So you finally did that branding photoshoot you’ve been wanting to do forever and you love your photos. Yay! You post your favorite one on Instagram, get a million likes and you feel on top of the world. Then all of a sudden a few months go by, your website hasn’t been updated and your photos are still sitting in that beautiful online gallery your photographer sent you, untouched.

We cannot let this happen! Let’s put those photos you paid good money for to use! Here are five places you can use your branding photos to get the best results.

1. Social Media Platforms

This is the obvious one…obviously. The use of professional imagery to market your business is so important these days and truly makes such a difference. Selfies are great to showcase the personal side of your business and life, but there’s something to be said about branding photos of you in your element, creating, conversing or helping clients. Use them as cover images or profile pictures to maintain a cohesive brand image across all your platforms. Consistency breeds recognition, never forget.

2. Education

To be honest, I fought this one for a long time. I didn’t think anyone wanted another photographer educating them yet again on something they already know. BUT, that’s just not true. People want to learn from you and using your branding photos is an excellent way to do it. Educate your audience on your products, services and all the things that set you apart as a leader in your industry. This is also why it’s important that your branding images showcase you doing what you do in an editorial way. They should tell a story and SHOW your potential clients what it’s like to work with you.

3. Pricing Guides & Onboarding Materials

Think about every pdf, every sales page or booking page you send clients on a weekly basis. Every single one of those should be branded to your business to not only look incredibly professional, but also instill confidence! People are much more likely to buy from someone who looks like they have their shit together (and you do!). This is also why it’s great to strategize with your photographer a shot list that will show you/your product at work so you can sprinkle those into your guides.

Ok great, now you’ve booked some new clients, yay! Think about any documents you send them, website pages and any other onboarding process you might have. Beautiful design accompanied with your branding photos gives your client a clear, non overwhelming experience in working with you and your client’s experience is everything, always.

4. Collaborations and Partnerships

The worst is when you are collaborating or partnering with another brand and they ask you to send them your latest headshot/photo of you. You then cringe at the thought of sending the one photo you always use that was taken seven years ago and looks nothing like you anymore. Well, step one is to book a branding session for some fresh photos of yourself (I know a girl..). The second is having those new photos at the ready for this exact reason. Cross promoting with other brands not only boosts your exposure, but when they feature your images on their platforms it also strengthens your recognition and credibility within your niche.

5. Your Website

This is also an obvious one, but somehow it’s the one place people neglect them most. Social media is usually where branding photos are shared the most, but your website NEEDS high quality imagery to stand out. Your homepage is a great place to start (hello first impressions) as well as your “about me” page (show that face of yours!) and even your contact page.

Pro tip: make sure to sprinkle in photos from your branding session that aren’t all just of you. Use detail shots of your hands at work or the ones of you engaging with clients. Remember, the whole point is to SHOW people what you’re all about. Branding photos aren’t just pretty to look at, they should tell a story.