be! To give you a better idea of how it all works, let me take you behind the scenes of a recent session with Kat, an incredible business owner who reached out for a personal branding shoot.
The First Steps – Understanding What Kat Needed
Kat first got in touch after seeing branding photos I had taken for her friend. She loved the natural, outdoor feel of those images and wanted something similar for her own business.
Her work is deeply personal – she runs equine-assisted therapy sessions for mothers and hosts motherhood identity retreats and holds birth debriefs to help heal from traumatic births.
She had already had some photos taken with the horses but was looking for images to complement those, something that would:
✔ Build a personal connection with her clients
✔ Convey trust and warmth
✔ Showcase the experience of working in nature
✔ Ultimately, help sell her services
To ensure I could create images that truly reflected her brand, I asked Kat to complete a short survey. This helps me understand a business on a deeper level – everything from branding colours (hers were teal, pink, and gold) to the emotions she wanted her images to evoke.
The final three words she used to describe her business? Unique, caring, and deep. My goal was to ensure every image captured those qualities.
Planning the Perfect Session
Kat had a clear idea of what she wanted:
A couple of headshots
Some relaxed shots in her office space
Lifestyle images out in nature
Since the location needed to reflect where she works, we decided to shoot in the same outdoor setting where she runs her sessions. This helps build trust with potential clients, letting them see exactly where they’d be working with her.
Timing was key. We needed the right light and dry weather (which, let’s be honest, isn’t always easy to find in the UK!). Kat also sent me a Pinterest board of inspiration, which was incredibly helpful in guiding the session. If you ever book a session with me, I also have my own Pinterest boards you can browse for ideas!
Based on what she needed, Kat chose my Radiance Package: a 1.5-hour session with 15 images included. She had the option to bring ‘clients’ along for posed shots of her working in action, but she opted to keep it just her for this shoot.
Shoot Day – Turning Plans into Reality
When I arrived at Kat’s chosen location, we started with a quick walkaround – scouting the best spots, chatting, and easing into the session. As she finished getting ready, I planned a rough flow for the shoot, factoring in the light, scenery, and her goals for the session.
Then, the fun began!
For the next hour and a half, we:
Explored different backdrops that reflected her brand
Captured a mix of posed and natural shots
Laughed, messed around, and even fell off a tree at one point!
Some clients need more direction during a shoot, and that’s totally normal. I guide the process every step of the way, using prompts and small movements to create natural, unforced moments. But Kat was confident in front of the camera and had a clear vision, making the process feel effortless and fun.
Choosing the Final Images
After the session, I sent Kat all the images in black and white so she could pick her favourites for full-colour editing. Clients often find it hard to narrow them down (which is always a good problem to have!).
She initially had 15 images included in her package but loved so many that she purchased an extra 10 – giving her a total of 25 branding images to use across her website and social media.
And honestly? Nothing makes me happier than heading over to her website now and seeing her actually using them! Seeing her show up, tell her story, and put her face out there is everything.
Because here’s the truth: YOU are your business. Without you, it’s just a name. A brand with no face, no personality, no connection. People want to see you. They want to know who they’re working with, who they’re trusting, who’s behind the business.
So please…show yourself! Be visible. Let your audience connect with you.
Thinking About Your Own Personal Branding Shoot?
So, that’s how the process works – from initial enquiry to final images. It’s always tailored to you, your brand, and what you need to communicate with your audience.
If you’ve been thinking about booking a session but aren’t sure where to start, let’s chat! I’ll guide you through every step, making sure you get images that truly represent you and your business.
While you’re here, go and give Kat’s page some love – she’s an incredible business owner doing truly meaningful work.
