THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEADSHOT AND BRANDING PHOTOS
I’ve been a personal branding photographer for several years and during this time I often get asked what is the difference between headshots and branding photography.
Sure, headshots can be considered part of your personal brand photography but there is a key difference between the two.
HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY
These are pretty straightforward, a headshot is basically your mugshot but made pretty! These photos are typically taken from the shoulders up. They are typically taken with a plain background (or bokeh) in a way that frames your face in the center of the photo.
Headshots can be used for social media profile photos, business cards, book covers, print ads, etc.
They are needed to put a face to the name. Humans are drawn to eyes and faces so these help us establish a connection with others and be more memorable. Let’s face it, names without a face are harder to remember!
BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHY
On the other hand, personal branding photography takes your brand to the next level. In the most simplified terms, I’d call it visual storytelling.
We have the who behind the business with headshots. With personal branding photos, we’re now introducing the why, the what and the how, and telling a bit more of a story.
These types of photos are meant to develop a deeper connection with your audience online. They are really helpful in giving your customers a glimpse of what it’s like to work with you, and build the like, know and trust factor.
Branding photos include business lifestyle shots, environmental portraits, behind-the-scenes, and product shots.
For more examples, check out this post: 5 TYPES OF BRANDING PHOTOS TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR BUSINESS
These types of photos not only put a face behind the name but tell a story of who the person behind a brand is.
Now that you know the difference, make sure to check out my packages to explore booking a session for yourself! My photo sessions typically include both headshot and lifestyle branding photography but they’re always custom-tailored to each individual client based on their needs.