Creating variety within a studio setting
For Victoria’s personal branding photography, we wanted to create a varied collection of images that would feel professional, approachable and authentic, while giving her plenty of options for different uses across her online presence.
Although the session took place entirely in my studio, we created several different settings and looks to give the images the feeling of being photographed in a range of natural working environments.
Creating different environments
One area of the studio was styled with a sofa and small table beside the window, creating a warm and relaxed setting similar to a home workspace, café or library.
We used simple lifestyle details such as a laptop, books, a glass of water and a cup of coffee to create natural situations rather than making every image feel like a traditional corporate portrait.
The styling was also deliberately varied. Some photographs show Victoria in an elegant suit, creating a more polished and professional look, while others are much more relaxed, with jeans, Converse trainers and a white shirt with casually rolled-up sleeves.
This contrast was important. Personal branding does not always have to look formal. A more relaxed portrait, combined with a genuine smile and natural expression, can help create a sense of approachability and trust while still looking professional.
A range of portraits
Alongside the lifestyle images, we created more traditional portraits on both white and black backgrounds.
We also experimented with a white curtain against a white background to create the impression of a large window and soft natural light. This gave us another clean and timeless look without needing to leave the studio.
The final collection gave Victoria a range of images with different moods and purposes, from polished professional portraits to more relaxed lifestyle photographs.
For me, this session was a good example of how a carefully considered studio setup can create much more variety than a single traditional portrait backdrop, allowing a personal branding session to reflect different sides of the person behind the business.
