Beyond Headshots: Telling Your Brand Story Through Photography

When a Photo Becomes a Legacy

I’ll never forget the moment Anna Ryan Expressionist Art, a local artist, hopped on her scooter and rode through her studio mid-session! We both laughed like kids on the play yard! Not exactly what you’d expect from a “professional headshot,” right? But that’s the beauty of it.

When I photograph small business owners here in Sonoma County, we often begin with the classic portraits you’re expecting. But somewhere along the way, something shifts. You loosen up, we lean into fun, and suddenly—you’re not posing. You’re expressing. You’re alive in your element.

At Cami Flake Photography, I believe branding photos should do more than show what you look like. They should reflect your story, your magic, your why. Let’s look at what it really means to move beyond a traditional headshot and into visuals that truly speak to your people.

The Problem with “Just a Headshot”

If you’re like many clients I work with, you’ve probably told yourself: “All I need is a decent headshot.”

Maybe… but maybe not.

That single head-and-shoulders shot might glance at your professionalism, but it rarely tells the full story of who you are and how you serve.

The clients that really light up my camera? They’re small business owners who live and work with intention. Creatives, coaches, wellness pros, service providers—all passionate about their community and their craft. They don’t want cookie-cutter photos. They want images that reflect their values: authenticity, connection, care.

What rarely gets said out loud is that stepping in front of the camera can feel vulnerable. Maybe you’re unsure how to show up naturally. Maybe you’ve never had a photo that felt like it truly looked like you. That’s where I come in. Not to force anything, but to gently guide you into the kind of imagery that feels grounded and uniquely you.

Moving Into Brand Storytelling

Here’s how I support my clients to move beyond a basic headshot and into the power of intentional, story-driven photography.

1. Start With Essentials, End With Expression

We always begin with a classic, clean headshot. It’s your starting place. Think of it like the opening chapter of your brand's photo story.

Then, things start to evolve. We step into your studio, your sanctuary, your element. Maybe you’re barefoot in the grass showing off your gardening tools, or journaling in your favorite sunlit corner. Suddenly you’re not “posing” anymore - you’re just being.

And that shift? That’s where the magic lives.

2. Embrace Honest Imagery

The truth is, the best photos aren’t always the most polished. They’re the ones where your personality peeks through. The glint of pride as you show off your work. The comfort of your favorite mug in-hand.

Want to know the secret to consistently beautiful, story-driven images? It’s not a specific backdrop or prop. It’s you. Being real, open, and engaged. That’s what draws your audience in.

My clients are always the most proud of the photos where they recognize themselves fully. Not just what they look like, but who they are.

3. Plan Logistically to Show Up Emotionally

There’s something I repeat to every client with love:

Take care of yourself before your session.

• Choose your outfit (or options!) well in advance.

• Think about hair, nails, and makeup - or no makeup!

• Eat something nourishing, hydrate, rest.

You might feel jittery when the day arrives. But when those little things are taken care of, you can show up fully, with confidence. That preparation makes space for presence. And presence is where authenticity blossoms.

4. Allow Space for Play

One of my favorite moments during branding sessions is when we invite in play.

Scooters in the studio. Spontaneous jumps on the sidewalk. A guitar solo in an unlikely place. Sliding down your kid’s slide because, why not?

Play creates possibility. It’s where joy lives. And in that joy, you reconnect with the parts of you that your clients want to connect with too. The human parts. The person behind the brand.

Your Story Is Your Strongest Strategy

There is something powerful about seeing yourself in a photo that feels like you. That lights you up, reminds you of your why, and helps your audience connect immediately.

Whether you’re launching a new offering, refreshing your website, or simply ready to show up more boldly in your business, brand photography is one of the most soulful, strategic steps you can take.

Visual storytelling isn't fluff. It’s the foundation for how your audience experiences you. And when those visuals reflect the real you - grounded, confident, and connected - everything flows easier.

Ready to Reflect Your Brand with Intention?

If you’re craving photos that show more than just your face - ones that actually speak your story - you’re in the right place. I’d love to help you bring that vision to life.

You can learn more about my branding sessions at Cami Flake Photography, and if you’re curious about working together, reach out here to say hello.

And next time you start thinking you "just need a headshot"... remember that your story deserves more.

Let’s capture something beautifully, unmistakably you. ✨

Location location location

I've been spending a lot of time scouting out new locations and here's a spot I found that I'm in love with.  Great textures, color and lots of opportunity for movement and play. 

My beautiful friend came along for the adventure and bravely stepped in front of the lens. 

Calling all explorers!

The history of landscape photography is closely tied to the history of exploration.  When I heard this, it changed my whole perspective on landscape photography.  A light bulb went off and landscape photography went from ho-hum to interesting. 

And this book, River of Shadows: Eadweard Muybridge and the Technological Wild West by Rebecca Solnit, immediately went onto my 'must read' list. 

Eadweard Muybridge was one of the first photographers to capture the essence of a place and time through movement.  He was born before the birth of photography and died after the advent of motion pictures, his worked was heavily influenced by the time in which he lived. Innovation and speed played a huge role is his perspective. 

Eadweard Muybridge, Palo-Alto-'Running-Herd-with-Superimposed-Sky'

One of the most influential and best known landscape photographers is Ansel Adams, revered for his awe inspiring images of Yosemite national park. 

"Ansel Adams wanted the viewer to feel what he felt when he pushed the button.... He wanted to provide the public a glimpse of the unique beauty of America's wildest places and in so doing, protect those finite resources."  (outdoorphotography.com, "Landscape Masters Through Time")

Ansel Adams in Yosemite

Even if you don't aspire to be a professional photographer, seeing our changing landscapes through this lens can turn a hike into an adventure.  Like this day I headed to the hills of Marin with my son and his buddy, not only was the landscape transient so are these little guys who will someday, God willing, be men. I treasure this view! 

So the next time you are out and taking photos, ask yourself; what am I responding to? What is it about this scene that has captured my interest, my heart, is creating awe, has me mesmerized? Is it the magnitude of something? Is it the colors? Is it the texture? The expanse? The light? The mood? The movement?

Knowing the answer will help you capture the essence of what you are seeing and feeling and will help create an experience for the viewer.  It's why we love to look at photos. We get to see someone else's perspective and how they see the world. 

Love your camera!

This Summer we planted a flower garden and they are blooming in the best possible way.  Our giant Day of the Dead Marigolds are so vibrant that I love taking photos of them!

To capture their rich color, I pay special attention to where the Sun's rays are hitting my camera.

Do you know what this is?

It's called a lens hood.  It helps shield your lens from the sun.  Have you ever noticed that some of your images look foggy? Or like they have a thin white film over the top? That's because the sun's rays hit your lens directly and creates a lens flare.  

Sometimes it creates a beautiful effect, like the star like rays above.  Other times it just makes it difficult to see your subject clearly and mutes the colors. If you use the lens hood or in this case, I used my hand to shield the sun from my iPhone lens, it creates a much cleaner, clearer image with brighter colors.  

And that's what I was going for with these beauties. 

If you have any questions send them my way! 

#1 tip for a great photo session -- Relax!

Today's mantra from dharma teacher Thich Nhat Hanh: breathing in and out, saying this in your mind, "Breathing In, I am a Mountain. Breathing out, I am steady." repeat

Love is in the air...

It rained the day before... it couldn't have been a more beautiful day! Thank you to Laura and Cameron for choosing me for their very special day! 

A Day in the Sun (headshot event)

Sending out a BIG overdue thank you to Sara Ladd (Beauty Counter make-up), Kerri Richards (make-up artist) and Jen Sicha (artist and host) for making this day so beautiful. xo

Here's the gorgeous Brett Pels. (check out her band Tainted Love) 

More photos to come!

xo, Cami

Let's get organized!

It’s a new year and a new opportunity to get those photos organized! Yes, it is possible.  The key is: don’t over think it.

Here we go. 

1.     Get out your calendar… go on. 

2.     Now open it up to February 1st. 

3.     Create an alarm to download all January photos. *Make sure you have the second alarm on too.  

4.     Check the repeat monthly option.

Next, create a Favorites folder.  Choose 5-10 of your favorite photos from the download and throw them into your Favorites folder.  ONLY 5-10.  DONE! 

If you have more time and want to create better descriptions for the downloaded photos, go for it.  But only 5-10 may go into the favorites folder. 

If you do this every month for a year, you’ll be ready to make those personalized cards, the snapshot book of 2015 or all those exciting projects you pushed aside last year because you were overwhelmed by the idea of culling 1000s of photos.

Let me know if this system works for you! Or share your favorite way to keep those photos organized.

Thanks for checking in!

Happy clicking,

Cami

Cameras, cameras and more cameras!

Choosing a new camera can be daunting.  There are about 50 bazillion choices and to consider them all would be overwhelming.  So let’s go with word of mouth, awesome reviews from trusted sources and the best deal.  If I were to buy a new camera this year this is what I would buy.

As a professional photographer:
Canon 5d mark iii – I’m madly in love with my mark ii and wouldn’t consider upgrading to anything other than the mark iii.  The mark iii has slow motion video, among a plethora of other awesome features. 

Just a side note, the Nikon cameras are great too… their focus buttons make so much more sense than the focus wheel on the Canon. This is the one feature I would change pronto if I were designing the next Canon upgrade. 

To a mama who likes photography and wants to capture some interesting shots, like eyelashes and sleeping babes, have a little more control and enjoys lenses, 
I recommend the Canon EOS 7D.  It’s still pricey but I’ve heard great things about this guy and you can still get a great deal:

If I were to get a point and shoot, the Panasonic Lumix is my choice.  It has a gorgeous lens and it takes beautiful video.  Here’s a great option and it’s on sale!

Camera photos are from b&h photo video.  Since I’m recommending their products, I don’t think they’ll mind. 

Happy shopping!! 
xo,
Cami