A brand photography story with a garden designer
One of the things I love most about brand photography is the chance to step into someone else’s world for the day.
Every business has its own rhythm, environment and personality. Capturing that authentically is what makes brand photography so powerful.
Recently I photographed a garden designer based in Surrey, and it was a perfect example of how thoughtful planning and a relaxed approach can create images that truly reflect someone’s work and personality.
Here’s a little look behind the scenes of the shoot.
The story behind the business
My client is a garden designer who works with homeowners across Surrey to create natural, beautifully designed outdoor spaces.
Her work is thoughtful, creative and deeply connected to the landscape around her.
When we first spoke about the shoot, she explained that she wanted images that felt:
- natural
- relaxed
- creative
- connected to the outdoors
She didn’t want stiff corporate headshots. Instead, she wanted imagery that reflected the way she actually works with clients and the environments she spends her time in.
Planning the shoot
Before any brand photography session, we spend time planning how the images will work for the client’s business.
For this shoot we focused on three things:
Messaging
What did she want people to feel when they landed on her website?
The answer was calm, creativity and trust.
Locations
Because she’s a garden designer, it made sense to photograph her in the places where she naturally works.
We planned a mix of:
- a beautiful Surrey garden
- a woodland walk nearby
- a relaxed coffee stop where she often meets clients
This combination gave us variety while still keeping the story cohesive.
Outfits
We kept the wardrobe simple and natural, choosing colours that complemented the surroundings — soft greens, warm neutrals and textured fabrics.
Nothing overly styled, just clothing that felt like her.
The location
One of the things that makes brand photography in Surrey so special is the landscape.
For this shoot we worked in a stunning garden she had designed, surrounded by soft planting, natural textures and beautiful seasonal colour.
It was the perfect setting to show her in her element.
We also spent some time walking through nearby woodland, which added a slightly different feel to the images while still keeping that connection to nature.
The shoot itself
My approach to brand photography is always relaxed and collaborative.
Rather than posing everything carefully, I like to create space for people to move naturally and interact with their environment.
For this shoot that meant:
- sketching ideas for garden layouts
- walking through planting areas
- looking at textures and materials
- simply chatting while exploring the garden
Those moments often create the most natural and engaging photographs.
Some of the best images came from the in-between moments — laughing about muddy boots, pointing out favourite plants or quietly studying the structure of the garden.
The results
By the end of the shoot we had created a library of images she could use across her business.
The photographs now appear on:
- her website
- client presentations
- marketing materials
They show not just what she does, but how she works and who she is, which is often the thing that makes someone choose one designer over another.
Why brand photography works so well for creative businesses
For businesses like garden design, interior design or creative consulting, the person behind the work is often just as important as the service itself.
People want to see:
- the personality behind the brand
- the environment you work in
- the way you approach your craft
Brand photography helps tell that story visually.
Planning your own brand shoot
If you’re thinking about brand photography and wondering where to start, the most important thing is choosing locations and moments that genuinely reflect how you work.
That might be a workspace, a favourite café, a countryside location or somewhere meaningful to your business.
When the setting feels natural, the images almost always do too.
And that’s when brand photography really starts to work for you.
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