Headshots VS Personal Branding Photography: What’s the difference?
When people first start looking for professional photos, the question often comes up: “Do I just need a headshot, or should I invest in Personal Branding photography?”
The two are connected, but they’re not the same. And understanding the difference can change how your clients, colleagues, and audience connect with you.
What a Headshot Does
A headshot shows what you look like.
It’s professional, clean, and direct. Perfect for LinkedIn, a company website, or your email signature.
A headshot says, “Here I am.”
It’s essential for credibility, and almost every professional needs one.
But in today’s world, a headshot alone is rarely enough. Your audience wants more than a picture of your face.
They want to know who you are, what you do, and what it feels like to work with you.
Why Personal Branding Photography Matters
Personal branding photography goes deeper.
It shows your personality, your business, your energy, and your story. It captures not just your face, but the essence of your brand.
Think of it this way:
A headshot is the movie poster.
A Personal Branding shoot is the full movie.
One gives a glimpse of you. The other takes people on your journey.
When you invest in Personal Branding photos, you create a library of images you can use everywhere: your website, LinkedIn, social media, marketing campaigns, podcasts, press features, magazine articles, and more.
It gives you consistency and professionalism while showing your unique style and values.
That’s what makes people stop scrolling, pay attention, and remember you.
What’s Included in a Personal Branding Shoot
A personal branding shoot with me is a fully guided experience. From the very first email, I walk you through everything:
Planning your vision: We’ll discuss how you want clients to perceive you and what message your brand should convey.
Preparation support: I help you choose what to wear, what to bring, and how to align with your vision
Location guidance: A beautiful Cape Town Airbnb, hotel, or your home. I’ll work with you to find the right setting.
Professional styling: My trusted team of makeup artists (three incredible women I’ve worked with for many years) ensures you look and feel amazing. Hair and makeup are taken care of for a polished yet natural look.
A mapped-out shoot plan: Together, we design a photo “shot list” based on what you need, whether that’s website banners, podcast portraits, product images, or lifestyle shots.
There’s structure, but also space for spontaneous, natural moments that often become the favorites.
A variety of images: You’ll receive galleries in both color and black-and-white, so you have flexibility.
Behind-the-scenes B-rolls: Short video clips you can use for your social media, mixing imagery with movement for an even stronger presence online.
And because personal branding is also about showcasing your work, we’ll include images that reveal your process.
If you’re an author, that might be typing on your laptop or sketching in a notebook.
If you’re a florist, it’s hands arranging flowers, working with scissors, surrounded by blooms. These natural, in-action photos show not just who you are, but how you create.
The Experience
21 years of photography, a touch of psychology, and a lot of experience with nervous clients mean I know how to help you relax in front of the lens.
Nearly every client tells me how easy, fun and professional the experience feels.
The environment is warm, the music is soft, the flow is natural, and everything is designed to help you feel comfortable and seen.
At the end of it, you’ll walk away with more than photos; You’ll have a collection of Personal Branding images that help the right clients connect with you on and offline.
You’ll have portraits ready for your website, LinkedIn, media features, speaking opportunities, podcasts, and social media.
You’ll have images that don’t just show what you look like, but tell your story in a way that feels authentic, polished, and completely aligned with your brand.
Why It Matters
In a digital world where first impressions happen in seconds, your imagery is one of the strongest tools you have.
Headshots will always have their place. But if you’re building a business, leading a team, or growing your influence, Personal branding photography is what helps you stand out, get remembered, and attract opportunities.
