Hi friend! We’ve been putting it off for a while, but we can’t let it go any longer. We HAVE to talk about professional photography and your brand.
As an entrepreneur, we know you have been working endlessly and tirelessly on your business. Long days and nights pouring everything into creating your business plan, outlining your offers, putting together a website, and developing your social media strategy. Yet, you’re still using selfies, blurry iPhone photos, and suspiciously perfect stock photos to represent your beloved business. Oh NO, friend!
Here at the BRA Network, we completely understand that as an entrepreneur or new business owner, you’ve got a lot on your plate. And there are many places to invest your hard-earned start up money. But we don’t want all of your hard work and drive to slip through the cracks due to one big mistake.
Today we’re discussing why investing in professional photography is one of the smartest decisions you’ll make—because let’s be real, the world deserves to see you in HD, not low-res, honey!
1. Blurry Photos Won’t Pay the Bills
Think about it—when was the last time you trusted a website that looked like it was using blurry screenshots? Exactly.
Professional photos send a clear message: “I’m serious about my business, and I didn’t cut corners with my visuals.” Sure, that phone in your hand is great for capturing brunch pics, but leave your brand’s image to the pros.
Scroll through BRA Member Diana Greshtchuk’s website and notice how her professional photos (captured by fellow BRA Member Bernadette Marciniak) levels up the professionalism of her website.
2. First Impressions Matter
You wouldn’t wear sweatpants to a job interview, so why let your business look like it rolled out of bed? Your website or social media page is often the first interaction someone has with your brand. Make it count with professional visuals that say, “Yes, I’ve got my life together (even if I’m living off coffee and sheer willpower).”
We spoke with BRA Member Ashleigh Taylor Henning, an award-winning photographer and owner of Ashleigh Taylor Portrait based in Santa Barbara, CA, and we asked her why she believes professional photography is so important for entrepreneurs who are building their brand. This is what Ashleigh had to say:
“Let’s be honest—first impressions matter, especially when you’re building a brand from the ground up! People will form a first impression of your business within milliseconds, so having a great image that stands out and shows your personality goes a lot farther than you might realize when people find your business online.
When people see high-quality photos of you and your brand, it instantly tells them, “This person is serious, professional, and worth paying attention to!” It’s all about showing off your personality, your values, and what makes your brand unique, all in a split second. And trust me, that’s priceless when you’re just starting out, or when you are an experienced professional.”
Photo by Ashleigh Taylor Portrait
3. Social Media: The Land of Tiny Attention Spans
You’ve got about three seconds to grab someone’s attention on social media—because let’s be real, everyone’s scrolling faster than they should be. That’s where professional photography comes in.
Beautiful, engaging images stop people mid-scroll and make them say, “Wait, what’s this?” before they even realize they’re halfway through reading your caption.
Plus, your followers will thank you for not subjecting them to another low-light, grainy product photo.
Instagram posts from Diana Greshtchuk’s Fan Your Flame account
4. Websites That Convert (and Don’t Scare People Away)
Imagine this: a customer lands on your site, ready to spend money… and they’re greeted by a pixelated photo that looks like it’s been stretched beyond recognition. No thank you!
Professional photography doesn’t just make your website look better—it boosts your conversion rates. Clear, quality images create a sense of trust, and nothing says “Buy from me!” or “Book me!” like a photo that isn’t blurry or weirdly cropped.
We think BRA Member Robin Reynolds does an amazing job of leveling up her website with professional photography!
Photos by Angelica Marie Photography
5. When the Media Comes Calling, Be Ready
There’s going to come a day when the media wants to feature your business, and when that day comes, you don’t want to be scrambling to find a decent headshot that doesn’t look like it was taken at your cousin’s wedding. Professional photography means you’ll always be ready to go—whether it’s for an interview, a feature in a magazine, or a spontaneous appearance on a billboard (hey, dream big!).
Ashleigh Taylor Henning also shared her thoughts on what professional photography can do for entrepreneurs:
“Not only does it make your website and social media look amazing—hello, more likes and follows!—but it also boosts your confidence in ways you might not expect. When you see yourself looking amazing and confident in photos, it makes you feel more ready to put yourself out there, whether it’s for a keynote presentation, a big speaking gig, or even getting featured on someone’s blog or podcast.
That confidence can lead to all sorts of opportunities you might have shied away from before. My client Danielle Martinelli said the year she did her first brand photoshoot with me was the year her business started to really take off– and we both agreed it was not a coincidence that happened.
Professional photos aren’t just an investment in your brand—they’re an investment in you!”
Photo by Kathy Schuh Photography
6. Consistency Is Key (So Is Looking Good)
Think of professional photography as the glue that holds your brand together. Whether it’s your website, social media, business cards, or that random flier you forgot you ordered last minute, having consistent, high-quality images everywhere reinforces your brand. People start to recognize you, and suddenly, you’re that business that always looks good. (Which, let’s be honest, is the dream, right?)
7. Telling Your Brand’s Story: No Words Necessary
A picture’s worth a thousand words—or, in business speak, “a thousand opportunities to connect with customers.”
Professional photography can tell your brand’s story without the need for lengthy explanations.
Whether it’s capturing the essence of your product, your team in action, or that one perfect shot of your office dog (every business needs one), the right images help people connect with your brand on a deeper level.
Brand photo by Ashleigh Taylor Portrait for a travel company co-owned by BRA Members Sandy Correa and Ana M. Gaona
8.It’s Not an Expense, It’s an Investment (Like That Fancy Coffee Machine)
We get it—shelling out money for professional photography might seem like a big step. But think of it this way: it’s an investment that pays off over and over. Unlike that gym membership you forgot about, these photos will work hard for you across all your marketing channels. And unlike the coffee machine, they won’t break after a year of intense usage.
“Sometimes it feels hard to quantify the exact ROI you get from your personal brand portraits, but trust me the return on investment is huge…
My client Danielle Martinelli said the year she did her first brand photoshoot with me was the year her business started to really take off– and we both agreed it was not a coincidence that happened.
Professional photos aren’t just an investment in your brand—they’re an investment in you!” – Ashleigh Taylor Henning
Photo by Ashleigh Taylor Portrait
Invest in Professional Photography (Your Brand Deserves It!)
In a world where visuals rule, professional photography is the secret weapon every entrepreneur needs.
It’s not just about looking good (though that’s a big part of it). It’s about building credibility, telling your story, and making sure your brand is remembered for all the right reasons. So go ahead—ditch the selfie stick, hire a pro, and watch your business shine like never before.
Head on over to The BRA Network Directory and meet our Members who are professional photographers. One of the BRA Network’s core values is that we hire each other first, so be sure to consider one of these amazing professionals for your next photo shoot!
