Personal Brand Photography in Rochester NY

Personal Branding Session with Dr. Heather Hirsch

Personal Branding Session with Dr. Heather Hirsch

Dr. Heather Hirsch, a leading menopause expert, recently updated her personal branding with a new photo session. From professional workspace shots to dynamic yoga poses, these images reflect the multifaceted nature of her work and life. Learn more about how we captured her evolving brand and the new visuals she's using to connect with her audience.

5 Signs It's Time to Update Your Professional Branding Photos

How Do You Know When It’s Time for New Branding Images?

As brand photographers, we’ve worked with countless clients who came to us feeling unsure about whether it was the “right” time to update their professional branding images. Time and time again, they try to talk themselves out of updating the boring old headshots they’ve had online for years.

The truth is, there are some clear signs that it’s time to refresh your headshot and brand photography. Here are five reasons why you should update your professional headshot and branding images:

1. Your Personal Brand Has Evolved

Your business is dynamic, and your personal branding should reflect that. If you've updated your logo, colors, or messaging, your professional images need to match. Consistency is crucial for a cohesive brand identity. Outdated portraits can confuse potential clients and weaken your brand's impact.

2. You’ve Added New Services or Products

Every time your business grows or pivots, your brand photography should evolve to show off those changes. New offerings deserve the spotlight, and updated branding images can highlight what’s new while keeping your audience tuned in.

3. Your Current Photos Don’t Feel Like “You” Anymore

Have you ever looked at your website or social media and thought, “That doesn’t represent who I am now”? Personal growth and professional evolution often mean your old images no longer align with your vibe or story. Fresh photos can capture the authentic, current version of you and your business.

4. Your Industry or Audience Expectations Have Shifted

Trends change, and so do audience expectations. If your industry leans into modern, lifestyle-focused visuals and your branding still feels formal or outdated, you could be missing the mark with potential clients. Keeping your branding photos current ensures you stay competitive and relevant.

5. You Haven’t Updated Your Images in Over Two Years

If it’s been more than two years since your last branding session or headshot update, it’s probably time for a refresh. Think about how much has likely changed in that time—your business, your style, and even your own look! Regular updates keep your brand feeling fresh and aligned with where you are now.

Ready to Refresh?

Professional branding images are one of the most impactful ways to tell your story and connect with your audience. If any of these reasons resonate with you, it might be time to schedule a personal brand photography session. Let’s create images that truly reflect your brand’s unique personality and purpose!


More About Personal Brand Photography in Rochester NY

3 Things You Can do with Fresh Branding Images

Recently we had the opportunity to join forces with the team at Serendipity Labs to host a Happy Hour with a side of Personal Brand Portraits, and we have to say—they were AWESOME!

Each attendee got to mingle, have a snack and a drink, AND get a micro brand photography session, where they walked away with an updated branding image to use however they needed it!

Why is that such a big deal? I mean, what can you do with new brand photographs anyway?!

Personal Brand Photography in Pittsford NY: Fairport NY photographers

Since our last personal brand photography session with Dr. Heather Hirsch, she’s been a very busy woman! It’s exciting not only see how she’s using her brand photographs, but also how much her exposure has grown.

Because of these many media outlets and how busy she’s gotten, Heather was in need of new branding pictures for use on social media after just six months.

(Side Note: If you’re business requires you to be posting new content on social media feeds regularly, you’ll want regular brand photo updates too!)

Check out all of the media attention she’s gotten! We’re already planning for the next round of updated photographs for her personal brand.

We’re so excited for you, Heather!

Voice Therapist Brand Photography in Fairport NY

When I first met Caroline, I learned that she was a Voice Therapist in the beginning stages of beginning her own private practice.

We photographed her branding photography in Fairport, NY at a local co-working studio, in order to give her both an “on-location” approach, and a also brand photography that feels like a professional office.

She wasn’t 100% ready to launch her website yet, but she had every single bit of research and much of her brand planned out. She knew what she wanted to offer her clients, who her ideal client was and exactly what types of branding images she’d need to bring her vision to reality.

I’ll be honest, it was refreshing. There are times when we have to dig deep with a branding client to learn what there branding photography needs are. But not Caroline.

She had it all planned out, so that when it came to her personal branding photography, she was ready to go. And the results speak for themselves. We can’t wait to see how these headshots and branding portraits get used in the near future!

Personal Branding Portraits in Fairport NY: Rochester NY Photographers

A lot of times, when people think of branding portraits, they think of cute coffee shops and sipping coffee at a computer.

But branding photography for a window treatment company doesn’t fit that mold. Peggy came to us with an amazingly detailed list of photographs for branding her business.

They included everything from sewing machines to ladders. Each member of her team was photographed doing what they do best, and then we made some fun group portraits as well.

We had so much fun with them, and can’t wait to see their pictures all over their Instagram account in the near future.

Check out a few below, and meet Peggy and her team on the Instagram account: @peggymorgans

Fairport Personal Brand Photography

Personal Branding for Podcasters

Last time we saw her, Maryellen wanted branding photography for her therapy business. At the time, the goal was to update her business website, but also show a real side of Maryellen that made you feel at ease.

We knew even then, that Maryellen had bigger goals than running a successful therapists’s office.

Fast forward 3 years and one pandemic later.

Introducing, the “Okay-ish” Podcast. It’s a space where Maryellen gets real about mental health, and gives listeners the unfiltered truths that help people understand that “it’s ok, to be just ok.” There’s a new website to brand, and new stories to tell.

So who is she speaking to:

People who want a different take on therapy, feel overwhelmed, or are realizing that perfection isn’t the goal - OK is. She talks about toxic positivity, imposter syndrome, and also gives behind the scenes information about life as a therapist. She wants to be seen as relatable in her branding photography.

How did we do that?

  • We showed her real life, by taking branding pictures of Maryellen next to the laundry she’s been too busy and overwhelmed to fold.

  • We photographed emotion. Yes, new headshots are important, but we also knew we needed to show a variety of emotions in order to connect to her audience. So we captured overwhelm and even anger, along side her new headshots.

Brand photography is about more than pretty headshots and sitting at a perfect, clean desk. What makes your brand stand out? What emotions do you want to help your audience with? Let’s go there, and capture THAT in your personal brand photographs.

Branding Photography in Rochester NY: Kc Rossi

Kc Rossi loves to help women breakthrough and bring all of themselves to their lives, and the world. Her words. I can tell you that just from the few hours we spent together - she’s good at it.

She wanted her brand photography to portray a confident, powerful feeling - but also photography that shows peace and warmth. So we captured her professional nature at work, and her natural environment as well.

Doing this included both her polished style, and attention to detail but also the cozy feeling of her working from home, and even the deer in her amazing forest backyard.

This set of brand photographs will give her options for ideas to communicate on social media, her podcast headers and her website.

If you’re looking for a mindset coach to help you grow, we suggest you meet Kc!

Tips for Personal Brand Photo Shoots: Fairport NY Brand Photography

You know your brand visuals are super important to your small business. So you’ve got your brand photo shoot booked, but you’re a little nervous about what to do next.

Here’s four tips for your head shot or branding session:

1) Find some inspiration.

Use Pinterest, or collect images that you’re drawn to. It could be as simple as your brand colors, or a fun pattern, or even specific poses that portray what you want your audience to feel. Then show your photographer what you’re drawn to.

2) Pick the right location.

Ask yourself, does this location fit my brand? Or am I using it because it’s what everyone is doing? Find the right place for you.

3) Do what feels good.

If it helps you, get your hair and makeup done. Pick the right outfits, and get a second opinion if you need it. Meditate or do yoga, or have a dance party if it relaxes you. Because when you feel good, your confidence will show in your branding pictures.

4) Know your words and your why.

Why do you do what you do? What purpose does your business serve? What are the top 3-5 words you want the world to see in your brand? For example: A few of ours are “fun” and “real.” We try to show these kinds of images for our people to understand who we are and what we’re about.

You’re going to use these branding images to communicate your message and build trust with your audience. Hopefully these personal brand session tips help point you in the right direction.

If you’re truly lost, ask your photographer for help - that’s what we’re here for. We want you to have the right brand pictures for you.

Above all else, have fun!

Personal Brand Photography in Rochester NY: Compounding Joy

From our first phone call I knew that working with Jen from Compounding Joy on her brand photography would be fun. What I didn’t know, was how much!

She has goals of showing up more on social media, and updating her website with images that tell her audience that she’s not just a budget sheet and quickbooks kind of professional.

In her own words she wanted her “pictures to show that I AM different than other money coaches out there. I’m not buttoned up tight. I’m not living in a big fancy house. I’m not “dressed for success.”

So we incorporated sweaters which she knits herself, her love for camping and her dog Peanut. We gave her brand photographs a true to her, down to earth feeling, so that she can help other women feel the same way.

It’s not every day that a campfire and marshmallows are incorporated into a personal branding session - but when they are, you bet we’ll be there to help clean up those marshmallows.

Want to talk about your brand photography?

Branding Photography in Rochester NY: Entrancing Inspirations

If you have a follower on your social media account, they didn’t find and consciously decide to hit “follow” by accident. Something about you, or your business caught their attention.

This is one reason why your personal brand needs to stand out from the crowd. How is your business unique?

Personal brand photography can help you with that, like we did for Kim here. She wanted people to see that there’s more to her skill set than meets the eye, and that there’s research and training involved with her services. She wants people to see that she goes above and beyond for her clients.

The branding photographs we took, combined with the right captions on social media can elevate her as an authority figure in her field.

I can’t wait to see what she does with them.

5 Reasons You Need Quarterly Personal Brand Photography

You already know that personal brand photography is about more than updating your headshot. (And if you don’t, you can find out the difference in this previous blog post).

So once you’ve completed a branding portrait session, why would you need to do it again? Well, we’ve got answers.

Here’s 5 reasons why we think annual, semi-annual or even quarterly personal branding sessions are not only important, but necessary.

1) Seasonal / Style changes

You know what changes in Rochester NY? The weather. Using a sunshine filled summer branding portrait in the dead of winter may not resonate to local clients. It’s hard to talk about pumpkins and apple pie on your Instagram feed if your attire shows you in beach wear and flip flops.

2) New Products

Branding photography isn’t just about new headshots for your LinkedIn page. Are you an artist or a maker? Do you own a physical storefront? Did you create a 5 step productivity program? What new offering have you come up with in the last 3 months that you need to put out in the world?

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3) Fresh content

You’re going to need to show more than the same 10 pictures. Eventually people will start to notice if you’re always showing up in their Instagram feed in the same outfit.

4) Stay Relevant

Current events are always changing. What was important to talk about yesterday, might be totally different today. Besides that, your field of expertise might change too. Stay on top of the changes in your own brand with timely branding photographs.

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5) Growth

Is your business the same as it was when it began? Are you the same person you were when it began? Hopefully not. Hopefully, you’ve grown and evolved over time. The brand you created when you started your business should evolve as well. Your branding photos should reflect your growth.

So why is it important to update your branding photographs on a regular basis? In a nutshell? Change happens.