Why Every Twin Cities Creative Business Needs a Branding Photography Session
If you own a small business in the Twin Cities—whether you're a designer, florist, stylist, artist, baker, business coach, or any other number of creative service providers—your brand is so much more than just your logo or pretty images on social media. It is the foundation of your business because it tells the story of who you are and what your clients can expect when working with you!
When you think of your ideal client, picture someone who not only wants to pay for your services, but someone who values them, relates to them, and is excited about them. Imagine someone you could chat with for hours over a cup of coffee. This client connects with your style and vision and appreciates the care and expertise you bring. For your marketing strategy to be effective, your brand must communicate your story clearly, serving as the voice of your business. In other words, your unique voice, passions, and interests need to shine through! And the truth is, people want to buy from people who they can identify with and who also identify with them. That’s why having custom, personality-filled brand photography and video content isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s one of the smartest investments you can make in your business.
So, what exactly makes branding photography valuable?
What Is Branding Photography?
Branding photography goes beyond a traditional headshot. It’s a strategic, story-driven photoshoot that highlights:
Who you are
What you do
How you do it differently
Branding Photo Sessions are a key part of your branding marketing strategy. A good branding photographer doesn’t just take your pictures, but works together with you and your designer (if you are working with one), to plan a single, or series of photo shoots that reflect the style, messaging, values, tone, and goals of your brand. In fact, a comprehensive branding photography plan should result in a diverse set of content that you can pull from for all of your marketing needs throughout the year.
A good branding photographer will:
Interview you in order to get key pieces of information to help plan your shoot: location ideas, artistic vision, and, information about you that is important to bringing your story to life.
Create a storyboard to inspire your shoot containing everything from clothing suggestions to product layouts. This storyboard will bring the colors, tones, and textures created by your web designer to life!
Establish a shot list which reflects all of your needs and helps you feel confident and prepared for your shoot.
Plan the location of your shoot/s.
Provide you with headshots, lifestyle (storytelling, candid) photos, editorial images, flat lays, and personal videos.
The result is content that is “alive”, speaks for you, and paints an image of you that will attract someone who is trying to find you.
What Is a Branding Photo Shoot Like?
Whether that’s styling florals in your studio, leading a yoga class, painting in natural light, coaching a client, training a dog, or simply sipping coffee at your favorite Minneapolis café, your branding session is meant to be fun and reflects the things that you love! You do what you do in your business because you love it, and your images should speak to that love. A good branding photo session will photograph you in action and with other people (or pets!). Another key element will be to capture brand elements such as tools you use, flat lays of colors, objects, and textures that illustrate your story, and lifestyle headshots that show your true personality. These are the important, personal details that bring your story to life and can be used over and over again in your marketing.
Professional branding photos result in so much more than just a stock image can because they are real and personal. They elevate the professionalism of your brand through high quality imagery and consistent content across your website, social media, and email marketing —making you instantly recognizable and unforgettable. The resulting images will be your visual brand language.
How to Find a Branding Team That’s Right for You
So, how do you find a branding photographer that works for you? I created a Comprehensive Guide to Finding a Branding Photographer in the Twin Cities to help educate you in taking that step! Your Branding Photographer is an essential part of your design team! I have worked with design teams in the Twin Cities that truly love to bring results to their clients. Julie from PW Designs is INCREDIBLE when it comes to helping small businesses create or refine their brand while helping them know how to support it. Julie empowers her clients to succeed by providing them with tools to establish a personable, storytelling brand which is leveraged by a strong website supported with SEO combined with her clients’ personalities and stories.
Julie’s branding strategy is successful because it is grounded in storytelling: “what I love most about creating branding is weaving my clients’ personal stories into visuals and messaging that deeply resonate with their audience. It’s not just about pretty colors or a cool logo - it’s about capturing who they are and what makes their business magnetic. Like with Massage by CJ, we didn’t just build a calming brand for her massage services - we infused it with the northern Minnesota vibe she grew up with. That connection to her roots makes the brand feel grounded, intentional, and 100% her. That’s the magic: creating a brand that feels like home for both the business owner and their clients.”
A Good Brand Photographer is a Partner in the Design Process
A successful branding session needs teamwork. A good photographer works with you, your brand, and your web designer to understand your goals.
When searching for a brand photographer here are some helpful tips to consider:
Consider Their Style
Some photographers have a polished, editorial look, while others are more creative and emotive. Your branding photos should fit your brand’s look, feel, colors, and story. Look at their website and images. Do their photos match the mood and tone you want? Does their style reflect your brand and personality? Are they able to translate your vision into images that best tell your story?
The Details That Matter
Location: Do they shoot only in one place or also where clients live, work, or visit?
Style and quality: Are their photos artistic or simple and clean? Do they capture a mood or feeling?
Details: Do they include close-ups like flatlays showing client’s work or interests?
Content: Do they offer photos only, or also video?
Action: Do their images show clients doing what they love?
Variety: Do they use different compositions to tell your story?
Values: Do they share your business values?The Breakdown of Why Branding Photography is Important for You
The Value of Branding Photography for Building Your Personal Brand
Connects You with Your Ideal Client
Customers connect with faces, stories, and experiences that they can relate to, not stock images. When potential clients visit your site or social media and see YOU —they’re more likely to trust you and book you.
Your Brand = Your Story
Small businesses in Minneapolis and St. Paul thrive on community and individuality. Branding photos help you tell your unique story visually—how your hands create, how your space feels, how your values show up in your work. If a customer can relate to you and identify specific interests with you, they will develop trust with you from the get go.
Elevates Your Professionalism
Planning a website update? Getting press or podcast features? Want to pitch yourself for collaborations or events? You’ll need a gallery of professional, on-brand images at your fingertips. No more scrambling for something from your phone.
Confidence Boost
It’s amazing what happens when creatives see themselves in the art that results from their branding photography. A great branding session doesn’t just elevate your content—it reminds you that you are the heart of your business. And you deserve to be seen.
Real Results From Real Clients
One of my recent branding clients, who is a Twin Cities Coach and Consultant, said this after her session:
“I loved my branding photos! My website designer and I gave her a list of shots we wanted, and she really brought them to life by supporting me with an outfits mood board and setting up her studio space to match the aesthetic I was going for. She also had a great list of hair and makeup artists and allowed us to get ready in the space while she was setting up. Ann Marie is communicative, and I loved my final photo gallery!”
That’s the power of storytelling branding photography.
Let’s Bring Your Brand to Life
Your business deserves more than DIY selfies and Canva mockups. You’ve worked hard to build something meaningful—something which reflects your passion, your talent, and your story. Let’s create beautiful, storytelling branding photographs bring that story to life. If you're a Twin Cities creative or small business ready to take your brand to the next level, I'd love to chat with you about a custom branding session designed just for you.
