If there’s one word that sums up my time with Ballinger, it’s collaboration. The Ballinger team operates with an impressive sync—designers, architects, and strategists working seamlessly across the many (many) layers of each project. Each turn down a new hallway revealed a different group deep in conversation: brainstorming, sketching, problem-solving, and building ideas together in real time.

Sometimes, photoshoots get treated like a box to check: schedule a shoot, get the images back, update the website, post a few times on social media, and move on. 

Brand photography isn’t meant to be one-and-done, well planned and executed photography is meant to last.

Photos have the ability to shape how people perceive your brand, build a level of trust between your brand and consumers, and in the end, play a part in whether or not someone engages with your content over time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Branding photography is an investment in your business that keeps on giving, providing high-quality photographs for everything from blogs to social media, marketing materials and newsletters. Need some ideas on how you can use your branding photos throughout the year? We’ve got you covered:

Back at it again with the team from Cecilian Partners, this time capturing the co-founders, John Cecilian Jr. and Philip Worland. Their space is so unique it’s like a photographer’s playground. Always love when I can play with so many different backdrops.