Stop blending in: Brand photography tips to be memorable
Jade Alana, brand photographer and author of this guest blog on brand photography tips for small businesses
Introducing brand photography by brand photographer, Jade Alana
In a visual-first world, the way your brand looks is often the first conversation you have with potential clients. But powerful imagery doesn’t just happen—it’s crafted with intention, clarity, and collaboration. That’s why, at Wildings Studio, we partner with talented specialists who understand how visual identity feeds into the bigger picture of brand and website design.
For this guest feature, we’ve invited brand photographer Jade to share her expertise on what makes brand photography truly effective. From consistency and styling to authenticity and strategy, her insights reveal how to translate your brand values into visuals that stop the scroll and build connection.
Because when your imagery reflects not just what you do, but who you are, it becomes one of your strongest business assets. Here, Jade explains how to make every photo count—and how considered, cohesive imagery underpins a brand that’s built to grow.
1. What is brand photography & why should it matter to a small business?
Deciding to invest in brand photography isn’t just about hiring someone with a camera - it’s about shaping how the world sees your business. And that’s a big deal. If your time and budget are limited (whose isn’t?), you need to invest where it counts, bring the right people on board and create images that not only look beautiful but make your audience stop and take action.
When people think “brand photography,” they often picture a nice headshot and some product shots. But the truth is, your brand photos are often your first impression. They tell people who you are, what you stand for and how you want to be remembered.
Read more: How to get great brand photos for your garden design website
2. What are the key elements of strong brand photography?
For me, it comes down to two things: consistency and connection.
Your photos should be instantly recognisable as you - across every platform and touchpoint. That’s where brand-aligned colours, props, lighting and composition come in. None of it should be left to chance.
But it’s also not about chasing a perfectly polished, curated grid either. Your audience also wants to see the real you - the human side they can connect with. Strong brand photography gets the balance right: giving you those scroll-stopping, premium shots while also leaving space for the in-the-moment, authentic content that builds trust.
3. Ensuring consistency in brand photography across a photo shoot
Consistency is about being intentional.
Even if you’re DIY-ing some of your content, you can still create cohesion by:
1. Stick to a colour palette
Neutrals plus one or two brand colours that repeat across outfits, props and backgrounds.
2. Choose consistent lighting
Lighting is a key component of photography - the balance between light and dark; what’s shaded and what’s highlighted. A day of sunny intervals or erratic lighting can ruin photos, as the aim is to create coherence and visuals that feel recognisably “you” wherever your audience sees them.
3. Considered props & textures
Choose a family of props and textures that feel aligned with your brand and use variations of them across shoots. That way, you keep things fresh while still building a recognisable look.
4. Plan your content
Balance your premium, professional images with looser, authentic iPhone shots. Both have a role, but the brand story ties them together.
Read more: How the right brand photography can actually build trust & increase business success
4. Styling tips in brand photography: props, lighting & mood
Styling is storytelling in the details - the textures, colours and objects that instantly signal what your brand is about. Think of it like walking into a beautifully curated shop or a luxury spa. Everything is considered so you feel the brand before a single word is spoken.
Intentional styling is not about adding “more stuff”- it’s about adding the right details so your brand feels consistent, elevated and unmistakable in every shot.
Explore the full In conversation with guest blog series to learn how collaborators in design, photography and creative industries shape standout brands. Ready to elevate your own brand identity? Check out our branding services for expert guidance in creating a consistent, recognisable, and strategically designed brand.
5. How to create unique brand photography that stands out
I see this as an invitation to dream a little bigger.
The quickest way to blend in is to play it safe or copy what the next person in your industry is doing. The brands that stand out are the ones that shift their mindset from “What’s expected?” to “What would it look like if I showed up as the leader in my space?”
That’s what intentional imagery is all about. It’s making choices on purpose - the colours you wear, the spaces you shoot in, the props you use, even the way you carry yourself in front of the camera. All of those little details add up to create something that feels uniquely you.
So when you’re planning your photos, ask yourself: Does this image reflect the experience I want people to have of my brand? If the answer’s yes, you’re on the right path.
Read more: Why is brand photography so important for garden designers?
6. Common brand photography mistakes & how to fix them
1. Not planning where the images will be used
Too many people go into a shoot without thinking about how the images will actually be used - on the website, in social posts, in launch campaigns. If you don’t map that out first, you risk ending up with photos that look nice but don’t actually serve the bigger picture.
2. Not planning for the logistics of the day
Time flies on a shoot, so staying organised is key. Prep your outfits, finalise a solid shot list and account for outfit changes, makeup, scene setups, set-up and pack-down and models if you’re using them. Without a clear plan, you risk wasting a lot of valuable time and missing shots that could make a real difference for your brand.
The truth is, strong brand photography is never accidental.
7. Budget-friendly brand photography tips for small businesses
You don’t need hundreds of photos - you just need the right ones. Instead of aiming for lots of shoots in a year, focus on a smaller, more targeted shoots and put your money where it counts. Work with a photographer who understands branding, follow your designer’s visual direction and if you can, bring in a prop stylist to make every shot stand out. This way, you’re building a library of images that actually work for your brand and give you exactly what you need.
A handful of perfectly executed, on-brand photos will do way more for you than a huge batch of mediocre images. Think of a photoshoot as an investment- a key part of your marketing plan. These images are what will put you in front of your ideal clients and help your business grow.
Read more: 5 tips to gain visual coherence & impact for your brand
8. Essential brand photography shots your business needs
1. A strong headshot
This doesn’t mean it has to be the stereotypical blazer/power shot against a white wall. This means a powerful image of you, in a setting that encapsulates everything your brand stands for).
2. Lifestyle images
These should be of you or your team in action (AKA you doing what you do best).
3. Product or service close-ups
Show off your offerings in a way that makes them irresistible.
4. On-brand website banner images
A hero shot that grabs attention the moment someone lands on your site. This could be you, your products or both.
9. Visual storytelling tip: nail your brand direction before the shoot
The key to great brand photos happens before the shoot: nail your visual direction. Know your colours, style, mood and overall brand vibe.
If you’ve worked with a brand designer, you may already have this blueprint/guide - it’s what makes your images unmistakably “you.” If not, it’s worth spending some time on this before booking your shoot so every photo works harder for your brand.
Bottom line: Great visuals don’t just happen. Get clear on your brand’s direction and who your dream client is before the shoot, and your photographer and stylist will create images that do the real heavy lifting for your business.
Read more: 5 surefire essentials for an amazing website design (& what not to do)
10. Anything else I need to know about brand photography?
Strong brand photography is about more than just looking good—it’s about being intentional, consistent, and authentic in every shot. From planning your visual direction and styling to selecting the right lighting, props, and content mix, each decision contributes to a cohesive brand that resonates with your audience and supports business growth. Even on a budget, focusing on a targeted, well-executed shoot can deliver far more value than large quantities of generic images.
Ultimately, brand photography is an investment in how your business is perceived, helping you stand out, build trust, and attract your ideal clients. By approaching your visuals strategically, you transform your imagery from simple pictures into a powerful tool that tells your brand story at a glance.
For more inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes insights, follow Jade on Instagram or visit her website to see how considered photography can elevate your brand.
Wildings is a website designer for small business offering website design. Based in Torquay in South Devon, we deliver small business website design for design-conscious brands like garden designers, interior designers, architects, circular ethos restaurants, speciality coffee shops, organic cafés and boutique hotels.
Previously in the series
In this article:
Introducing brand photography by brand photographer, Jade Alana
About the author:
Jade is from Jade Alana Photography, a brand photographer for creatives, leaders and visionaries. She helps business owners show up with confidence online and bring the heart and soul of their brand to life through powerful, story-driven lifestyle imagery.
