When Claire, a nutritionist based in NYC, reached out about brand photos for her new website, she knew exactly what she needed. Her web designer had already started building her site, and they needed images that would actually work in the layouts being created.
This is where most brand photo sessions go wrong. The photographer shows up, takes beautiful pictures, and then the web designer is left trying to fit them into spaces they were never meant for. Text gets awkwardly placed over faces. Images get cropped in ways that change their entire feel. What looked perfect in the gallery no longer works on the actual website.
Claire’s session was different because we planned it with her website in mind from the start.
Planning Brand Photos for Website Success
Before Claire’s session, I hopped on a call with both her and her web designer. We walked through the site structure together, identified which pages needed what types of images, and created a shot list that matched what was actually being built.
Her designer mentioned needing a wide shot with negative space on the left for her homepage hero section. We discussed how the about page layout required vertical images that would work on mobile. They wanted lifestyle shots in her kitchen for the recipe section, but the images needed room at the top for text overlays.
These details shaped how I approached Claire’s entire session. I was not just thinking about beautiful brand photos. I was thinking about brand photos that would solve specific problems her web designer was facing.
What Makes Brand Photos Work on Websites
During Claire’s session in her NYC apartment, I focused on capturing:
Images with intention behind them. Every shot had a purpose. We knew exactly where it would live on her website and what it needed to accomplish there.
Variety in orientation. Some pages needed horizontal images. Others needed vertical shots that would work on mobile. We made sure to capture both throughout the session.
Negative space for text. Claire’s web designer needed room to add headlines, calls to action, and body copy without covering Claire’s face or important elements in the photos.
Consistent lighting and color. Since these brand photos would appear across different pages of her website, they needed to feel cohesive. We kept the lighting consistent so the images would flow together naturally.
Multiple options for each layout. We captured several variations of key shots, giving her designer choices that fit the same space but offered different moods.
How Claire’s Brand Photos Came Together
We started in Claire’s kitchen, where she works with clients and creates content. Her web designer needed lifestyle shots for the services page, so we captured Claire chopping vegetables, reviewing nutrition plans, and working at her kitchen island. Each image had space at the top or the sides for later text.
For her homepage, we needed something that felt welcoming but professional. We shot Claire in her living room with natural light streaming in from her windows, positioned so there was clean negative space on the left side of the frame exactly where her designer planned to place the headline and call to action.
The about page required more intimate portraits. We captured close-ups and medium shots that would work in smaller spaces throughout the site. These images showed Claire’s personality without competing for attention with the copy her designer was writing.
Why Your Web Designer Should Be Part of the Process
After Claire’s session, we held a reveal call with her web designer on the line. Instead of just showing Claire her brand photos, we walked through the gallery together and discussed which images would work best in the layouts being built.
Her designer got excited about shots I had captured that opened up possibilities they had not considered. They flagged favorites for specific pages and started thinking through how the images would work in context. It transformed the reveal from showing pretty pictures to actually seeing how the website would come to life.
This three-way collaboration among Claire, her designer, and me ensured that, when her website launched, every image felt intentional. Nothing was forced into a space it was not designed for. The brand photos enhanced the design instead of complicating it.
The Difference This Approach Makes
Claire’s website launched a few weeks after her session, and the results speak for themselves. The brand photos do not just look good in a gallery. They work hard across every page of her site, supporting her message and guiding visitors through her story.
Her homepage hero section has that wide shot with perfect negative space for her headline. The about page features intimate portraits that help potential clients connect with her. Her services section showcases those kitchen lifestyle shots that demonstrate her hands-on approach. Every image serves a purpose because we planned it that way from the start. Here is her website now! Check out her website before we worked together:
Ready to Create Brand Photos That Work for Your Website?
If you are building a website and want brand photos that actually support your designer’s vision rather than fight it, let’s talk. I work directly with your web designer throughout the entire process, from planning through the reveal, so you end up with images that integrate seamlessly into your site.
Your website is an investment. Your brand photos should be too. Reach out today to discuss how we can create images that work as hard as you do.
