You've decided you need "a new photo." Maybe your LinkedIn picture is from three jobs ago. Maybe you're rebuilding your website and every page has a gap where a picture should go. Maybe someone asked for a speaker bio photo by Friday.
Those sound like the same problem. They're not. One needs a headshot. The others need a branding session. Knowing which one you're actually after saves you money, time, and a gallery full of photos that don't fit where you need them.
The short answer: a headshot is one clean, professional photo of your face that does one job well. A branding session is a planned shoot, with several outfits and locations, that gives you a library of images for your website, social media and marketing for the year ahead.
What is a headshot?
A headshot is a tight, polished photo of you, usually from the chest up, against a simple background. It's the image people see before they meet you: your LinkedIn profile, your company's staff page, a press release, the corner of a proposal.
A headshot session is short and focused. One look, maybe a second top, a clean backdrop, and my full attention on getting an expression that looks like you on a good day. Individual sessions run 20 to 45 minutes. For teams, each person needs about five to ten minutes in front of the camera.
The goal is consistency and trust. A good headshot tells people you're professional, approachable and current. It doesn't need to tell your whole story. It just needs to look like the person who walks into the meeting.
What is a branding session?
A branding session is a planned shoot built around your business, not just your face. We photograph you in more than one outfit and more than one place, and we include the things that show what you actually do: your workspace, your tools, your products, your clients, your process.
If you're a designer, that might be you at a drafting table, walking a job site, and pulling fabric samples. If you're a realtor, it could be you at a front door, in your car on the way to a showing, and having coffee in a local café. If you run a small studio or shop, it's your hands at work, your space, and the details your customers love.
A branding session starts with a planning call, so we know exactly where the photos will live before I pick up the camera. You walk away with dozens of images: headshots, working shots, detail shots and wider lifestyle frames, all in a consistent look that fits your brand.
Headshots vs branding photos at a glance
Headshot Session
Branding Session
1-4 hours
multiple outfits
1-3 locations
planning call ahead
25+ edited images
Website, socials, speaking
$550
20-45 minutes
1 outfit
one backdrop
Quick planning chat day-of
8-10 edited images
LinkedIn, staff pages
$200
Which one do you need?
Ask yourself where the photos are going.
You probably need a headshot if:
• You've started a new job or role and your profile picture is out of date
• Your company is updating the staff page and wants everyone to match
• You need one strong image for LinkedIn, a press release or a conference program
• You want a professional photo, but you aren't marketing yourself every week
You probably need a branding session if:
• You're launching a business or rebuilding your website
• You post on social media regularly and you're tired of using the same three photos
• You're the face of your business: a coach, consultant, realtor, designer, trades owner or creative
• You speak, teach or run workshops and need images that show you in action
• You want photos that show what you do, not just what you look like
If you're somewhere in between, that's normal. A lot of people start with a headshot and come back for branding when the business grows into it.
Can you get headshots in a branding session?
Yes. Every branding session I shoot includes headshot frames, usually at the start while your energy and your outfit are fresh. You don't need to book both. If you're already planning a branding session, your LinkedIn photo is covered.
The opposite doesn't work as well. A headshot session is too short to give you the variety a website or Instagram feed needs, and you'll end up reusing the same image everywhere.
What does each one cost?
I keep pricing simple, so you can see the cost before we talk.
Headshots: individual sessions start at $200. Small teams of 2 to 6 are $125 per person, and larger teams start at $75 per person, with the per-person rate dropping as your team gets bigger.
Branding: sessions start at $550 for a one-hour, one-location shoot. Longer sessions with more outfits and locations are priced by the time and planning involved. You'll find the full breakdown in What a branding session looks like, start to finish.
FAQ
Is a branding session just a longer headshot session?
No. It's planned differently. A headshot session is about one great expression. A branding session is built around a shot list for your website and marketing, so we cover different outfits, places and moments that tell people what you do.
How many photos will I get?
A solo headshot session delivers 8-10 edited images. A branding session delivers anywhere from 25 to 50, depending on its length. I tend to deliver more than the minimum, not less.
How often should I update my photos?
Update your headshot every two to three years, or sooner if your hair, glasses or role changes. For branding, once a year keeps your website and social media fresh. Some clients book a shorter refresh every season.
What if I'm awkward in front of the camera?
Most people are. I guide you through every pose and show you frames as we go, so you can see it working. By the second outfit, almost everyone has relaxed.
Where do you photograph?
I'm based in South Delta and work across Tsawwassen, Ladner and the Lower Mainland. I can come to your office, your home studio or a location that suits your brand. A travel fee applies beyond 50 km.
Still not sure what you need?
Tell me what the photos are for and where they'll live. I'll tell you honestly whether a headshot will do the job or whether a branding session is worth it. Either way, you'll know exactly what it costs before we book.