Have you heard of ‘humanising your brand’ to cut through the noisy market 

Matt Van Schuie The consultant behind Digital Mentor. PORTRAIT BY SIMON GUTHRIE

How to stand out in a sea of sameness?

In a world where cutting through the noise of the market is a challenge, and where an overreliance on stock imagery is making everything look fake and insincere, environmental portraits have a space in marketing and can be more impactful than ever before.

Firstly because portraiture is a great method of humanising your brand.

Quattuor Property Group. PORTRAIT BY SIMON GUTHRIE

What is humanising your brand?

Humanising your brand means giving it a relatable personality—one that feels approachable, authentic, and aligned with real human values. It’s about showing the people, stories, and purpose behind what you do, so your audience connects with you on an emotional level. Its about using custom imagery over generic filler. It is about storytelling through words and images.

Instead of sounding like a corporation, your brand sounds like a real person speaking with honesty and intent. 

David Poppleton of Domain Project Sales. PORTRAIT BY SIMON GUTHRIE

How do you humanise your brand through environmental photography?

You humanise a brand through photography by capturing authentic, relatable moments that reflect the people, personality, and values behind the business. Instead of stiff, overly staged images, focus on natural lighting, real expressions, and candid interactions—people in motion, behind-the-scenes moments, genuine customer experiences.

Show the team at work, not just the polished product. Highlight emotion, connection, and storytelling in every frame. Whether it’s a founder’s portrait, a workshop in action, or customers engaging with your offering, great brand photography makes your business feel approachable, trustworthy, and alive.

Rachel Pace, the marketing and communications expert behind much of our work. PORTRAIT BY SIMON GUTHRIE

Why would you humanise your brand?

Humanising your brand builds trust, relatability, and emotional connection—three things no algorithm or ad spend can fake. People want to do business with people, not faceless logos. When your brand has a clear voice, personality, and values, it becomes memorable and magnetic. It invites loyalty, conversation, and community—not just transactions.

In a crowded market, the most human brand often wins.

Headshots do not have to be stiff. PORTRAITS BY SIMON GUTHRIE

How about making the most of – the about page?

The About page is one of the most powerful yet underrated tools for humanising your brand. It’s where people go to understand who you are—not just what you sell. In fact, studies show that the About page is often the second most visited page on a website after the homepage. According to a Nielsen Norman Group report, users who visit About pages are typically high-intent visitors, looking for trust signals, credibility, and the human story behind the brand.

This is your chance to show personality, values, and purpose – what makes you different, why you do what you do, and who’s behind the scenes. Featuring real photos of your team, your origin story, and your mission adds warmth and relatability.

Done right, an About page builds trust faster than any product description ever could. In short, it’s not a throwaway – it’s where your brand becomes human.

Portraits do not have to be in an office either. PORTRAIT BY RACHEL PACE (setup by SIMON GUTHRIE)

How professional is your collection of environmental portraits in your business and marketing collateral?

​If your team photos feel outdated, overly staged, or inconsistent, they could be doing more harm than good, especially when it comes to building trust and converting potential customers.

In today’s visually driven world, people want to see ‘real humans’ behind the business: confident, approachable, and aligned with your brand. If your portraits don’t reflect that, they may be costing you credibility and conversions. Or at best, not promoting your business in the best light. 

If you’re ready to elevate your image and make a stronger first impression, reach out today for a quote for some portraits to refresh your business.