Personal Branding vs. Headshots: What's the Difference?
Trying to promote your business or personal brand in today’s world can be a challenge. Image is everything, from social media posts to digital advertising to even print features. High-quality photos can play a huge role in promoting yourself and enable you to stand out from the crowd.
Whether you’re a professional looking for the next step in your career or an entrepreneur starting your own business, imagery can help you take your self-promotion to the next level. But do you need personal branding photos or professional headshots?
In reality, both types of photos are useful to a business owner, influencer or professional—just in different ways. Let’s break down the differences between headshot photography and personal branding imagery to help you see how you can use these images in your professional life.
Personal Branding
The goal of personal branding photography is to show off your personality and make you feel approachable to anyone who may be interested in working with you. While these images can include posed photos, they often also include “action” shots—that is, images of you working and demonstrating what you can do.
When you have a library of personal branding photos, you have images to use on your website and social media for months. This is the perfect way to boost your online following and encourage potential clients to trust you and your skills and experience.
If you own your own business or are just starting out as an entrepreneur, a personal branding session is the perfect way to establish your aesthetic and move beyond stock photos on your website and social media profiles. Most people prefer to work with someone they feel they can trust, someone who feels authentic and genuine, and having high-quality images of yourself can reassure visitors to your site that you can help them.
Personal branding imagery can help you elevate your brand and tell the story of your business. Your photographer will work with you to better understand how you want to present yourself to the world and how best to tell your unique story.
Headshots
Unlike personal branding photography, headshot photos are simpler and focused on capturing your professional personality. You can use your headshots in a variety of ways, including on your professional social media profiles, on your online resume, on business cards or website and even on guest articles and blog posts you may write.
If you’re looking for a new job or hoping to boost your career, a headshot can be a great way to put a face to a name for potential employers. A professional headshot is also a subtle and effective way of expressing how professional and dedicated you are as a worker.
For small business owners and entrepreneurs, especially those who offer services, a headshot can help potential customers trust you and feel more comfortable working with you. Where personal branding imagery offers a more personal look into who you are, headshots show your professional face to the world. And they make great LinkedIn profile pictures!
Final Thoughts
Both headshots and personal branding images can help you reach your professional goals, whether that’s getting more clients for your small business or networking and making connections. By providing a high-quality image of how you move in your industry or field, you establish yourself as experienced and professional.
About Me
Hello, I'm Nathalie - owner and photographer of Pictonat Photography located in the heart of Toronto. I help entrepreneurs and professionals create a strong personal brand online with authentic images that builds connection and trust with their audience.
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Want to learn more about a professional headshots or personal branding session? Get in touch and I'd love to chat!
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