Using Storytelling In your personal brand photoshoot


When it comes to branding photography, it's easy to focus solely on showcasing the products or services you offer. But the best galleries, the ones that really engage with your audience are those that go beyond just the face value person or product of the business and also share the story behind your brand. In this blog, I'll share ideas on how to create a strong and cohesive story in your branding photoshoot.


People connect with people, not just logos or products. So how do you infuse storytelling into your brand photoshoot to reveal more of you? Here’s how to capture more than just your work and create an authentic, engaging narrative through your images with an insight into one of my client's sessions.


CAPTURE BOTH CLOSE-UP AND WIDE-ANGLE SHOTS

To show your personality, it's important to have a variety of shots that capture both intimate and broader aspects of who you are.

Close-Up Shots: Close-ups help you capture your expression, emotions, and personal details (like your hands or a prop), making the photo feel intimate and personal. A close-up shot of you holding a book or interacting with your creative tools can reveal so much about your passions.


Wide Shots: Wide-angle shots help set the scene and tell a bigger story about your environment, lifestyle, and the space where you feel most at home. Whether it’s a wide shot of you in your studio or a sweeping image of you hiking through a landscape, these shots create context for your personality and hobbies.


Client example

When I started researching for a photoshoot with illustrator Imogen Partridge, I could see from her social media her passion projects and likes; one of them being her allotment. What a FAB place to capture some personality driven photos - her brand colours also includes a nice earthy green so it would tie in so nicely to capture some visuals there. Once we'd captures images within Imogen's work place, we ventured to her allotment and captured action shots of not only her harvesting some fruits of her labour but also some of her having a quiet moment, sketching on the bench. Those visuals instantly connect loads of elements from her Brand persona: What she does, Her brand colours, Her likes, What she stands for and we had a good old chat there as I always do with my clients so I got some gorgeous photos capturing natural smiles, too. Just from one small idea taken from what I could see of her brand.


The feedback I received from Imogen after she received her gallery was

'.. I love them all, but I'm so glad you suggested going to the allotment. That's such a clever use of content and photos...it's my favourite part of all of it. You are so brilliant, thank you'

BEHIND THE SCENES of your brand


A really quick and easy way of telling your story is letting people see the process that goes into what you do. Behind-the-scenes photos create an intimacy that helps clients and followers connect with the “real” you — not just the polished final


The environment in which you shoot is crucial to setting the scene. A location can speak volumes about your brand's narrative.

Setting the Scene: Choose locations that align with your brand's vibe. For example, a brand that celebrates nature might have outdoor photos in forests or by the ocean, while a tech brand might choose sleek, modern office spaces to communicate innovation as part of their gallery. Remember a whole branding identity should show multiple parts of your brand and personality.


Story-Driven Environments: Think about how different environments can highlight different aspects of your story. A cosy home could reflect comfort and warmth while a city street could convey power and energy and these will speak completely differently to your ideal audience.


Integrate Props that Tell a Story

Props are a great way to bring your personality and hobbies into your photos. Think of objects that tie into your personal interests and help tell the story of your brand.


Books: If you’re a writer or love reading, books are an easy prop that can say a lot about your interests, these can be both ones that relate to your field of business and just ones you enjoy to read in your spare time; it's a great conversation starter.

Music: If music is a big part of your life, showing yourself playing an instrument can communicate creativity, passion, and dedication. Your music collection; how and where you listen.

How you unwind: Sketchbooks, wool, paints or other tools of your creative outlet can make your hobby a tangible element in your photos, even if they're just strategically placed in the background.

Likes: Favourite mug, hot drink choice, art, flowers, your pet, your passion projects - these all have a place in a personal branding session and I'll show you an example of this later on with a previous client.



Putting these in Action

A powerful way to reveal your personality and hobbies is to capture photos of you actively engaged in those hobbies and interests. These shots will not only reflect your interests but also show your audience a side of you that goes beyond your professional headshot.

Action Shots: A photo of you making a cup of coffee, painting, or stretching in yoga can make the moment feel dynamic and alive.

Natural and Candid: Instead of stiff poses, aim for candid shots that capture genuine moments. If you love reading, try an image of you sat with your book in your favourite place to read - we can add in some on brand props or colours to help keep the gallery cohesive and useful for lots of content opportunities.


There are so many opportunities in a photo or video session to tell your brand story and let your personality shine through, it's such a great way to grow your audience and connect with really aligned clients, it's knowing how to so that you don't miss the opportunity. Drop me an email if you'd like to know more.

hello@katierhona.com