Congratulations!
You’ve done your personal branding shoot (yay!)
You’re feeling great, and now you’re staring at a gallery full of gorgeous images… and suddenly choosing feels harder than the shoot itself. Totally normal.
Selecting the *right* images for your personal brand isn’t about picking the prettiest photos—it’s about choosing the ones that work hardest for your business. Here are my top ten tips to help you choose images that truly support your brand, your marketing, and your goals.
Start with your business goals.
Before you choose anything, ask yourself: *What do I need these images for right now?*
Website refresh? Social media? Speaking gigs? Press features?
Your image choices should align with how and where you’ll use them—not just how much you love them.
Choose a strong confident headshot first.
Every brand needs a go-to headshot. This is your digital handshake.
Look for a headshot that feels:
* Approachable
* Confident
* Aligned with your brand personality
This image will likely be used on your website, LinkedIn, bios, and profiles—so make it count.
Mix portrait and landscape shots.
This one is huge for marketing flexibility.
* **Portrait (vertical)** images work beautifully for Instagram, stories, and Pinterest.
* **Landscape (horizontal)** images are perfect for websites, banners, blogs, and email headers.
Choosing a mix saves you from awkward cropping later and makes your content creation so much easier.
Don't overlook detailed shots.
Detail images—hands at work, tools, textures, products, or behind-the-scenes moments—are branding gold.
They:
* Add depth and storytelling to your website
* Break up text in blogs
* Create visual interest on social media
These shots help show *how* you work, not just what you look like.
Look for images that tell a story.
Ask yourself: *What does this image say about me and my business?*
The best branding images feel intentional. They should hint at:
* Your process
* Your values
* Your client experience
If an image helps someone understand you faster, it’s a winner.
Choose images that feel like you (not a trend)
Trendy poses and expressions can look great—but authenticity always wins.
Pick images where you:
* Feel comfortable
* Look natural
* Recognise yourself
If it feels forced, your audience will feel that too.
Think about variety in expression and pose
You don’t need ten versions of the same smile.
Choose a range that includes:
* Smiling and more neutral expressions
* Close-up headshots and wider lifestyle shots
* Sitting, standing, and movement
This gives you visual variety across platforms while staying cohesive.
Consider your brand colours and style
Pay attention to clothing, backgrounds, and tones.
Select images that:
* Match your brand colours
* Feel cohesive when used together
* Won’t clash with your website or graphics
Consistency builds trust—and makes your brand instantly recognisable.
Pick images with space for text
Some images are perfect for overlays, quotes, or website banners.
Look for shots with:
* Clean backgrounds
* Negative space
* Simple compositions
These are incredibly useful for marketing and often become client favourites long-term.
Choose images you'll actually use
This might be the most important tip of all.
If you can immediately picture where an image will live—website, Instagram, email signature—it’s probably a great choice. If you love it but have no idea how you’ll use it, it might not be essential right now.
Remember: you’re building a *toolkit*, not just a gallery.
