Headshots vs. Branding Photos: What’s the Difference?
Most types of photo shoots are relatively straightforward and easy to know what they’re about: maternity photography, newborn photography, family photography, etc. But there are two types of photo shoots that are often confused with each other: headshots and branding photography. They’re similar because both of them are for the professional arena (rather than for personal use), but there are distinct differences. As a Seattle area branding photographer, I’m happy to explain the differences so that you know what to book.
What Are Headshots?
Headshots are photos of you that are specifically for professional uses. They’re typically fairly simple (although there are always ways to get creative and tailor them to your personality!), usually just showing you head and shoulders with a relatively simple background, and they’re designed for purposes like your LinkedIn profile, your business’s website, your CV, and so on. The goal for a headshot photo shoot is to just nail down one great head-and-shoulders photo for you, or perhaps a couple of them at most.
What Are Branding Photos?
Branding photos are more comprehensive, they’re professional photos that tell a story about you or your business. A branding photoshoot can include headshots but these photos will also embody your professional identity in more depth than headshots. The goal is to create a collection of photos rather than just one or two headshots, and those photos incorporate different elements of your business - they might show you working, show your storefront, and so on.
Comparing Headshots vs. Branding Photos
At a glance, here are the similarities and differences between headshots and branding photos:
Purpose: Both headshots and branding photos are used for professional settings and purposes.
Who uses them: Any professional can benefit from headshots, but branding photos are mostly used by business owners and entrepreneurs, or people who are building a personal brand.
Depth: Headshots are still designed around your personal brand but they’re limited to one or a few phots of you, while branding photos encompass many different aspects of your brand, and you typically get a lot more photos from these photo shoots compared to headshot photo shoots.
What’s featured: A headshot is only a photo of you, typically only your head and shoulders, while branding photos can feature your place of business, action shots of you working, and more.
How they’re used: Headshots are primarily used as a profile photo, such as on LinkedIn, your company’s About Us page, and so on. Some branding photos can be used this way but because they go beyond a simple headshot, you can also use them in your business’s advertising, throughout your website, on social media, in brochures, and so on.
Both branding photos and headshots have their place and purposes, and I’m happy to offer both options to support you and your professional growth in whatever way you need. If you’re on Mercer Island or in the Seattle area, reach out to Jaimié Birtel Photography and let’s talk about how we can craft the perfect image for you!
