Personal Branding Photography vs Traditional Headshots – What’s the Best Fit for You?
Headshots and personal branding photography go hand in hand. While they both feature a person and represent a business, there are key difference between them and the functions they serve. Headshots are professional portraits focusing on individuals’ faces for various print and online platforms. Personal branding photography goes beyond that, telling a story about the individual or brand through a wider range of images that reflect personality, values, and brand identity in a more creative and engaging manner. Here’s a short list of concepts to help you differentiate between the two styles:
- Subject Shown: Headshots typically focus on the subject’s head and shoulders, while personal branding photography showcases a broader view of the subject, including full-body shots and interactions with props.
- Formality and Poses: Headshots are more formal, with subjects usually looking directly at the camera in standard poses, whereas personal branding photos allow for more natural, casual poses and interactions with the environment.
- Background and Setting: Headshots are commonly shot against plain backgrounds like white, grey, or black in a studio setting to emphasize the subject. In contrast, personal branding photography often incorporates the environment and requires on-location shoots to highlight the surroundings.
- Purpose and Usage: Headshots are ideal for social media profiles, professional introductions, or team photos due to their simplicity and focus on the individual. On the other hand, personal branding photography is more elaborate, telling a story about the individual or brand, attracting ideal clients, and creating deeper connections through a diverse array of images for various marketing purposes.
- Cost and Duration: Headshot sessions are typically shorter and more budget-friendly, focusing on capturing one or two perfect shots efficiently. In contrast, personal branding sessions are longer, more involved, and costlier due to their comprehensive nature and the creation of a photo library tailored to the brand.
Depending on your needs, headshots and personal branding photos can be done independently of one another or a session can be created that includes both styles to create a complete story of your business. At Hawaii Headshot Photos we can do both! If you’d like more details about what best suits your business needs don’t hesitate to CONTACT US for a free consultation!
