Let’s talk about your Brand Photos!

Brand photos are the headshots of you and the images that appear throughout your website. They’re an important part of how your audience connects with your brand. During consult calls with potential clients, we often discuss their current photos and whether they still feel like a good fit. Here are a few common responses:

“My current photos work. I don’t love them, but I don’t have the budget or time for new ones, so let’s just roll with what I have.”
“I don’t like my photos at all—they don’t feel like me anymore. I want new ones but don’t have the budget.”
“I don’t like my photos or don’t really have any, and I’d love to hire a photographer. Can you help guide the look and feel I should aim for?”

Let’s explore solutions for each situation.✨

1. When You Want to Keep Your Current Photos

First of all—this is totally okay! 🤠 I’ve worked with plenty of clients to create *beautiful brands and websites* (if I do say so myself) using older photos. I can design a brand that works with your current images and create a plan for when you’re ready to update them.

When the time comes, I can swap in your new photos and adjust a color or two in your brand to ensure everything feels cohesive. This is something we can tackle later during a Design Day, combining it with other design projects that are needed. Building your brand in phases is a perfectly normal approach, and I’m here to support businesses of all sizes and stages.

Below are three examples of women who opted for “keeping their current photos” during the web design process. Now you tell me, can you actually tell? Nope. Not at all. They all look fabulous.

2. When You Want New Photos But Don’t Have the Budget

No worries—you can still get great results with a little creativity. If a professional photographer isn’t an option right now, try taking your own photos or asking a friend to help. With modern smartphones, you can capture high-quality images!

Here are some tips for DIY photos:

Use natural light. Indoors, sit near a window; outdoors, choose bright but evenly lit spots.
Experiment with portrait mode.
Choose backgrounds that feel aligned with your brand (nature, urban scenes, or cozy indoor spaces).
Need guidance? If we’re working together, I can help you choose locations or settings that fit your style.

Even a few polished, well-lit images can make a big difference. (Fun fact: My first brand photos were taken in my basement! See below!🥰)

3. When You’re Ready to Invest in Professional Photos

If you’re hiring a photographer, I’m here to guide you through the process! Here is my step by step process for Photoshoot Prep. But in summary, you can share potential photographers with me, and I’ll help you choose a style that aligns with your brand. ❤️ I can also help you decide on outfits, props, and whether an indoor or outdoor shoot works best.

Pro tips for hiring a photographer:

Reach out early. Photographers’ schedules fill quickly, so allow at least four weeks for the process.
Expect to invest between $700 and $3,000 for a branding shoot, though mini sessions (offered seasonally) are often more affordable (under $300 typically).
Bring objects that reflect your brand—laptop, coffee mug, crystals, journals, etc.—to capture “stock-style” photos. Your photographer will know what to do!

What Comes First: Brand Photography or Logo Design?

Sometimes, the relationship between brand photography and brand design can feel like a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma. Which comes first? 🫠 Here’s my take:

Curating a Pinterest board filled with inspiration is a fun and creative exercise, but the fastest way to develop a clear shot list and define your photography style is by selecting a photographer first. Like any artist, photographers have distinct styles—coloring, tone, composition—that make their work unique. The best way to ensure they can achieve the look you’re envisioning is to choose someone whose existing portfolio aligns with your brand’s aesthetic.

A common mistake I caution against is hiring a photographer and then asking them to recreate another photographer’s work. While some may be able to match the style, others may not—and it’s not about skill. Factors like their equipment, available locations, and technical approach all play a role in what they can realistically achieve. The simplest way to know if a photographer can bring your vision to life? Make sure they’ve already demonstrated that style in their portfolio.

How Creative Direction for Photography works at Sundai Studio

Research & Source Photographers – I recommend starting with photographers local to you. You can search local hashtags on Instagram or ask other businesses for recommendations. If you’d like a second opinion, feel free to send me their portfolios for feedback!
Consult & Budget – Have an initial conversation or email exchange to understand their pricing and ensure it fits within your budget.
Define Your Visual Style – Select images from their portfolio that align with your vision. At this stage, we’ll also determine the best location for your shoot, and I can offer guidance.
Plan Your Wardrobe – Outfit choices can make a big impact. If you’d like input, send me photos of your options. As a general rule of thumb neutrals like whites and creams look great on a website but for specific brands choosing a pop of color makes sense — we can discuss what you already have in your closet and make the best choice together for the brand.
Build a Shot List – A small Pinterest board can help spark ideas for a final shot list and props. The shot list itself should be a practical guide for photo day, detailing specific poses and angles—e.g., “sitting in chair looking at the camera,” “standing next to chair looking away,” “working with a journal in lap.” If you need help with prop ideas, I can suggest options. Create a final google doc and consult with your photographer before Photo day.

One of the biggest misconceptions about brand photography is that you need a finalized logo or visual brand before scheduling a shoot. In reality, having high-quality images ready before the final branding is created can actually streamline everything. When we have photos early on, we can pull color inspiration directly from them—making the entire brand more cohesive and the process more efficient. 🎉

PS - If you’re a current client, you can view this information more as a “to-do list” for our time together right here >

What Kinds of Photos Do You Need?

Whether you’re using old photos, DIYing new ones, or hiring a pro, aim for a mix of:

Horizontal and vertical shots. Horizontal images can be used as larger full-width images on the site.
Close-up headshots and full-body or wider “zoomed-out” shots.
Photos that feature objects/tools you use regularly (e.g., journals, florals, candles).

These types of images create a more dynamic, engaging website that feels uniquely yours.

Why Do Brand Photos Matter?

As the face of your brand, your website should reflect you. Feeling connected to your photos boosts your confidence, which shines through in your marketing. I’ve seen it time and time again. That energy leads to more sales, better connections, and lasting momentum for your business.

Most of my clients use their professional images for two to three years—sometimes longer! If you stick with the same photographer over time, your photo library will maintain a consistent tone, making updates seamless too.

Quick FAQs

How soon should I reach out to a photographer?

It’s best to have final photos before your website design starts. Reach out to photographers as early as possible—most need at least a month’s notice. If we are working together we will “pause” our process until we have those photos in hand.

How do I find a photographer?

Search local hashtags on Instagram or ask other businesses for recommendations. Look for a portfolio that resonates with you in terms of style, coloring, and location. Also, you can often find a “site credits” or “photo credits” link in the footer of any website. This link lists the photographer responsible for those website images.

What should I wear?

Wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident! Bring at least two outfits—one formal, one casual—and stick with colors that reflect your personality. Neutrals (whites, creams) are always a safe choice.

What final files do I need?

Most photographers provide high-resolution and web-resolution images. For your website, I typically only need web-resolution files, but having high-res images can be handy for other uses.

What’s the typical cost of a branding shoot?

Personal branding shoots generally range from $700 to $3,000. Mini sessions can be a budget-friendly option if the timing works for you (check this out during the Fall or Springtime). This is typically under the $300 range.

What types of photos should I request?

Tell your photographer the images are for your website and ask for a mix of headshots and horizontal shots that can span the width of a webpage. Bringing props that represent your brand is a bonus!

Still feeling overwhelmed?

If you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry. ❤️ When we work together, I can help—from sourcing stock imagery to finding the perfect photographer. Together, we’ll create a visually stunning website that aligns with your brand and feels so you.

That’s it! Whether you’re a client reading this or you’re someone on the internet looking for some guidance, I hope this blogpost feels supportive for wherever you are in the process.

If we haven’t met yet, I’m Jena Thielges a Brand and Website Designer. I specialize in working with women who are coaches, therapists, healers and service providers. Founded in 2019 on seven years of agency experience, Sundai Studio is more than a brand and web design studio—it’s your energy, embodied in design. Because even your branding should feel aligned.

Check out my offers here and get in touch if you’re ready to book a free consult call!

Y O U M A Y A L S O E N J O Y …

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