When people hear the word headshot, they often picture something stiff: a corporate-looking photo taken against a plain background, usually with a forced smile and a suit jacket.

But headshots have evolved. In today’s world, a professional headshot doesn’t have to feel formal or outdated. In fact, I define a headshot differently than most traditional photographers…

A truly strategic brand photo session doesn’t happen in a single afternoon. In fact, it’s built over several weeks of thoughtful planning, alignment, and collaboration.

Let’s start with the basics: not all brand photos are strategic.

You can look incredible in a bunch of photos from a brand shoot, and still end up with images that don’t actually help your business. You post them once, they’re forgotten on your hard drive, or they just don’t really fit anywhere on your website.

So how do we really make a brand photo session strategic?

You don’t need to practice poses in the mirror.

You don’t need to Google “how to pose for brand photos” the night before your shoot.

A good photographer knows how to guide you, adjust you, and capture you so that you look amazing.

Where brand photography often falls apart isn’t in the posing, it’s in the lack of strategy.

2026 is calling, and she’s asking for something with a little more heart, a little more strategy, and a lot more personality.

Here are five brand photography trends that everyone should leave behind, and what to do instead.