Personal Branding Photography: More Than a Headshot in 2026

Why One Headshot Isn’t Enough Anymore: Building a Visual Identity That Works in 2026

I’ve been saying this to clients for a while now, so here it is for everyone: personal branding photography isn’t about one headshot anymore. You need an effective personal branding strategy. It starts with building a custom storyboard.

Not because there’s anything wrong with a good headshot. But because you don’t just show up in one place anymore.

You’re on LinkedIn. Your website. Maybe a podcast feature or a speaker bio. A newsletter. Your Google profile. And a single photo that works great on LinkedIn can look stiff and cold on your website. You’ve probably noticed this yourself.

So what’s the move?

A small set beats a single shot

Instead of one photo trying to do everything, you build a small set. Three to five images from the same session that all feel like you, but each one fits a different spot. Here’s what that looks like in real life. My client Sue Lemoine is a fitness professional here in Edmonton. She came in for one branding session and walked out with three distinct sets: polished branding shots for her business pages, a beauty set she uses for her personal brand, and black-and-white versions that work for everything from press features to printed materials.

Same person. Same afternoon. Three completely different uses. That’s what personal branding photography actually gives you — not just one photo, but options.

You don’t always need a separate personal branding photography session

Here’s something people don’t realize: sometimes the best branding content comes from a shoot you’re already doing. I photographed the Legacy Sterling show home launch for Team Legacy — a real estate event here in Edmonton. Red carpet, ribbon cutting, the whole thing. While I was there covering the event, I was also able to pull Angie Johnston aside and grab personal branding content for her. Event photos and individual branding shots, same day.

Beth Portman is another one. She’s a musician who runs Picnic Shows — outdoor concerts for families. Beth needed images for two totally different audiences: one brand for adults, one for kids.

We shot everything outdoors in two sessions and two seasons (summer and autumn). Different vibe, same person, both sets done.

The point is, you don’t need a dozen separate shoots. You need one good session with a plan.

What makes personal branding photography actually land in 2026

Here’s the thing. Stiff, shoulders-back, nothing-behind-the-eyes headshots? People scroll right past those now. What stops someone is a photo where you look like a real person. Mid-laugh. A little bit of personality showing. Something that makes them think, “I’d actually want to work with her.” With AI images everywhere now, people can feel when something is off — even if they can’t explain it. The photos that build trust in 2026 are the ones that look genuinely human. Laugh lines, personality, the real you. That’s where direction matters. Most of my Edmonton clients say the same thing when they walk in:

“I’m awkward on camera — just tell me what to do.”

That’s literally my favourite thing to hear. Because getting you to relax and look like yourself?

That’s the whole job. I’m reading your body language, coaching your expression, getting you out of overthinking. That part doesn’t come from a filter or an app.

Where AI headshots fit (honestly)

I’m not going to pretend AI headshots don’t exist. Tools like Headshot Photo are actually useful for certain things — a team member who can’t make it to the studio, a quick refresh between sessions, or testing a new look before committing to a full shoot.

For that? They work.

But for the photos that actually represent your business — your website, your LinkedIn, your brand — you want something real. Real direction. A real expression. Images shot in your actual space. And the ability to choose your favourites together, on the spot, instead of guessing from a screen later.

Use both. A photographer for the photos that carry your brand. A tool for the quick fills in between.

Before your session (or any photos, really)

A couple of things that always make a difference, whether you’re booking a session or uploading selfies to an AI tool:

• Know where the photos will go. LinkedIn needs a different presence than your website. Decide first.
• Bring 2–3 solid-coloured tops. Blue and green look great on camera. Skip busy patterns.
• Match the current you. New hair, new glasses, new style? Your photos should reflect that.
• Think in sets. Even from one session, plan for a range of looks so you walk away with a library, not just one image.

I wrote a whole guide on how to prepare for headshots if you want the full breakdown.

The Truth About Building a Visual Identity in 2026

Your professional image isn’t one photo anymore. It’s a small collection — a visual identity that feels like you wherever someone finds you.

The people who figure that out are the ones who get remembered.

Want to see what a session like this looks like for you? I’m Cynthia — I do headshots and personal branding sessions here in Edmonton. Send me your website or LinkedIn in the contact form, and I’ll tell you where I’d start.

This post was written in collaboration with Headshot Photo, an AI headshot tool for professionals. All photography, opinions, and client experiences are my own.