If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram thinking, “That looks nice… but it’s just not me,” you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I want to show you how to plan a branding photoshoot and what it should actually look like, especially if you’re a small business owner who wants their photos to feel honest, natural, and let’s be honest … genuinely useful.

Because planning a brand shoot can feel like a weird mix of exciting and intimidating. You want photos that look polished and professional, but you also want them to feel like you. Not like someone else’s idea of what your business should be.

So let’s take the pressure off shall we?

Start With You, Not a Moodboard

It’s tempting to dive into inspo boards and colour palettes straight away. But your brand shoot shouldn’t start with someone else’s aesthetic, it should start with who you are and how you want people to feel when they land on your website or scroll past your feed.

Are you warm and chatty? Calm and thoughtful? Bold and energetic? Let’s bring that to the surface. Your personality should guide everything from the location and outfits, to whether you’re sat at your kitchen table with a cuppa, or out on a countryside walk with the dog.

You don’t need to fit a formula. You just need to show up as yourself … on purpose.

What You Actually Need From Your Brand Photos

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of a brand shoot, but what about the actual, practical stuff?

Your photos need to work for you. That means having images you can use on your homepage, your about page, your Instagram grid, your newsletter header… maybe even that ‘about me’ section you’ve been putting off for months.

Think variety:

🌿A couple of strong portraits

🌿Some wider shots that leave space for text

🌿Details that give a sense of your process or tools of the trade

🌿A few relaxed lifestyle shots that show the real-life version of your workday

The goal isn’t to create a perfect version of you. It’s to create a recognisable one, so your audience feels like they already know you, before they’ve even clicked “book.”

You Don’t Need to Look ‘Professional’ (You Just Need to Look Like You)

This comes up a lot, especially with women running their own businesses. There’s this unspoken idea that looking professional means wearing a blazer, standing stiffly against a white wall, and smiling like you’ve been told to.

Let’s skip that, shall we?

You are your business. And if you’re someone who chats to clients over coffee, works from your kitchen table, or spends half your time barefoot in the garden brainstorming your next launch … that’s what we want to capture.

We’re not aiming for corporate. We’re aiming for connection. Photos that feel like a natural extension of how you show up in real life.

If that means laughter, mess, movement or a little bit of chaos, brilliant. That’s the kind of thing your clients will connect with.

Let’s Make Something That Feels Like You

If you’re thinking about a brand shoot but not quite sure what it should look like, that’s totally okay. You don’t need to have all the answers, or even a clear vision.

What matters most is showing up as yourself.

And that’s where I come in, to guide you through it, make you feel at ease, and create photos that reflect the heart of your business.

A Little Note of Thanks

All the beautiful florals you see in this post were created by the incredibly talented Jessica Lila Florist, a Sussex-based florist known for her wild, natural arrangements and heartfelt approach. It was such a pleasure to photograph her in her element.

Let’s Stay Connected

P.S. Curious what a branding shoot with me really looks like? Come and say hi over on Instagram @amyclairebarnes_photography It’s where I share recent client work, inspiration for relaxed personal branding, and a little bit of the creative life behind the lens. ✨