If you know one thing about me, you know I am a BIG fan of dogs. I am partial to boxers (I’ve had five), but any dog is a good dog in my book. When North Penn Animal Hospital was working on a new website and updated brand and called ME to update their photos, I was unbelievably excited — I don’t think I’ve ever answered an email faster. Offer me the chance to spend the day with the team in Lansdale and pet every dog I could find?? Dreams do come true.

As you plan your 2026 marketing budget and plans, you’ve probably already added the usual line items: social media ads, website updates, email campaigns, print advertisements, the list goes on. One item that often gets overlooked is professional photography.

Whether you’re a small business owner, nonprofit, or educational institution, investing in high-quality photography is all about creating connection and credibility that drives actual results.

So you've finally decided to invest in your brand or business with professional branding photos. Or maybe you're ready to update those "pre-covid" photos that you could've sworn you took 2 years ago but… that was almost 6 years ago. (Ouch.) Either way, it’s time to get it done, and the first step is to find the right photographer. One who will actually get you and your business.

Still Rise Farms is a special place. Founded by Dr. Monique Gary, a surgical oncologist and PCOM alumna, the 40-acre farm offers holistic wellness support for individuals navigating the challenges of cancer and chronic illness. I spent some inspiring time at the farm with Dr. Gary to create some images for PCOM’s Digest Magazine. 

If your company has invested in branding photos before, you already know how powerful they can be for marketing. Professional photos don’t just show what you do,  they help people connect with your team, your values, and the experience of working with your business. But here’s the deal: branding photos aren’t a one-and-done investment. Your company grows, your team evolves, and your visuals should reflect that.

So, how often should you update them? Let’s check it out.

Being a photographer isn't just about filling a dropbox full of images, it's about partnering with organizations that value storytelling and understand the importance of visual branding.

These clients understand that photography is an investment in their story. They're not looking for generic stock photos or trying to cut corners. They want images that capture the authenticity of their community and mission.

Good corporate photos do something amazing: they make your business feel real. Instead of being just another company name, you become actual people doing meaningful work. Your headshots show the people behind the title. Your team photos capture the energy at your office. And those candid shots of your team hard at work? They tell the story of what your company is all about.

We all have the same 24 hours. As a business owner, there (hopefully!) comes a time when your calendar fills up, inquiries keep coming in, and you find yourself wishing you could be in two places at once. As a photographer, often the only way to scale your business is to bring on help. When the amount of work became overwhelming, and I wasn’t able to clone myself, I decided that I needed to build a team I could trust.

If it’s been a while since your institution updated the photos on your website, you’re not alone. Time gets away from us when we aren’t paying attention and pretty quickly your ‘new lifestyle photos’ are 3 years old. The faces on your site may have long since graduated, and some other cringe fashion trend from your youth is making a comeback. But don’t stress, one of the easiest (and most impactful) ways to breathe new life into your website and online presence is by updating your branding photos.