Have you ever looked at a brand and just felt something? Maybe it radiated warmth, trust, or innovation. Maybe it instantly felt you. That’s no accident—that’s branding at work. And at the heart of every strong brand? Clear values.
As a brand photographer, I can tell you—getting crystal clear on your business values before a photography session makes all the difference. It’s the secret to images that don’t just look pretty but actually work—that capture the essence of your business and help you stand out.
Think about it—your brand photography is often the first impression people get of your business. And people make decisions fast. Studies show it takes just fractions of a second to form an impression based on a visual. That means your images need to communicate who you are and what you stand for immediately.
When we plan a brand photography session together, we don’t just wing it. We dive deep into your brand—your values, your mission, your unique magic—so we can create images that speak directly to your dream clients.
Without this groundwork? You end up with generic, cookie-cutter images that could belong to anyone. And that’s not what we want.
That’s totally okay! It’s something a lot of business owners struggle with—especially in the early stages. You might have a general feeling about what your business is about, but putting it into words? Tricky.
A great place to start is this fantastic values exercise by Edinburgh University: Values Reflection Tool.
It’s designed for personal reflection, but the same principles apply to business. Have a go—see what resonates. The clearer you are on your values, the easier it is to build a brand (and photography) that truly reflects you.
et’s say your business values centre around authenticity, warmth, and community. Your brand photos might be:
✔️ Natural, relaxed images showing you interacting with real clients
✔️ Warm, inviting colours that feel approachable
✔️ Behind-the-scenes shots that tell your brand's story - how do you produce your product, what goes on behind the scenes of your service
On the other hand, if your brand is all about luxury, precision, and exclusivity, your images would look totally different:
✔️ High-end, polished looking, perhaps with quite controlled and even lighting
✔️ A sleek, minimalist backdrop to communicate elegance
✔️ Close-up product shots highlighting quality and detail
See how understanding your values completely changes the look and feel of your images?
If this feels overwhelming—don’t worry. I can help!
Before every brand photography session, we go through a detailed planning process to make sure your images align beautifully with your brand. And if you’re really stuck on defining your brand values? I also offer business mentoring to help you get clear on what your business is all about—before we even pick up the camera.
If you’d like to chat about brand photography or business mentoring, get in touch. Let’s make sure your brand visuals feel exactly like you.
Rebecca