The Difference Between Personal and Commercial Brand Sessions
Personal vs. Commercial Brand Session
If you’ve been researching brand photography, you’ve probably seen a few different session types floating around: personal branding, commercial branding, product photography, lifestyle campaigns—the list goes on.
So, how do you know what kind of session you actually need?
Let’s break it down. Here’s what sets a personal brand session apart from a commercial brand session—and how to know which one is the best fit for your business.
Personal Brand Photography: It’s All About You
A personal brand session is tailored to service providers, creatives, and small business owners who are the face of their brand. Think coaches, consultants, designers, stylists, real estate pros, and solo entrepreneurs.
The Focus:
YOU as the face of your brand
Lifestyle imagery that shows your personality and process
Headshots with heart, not stiff corporate poses
Visual storytelling that builds connection and trust
The Use:
Website headshots and banners
Instagram content (think “a day in the life” vibes)
Speaker bios or podcast features
Email newsletters and course platforms
The Main Goal:
In short, to humanize your business. Personal brand sessions help your audience feel like they know you—so when it’s time to hire, you’re already the familiar face.
Commercial Brand Photography:
It’s Bigger Than Just You
The Focus:
Your product or service in action
Your team, space, or process
Marketing or ad campaign needs
Polished, high-end visuals that communicate brand values
The Use:
Website launches and rebrands
Ad campaigns and print marketing
Product pages and packaging
Media kits, press features, investor decks
The Main Goal:
To elevate your business brand. Commercial sessions are designed to help you market like a pro and grow with confidence—whether that means more visibility, more reach, or more revenue.
Heads up on licensing: Because commercial brand images are often used at scale—across ad campaigns, packaging, and large platforms—additional licensing may be required depending on how and where the images will be circulated. I always walk my clients through this to make sure everything’s clear and covered.
So, Which One Do You Need?
Here’s the quick test:
Are you the face of your business and want to build trust online? Go with a personal brand session.
Do you need campaign images, team photos, or high-volume product shots? Book a commercial brand session.
If you’re somewhere in between (like a small team with a personal touch), don’t worry—I often create hybrid sessions to meet both goals. That’s the beauty of custom brand photography.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
Great brand photography should meet your goals—not just fit into a category.
If you’re unsure what kind of session makes the most sense, reach out. I’ll help you map out a plan that aligns with your brand’s growth, your marketing goals, and how you actually use your images day-to-day.