How to Use Personal Branding Video in Your Branding Session

Most entrepreneurs think a personal branding video is about creating more content.

In reality, the best branding videos do something much more valuable: they help potential clients feel confident you’re the right person before they ever reach out.

When someone lands on your website, watches a short video, and thinks, “Yep, that’s exactly who I’ve been looking for,” your branding video has done its job.

As a Portland branding photographer, one of the biggest concerns I hear is:

“I know I need content, but I don’t know what I would even film.”

The good news? You don’t need to become an influencer, memorize scripts, or spend hours talking to a camera. With the right planning, a branding session can provide months of intentional content that supports your website, social media, email marketing, and client experience.

See a Personal Branding Video in Action

Before we dive into what to film during a branding session, here’s a real example of a personal branding video created for a real estate agent serving Washington and Oregon.

The goal wasn’t simply to create content. The goal was to showcase her personality, community involvement, client experience, and expertise in a way that helps potential clients feel confident she’s the right person to guide them through one of the biggest purchases of their lives.

What’s Included in This Branding Video?

• Voiceover storytelling
• Community involvement (Yoga in the Park)
• Client interactions
• Key handoff moments
• Lifestyle footage with her dog
• Local business branding
• Behind-the-scenes moments
• Personal brand storytelling

One of the biggest misconceptions about branding video is that every entrepreneur needs to stand in front of a camera and deliver a polished speech. In reality, some of the strongest branding videos combine simple moments, movement, voiceovers, and real-life interactions.

What Is a Personal Branding Video and How Is It Different From a Headshot?

Short answer: A headshot shows people what you look like. A branding video helps people understand who you are, how you work, and what it feels like to work with you.

Research published in Psychological Science found that people form impressions of trustworthiness and competence remarkably quickly. While a professional headshot helps establish credibility, video gives potential clients a deeper sense of connection and personality.

For service-based business owners, that connection matters.

A therapist wants potential clients to feel safe.

A real estate agent wants clients to feel confident.

An esthetician wants clients to feel comfortable.

An attorney wants clients to feel reassured.

A branding video allows people to experience your personality before they ever schedule a consultation.

Should You Add a Personal Branding Video to Your Branding Session?

Short answer: If you’re already investing in branding photography, video is often the highest-value addition you can make.

According to Wyzowl’s annual video marketing research, video continues to be one of the most effective forms of online content for businesses. Clients increasingly expect to see the people behind the businesses they hire.

What I’ve noticed from working with entrepreneurs is that many business owners don’t struggle with creating content because they lack ideas.

They struggle because they don’t have a plan.

That’s why every branding session I offer starts with a conversation about where the content will actually live after the session is over.

Will it be used on your homepage?

Your About page?

Instagram?

LinkedIn?

Email marketing?

Once we know where the content is going, we can intentionally create videos that serve those goals.

What Is the Biggest Mistake Entrepreneurs Make When Adding Video?

Short answer: Filming content before deciding how it will be used.

The most effective branding videos begin with strategy, not a camera.

Many entrepreneurs arrive at a branding session thinking about outfits, props, and locations. Those things matter, but they should come after a bigger question:

What do you want potential clients to feel after watching?

For my clients, the answer is often some variation of:

• Trust me.
• Understand me.
• Connect with me.
• Feel confident I’m the right fit.

Once we identify that goal, everything else becomes much easier.

The Content-First Branding Session Framework

This is the process I use with branding clients before every session.

Step 1: Decide Where the Content Will Live

Your homepage needs different content than Instagram.

Your About page needs different content than LinkedIn.

Before we ever pick up a camera, we identify where the photos and videos will be used.

Step 2: Identify the Questions Your Audience Already Has

What are people wondering before they inquire?

For example:

• What is it like to work with you?
• What makes you different?
• What happens during your process?
• Why should they trust you?

Your branding content should help answer those questions.

Step 3: Plan Photos and Videos Around Those Goals

Instead of creating random content, we create purposeful content.

Every image and video clip should have a job.

Step 4: Build a Timeline That Feels Natural

One of the reasons clients feel more relaxed during branding sessions is because they know exactly what to expect.

Before every session, I create a custom timeline that maps out photos, video clips, locations, and transitions throughout the day.

That preparation helps everything flow seamlessly.

What Videos Should You Film for a Personal Branding Video?

Short answer: The best branding videos are the ones your future clients actually need to see.

You don’t need dozens of complicated videos. In most cases, a handful of intentional clips can support your website, social media, email marketing, and sales process for months.

When planning a branding session, I typically recommend a mix of talking-head content, lifestyle footage, behind-the-scenes moments, and client experience footage.

What Talking-Head Videos Should You Record?

Talking-head videos are simply clips of you speaking directly to your audience.

These don’t need to be perfect. In fact, some of the most effective videos feel conversational and approachable.

Consider answering questions like:

• Why did you start your business?
• What makes your approach different?
• What do clients often worry about before working with you?
• What do you wish more people knew about your industry?
• What does your process look like?

These videos work beautifully on your homepage, About page, social media, and email campaigns.

What B-Roll Footage Should You Capture?

B-roll is the footage that supports your story.

Think:

• Working at your desk
• Meeting with clients
• Walking into your office
• Serving customers
• Preparing for appointments
• Reviewing paperwork
• Creating products
• Working on your laptop
• Enjoying a favorite local coffee shop

These clips add movement and personality while helping potential clients visualize working with you.

What Client Experience Moments Should Be Filmed?

One of the most powerful things you can show is what it’s actually like to work with you.

Showing your process often builds more trust than explaining your process.

Depending on your business, this might include:

• Welcoming a client
• Reviewing documents together
• Conducting a consultation
• Demonstrating a service
• Walking a client through next steps
• Celebrating a milestone

When people can see the experience, it feels more real.

The 10 Most Valuable Branding Videos to Capture During Your Session

Video Type	Where to Use It	Why It Matters
Introduction Video	Homepage	Builds immediate connection
Meet the Founder Video	About Page	Helps people get to know you
FAQ Video	Social Media & Website	Answers common questions
Behind-the-Scenes Video	Website & Social	Demonstrates expertise
Client Experience Video	Service Pages	Builds trust
Workspace Tour	About Page	Creates familiarity
Day-in-the-Life Video	Instagram & Reels	Humanizes your brand
Service Walkthrough	Service Pages	Clarifies your process
Personal Story Video	Homepage	Creates emotional connection
Educational Tip Video	Email & Social	Establishes authority

Do You Have to Talk to the Camera?

Short answer: No.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about branding video.

Some entrepreneurs love talking directly to the camera.

Others would rather do almost anything else.

The good news is that you don’t need to build your entire branding video around direct-to-camera content.

Many of my clients prefer a combination of:

• Voiceovers
• Natural movement
• Working footage
• Client interactions
• Lifestyle clips

A voiceover can often feel less intimidating while still allowing your personality and expertise to shine through.

The goal isn’t to become a professional speaker.

The goal is to help people connect with you.

What If You’re Awkward on Video?

Short answer: Almost everyone feels awkward at first.

In fact, “I don’t know what to do” and “I’m going to look awkward” are probably the two concerns I hear most often.

Here’s what I tell clients:

Nobody is expecting perfection.

Your future clients aren’t looking for a polished television commercial. They’re looking for a real person they can trust.

The moments people often connect with most are the moments that feel genuine.

A laugh.

A smile.

A conversation.

A quick glimpse into your personality.

Those small moments help people feel like they already know you before they ever reach out.

How Can One Branding Session Create Months of Content?

Short answer: By creating content with a plan instead of creating content at random.

One branding session can provide:

• Homepage imagery
• About page content
• Social media reels
• LinkedIn content
• Email marketing visuals
• Blog imagery
• Sales page content
• Educational videos

The key is planning ahead.

According to research from Marq, maintaining a consistent brand experience helps businesses build recognition and trust. Branding photos and videos work best when they support a cohesive message across every platform.

Instead of creating content one piece at a time, think about building a complete content library.

That’s where branding sessions become incredibly valuable.

A Real-World Example: Branding Video for a Real Estate Agent

One of my favorite branding video projects was for a real estate agent serving Washington and Oregon.

We didn’t simply create headshots and generic video clips.

We built the entire session around the story she wanted her clients to understand.

Community involvement is a major part of her brand, so we filmed footage from her annual Yoga in the Park event.

We captured her interacting with clients.

We filmed key handoff moments.

We included lifestyle footage with her dog.

We recorded voiceover content that allowed her personality to come through naturally.

Every clip had a purpose.

Every clip had a future home on her website or social media.

That’s what makes branding video so effective.

It’s not about creating content for the sake of creating content.

It’s about helping potential clients understand who you are and what it’s like to work with you.

What Should Portland Entrepreneurs Include in a Branding Video?

Short answer: Content that reflects both your business and your community.

One of the advantages of working with local entrepreneurs is being able to incorporate meaningful locations and experiences into the story.

Depending on your business, that might include:

• Downtown Portland
• Northwest Portland
• Alberta Arts District
• St. Johns
• The Vancouver Waterfront
• A favorite coffee shop
• Your office or studio
• A local park
• Client-facing spaces

For service-based businesses, these details help create familiarity and local connection.

People want to know who they’re hiring.

Showing your environment helps tell that story.

How Do You Prepare for a Branding Session With Video?

Short answer: Focus on your goals before you focus on your outfits.

The entrepreneurs who get the best results arrive with clarity around what they want the content to accomplish.

Before your session, ask yourself:

What Questions Should I Answer on Camera?

Think about the questions clients ask repeatedly.

These often make the best video topics because your audience is already searching for the answers.

What Props Should I Bring?

Bring items you actually use.

Examples might include:

• Laptop
• Notebook
• Coffee mug
• Industry-specific tools
• Client gifts
• Product samples
• Marketing materials

Authenticity will always outperform generic props.

Not Sure What to Film During Your Branding Session?

One of the biggest concerns I hear from entrepreneurs is:

“I know I need content, but I have no idea what to create.”

That’s exactly why every branding session begins with a strategy call.

Together, we’ll map out where your photos and videos will live, what questions your audience needs answered, and what content will help potential clients feel confident you’re the right person to work with.

Download my free Branding Session Guide and start planning a session that works for your business—not just your Instagram feed.

–> Free Branding Session Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I add video to my branding session?

If you’re already investing in branding photography, adding video is often one of the best ways to maximize the value of your session. Video helps potential clients connect with your personality, process, and expertise.

How many videos should I create during a branding session?

Quality matters more than quantity. A handful of intentional B roll videos can often provide months of content when planned strategically. As well as a feature film that helps potential clients see what is it like to work with you.

Can I use branding videos on my website?

Absolutely. Branding videos work especially well on homepage, About, and service pages because they help visitors connect with you more quickly.

How often should I update my branding photos and videos?

Most entrepreneurs benefit from updating their branding content every 12–24 months or whenever their services, audience, or brand positioning changes significantly.

Ready to Create a Personal Branding Video That Actually Works?

Your branding session should do more than give you a few nice photos.

It should provide months of intentional content that helps potential clients connect with you, trust you, and confidently take the next step.

If you’re a female entrepreneur in Portland, Vancouver, or the surrounding Pacific Northwest area, I’d love to help you create a content-first branding session designed around your business goals.

Explore Branding Photography Services →

Suggested Internal Links

• Personal Branding Photography Guide
• Real Estate Agent Photoshoot Ideas
• 15 Creative Ways to Use Personal Branding Photography
• Portland Branding Photography Services