There are approximately 900 ways we could have photographed a hairstylist for a branding session:
Standing behind a salon chair. Holding scissors. Fluffing someone’s curls. Smiling next to a shelf of hair products.
All perfectly fine.
But, we chose a bus stop and Taco Bell. Because the entire idea behind this session wasn’t just, “She’s a hairstylist.” It was: she can do hair anywhere.
And somehow, that turned into one of my favorite creative branding sessions I’ve photographed.
The idea: a hairstylist who can work anywhere
When I plan branding photography, I don’t necessarily want to photograph exactly what someone does all day long.
I want to figure out what makes them them.
What’s the running joke?
What’s the personality?
What would make someone stop scrolling and think, “Wait. What is happening here?”
For this hairstylist branding session, we kept coming back to the same thing: she’s always moving. She’s getting herself ready while getting everyone else ready. She’s carrying half her life with her. She’s making things happen wherever she happens to be.
There might be a little chaos involved.
But she always pulls it together.
So instead of trying to make her business look perfectly polished and serious, we made the chaos part of the story.
First stop: the bus stop
Imagine waiting for the bus and looking over to see a woman casually doing someone’s hair or her own, or bringing the whole salon with her.
The bus stop gave us this ordinary, everyday setting and then we put something completely unexpected inside of it. Hair tools. Getting ready. Color. Movement. Personality. Post it notes.
It felt slightly ridiculous. Because you already know she’s a hairstylist.
These photographs tell you something much more interesting:
This woman will figure it out.
Give her a salon.
Give her a bathroom mirror.
Apparently, just give her a bus bench and she will get you or her ready.
Then we found pink
From there, we moved into this gloriously colorful pink setting that felt like we’d accidentally walked into a different little universe.
This part wasn’t about creating traditional hairstylist headshots either. It was about giving her brand a visual personality.
Bright. Feminine. Playful. A little loud. A little unexpected.
Brand photography gets so much more interesting when you stop asking, “What props represent my job?” and start asking:
“What does my business feel like?”
That’s the question I want people thinking about.
Because your brand might be sophisticated and quiet. It might be strange and editorial or it might belong in a diner at midnight.
.What about involving a sequined dress in a grocery store.
And sometimes it might be very, very pink.
And then, naturally, Taco Bell
There are people who would say Taco Bell has absolutely nothing to do with hairstyling.
Those people are correct. Which is precisely why I loved it.
We took the whole idea one step further and let her get ready, work, eat and exist inside a place that had nothing to do with a traditional salon.
And suddenly the photographs weren’t just advertising her services.
They were advertising her personality.
That’s the difference.
People aren’t only choosing between hairstylists anymore. They’re choosing the person they’re going to sit with, talk to, trust with their hair, send pictures to and ultimately spend hours with.
The person is part of the product. Your branding photography should let people meet that person before they ever walk through your door.
Your branding session does not have to look like everyone else’s.
This is the part I want other hairstylists, photographers, small business owners and creatives to hear:
You do not need to photograph your business the way your industry has always photographed your business.
If you’re a hairstylist, yes, we can photograph you in your salon.
But we can also put rollers in your hair at a bus stop.
If you’re a florist, we don’t necessarily need to stand you behind a flower counter.
If you’re a baker, you don’t have to spend your entire branding session holding a mixing bowl.
If you’re a realtor, I promise you do not have to point at a laptop.
Your job gives us the starting point.
Your personality gives us the campaign.
That’s where creative branding photography gets really good.
Bring me the weird idea
When people contact me for branding photography in Little Rock, Arkansas, I don’t want them worrying that their idea is too strange.
Tell me the strange one.
Tell me the idea you mentioned to your friend and they looked at you like, “Why would you do that?”
Tell me your brand needs a vintage car, a grocery cart, a motel sign or an unreasonable amount of hairspray.
We can make the polished photographs too.
But let’s make the ones people remember.
Because branding isn’t just about having a good headshot anymore. It’s about creating an entire visual world around what you do, who you are and why someone would choose you when there are hundreds of other people offering something similar.
Sometimes that world happens in your actual workspace.
And sometimes it happens somewhere between a bus stop, a giant pink table and a Taco Bell.
Apparently, she really can do hair anywhere.
And yes.
We have pictures to prove it.
Little BEHIND THE SCENES reel here!
Creative Branding Photography in Little Rock, Arkansas
I’m Hailey Faria, a Little Rock, Arkansas photographer specializing in creative branding photography for stylists, small business owners, entrepreneurs and creatives who want their photos to feel like their actual personality, not a collection of traditional headshots.
Branding sessions can take place at your business, outdoors, around downtown Little Rock or in completely unexpected locations that help tell your story. The goal is to create a gallery of professional branding images that can be used across your website, social media, marketing, advertising and other business content.
Frequently Asked Questions About Branding Photography
What is a branding photography session?
A branding photography session creates professional images that visually communicate who you are, what you do and what makes your business different. Unlike a traditional headshot session, personal branding photography can include multiple locations, outfits, props, storytelling images, behind-the-scenes moments and creative concepts.
Do branding photos have to be taken at my business?
No. Branding photography can happen almost anywhere. For this hairstylist branding session, we photographed at a bus stop, a colorful pink location and Taco Bell instead of limiting the session to a salon. Unexpected locations can help create memorable images while still communicating the personality behind your business.
What should a hairstylist bring to a branding photoshoot?
Hairstylists can bring tools and products they actually use, such as brushes, combs, clips, rollers, styling products, a blow dryer or other recognizable pieces from their everyday work. However, every photograph does not need to include a hair-related prop. Wardrobe, location, movement, color and personality can tell just as much of the brand story.
How can I make my branding photos different from other people in my industry?
Start with your personality instead of your profession. Think about your sense of humor, personal style, favorite colors, client experience and the things people already associate with you. A creative branding session can take those details and turn them into locations, wardrobe, props and concepts that feel specific to your business.
Who are creative branding sessions for?
Creative branding photography works especially well for hairstylists, salon owners, photographers, artists, designers, realtors, entrepreneurs, content creators and small business owners who are part of the personality behind their brand.
What can I use branding photos for?
Branding photographs can be used for websites, social media, Instagram and TikTok content, advertising, email marketing, press features, printed marketing materials, profile images and future business launches.
Where do you photograph branding sessions?
I photograph branding sessions in Little Rock and throughout Arkansas, and I also travel for creative photography projects and branding sessions. Locations are chosen around the concept rather than simply choosing a backdrop that looks pretty.
Looking for a Little Rock Branding Photographer?
If you have a business that deserves something more interesting than standing against a wall and smiling at the camera, bring me the idea you aren’t quite sure is reasonable yet.
We can figure out where it belongs.
A bus stop, a pink wall and Taco Bell worked out pretty well this time.
