Versatile Branding Photography: A Rebranding Session at Forest Park and WashU

In the fast-evolving world of healthcare marketing, personal branding is more important than ever. Sabrina Cox, a healthcare marketing strategist specializing in pharmaceutical sales, recently reached out for a lifestyle photoshoot to reflect her professional growth and rebranding aspirations. Our goal was to capture a variety of looks and moods that aligned with her vision—images that could be used across platforms like LinkedIn, her professional website, and beyond.

Sabrina at Art Hill, capturing her in a relaxed yet professional pose.

Collaborative Planning: Aligning Photography with Professional Goals

Every successful photoshoot starts with understanding the client's goals. During our initial consultation, Sabrina and I discussed her vision: she wanted images that would reflect both her warmth and professionalism—traits essential in healthcare marketing. Our conversation helped us decide on looks that could convey confidence, approachability, and expertise.

It was clear that versatility was a priority. Sabrina needed a variety of shots that could be used in different professional contexts. This led us to choose two St. Louis locations: Forest Park’s Art Hill and Washington University’s Danforth Campus. Both offered the flexibility we needed, from natural outdoor settings to sophisticated, architectural backdrops.

The Perfect Locations: Forest Park and WashU

Sabrina framed by the collegiate architecture of WashU’s campus, blending classical elegance with modern professionalism.

Choosing the right setting for a branding photoshoot is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about conveying the right message. Forest Park, with its expansive greenery and iconic views, provided a more relaxed, approachable atmosphere. Here, we focused on natural light and open space to create images that felt welcoming and genuine.

WashU’s Danforth Campus, on the other hand, offered a more structured, formal backdrop. The classical arches and clean, modern lines of the university’s architecture gave us the opportunity to highlight Sabrina’s strategic, forward-thinking side. The contrast between the two locations allowed us to capture a range of looks, all within a 90-minute session.

Golden Hour: Capturing Natural Light at Its Best

Timing plays a critical role in photography, and for this session, we chose the golden hour—those two hours before sunset when the light is soft and warm. Golden hour light is particularly flattering, creating a subtle glow and adding depth to portraits.

During the shoot, we used the natural light to its fullest advantage. Shooting with the sun behind Sabrina added a beautiful rim light, creating a glowing edge to her silhouette.

Golden hour is often the best time for professional headshots or lifestyle branding sessions, as it produces warm, natural tones that can elevate the mood of the images without extensive post-processing.

Golden hour light outlining Sabrina’s profile as the sun sets, showcasing the natural beauty of golden hour.

Wardrobe and Preparation: Key to a Successful Photoshoot

Sabrina’s preparation was instrumental in the success of this shoot. She came ready with multiple outfits, each tailored to the specific environments we’d be working in. From relaxed, business-casual looks for Forest Park to more formal attire for the architectural shots at WashU, her wardrobe choices allowed us to create a cohesive yet varied collection of images.

Her attention to detail extended beyond her outfits. Hair and makeup were perfectly done, which helped us move efficiently from one location to the next. The end result was a set of photos that could easily serve her professional needs for years to come, offering a versatile portfolio without the need for multiple sessions.

The Outcome: A Versatile, Professional Portfolio

A clean, polished headshot of Sabrina, perfect for LinkedIn and professional profiles.

By the end of the session, we had created a comprehensive set of images that reflected Sabrina’s professional identity from multiple angles. Whether for use on LinkedIn, her website, or other professional networks, these photos will allow her to present herself as both approachable and authoritative—qualities essential in her industry.

The combination of location, timing, and preparation resulted in a portfolio that provides her with flexibility for years to come, as though we had done multiple photoshoots in one.

Final Thoughts: The Importance of Thoughtful Photography in Personal Branding

Photography for personal branding is about more than just taking pictures—it’s about telling a story that resonates with your professional identity. Sabrina’s session was a great example of how choosing the right locations, timing, and preparation can result in a versatile portfolio that reflects both your personality and professional goals.

For professionals looking to rebrand or refresh their image, thoughtful planning and attention to detail make all the difference. Whether you’re in healthcare, marketing, or any other field, investing in a customized photoshoot can help you elevate your brand and stand out in today’s competitive landscape.

Rebranding with Golden Hour Headshots: How to use natural lighting to change your visual messaging

Personal branding is essential in today's competitive world, regardless of your profession. Taking the time to reassess your visual messaging can lead to a more approachable and authentic personal brand.

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One recent project involved working with Benjamin P. Davis, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of African American Studies at Saint Louis University and author of numerous books and scholarly works in political philosophy.

Known for his willingness to tackle polarizing subjects, Benjamin wanted to convey a more approachable image to his audience. That's where we stepped in to help transform his visual messaging.

During the rebranding session, we focused on capturing a warm and inviting first impression. A key aspect of this process was the headshot. Benjamin needed a professional photograph that would accurately represent him to potential readers, students, and colleagues. We wanted to showcase his expertise and approachable personality.

Through the use of simple natural lighting techniques, we were able to capture Benjamin's genuine smile and friendly demeanor, creating headshots that exude approachability, while still emphasizing his professional background and status in the academic world.

The end result of the rebranding session was a collection of photos that captured Benjamin's essence as a scholar and writer. The images conveyed a warm and inviting feeling, while still maintaining a professional tone. Benjamin now had a visual presence that would help him connect with his audience and make a strong first impression.

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Golden Hour Backlighting

Photographers love to shoot at Golden Hour, and for good reason. The light available an hour before the sun sets allows for artistic expression and evocative storytelling that hints at dreaminess and mystery.

Benjamin wanted a photo option with a blurred out background, and in particular, the kind of photo that had "bokeh bubbles." These beautiful and cinematic circles of light are created by using a shallow depth of field. To get the maximum effect, we held our photoshoot at Golden Hour, about an hour before sunset.

The filtered light through the trees gave us not only the perfect background, but also added a flattering rim light that outlines and separates our subject from the dreamy background.

Golden Hour Portrait by Henry David Photography

Location Spotlight:

Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis offers an ideal portrait photo location for academics and professionals. The beautiful Danforth campus and its iconic Brookings Hall exudes of history, grandeur and prestige, creating a truly collegiate Ivy League aesthetic. The classic architecture adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to the event, with leading lines that make for naturally captivating framing of the subject.