Starting from scratch: an Edinburgh brand photography story

 A recent brand shoot that really stayed with me was with Steph McCurdy, who was in the middle of a big career change — becoming a humanist wedding celebrant in Edinburgh.
When Steph first reached out, she knew she needed professional photos: a headshot, something for her website… but beyond that, she wasn’t sure what she needed or how to make it work. She was starting completely from scratch, and like many people, the idea of being photographed felt daunting.
We talked it through and decided to create a shoot that felt authentic to her and her new business, the colours she likes to wear and surround herself with (blue, red, gold) are also the colours she wanted to use in her branding. We talked about what her brand message is; the words Steph gave me for this were “Approchable, relaxed, organic, fun”. 
As Steph is based in Edinburgh, I suggested incorporating the Edinburgh skyline for some outdoor shots, as well as some of Edinburgh’s impressive stone walls and columns that could set the right tone for a celebrant officiating weddings and conducting funerals. Alongside this, we also planned for a few indoor locations and outfit changes. The goal was to create a versatile bank of brand images she could use across different platforms — for her website, social media, newsletters, and printed materials.
Throughout the shoot, we made sure her outfits and the backdrops we picked would work with her brand colours. We consciously made sure that poses, actions, expressions and props all resonated with her message. 

Since the shoot, Steph has used her images extensively on her website, in social media posts and stories, and in printed materials. Instead of scrambling for visuals, she now has consistent, professional imagery that reflects her personality and brand.

I was incredibly touched by this lovely review left by Steph after our shoot:

Working with Ditte on my branding shoot was an absolute dream. I never expect anyone to care about my work as much as I do, but Ditte is truly the exception. Never performative, she came to our initial planning call already brimming with thoughtful ideas; from locations and styling guidance to a carefully considered list of props that made perfect sense for the shoot (biodegradable confetti canons for the win!). Needless to say, she was immediately speaking my language.

 

On the day, Ditte led the shoot with the perfect mix of calm authority and humour, so I knew I was in very good hands. She somehow created the most naturally supportive little forcefield around me during an experience that I was very much not comfortable with at the beginning, which allowed me to relax, let my guard down and be myself. We laughed the whole way through and she was the ultimate hype woman, jumping in to pose me whenever I needed help while also catching those candid, in-between and unguarded moments. Of course these ended up being some of the most genuine images and absolute favourites – I’m so happy to have them.

 

The result was countless images that I didn’t just “not mind,” but genuinely loved. They go far beyond standing and smiling – these photos reflect the kind of celebrant I am: warm, inclusive, relaxed and real. They now live on my website, all over my social media, and basically anywhere else I can shoehorn them in. Thank you Ditte, how you do what you do with such ease, I’ll honestly never know.

 

This is why brand photography in Edinburgh (or anywhere!) is such a valuable investment. It’s not just about having photos for launch day — it’s about creating visuals that grow with your business and help you show up confidently and consistently.

If you’re starting a new business, switching careers, or wondering how to visually represent your brand, a thoughtful brand photoshoot can make the process much easier — and even enjoyable.