Headshot, Portrait, Branding Shoot or Walkabout? Which Photoshoot Do You Actually Need?
Last updated: 01/10/26
"I need some headshots."
Lovely. That's one of my favourite sentences. But quite often, once we get chatting about where the photos are going, what they're for and who's going to see them, it turns out headshots are only part of the story. Sometimes they're not the story at all.
It's a bit like ringing a builder and asking for "some bricks". They'll happily sell you bricks, but a good builder will ask what you're building first.
So here's a guide to the different kinds of shoots, what each one is for, and how to work out which you actually need.
The quick answer
A headshot is a clean, head-and-shoulders photo that shows people who you are: perfect for LinkedIn, your team page and email signature. A portrait shows more of you and your world. A branding shoot is a planned set of images that carries your brand across your website and marketing. My Walkabout and A Day in the Life shoots go further still, giving you a library of photos to tell your story wherever you need it. Most people start with a headshot and build from there.
What is a headshot?
Your headshot is your digital handshake. It's the photo that says "hello" to people you haven't met yet.
It's usually head and shoulders, well lit, against a clean background or softly blurred surroundings, and it has one job: to show people clearly who you are, looking approachable and professional.
Best for: LinkedIn, your website bio, team pages, email signatures, speaker profiles and conference programmes.
What you get: Shoot packages vary between photographers, but usually you’ll see 1-3 photos inclusive and often an option to buy more.
Who needs one: Pretty much everyone in business, whether you're employed, self-employed or running the show. It's the starting point.
If that's all you need right now, brilliant.
What is a portrait, and how is it different?
A portrait shows more of you. Where a headshot introduces you, a portrait starts telling your story.
That might mean pulling back to show more of you, using your surroundings (your office, your workshop, your consulting room), bringing in the tools of your trade, or simply letting a bit more of your personality through. Environment, clothing, expression and setting all become part of the picture.
Some headshots cross over into portraits and vice versa, so don't worry too much about the labels. The difference is really about how much the photo is saying.
Best for: Your About page, press features, speaker bios, annual reports, executive profiles and "meet the team" pages that want a bit more character. Portrait Examples.
What is a branding shoot?
A branding shoot is more deliberate. The aim is a planned set of photos that give a strong, consistent sense of who you are, what you do and how you do it. These are the images that sit across your website and marketing as visual anchors, and they get seen again and again, so your audience comes to recognise you.
That means more planning. We'll talk through your brand, your colours, your customers, the pages the photos need to fill, and what story you want them to tell, before the camera comes out.
Best for: Business owners, consultants, coaches and anyone whose business is built around them personally, or anyone launching or refreshing a website.
Have a look at Branding: Dr Sharief Ibrahim to see how one comes together.
What is a Walkabout shoot?
This is one of mine, and I love it.
Sometimes you need more than your main branding photos. You need pictures of you for all the other places: blog posts, newsletters, press releases, LinkedIn articles, social media, adverts. Photos that don't have to sit perfectly on-brand on your homepage, but give you something real to use instead of reaching for stock images.
That's a Walkabout. It can be anything you need it to be: a morning at a couple of locations, or a full day (or more) creating all sorts of images: relaxed, serious, quirky, on message, off message. Think of it as your own personal stock library. Of you, not someone who looks vaguely like you.
See how it worked for Walkabout: Jonathan Howkins.
What is A Day in the Life of…?
Another of mine. This one's documentary in style: a glimpse behind the curtain at how your business actually works and how you deliver what you do.
Because every business is different, every Day in the Life is different too. It might follow you through a client day, show your team at work, or capture an event from setting up to packing down, with plenty of behind-the-scenes moments along the way.
For a flavour, see A Day in the Life of… Rhythmworks Taiko, where 900 people found themselves drumming at Tobacco Dock. No pressure!
What about photos for a whole team or company?
For companies, it usually starts with corporate team headshots: a consistent set for your website, LinkedIn and internal systems. From there, many businesses add business activity photos: your people, your offices, your work in progress, all the things you'd otherwise fill with stock photos.
I've got a full guide to [team headshot days at your office], and there's a good example of headshots, portraits and office photos working together in Conduct Culture
Headshot, Portrait, Branding, Walkabout or Day in the Life: side by side:
So, which do I actually need?
Ask yourself these questions:
Do I just need a great photo for LinkedIn and my team page? Start with a headshot.
Do people buy from me personally? You'll benefit from portraits or a branding shoot.
Am I launching or refreshing my website? A branding shoot will save you a lot of stock photos.
Do I keep reaching for stock images for blogs, posts and newsletters? That's what a Walkabout is for.
Is how we work part of what we sell? Think about A Day in the Life.
Is it for a whole team? Team headshots first, then business activity photos if you want to show your people at work.
And if you're still not sure? That's completely normal. Tell me what the photos are for and I'll tell you honestly what you need, even if it's the smaller option.
Can I mix and match?
Absolutely, and most people do. A headshot is almost always the starting point, and it slots neatly into the start of a portrait or branding session. A branding shoot can easily spill over into a bit of Walkabout. Team days often include a few portraits of the directors.
Because I'm a mobile photographer, I come to you, so it's easy to build a shoot around your office, your home or the places that matter to your business.
From Conduct Culture:
When searching for a photographer to take our company photos, Matthew Birch Photography stood out to us from the start when viewing the excellent website for his business. The second refreshing element that stood out for us was Matthew answered the phone straight away and we chatted through our requirement at length. Matthew's experience shone throughout our conversation. The attention to detail Matthew provided and discussed with us was also very reassuring for novices in this arena. Booking the shoot and payment through the website was excellent. From meeting Matthew to saying goodbye after a wonderful shoot we cannot recommend Matthew highly enough. His patience, fun, creativity, and experience guided us all through a long and fruitful experience. The results were amazing. Our web designers and marketing partners also took the time to feedback to us how excellent the photography was and of a quality standard rarely come by. Matthew captured the essence of who we are, and we are considering ways to work with him again in the future. Matthew's photography also captures the essence of who he is, exceptionally talented, professional and someone who cares.
Andy and Nichola Sutherland - Directors
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a headshot and a portrait?
A headshot is a head-and-shoulders photo designed to show clearly who you are, ideal for LinkedIn and profiles. A portrait shows more of you and often your surroundings, telling more of your story. They can overlap, and many sessions include both.
What is the difference between headshots and branding photography?
Headshots introduce you. A branding shoot is a planned set of images that shows who you are, what you do and how you do it, designed to be used consistently across your website and marketing. Branding sessions usually include headshots.
What is a Walkabout photoshoot?
It's my name for a flexible shoot that creates a library of photos of you for everyday marketing, such as blogs, newsletters, press releases and social media, so you don't need to rely on stock images.
Do I need a branding shoot or just headshots?
If you mainly need a photo for LinkedIn and your team page, headshots are the right place to start. If your business is built around you personally, or you're refreshing your website, a branding shoot will give you far more to work with.
Can I have headshots and branding photos in the same session?
Yes. Most branding sessions start with headshots and then move on to portraits and wider images.
Do you come to me?
Yes. I'm a mobile photographer based in Farnham, Surrey, photographing people at their office, home or chosen locations across Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, London and the UK.
Not sure what you need? Let's talk
Tell me what your photos are for, where they'll live and who's going to see them, and I'll help you work out the right shoot. Sometimes it's a full branding day. Sometimes it really is just "some headshots", and that's absolutely fine too.
About the author
Matthew Burch is a mobile headshot, portrait and branding photographer based in Farnham, Surrey, with 20-odd years' experience photographing individuals, business owners and corporate teams across Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, London and the UK.