6 Brand Photo Ideas for Estheticians and Beauty Pros
Whether you’re a solo beauty pro, a local med spa or multi-location skincare business, brand photography is essential to growing your brand, connecting with new clients, and standing out in a crowded industry.
Attention spans are short, and potential customers rarely read the fine print, but strong visuals stop the scroll.
A polished library of brand photos that feels authentic and on-brand helps you quickly showcase your expertise, the client experience and the service results. When paired with DIY content, it becomes easier for potential clients to imagine working with you. And: they’re more likely to book that first consultation or appointment.
But what should you actually capture in a brand shoot? You want clients to instantly recognize that you're a true professional with a great experience and results worth investing in. We’re filling you in on six photo ideas to include in your next brand shoot.
Plus, we’re sharing a look at photos from our recent shoot with Spa Radiance, a luxury day spa in San Francisco’s Marina district. They offer advanced skincare treatments, massage and more — and we’ve loved seeing how they’re already sharing their fresh new photos. We loved collaborating with the team at J. Wade Public Relations on the shoot, and getting skincare insights from owner Angelina Umansky.
Are you a skincare or beauty pro in Denver or SF looking for fresh photos to connect with new clients? Explore our brand photography services designed for service-based businesses and entrepreneurs.
1. Photos of Your Space
You’ve poured time and care into creating or finding the perfect space that warmly welcomes clients and feels elevated from the moment they walk in the door. Capture wide shots, vignettes and detail shots to show off the in-person experience. These shots are ideal social media, plus are great to integrate throughout your website, materials and pro tip: on your Google business profile.
2. Portraits of You and The Team
As a service-based business, it’s essential that new clients can “meet” the beauty pros they'll be working with before they hit “book.” Blend headshots and lifestyle portraits to humanize your brand. These images help build familiarity and trust, especially if you work with first-time clients or high-touch services, like injectables or laser treatments.
3. Images of Services in Action
Give people a glimpse into what it’s like to work with you. Capture your team delivering treatments, working hands-on, or prepping tools. This helps potential clients visualize the appointment process and feel more confident booking.You can even invite a friend, client or team member to model as a client, make sure to capture a mix of close-up shots and wide angles to show the full service.
4. Client Experience Touches
Aside from the service itself, what makes a visit to your location memorable? Is it a cozy robe, a soothing cup of tea or a plush, warm bed? Whether it’s hot stones for a massage during a facial, fresh lemon water or access to bonus wellness amenities like a sauna, document the little details that bring your full experience to life.
5. Products, Tools, or Technology
If you sell retail or swear by a specific skincare line, add photos of them to the mix! These visuals help highlight your expertise and showcase the thought behind your product selection. Don’t do retail, or prefer to keep your product choices top secret? Focus on the tools or advanced technology that sets your services apart, especially for medical aesthetics. Bonus: if you sell products online or have affiliate links with a partner product brand, these polished shots can go a long way.
6. Results
Before-and-after images are powerful and they never go out of style. Whether you offer facials, brows, injectables, or hair services, the final results matter. Include a few results-focused shots in your brand shoot, and keep capturing that DIY content on your own between shoots to keep your content fresh and relevant.
Esthetician, Med Spa and Beauty Pro Brand Photography FAQ
What should I wear for a brand shoot?
We typically recommend two outfits for beauty professionals. First, wear what you’d typically have on while working with clients, as this helps showcase the real, in-person experience they can expect. For a med spa, that might be scrubs or a white coat, for others, it could be a stylish outfit that’s still comfortable to work in. Second, choose an outfit that reflects your personal style beyond the treatment room, something that feels confident, authentic and shows who you are beyond the spa, salon or treatment room.
How often should we do a brand shoot?
It depends on how you’re marketing your business. If you’re updating your website and only need occasional content, once a year is usually enough. But if you’re consistently posting, running seasonal promos, or expanding your team, we recommend 2–4 shoots per year to keep your visuals fresh and aligned. Ask us about our Brand Photo Program — it includes bundled shoots throughout the year for consistent content and a cohesive visual style (plus, it's more cost-effective!).
How far in advance should I book my brand shoot?
Ideally, book at least one month in advance. This gives us time to plan a thoughtful, strategic shoot that’s fully tailored to your brand. Plus, it gives you time to prep your space, schedule hair and makeup, organize outfits, and feel completely ready. The extra prep makes all the difference!
Ready to Elevate Your Brand with Fresh, Strategic Photos?
Are you a San Francisco or Denver esthetician, medical spa, hair stylist, or beauty professional?
Let’s build you a personalized photo library that fuels your content, strengthens your brand and helps you connect with new clients.
Check out our brand photography services, or inquire to take a look at our packages.
