Headshots vs Branding photography
I could talk about this for hours, but let’s see how eloquently I can put it into writing!
Headshots have changed completely over the last decade. They went from being this corporate looking, almost always artificially lit, head and shoulder image of a person (think passport photo) to portraits that take into account the environment, body language, expression and energy of the person. They don’t feel as stiff or as uniform anymore, they are closer to what we know as Portraits.
Every photographer has their own approach, and I can only talk about my own, so please take that into account.
Headshots represent what the person LOOKS LIKE and WHO THEY ARE.
Branding photography on the other hand shows the world what a person: LOOKS LIKE, WHO THEY ARE, WHAT THEY DO, HOW THEY DO IT, WHO THEY DO IT FOR, WHERE THEY DO IT, WHAT TOOLS THEY USE, WHAT INSPIRED THEM, WHAT THEY VALUE and more.
The prep work for Headshots/Portraits is about finding location that supports the person photographed, planning the outfits that are flattering and photograph well and represent the mood we aim for. We might even grab a prop to give hands something natural to do and create interest. Headshots of pilates teacher and a solicitor SHOULD NOT look the same!
Planning the Branding photography session is a different beast and a longer conversation. Once we get clarity on what the person and the brand is all about, what energy do they want to send out into the world and their audience, how are they different from the crowd, who their clients are, only then we PLAN the photoshoot. The location, the props, the lighting, the outfits etc. What I learn in the clarity call informs how I guide the posing and body language, how I cull and edit the branding photographs, depending on the mood we desire to translate into visuals.
Branding photography most often includes headshots and portraits.
Now onto examples, PORTRAITS first:
Branding photography examples:
I hope this clarifies the difference for you. If Portraits or Branding photography are in your plans or dreams for this year and you like my approach, you can CONTACT ME HERE.
Karolina, the BRAND PHOTOGRAPHER, based in Scotland, available and excited to travel.
