My Mini Branding Day Was a Total Success (And I'm Already Planning the Next One)

A sound healer. A mortgage broker. A leadership coach. An electrician. A harpist.

If you'd told me a few months ago that all five of those people would walk through my studio door on the same afternoon, I would have laughed. But that's exactly what happened at my first ever Mini Branding Day and honestly, it might be one of my favourite things I've ever run.

So What Actually Is a Mini Branding Day?

Think of it as a taster session. Instead of a full personal branding shoot, each person gets a focused 30 minute slot in my Vermont studio to capture a genuine variety of headshots and brand images, no faffing around, no half day commitment, just in and out with photos they're proud of.

I'd had a few clients mention they wanted updated photos but couldn't justify a full session or just wanted to dip their toe in before committing to something bigger. So I figured, why not create an option that removes that barrier altogether? Turns out, I was onto something.

Five Completely Different Businesses, One Studio

What I loved most about this particular day was the mix of people who came through. A sound healer, an mortgage broker, a leadership coach, an electrician and a musician who plays the harp.

Five totally different industries, five totally different vibes and every single one of them needed something different from their photos.

The mortgage broker wanted to look approachable but credible. The leadership coach wanted warmth, confidence and presence. The electrician needed shots that worked for his website and tradie socials (turns out a bit of grit and a cable spool makes for a brilliant shot). The harpist wanted images that captured her artistry without looking staged. And the sound healer wanted something calm and grounded that reflected what she actually does for her clients.

That's the thing about personal branding photos. There's no one size fits all. My job is to figure out what each person needs their photos to say, then guide them there without it feeling forced.

Thirty Minutes, A Genuine Variety of Shots

This is the bit that surprised people the most. Every single one of my five clients that day said the same thing. They couldn't believe how much variety we captured in just 30 minutes. Different angles, different backdrops, a mix of studio and more candid, in the moment shots. Nobody left with five versions of the same photo. They left with a proper little library to choose from.
And because I've been doing this for over 15 years now, I know how to move quickly without it ever feeling rushed.

That's honestly the whole point of my sessions, whether it's a Mini Branding Day or a full personal branding shoot.

You should never feel like you're being processed through a conveyor belt.

Same Day Viewing, Same Day Files

Every single one of them sat down straight after their session (I did a quick 15min edit whilst they had a coffee) and viewed their photos on the spot.

No waiting a week to find out if the photos were any good. No wondering if you blinked in every shot.

They picked their favourites there and then and walked out with their digital files in hand, ready to update their website, LinkedIn or Instagram that same night.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't understand why more photographers make people wait weeks for their images. Your business doesn't stop moving while you wait on a gallery link.

Why I'm Doing It Again

Here's the bit that still blows my mind a little. This was the very first Mini Branding Day I'd ever run, and it sold out within 24 hours, before I'd even opened it up to the public. I genuinely didn't expect that.

Watching five business owners walk out the door buzzing about their photos, genuinely thrilled, was honestly one of the best parts of my week. Between that and how quickly it sold out, it was a pretty easy decision to run another Mini Branding Day at the end of October.

If you've been putting off updating your headshots because a full session feels like too much, or you just want to see what all the fuss is about, this is the easiest way in. Thirty minutes, guided the whole way, and you'll walk out with photos that actually look like you and the business you've built.

Quick Questions About Mini Branding Days

What is a Mini Branding Day?

It's a shortened personal branding photography session, run in my Vermont studio, giving each person a focused 30 minute slot to capture a variety of headshots and brand images without the time or cost of a full session.

How is it different from a full personal branding session?

A full session runs for 60 minutes with up to four outfit changes and a mix of studio, outdoor or both. A Mini Branding Day is a faster, more affordable way to get updated, professional photos in a single 30 minute slot.

Do I need any experience in front of the camera?

Not at all. I guide every single person through posing, whether it's their first ever shoot or their fifth. That's true for a Mini Branding Day or a full personal branding session.

When is the next Mini Branding Day?

I'm running the next one at the end of November. Get in touch if you'd like to be one of the first to know when spots open up.

If you've been sitting on the fence about whether you are ready to step out front behind the camera and finally be seen in your business, then now is the time! Click the link below and Ill pop you on my waiting list for my next mini branding session.

Stace x