Headshots vs. Branding Photos: What’s the Difference—and Why You Need Both

Let’s clear something up—because I hear this a lot:
“Wait, isn’t a branding session just a fancy headshot session?”

Not quite.

Both headshots and branding photos are incredibly valuable. But they serve different purposes, tell different stories, and (spoiler alert) you probably need both if you want your online presence to actually work for you.

Let me break it down.

So... What Is a Headshot?

A headshot is a clean, professional image—usually shoulders up, straight-on or slightly turned, well-lit, and polished.
It’s what you’d use for:

• LinkedIn

• Your bio photo on your website

• Company directories

• Email signatures

• Speaking engagements or media features

Think of it as your digital handshake. It says, “Hi, I’m a real person. I’m legit. You can trust me.”
And yes—there’s an art to making that single image look confident, friendly, and aligned with your personality. That’s where I come in.

So Then… What’s a Branding Photo?

Branding photos go beyond the basics. They’re more like a visual storytelling session for your business.

These images can include:

• You working behind the scenes

• Lifestyle shots (walking, laughing, typing, sipping coffee, etc.)

• Detail shots of your tools, products, or space

• You interacting with clients

• Different expressions, outfits, and locations to show dimension

These are the images you’ll use across your website, Instagram, email marketing, speaker decks, and more. They build connections. They show personality. They create a vibe—and that vibe tells people who you are before they ever read a word of copy.

Why You Need Both

Headshots are about credibility.
Branding photos are about connection.

One says, “You can trust me.”
The other says, “You get me.”

And when you have both? You become magnetic. You start showing up online with confidence and consistency. And that’s when people start paying attention.

Not Sure Which One You Need?

You don’t have to choose.
When we work together, we talk through your goals and tailor the session to get exactly what you need—sometimes that’s a sleek headshot, sometimes it’s a full branding gallery, and sometimes it’s a bit of both.

→ Ready to create images that actually move the needle in your business? Let’s talk.