Personal branding has become a buzzword that is often accompanied by mentions of headshots and photo sessions. What exactly is personal branding though and how does it relate to photoshoots? Are headshots and personal branding one and the same?

Let’s look at the specifics.

Personal branding is the process of marketing yourself as a brand. Instead of promoting a business name and logo, you give people the chance to get to know the person behind the products and services. Personal brands are designed to build trust by placing an emphasis on authenticity.

Visuals are a key part of the personal branding process, which is where photography comes in.

Personal branding images help tell a story both online and offline. They showcase your day-to-day activities, personality, and working environment. They can also include actual shots of your products and services to complete the story.

When planning your shoot, it is important to take logos, colors, and your personal style into consideration. You want your images to fit in and be consistent with the look and feel of your website and social media profiles. Creating a mood board is always a great place to start when planning a personal branding shoot.

But how are personal branding images different than headshots?

Unlike personal branding images that tell a story, headshots are ideal for LinkedIn profiles and company websites. It is only when you want to start incorporating different settings and elements into the shots that it becomes a personal branding shoot.

Overall, yes, there is a difference between personal branding photos and headshots – you may not need both though. If you are an executive and work for corporate, headshots are probably a better fit. For anyone else who has a professional career, is a freelancer, entrepreneur, or influencer, personal branding photos are a must.