Headshots or Branding Photography? A Real Example
from Greenwoods Accountants, Berwick upon Tweed
Mark McLeman, Gillian O'Dea, Gareth Greenwood from Greenwoods Accountants at Marshall Meadows.
A Fresh Take on Professional Headshots
When most people think of accountants, they picture suits, offices, and boardrooms.
But for Greenwoods Accountants, based in North Northumberland, that wouldn’t tell the full story.
Their team works closely with farmers, tradespeople, and rural businesses — alongside larger city-based firms — so they needed professional imagery that felt friendly, grounded, and approachable, without losing credibility or leaning too heavily into a rural stereotype.
Instead of defaulting to a studio backdrop, we chose to photograph their team headshots outdoors, using natural light and a consistent setting to bring warmth and authenticity into their visual identity — while keeping everything polished and professional.
Greenwoods Accountants Directors in the Scottish Borders.
Building Consistency Outdoors
Each partner and staff member was photographed individually, using the same background, lighting, and framing so the images sit seamlessly together across their website and online platforms.
Directors from Greenwoods Accountants outside their office in Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
Consistency like this is essential for professional firms, particularly those that:
Regularly welcome new team members
Share staff achievements or qualifications
Need imagery for press releases and announcements
When photographs align visually, a brand feels established, dependable, and confident.
For Greenwoods, this approach also makes future updates straightforward. When a new qualification is achieved or a team member joins, we can refresh images quickly and seamlessly, keeping everything current across platforms such as LinkedIn and press coverage.
Why Outdoor Headshots Work for Professional Services
There’s a long-held assumption that professional headshots must mean studio lighting and a blank wall. In reality, outdoor business photography can feel just as credible — and often more relatable.
For regionally rooted businesses, being photographed just outside your office subtly reinforces:
Stability
Local presence
Community connection
Accessibility
It quietly says, “We’re here. We’re established. You can find us.”
That sense of place often communicates far more than a generic backdrop ever could, particularly for businesses serving local and rural communities.
Gillian O'Dea from Greenwoods Accountants.
A Collaborative Brand Approach
Greenwoods’ headshots sit comfortably within their wider brand thanks to a close collaboration with Twist, the Newcastle-based agency managing their website and social media.
When photography, web design, and content strategy work together, the result is a consistent and approachable online presence — one that reflects who a business is and who it serves, rather than simply ticking a professional box.
Greenwoods’ Accountants Branding Shoot in Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
Headshots vs Branding Photography: What’s the Difference?
If you’re planning professional photos for your business, it can feel surprisingly confusing.
You know you need something more considered than a cropped holiday photo. You want to look professional — but not stiff. Approachable — but still credible.
And somewhere along the way, you’ll likely come across two terms:
headshot photography and branding photography.
They’re often used interchangeably.
But they are not the same thing.
If you’re searching for a brand photographer in Berwick and wondering which type of session is right for you — or whether you need both — the distinction matters
Let’s break it down properly.
Mark McLeman from Greenwoods Accountants In Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
Professional Headshots with a Brand Photographer
Headshot photography is focused, simple, and intentional.
It’s usually:
One person at a time
Framed from chest or shoulders upwards
Clean, consistent background
Even, controlled lighting
Designed for:
LinkedIn
Websites
Press releases
Professional directories
Think of a headshot as your professional introduction.
When Greenwoods needed updated imagery, their priority was clarity and consistency. As a well-established firm serving businesses across North Northumberland (and beyond), they regularly share team updates, qualifications, and press features.
They needed images that were:
Polished
Approachable
Consistent
Easy to update
So their corporate headshots were photographed outdoors, just outside their office in Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Same background. Same framing. Same natural light. Each person photographed individually.
The result was a cohesive team gallery that feels warm and professional — without looking corporate or intimidating.
What Branding Photography Adds
Branding photography takes a wider view.
It’s less about who you are in a single frame, and more about how your business feels.
A branding session might include:
Behind-the-scenes working images
Team interactions
Environmental portraits
Detail shots of tools, materials, or workspace
Story-led imagery for websites and social media
Where headshots introduce you, branding photography tells your story.
If Greenwoods had opted for a full branding session, you might have seen:
Team meetings in progress
Conversations with clients
Wider exterior shots of their office
Candid moments that show personality
Environmental business photography around Berwick
Branding imagery provides context. It answers questions your audience may not consciously ask, such as:
What does it feel like to work with you?
Do you seem established and organised?
Would I feel comfortable contacting you?
This becomes especially important if your website and social media are key drivers of enquiries.
Alison Aitchison and Laura Redfearn from Greenwoods Accountants - new qualifications, photography for PR.
Do You Need Both?
Often, yes — just not always at the same time.
Many businesses start with headshots because:
They’re launching or refreshing a website
New team members have joined
Existing images feel dated
They need press-ready photography
Branding photography often comes later, when businesses:
Refresh their marketing
Develop campaigns
Need ongoing social content
Want stronger visual storytelling
Location shoot with Greenwoods Accountants in Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
The most useful question to ask is simple:
Where will these images be used most?
If the answer is:
LinkedIn
Staff profile pages
Professional directories
Start with headshots.
If the answer is:
Homepage banners
About pages
Instagram
Marketing materials
Branding photography will likely serve you better.
A conversation with a brand photographer should help clarify that — without pressure.
When Headshots Are the Right First Step
For Greenwoods, the priority was:
Team profile pages
Press releases
LinkedIn updates
Qualification announcements
For a newer business building visibility from scratch, branding photography might come first — particularly if your website, social media, or email marketing plays a central role in attracting clients.
There’s no universal answer.
Only the right answer for where your business is now.
Gareth Greenwood from Greenwoods Accountants.
How Greenwoods have used their photos
Greenwoods use their professional brand photography across multiple channels, ensuring a consistent and recognisable visual identity throughout their business.
Their images are used on:
Their website, supporting team profile pages, service pages, and key brand touchpoints
TV screens within the office, creating a welcoming and professional environment for visiting clients
Social media platforms, particularly for team updates, announcements, and ongoing brand visibility
Press releases and professional communications, including staff qualifications and business updates
By using the same photography across both digital and in-person settings, Greenwoods reinforce trust, professionalism, and brand recognition. Clients experience the business in a consistent way whether they encounter it online, in the office, or through external media.
This is where brand photography becomes a long-term asset. When images are created with clear intent, they support marketing, communication, and brand consistency far beyond a single use — making them a practical investment rather than a one-off expense.
Greenwoods Reception area at their office in Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
Thinking About Booking a Session?
If you’re considering professional headshots or branding photography for your business, the best place to start is a simple conversation.
Every business is at a different stage. Some need clean, consistent headshots as a foundation. Others are ready for wider brand storytelling. A short call allows us to understand what you actually need now — and what will genuinely support your business — rather than pushing you into a one-size-fits-all session.
If you’d like to talk things through, you’re welcome to book a call here
There’s no pressure to decide on the spot. It’s simply an opportunity to ask questions, explore options, and make a confident, informed choice.
If you’re already leaning towards branding photography, you may also find this helpful:
What to Expect (and What to Avoid) Before Your Brand Photo Session
