Do I need headshots or a branding / lifestyle photoshoot?

May 2

Whether you are a small business owner or a people manager in Boston, you’ve likely seen beautiful photos of all sorts online. If you are wondering what it takes to get them. How can you know which photographers will maximize your dollar and send the right visual message to your audience?

Female Realtor on the phone on a NH porch — Cary Perry, realtor MA, NH, ME.

First, what is the difference between a headshot and a branding session?

Branding

Consistent marketing imagery is achieved through planning and developing a framework for your business. A branding session would consider who your audience is (not just clients but desired clients), what your current aesthetics are (color palate, themes, fonts, and voice/ tone used in written marketing) and what you’re up against, i.e. competitors. This involves meetings to ideate and plan the photography needs. Then the photoshoot/s include rental spaces to fit the aesthetic or story we are telling. Props that quickly tell the audience and AI search tools what this company does. Clothing stylists, hair and make-up can all come in to the picture, pun intended. It can make a huge difference for your business if your value proposition has to do with any of the following: having taste (interior designers, restaurant owners, event planners), investing in your future (financial services, career coaches, education/courses for sale), and achieving competitive results (think law firms, financial investors, real estate sales).

A branding session may include:

Lifestyle images of you at work
Environmental portraits in your office or studio
Team and group photography
Behind-the-scenes moments
Product and service photography
Content for websites, social media, and marketing campaigns

Headshots

A headshot is great for updating LinkedIn or a bio picture to accompany your professional publications. It is at most a waist-up shot and could just be a close-cropped picture of your face for practical reference in 1:1 or 4:5 ratio. Ideally, if a professional is poised to move up the career ladder the headshot also serves to mark them as a person who plans ahead and takes themselves seriously enough to invest by hiring a real photographer as opposed to an AI photo, low resolution version, or an outdated photo). Don’t just take my word for it, have a look at some staff bio pages of similar businesses to your company and see how common bad photos are. Compare that to well-lit, natural-looking headshots from a my website. I offer headshots in just 15 minutes that are sure to send the right messages to your higher-ups and clients.

Headshots are essential for:

LinkedIn profiles
Company websites
Press features and published articles
Speaking engagements and conferences
Book jackets and professional bios

Many Boston small businesses start with headshots and expand into branding sessions as they grow. In 2026, authentic and strategic imagery is more important than ever. Clients want to see the people behind the business, understand your process, and connect with your brand before making a decision.

Gabriela Berinstein

I'm Gaby, I love working with people who are building something of their own. Every day I meet entrepreneurs who inspire me to excel at my craft. I build relationships with all of my clients, and their success is my success. Our shoot may be over, but you will see and hear me cheering you on as you grow!

Most of the people who come to me don’t love being in front of a camera, but I lend them my posing guidance, wardrobe/styling advice, and positivity/connect them with my hair and make-up friends and we always come away with winning photos. I understand how vulnerable it can feel to put your image on the internet. My job is to make that process feel collaborative, fun, and efficient.

I’ve been photographing professionally since 2023, but I’ve been around artists my whole life. There was little chance I was going to become an accountant, but that said I love the challenge of being self-employed. I have gained confidence in my eye and creative voice through multiple passions including dance and music, which I do in my free time.

I’m also a small business owner, which means I understand the vulnerability of putting yourself out there. Taking good photos of different people every day means helping you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

If you’re looking for branding photography that feels polished but still real — I’d love to connect!

https://www.GabrielaBerinstein.com