We are going to “shed some light” on the kinds of light photographers use to make your branding/headshot images. Light is everything in our work and it can shape the look of your brand, so knowing a few basics is essential in finding the look that aligns with you and or your brand. 

Natural Light

This one sounds just like it is, we use the natural light in a scene or building to create your image. There are no extra lights on our cameras or off the camera to aid in creation of the images. We may use natural light at golden hour or open shade, where the light reflects softly in the shade of a building or tree. We may bounce light with a reflector but that light is still natural light.

Sometimes we pose subjects indoors using the light from windows – after all this is Canada and we have a sizeable winter season so we cannot always work with you outdoors. It is a softer light and best used in a space connected to you and your brand, it might be nature or the city – indoors or outdoors. 

On Camera Flash

This is not one I often use for branding/headshots as I tends to give you that paparazzi vibe, which can be used intentionally with the right brand. I am going to show some examples but they are from events as I really don’t use the technique (or had clients who needed that look).

Events in dark rooms often require a flash on your camera to be effective but it would not be a first or second choice for professional work. You could use this technique effectively to create cool fashion brand on white backgrounds for that high key image look but the brand would need to align with this to make it work.

Off Camera Flash 

Given that we do have a sizeable winter season and many businesses have specific headshot and image requirements light the studio can be a popular or starting option for images.

There are a variety of different ways to employ studio lights with and without backdrops. For example, in the case of the image of Mika Modolo we took in 2017, there was one studio light in a cramped hallway, next to a coffee station and adjacent the newsroom and the computer graphics room. we also bounced a little of the light using a reflector on her right side to get this image.

In the case of the Mayor Roy and Council’s images we used a grey backdrop and then edited each image also as a .tiff so the file could be used on a responsive grey background gradient on the website itself.

We also create images that are high end music style like country music protege Riley Wheater’s image below and more fun images like the SNL inspired image of Greg Frankson flying into the frame.

The world of studio lighting gives realtors a fresh all white look and makes them easy to cut out for a variety of realtor signs, website and pamphlets applications.

Business Images

When it comes to successful business images we have spoken about the value of making your own images in our article Are there drawbacks to stock photography?. Stock tends to under perform on searches so creating it is in your best interest.

Business images are a great way to build brand recognition as it’s essential to keep a consistent look across your social media through to your website. A hodgepodge of images can be confusing for customers who are inundated with content 24/7. Every time a consumer visits you it’s important to show you are a serious brand and keep them engaging; branding images help you achieve that all important goal.

When telling a story a business images – be it a headshot or brand specific images – are essential to telling an effective and understandable story. They help you build trust with your customer base by creating a good first impression and subsequent impressions along the timeline of engagement with you and or your brand. For example, a headshot that looks like it was cropped from a wedding photo presents differently than a planned professional headshot in a studio or on location.

Images Shown : (Above) Local MP Ryan Turnbull engaging with Seniors at a local Seniors Centre in town. (Top Left) Yoga Jungle (Middle) Enjoying a promenade with a friend on Marito’s Coffee at Pearson Lanes (Top Right) Creating a tea cup flower arrangement with blogger Craftberry Bush.

Images Shown : (Top Left) Shopping at the Makers Hub (Middle) Exploring the greens growing pod at Durham College in Whitby (Top Right) Getting your eyes checked at Brooklin Optimetric.

Take charge of your brand

I know that my own brand is like my fourth child, it has grown over the last twelve years and that is why working with clients on their brands is so exciting. We are growing a special part of your work story – be it as a local MP, a trusted eye expert or a local maker’s hub – connecting you to your customers is essential. 

What story do you want to tell?

Kirsten McGoey | Visual Storyteller