You know those busy seasons of life... like Christmas or any time that your calendar is maxed out?
I don't know about you, but for a lot of us what comes after those seasons are feeling to need to hide from the world and recover.
It’s a lot! And if you’re already feeling this you’re not alone. As business owners, we often carry this pressure to keep showing up even when our energy is fading faster than the daylight.
But here’s the good news:
There are ways to stay visible and consistent without constantly being online or burning out.
(and no, I’m not just going to say “get new Brand Photos!” as a magic fix-all 😉 )
The secret?
Having pieces in place that allow your business to run even when you need a break.
So when your schedule gets packed or you’re deep in hibernation mode and don’t want to show your face online…
Your business can still feel present, helpful, and alive.
Let’s walk through how to make that happen in a way that feels aligned with YOUR energy and biz goals.
Because there's no space for blanket-statement advice or "shoulds" over here. Take what you need, make it fit your style and apply it in a way that feels good to you.
We’re already trying to juggle a million things so please remember this:
You don’t need to be everywhere all at once.
That’s the fastest path to burnout, and we’re not doing that!
Instead, ask yourself:
Maybe posting once a week is enough.
Maybe this month is more about connection than conversion.
Maybe your business needs more warm and joyful content instead of sales-heavy content.
Don’t let the internet convince you that you need to do MORE to keep up.
You know your business best.
You’re allowed to choose a pace that supports you and your clients.
Once you’ve decided what your business actually needs during this busy season, you can start to make it real.
You don’t need a brand new, full blown marketing strategy you just need clarity and intention. Try this:
Now you can decide how to make that happen for you and your life this time of year. Maybe scheduling a whole content batching day works well for you. Or maybe it's doing one thing a day that aligns with your goal instead. There's so much advice out there around the "right" way to do it, but in my experience the one that feels the best for you is the one you're going to stick to.
Also remember that it's not forever! This is just to carry you through this season and then you're allowed to adjust and change it later.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You probably already have more content than you think!
Here’s where to look:
I can pretty much guarantee you already have things worth repurposing. You just need to gather them and say the same things in different ways (or in exactly the same way if you want to really keep it simple).
And if you don’t have a library of branding photos you love yet…
Then it might be time to fix that
Let’s get you photos that work for your business
Putting these pieces together now might make the next couple of months feel less chaotic.
And more importantly it might remind you that:
So when life gets busy and you cozy up into hibernation mode…
Your business can still show up for you because you set it up to.
Want a hand putting this into action?
A brand session can give you a library of the best photos AND content ideas that support your marketing all season long.
Work with me here and let’s make your next season feel lighter!
If you’re a business owner in Ottawa and you’re thinking about doing a branding photoshoot chances are you need some ideas on where your shoot should happen.
When you reach out and we start planning your shoot I will send you some suggestions based on the kinds of photos you need, but if you like to get some ideas before hand here are some of my favourite locations for branding photoshoots Ottawa!
I love it here! It’s a house that’s been renovated into a content creation studio space so it gives so much variety. There’s a kitchen, living room, dining room, office and two different bedrooms all with a neutral color palette and well decorated.
This is the space for your shoot if you want a more cozy, homey feel or if you want a lot of variety in locations for your shoot.
This is a large, open concept space that has a great combo of styled, furnished table/office area and living room/couch area. It has an industrial loft vibe to it, but also super bright and white with big windows.
This is the perfect space if you want some photos of doing what you do, using the table and various chairs, wanting more natural poses AND want some with simple backgrounds or space to play (like getting motion blur, etc)
Skye has 3 different studio rooms to choose from and they each have their own style and decor! They switch it up semi-regularly too so it’s always a good idea to check their socials before booking to see the current set up.
Their spaces are great for a photo shoot that focuses more on you!
This is a large studio space in Kanata that is similar in style and size as Quay Studio. It’s a great space to get a mix of lifestyle, you doing your thing and has space to move.
I haven’t actually used this space yet, but it looks beautiful! There’s unique features like stairs and arches that would be fun to use. The size and style of this space is similar to Skye in that it would be great for photos that feature you.
Ottawa has great studio rental options for your branding photoshoot, but if you’re looking for more ideas that aren’t studio then check out my other blog post for More Location Ideas!
How many things are on your to-do list at any given time?
How many hats do you wear in your business?
I’m going to guess…. a lot.
I also know that people love to give the advice to “delegate” and “don’t do everything yourself!” But they don’t seem to talk about how much asking for help can actually add to your plate.
Like booking a photoshoot for your business. It’s been on your list and when you finally reach out to book a shoot it suddenly feels like you have a million more questions to answer and decisions to make.
It was supposed to add ease to your mental load, but instead it feels like it’s multiplied it.
But that’s not what I want it to be for you! My approach is to lessen your load and still get you the photos that will actually add ease to other parts of your business, like marketing, content creation and visibility.
So how do I do that?
It starts with a questionnaire. So yes, you do have to sit down and answer some questions about yourself and your business, but chances are you already have all the answers!
We’re not digging into things that you’re still figuring out. This will just give me a look into what your business is all about, what matters the most to you (your values), and what you want your clients to feel and experience when they work with you.
Then I take your answers from that and create your personalized Photo Shoot Plan! Which is… what exactly?
It’s the guide that will give YOU the answers you need to prep for your shoot and what to expect during it. Instead of making you do more work and add to your mental load this will help alleviate it.
Your photo shoot plan includes:
You’ll get this a few weeks leading up to your shoot so you have plenty of time to look it over and ask any questions you have.
When your photo shoot day arrives the real fun begins! I’ll use your photo shoot plan as a guide for your shoot, but there will also be room to flow and play. I’ll take the lead and show you what to do, where to look, when to grab the prop and what to do with it when it’s in your hands.
Being in front of the camera might not feel like the most natural thing in the world, but my goal is to make the photo shoot feel more like a conversation and to put you at ease. Deep breaths, good chats and photos that feel and look like you on your very best day!
After the shoot you’ll get your photo galleries within a week and once you choose your faves you’ll be able to start using your new photos a week after that.
So reaching out to book your shoot with me will check “get brand photos” off your to-do list, but it will also take away some of that mental load when it comes to having photos at your fingertips that you can share, use and post whenever you need them.
If you’re a coach, wellness provider, service provider or business owner in Ottawa, you probably know how important your online presence is for bringing in clients. You’ve seen how other entrepreneurs seem to be polished and confident online, and you want the same for your business. That’s where branding photography comes in!
But if you’ve never had a branding photoshoot before, you might feel unsure about what to expect. The good news? It’s a lot easier (and more fun) than you think!
Before a camera is ever involved, I want to hear about you! Your business, your goals, and where you’re at. I have a short inquiry form to fill out and then we’ll chat by email to see if we’re the right fit for each other. If you’d rather have a call or video chat we can do that too.
I’ll send you my current pricing and packages (which can also be found on my website) and my availability too.
Once I know more about your brand and when you’ve decided on your package, we can start to plan the photoshoot together!
Things like:
Location
Ottawa has so many great options. We’ll chat about it and I’ll give you my recommendations on the best options for your brand photo shoot.
Wardrobe
I’ll guide you on outfit choices that fit your brand colours, personality, and the impression you want to make.
Props and Tools
Whether it’s a laptop, journal, yoga mat, or coffee mug, including intentional items makes your photos feel more like you.
I’ll also send you a short questionnaire and take your answers from that to create your custom Photo Shoot Plan! It will include photo ideas, prop check list, planning schedule and more.
This is the part most people feel nervous about, but it always turns out to be the most fun! You don’t need to know how to pose or worried that you not “photogenic.” My job is to guide you every step of the way, find poses that feel like you and show you that you can have photos of yourself that you love.
Clients often tell me:
“Amy made me feel so at ease.”
“She made me laugh and the process felt so natural.”
“I actually felt confident in front of the camera.”
During your branding photoshoot, we can capture a mix of:
Headshots for your website and socials
Lifestyle photos that show your personality
Behind-the-scenes shots that give your audience a glimpse of your work
Storytelling images you can use for newsletters and social media
and whatever else is personal to you and your business.
Professional branding photos are more than just pretty photos. They’re a tool to help you connect with the right people and grow your business! When you show up confidently and authentically online, your aligned clients feel it and they’re more likely to reach out, book, and be the right fit.
If you’re ready to feel comfortable, confident, and empowered in front of the camera, I’d love to help. Let’s plan your Ottawa branding photoshoot so you can show up online with photos you’re proud of.
When I first started out as a branding photographer, I imagined that client reviews would sound something like this:
“OMG I love my photos!”
And yes, clients do say that, but what surprised me is how often their reviews go deeper than the images themselves. Over and over, I hear things like:
Yes, my clients love their photos, but what they love just as much is how they feel during the process.
If you’re a coach, wellness provider, or business owner in Ottawa, chances are you already know the value of professional branding photos. They help you stand out online, elevate your brand, and attract the right clients.
But here’s what many people don’t expect: the photoshoot itself can be an empowering experience.
When you’re comfortable and at ease, your personality shines through. When you feel confident, your photos radiate that energy. And when the process feels natural and fun—even if you’ve never done this before—that’s when the magic really happens.
Most of my Ottawa clients come to me with the same worries:
And yet, time after time, they leave their session saying how much fun they had and how natural it felt. That confidence shows in their photos—and becomes a powerful tool for their brand.
Imagine being able to use photos on your website, Instagram, or newsletter that not only look amazing but also capture the ease, confidence, and personality you bring to your work.
Professional branding photography is about more than a polished headshot. It’s about helping you show up authentically so your ideal clients can see the real person behind the business.
And yes—you’ll love your photos. But you’ll also love how you felt creating them: comfortable, confident, and ready to shine.
✨ If you’re a coach, wellness provider, or service-based business owner in Ottawa, let’s create branding photos that capture not just how you look, but who you are and how amazing you are!
The most Googled term for people finding me is Lifestyle Branding Photography. Which is awesome because that’s my jam!
But a lot of people don’t really know what that means. It’s become a lot more mainstream in online lingo the last few years but there is a big difference between lifestyle photography and other types.
So let’s break it down!
Photos of you, the business owner, in real life places doing real life things!
You in-action doing the things that you might be doing in your business and your life.
It shows your personality by bringing in props that help tell your story and give you something to interact with instead of always smiling at the camera!
It’s in a location that is chosen for a reason! Using a space that fits the kinds of photos you need and aligns with your business. If you want to dive deeper into that than Click Here to head to another post all about choosing the best location for your shoot.
Lifestyle branding photography captures the authentic moments, expressions and your personality. It shows your brand value in photos and helps people feel like the already know you before even working with you!
It’s a super powerful tool to have in your business!
It’s not you formally posed in front of a photography background. That is a traditional headshot.
It’s not usually with dramatic lighting or heavily styled. That’s editorial - like in magazines!
Lifestyle branding photos are about showing
so that your dream clients can get to know you and want to work with you!
It doesn’t have to be complicated but is definitely impactful if you make a plan and go into it with intention and openness.
Ready to book yours? Click below to get started
The first step to deciding on your location for your branding photo shoot is to know what the purpose of your photos are and what you will be doing in them.
Don’t worry, when you book a shoot with me you’ll get the answer after filling in the questionnaire and we chat about it all!
Think about your client experience, brand aesthetic, personality (things you love!). Combine that with some of the “action” things you will be doing in your photos and then you can think about which type of location fits that the best.
For example if you’re in health and wellness you might want a location with
access to a beautiful kitchen for photos around nutrition
an open space for yoga and exercise photos
an office or sitting area for working 1-1 with a client
So you definitely won’t want to choose a park outside or a studio that doesn’t have space for that.
This one really depends on what kind of photos you want and if that aligns with your home.
The perks are that you have everything you need there and don’t have to pack outfits etc. You can’t forget anything!
The downside is that you have to clean a space in your home and probably rearrange some things to make it photo shoot ready.
If you’re not sure if your home is right for your shoot you can take some photos on your phone and send them to me (or your photographer) and ask. We can tell pretty quickly if it’s going to work for the shoot or not!
Tip: if you know someone with a stunning home and that’s what you really need for your photo shoot then reach out and ask them!
Similar to above this can be a really great option for familiarity and knowing the space. Especially if you have equipment or tools there that you’d be using in the photos.
A super popular option is renting a studio space. There are so many in Ottawa now that you can definitely find one that fits your style and needs.
Tip: when booking studio time it’s a good idea to book it longer than your photography time. This way you’re not rushed and have time to pack up at the end!
If a studio isn’t exactly fitting what you need check out
Tip: make sure to check out their policy for AirBnB's and hotels before booking as some don’t allow professional photography
If nature is your jam then embrace that! Depending on the time of year I usually recommend booking a rain-date just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate on the day of your shoot.
If the city is your place then the options are endless. Having a solid shot list is a good idea so that you don’t spend all your time walking to different locations. Choose a few key places that aren’t high-traffic areas so you have time to get the photos and don’t feel awkward.
Tip: it’s good idea to bring someone along to stay with the extra stuff (prop, bags, outfits etc) so you don’t have to keep on eye on it while doing the photo shoot. And if they can take some behind the scenes for Instagram too even better 😉
Valerie Hertzog is medical doctor and wellness coach. She empowers busy, driven women to reclaim control of their health through sustainable lifestyle changes with the support they need to feel healthy, more energetic & thrive in all aspects of their lives!
When THAT is your mission it’s so important that the women you want to help can find you!
Like most online businesses and coaches your potential clients get to know you through what they see online. They want to know what you’re all about and feel like they know you before working with you.
When Valerie joined my Branding Membership she already had a website and brand suite. She had professional photos done in the past which were great, but she knew she needed updated photos for launching her new program and all the marketing she would be doing for it.
She saw the value in having branding photoshoots and video shoots to use all throughout the year as her business grew and offers changed.
She totally crushed it like the amazing woman that she is!
Together we created on-brand, relevant photos and b-roll video in a variety of locations and seasons for her to use!
Valerie uses her brand photos in SO many ways. In online masterclasses, social media content, her email list, and website. Her brand videos flow seamlessly with her Instagram Stories and Reels.
Anytime she is creating content or marketing her business she has an entire library of branding photos and videos to pull from.
She can create confidently using photos of herself that she knows she loves!
She saves herself so much time by having everything at her finger tips. No more scrolling the camera roll trying to find something decent or taking 100 selfies and hoping there’s one in there she can use.
She makes it easier to show up in her business with less roadblocks aka reasons not to.
She has photoshoots scheduled whenever she needs them to always keep her content fresh and fun.
She doesn’t try to do it all by herself, instead she prioritizes what she’s really good at: helping her own clients!
The Membership is for business owners who value those things in their own business.
Valerie came to me when she already knew
We worked together to create branding photos and videos that would connect her with her potential clients and make it easier for her to share consistently and with impact!