When it comes to your brand storytelling session, the most important element isn’t the backdrop; it’s you. Always.

But… let’s keep it real: the right locations can take your photos from “cute headshot” to “wow, this actually feels like my brand.”

Thoughtful spots add depth, on brand vibes, more personality, and context to your images. And when we mix up locations throughout your session?
Your content suddenly stretches further. You walk away with visuals that last longer, work harder, and give you way more variety for your website, marketing, and social feeds. That is why my galleries are typically over 100 images with diverse looks, locations, poses, and locations.

And for me any time you can get more mileage out of a business investment? That’s a win in my book. So let’s talk locations and how to choose ones that actually support your brand story (not distract from it).

1. Your Favorite Coffee Shop – or location in your community you work from often

If your brand leans warm, cozy, approachable, or community-oriented, a coffee shop is a no-brainer.
Think:

• You brainstorming with your latte
• Working on your laptop or taking client calls
• Client meeting vibes with laughter and connection
• Candid, relaxed moments that make you feel like a real human (because you are)

Pro tip: choose a spot that matches your brand aesthetic: ask: “Is my brand more modern, moody, bright, cozy?” Whatever feels like you and trust me as a local coffee shop junkie I have ideas!

2. Your Business Location- this is great for salon owners, those in the beauty or aesthetics industry, or if you have a small team in your office

Especially great for brands that value welcoming new clients, embracing what makes you stand out, sharing the story of the vibe your location creates. If you want clients to feel comfortable in your space- show them you in your space!

• Tools of your trade are easy to include and show that you love what you do
• Highlight the clean and welcoming space (I can make even a small salon suite or older office look fabulous and I travel with my own lighting)
• Help potential clients see what it is like to work with you

3. A Public Location Where You Actually Hang Out- think a partner in your business, book store, local cafe, restaurant, park, etc

Think elevated, social, lifestyle energy without being staged. Especially great for brands that value creativity, curiosity, education, or inspiration.
This works beautifully for:

• Coaches
• Creatives
• Hospitality-adjacent brands
• Social Media Experts
• Florist, Baker, Wellness coach- think flower market, grocery store, produce aisle
• Anyone who wants to look polished yet approachable
• Layers, textures, and different tones
• Natural movement (browsing, flipping pages of your calendar or books, gathering products)
• A subtle “thoughtful expert” vibe without trying too hard

4. Renting an Airbnb or Peerspace for the Day – or for my relators a staged home

This can be a great option if the thought of doing your session at your home makes you sweat (hello- I get it as I have 4 kids)

Why I love rental spaces:

• Styled interiors = instant brand polish
• Tons of photo-ready corners
• Less prep work for you
• You can choose the space based on your vibe and control the environment

This is the fastest way to elevate your visuals without worrying about clutter, bad lighting, or mismatched decor.

5. Your Home Office or Workspace

If your brand is deeply tied to how you work, this one is powerful.

This option is perfect for:

• Therapists
• Designers
• Makers/ Solopreneurs
• Coaches
• Anyone whose clients want a behind-the-scenes feel
• Anyone who loves their home office or home space and has worked hard to curate it in a way that adds to your brand aesthetic

Your space says a lot about you and your process, your tools, your vibe and personality. Let’s use it and a quick note- we an always have boundaries around your home- we don’t show address number or certain spaces that you want to remain private!

6. A Coworking Space You Actually Love – if you work in community this can be a great option

A coworking space gives you that community feel, modern, CEO-energy without renting your own office.

Great for:

• Thought leaders
• Consultants
• Entrepreneurs who want a professional vibe without looking too “corporate corporate”
• Anyone who wants those collaborative, “in-motion” shots

Plus, messy home office? No problem. Usually this requires reaching out to the owners of the co-working space and letting them know!

7. Outdoors — If It Fits Your Brand – this is great especially if the community yo live in and serve is important to your brand

Not everyone is an outdoor person, and that’s okay. But if nature is part of your brand (calm, natural, grounded, earthy), then outside locations can give you those airy, expansive images that feel fresh. Or if the community you serve is important to your brand it is a great option to show you out and about in your community so people stop the scroll when the recognize a location and you can hashtag the locations as well.

Ideas:

• A favorite walking trail
• A downtown sidewalk with great textures
• A colorful and fun mural
• A downtown or “Main Street” location recognizable to your clients
• A courtyard, park, or garden
• Your city’s interesting little hidden corner

Some people are nervous about doing part of their session in public but there are ways to make this less painful- just ask me and we can also avoid getting bystanders in your images. Just make sure the location supports your brand vibes and also consider the colors and textures and where you may use those images on your website and marketing.

How to Choose the Right Mix for You:

Here’s the secret: you don’t need every location. You just need the ones that tell the right story. I usually recommend we start at a studio space and have several local studios I partner with and can suggest one perfect for your brand and then move to an additional 1-2 locations to offer you diversity and personality in your final gallery!

Ask yourself:

• Where do I actually spend time?
• What locations speak to my ideal clients?
• What spaces reflect my personality and energy?
• Which environments support the message I want to communicate?
• What will give me the most variety for my content?
• What locations will help me create images that can communicate aspects of my brand identity?

And then we mix the practical with the purposeful.
A little lifestyle.
A little editorial.
A little “this is me in my real element.”

That’s where the magic happens.

The Bottom Line

Your brand session should feel like stepping into your world not posing in someone else’s. And with the right locations, we’re not just photographing what you look like… we are sharing the story behind your business and brand.

Because your audience and ideal clients don’t just want to see you.
They want to know you. They want to feel what it is like to work with you.
And location is one of the easiest ways to make that connection happen.

If you’re planning a brand storytelling session and want help choosing the perfect mix of locations…. I’m here. Tell me your vibe and I’ll help you pick places (I have been known to head out in search of the perfect spot) that make the whole session feel effortless and make your content last so much longer. We chat through this on a discovery call (book here) and our planning call because my process is collaborative! Most of my packages include a studio or location rental credit because I love choosing locations best suited for each of my amazing clients

I am here to help your brand storytelling session tell your unique story! Let’s connect.