Branding Sessions, Asheville, NC
- Carla Zaio
- Aug 23
- 5 min read
Different Styles of Branding Photography for Your Business:
When you’re ready to invest in photos for your business, it can feel a little overwhelming — headshots, personal branding, lifestyle photography… there are so many options! But here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone.
I’ve put together a simple breakdown of the main branding photography styles (with examples) so you can see exactly what’s possible. These photos are designed to help you boost your online presence, connect with your ideal clients, and show off the best version of your brand.
Still not sure which one is right for you? That’s why every package includes a pre-shoot consultation. We’ll chat about your business, your goals, and your style so we can create a set of brand photos that feels authentic to you and helps your business shine.
Headshot Photography
Headshots — sometimes called brand portraits — are the most classic type of commercial and branding photography. Traditionally, a headshot is a simple head-and-shoulders photo that shows your face clearly, perfect for building trust and making a professional first impression.
But headshots don’t have to be boring or stiff. Depending on your personality, your brand, and the image you want to project, your headshots can be styled to feel modern, creative, and unique to you. The right photographer will guide you through poses, locations, and styling so your headshots not only look professional but also reflect the heart of your business.
Personal Branding Photography
Personal branding photography goes beyond a simple headshot. These sessions are all about capturing you in a way that tells the story of your business — who you are, what you do, and how you connect with your clients.
Think of this as a mix of portraits, lifestyle shots, and behind-the-scenes images that give people a sense of your personality and brand values. Personal branding photos are perfect for websites, social media, and marketing materials where you want to stand out and show the human side of your business.
Lifestyle Branding Photography
Lifestyle branding photography is all about context. Instead of just showing your face, these photos show you in action — working with clients, creating your product, or simply living life in a way that reflects your brand’s vibe.
These images feel approachable, authentic, and relatable. They help potential clients imagine what it’s like to work with you and bring your brand to life in a natural, story-driven way. Lifestyle branding photography is especially powerful for social media, blogs, and marketing campaigns where connection matters.
Team & Staff Photography
For businesses with multiple team members, staff photography helps create a consistent and approachable look across your website and marketing materials. From group shots to individual portraits, these photos build trust and show the people behind the business.
Team branding photos are especially important for companies that want to highlight their culture and make their brand feel more personal.
If you’re planning headshots for your whole team, a little preparation goes a long way. Start by making a list of everyone who needs photos and the order you’d like them photographed — similar to how group photos are organized at a wedding. Share this schedule with your team ahead of time so everyone knows when it’s their turn.
Product & Service Photography
If you sell a product (or even a service), you’ll want professional photos that highlight what you offer. Product photography focuses on clean, high-quality images that make your products stand out, while service photography captures the process of what you do — from behind-the-scenes shots to action images that show your expertise in motion.
These photos help potential customers understand the value of your business and make your offerings feel polished and professional.
Event Branding Photography
Hosting a workshop, launch party, or corporate event? Event branding photography captures the energy, atmosphere, and key moments so you can share them later across your website, press releases, or social media.
Event photos help extend the life of your event long after it’s over — and give you professional content that shows off your expertise, community, and credibility.
Workspace Photography
Not every business has physical products to sell — but that doesn’t mean you don’t need branding photography. Your workspace itself can be one of your strongest brand assets. Whether it’s a studio, shop, office, or venue, showing your space in the best light helps potential clients get a real sense of what it’s like to work with you or visit in person.
Workspace photography is all about capturing the details, design, and atmosphere that reflect your brand’s personality. From wide shots of your location to close-ups of the little touches that make it unique, these images help create a welcoming first impression and build trust before anyone even steps through the door.
Behind-the-Scenes Photography
Behind-the-scenes (BTS) photography gives people a peek at the work that goes into your business — the process, the creativity, and the people making it all happen. These photos make your brand feel authentic and approachable, showing clients the effort, care, and personality behind your products or services.
BTS shots can include anything from your team in action, setting up for a project, or crafting your product. They’re especially useful for social media and marketing because they create a story people want to follow and connect with.
Process & Workflow Photography
Process photography is all about showing how your work comes together. If you offer a service or create products, these photos highlight the steps, tools, and techniques that make your business unique.
Sharing process shots helps potential clients understand what goes into your work, builds credibility, and reinforces your expertise. They’re also a great way to make complex services feel approachable and tangible through visual storytelling.
Event or Experience Photography
If your business hosts workshops, classes, pop-ups, or events, professional event photography captures the energy, engagement, and atmosphere. These photos help you show your community, highlight key moments, and extend the life of your events online.
Event and experience photos are perfect for social media, promotional materials, and website galleries — giving potential clients a sense of what it’s like to be part of your brand in real life.
Combination Branding Sessions
Many businesses find that a mix of all these styles works best. Combining headshots, lifestyle shots, workspace photos, and behind-the-scenes images in a single session gives you a versatile gallery of content that can be used across your website, social media, marketing campaigns, and more.
A well-planned combination session ensures you’re prepared with everything from professional portraits to authentic brand storytelling, all designed to elevate your business and attract the right audience.
At the end of the day, branding photography is all about telling your story in a way that feels authentic and connects with the people you want to reach. Whether you need professional headshots, lifestyle images, workspace photos, or a mix of everything, the right photos will help you show up confidently, elevate your online presence, and attract your ideal clients.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Your pre-shoot consultation is where we’ll talk through your brand, your style, and your goals to make sure your session is tailored to you. Together, we’ll create a gallery of images you’ll be excited to share — photos that truly represent your business and help it grow.
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