Say cheese, or don’t. Let’s talk portraits and personal branding.

Great photos aren’t about perfect smiles. They’re about trust, timing, and light. Whether you want a single striking portrait or a cohesive set that tells your brand story, here’s what each route actually means and how to choose.

What is portrait photography?

Portrait photography is the art of showing who someone is in a single frame. It’s about expression, connection, and character. The aim is simple, create images that feel like you.

Who is it for?

Anyone who wants to be seen well, individuals, couples, families, teams.

Common portrait types

• Family portraits, real moments and milestones together.

• Headshots for CVs, LinkedIn, websites and press.

• Maternity and newborn to bottle the tiny, fleeting stuff.

• Environmental portraits where your world becomes the backdrop, a studio, a workshop, a lakeside walk.

How it’s made

• Natural light for soft, honest tones.

• Studio setups for clean, controlled, editorial looks.

• Lifestyle sessions that feel candid but are gently directed so you look natural, not staged.

What is personal branding photography?

Personal branding photography builds a visual identity around you and your work. Think less single-hero shot, more a considered set that shows personality, process, and purpose.

Who is it for?

Entrepreneurs, freelancers, creatives, founders, and anyone who needs to stand out online with a consistent look and message.

Typical brand image mix

• Professional headshots that match your brand tone.

• Lifestyle scenes that show how you work and what you’re like to work with.

• Behind the scenes to make your process tangible.

• Product or service images used in context, designed to fit your colour palette and feel.

• Concept pieces are planned to communicate a message or campaign.

Portrait vs personal branding: the fundamental differences

Audience

• Portraits speak to family, friends, your wider circle.

• Branding speaks to clients, partners, press.

Goals

• Portraits capture who you are today.

• Branding builds recognition and trust across platforms, website, socials, decks, PR.

Storytelling

• Portraits tell a moment.

• Branding tells a narrative across a set, consistent colour, mood and styling.

Planning

• Portraits need light, location and time.

• Branding adds strategy, moodboards, outfits, props and locations that match your brand.

Usage

• Portraits live at home, on the wall, shared with loved ones.

• Branding is made to ship, banners, landing pages, posts, newsletters, media kits.

If you want one or two brilliant images, book a portrait session. If you want a toolkit of on-brand visuals you can use all year, book personal branding.

How a session with me works

1. Quick chat, what you need, where your images will live, any no-go zones.

2. Plan, we agree a look and a loose shot list. For branding, we build a small moodboard and wardrobe plan.

3. Shoot, relaxed direction, efficient setups, plenty of variety.

4. Selection & edit, you choose favourites, I retouch with a light hand so skin looks like skin.

5. Delivery, ready-to-use files sized for print and web. Simple licensing for your intended use.

Preparation checklist

• Outfits, 2 to 4 options that fit well and reflect your style or brand colours. Avoid loud logos unless they are your brand.

• Grooming the day before, not the hour before.

• Props & tools that tell your story, laptop, sketchbook, camera, bike, coffee, you name it.

• Location, studio for clean, location for texture. We can mix both.

• Sleep & water, boring, effective.

Choosing the right photographer

• Look for work you feel, not just technically correct images.

• Read reviews for consistency, communication, and delivery.

• Match the vibe, you’ll spend time together, and chemistry shows in the photos.

• Budget smart; cheap images cost more when you never use them.

FAQ quickies

• Do I need a studio? No. Studio gives control, location gives character. We pick what serves the brief.

• What about “graduation portraits”? Yes, same idea as a portrait session, with a bit more ceremony.

• I’m awkward on camera. Everyone says this. Good direction, simple posing, and natural prompts fix it.

Ready to make something you’ll actually use?

If you’re leaning towards portraits, branding, or not sure yet, that’s fine. Tell me what you need the images to do, and I’ll guide you to the right session. If you’re in Switzerland and want people-focused photography with zero fuss, let’s talk.