How To Fix The DIY Brand Photography Mistakes That Are Hurting Your Business
- Kayleigh King
- Mar 24
- 5 min read
Why Your DIY Brand Photos Aren’t Working
You know that strong, professional brand photography is essential for standing out in your industry, attracting dream clients, and positioning yourself as an expert.
But if you’ve been DIY-ing your brand photos and wondering why they’re not giving you the polished, high-end look you were hoping for—I've got some useful brand photography tips to share.
Most business owners struggle with taking their own brand photos that look professional because it's easy to make simple mistakes, but it's also easy to fix them if you know what to look for.
With the right tweaks, you can instantly improve your brand images—even if you're just using your phone.
In this post, we’ll cover the most common DIY brand photography mistakes, why they’re holding you back, and what you can do to quickly fix them.
And if you want to learn how to take brand photos that actually look like they were done by a pro (without the frustration)? Make sure to join my waitlist for my upcoming course!
Have you DIY'd your own Brand Photos?
Yes and it went well
Yes and it didn't go to plan
No but I want to
No - I'd rather pay a pro
1. Bad Lighting: The Number 1 Mistake That Instantly Lowers Photo Quality
Common Photography Lighting Mistakes:
✕ Using harsh midday sunlight that creates unflattering shadows.
✕ Relying on indoor overhead lights can make you look tired and dull.
✕ Shooting in dim lighting causes grainy, low-quality photos.
Photography Lighting Fixes:
✓ Shoot near a window with soft natural light.
✓ Avoid direct sunlight - midday lighting is NOT your friend.
✓ If indoors, turn off overhead lights and use a ring light or softbox for even lighting.
➞ Pro Tip: The best light is soft, natural, and even. If you struggle with this, I can give you a hand—book a mentoring session to get personalized advice on your setup!
2. Awkward Posing & Stiff Expressions
Common Camera Posing Mistakes:
✕ Standing stiffly with no movement can make you look uncomfortable.
✕ Using the same 1–2 poses in every shot results in boring, repetitive content.
✕ Not knowing what to do with your hands can come across as awkward.
Camera Posing Fixes:
✓ Add movement—shift your weight, walk, or use props.
✓ Experiment with angles—what looks good in the mirror might not translate on camera.
✓ Practice in front of a mirror or take test shots to find your best angles.
➞ Struggling to feel confident in front of the camera? Go watch my video that teaches you over 40 techniques to help you pose on camera! Check out the posing video here.
3. Using the Wrong Backgrounds & Cluttered Spaces
Common Photography Background Mistakes:
✕ Messy, distracting environments that don’t align with your brand.
✕ Background colors that clash with your brand aesthetic.
✕ Not checking for random objects in the background (hello, clutter photobomb).
Photography Background Fixes:
✓ Choose a clean, minimal background that enhances (not distracts from) your brand.
✓ Use brand-aligned colors that complement your overall aesthetic.
✓ Check the frame before you take the shot—declutter anything distracting.
➞ Want help planning a brand-friendly shoot setup? My mentorship sessions cover background choices and styling so you can confidently create professional-level content. Let’s chat.
4. Poor Framing & Composition
Common Photography Framing Mistakes:
✕ Always centering yourself in the shot can look flat and uninspired.
✕ Cutting off important parts (like hands, feet, or your head).
✕ Not leaving space for text overlays makes your photos hard to use in marketing.
Photography Background Fixes:
✓ Use the rule of thirds.
✓ Give yourself space in the frame so your images are versatile.
✓ If in doubt, take a few versions—close-up, mid-shot, and wide—to give yourself options.
5. Editing Mistakes That Make Photos Look Unprofessional
Common Photo Editing Mistakes:
✕ Over-editing makes skin look unnatural and plastic.
✕ Using inconsistent filters makes your brand feel all over the place.
✕ Not editing at all leaves photos looking dull and unpolished.
Photo Editing Fixes:
✓ Get it right in the frame as much as possible so you don't have to make many edits.
✓ Keep editing subtle—adjusting only a few settings to give the photos a little pop.
✓ Avoid free apps that lower image quality—use Lightroom Mobile for pro results.
➞ Not sure where to even start with editing your photos to look professional? My course will cover the basic editing techniques you need to know to keep your images polished and cohesive. Get on the waitlist now!
6. Not Having a Strategic Shot List
Common Personal Brand Photography Shot List Mistakes:
✕ Only taking headshots - you need variety for content marketing.
✕ Forgetting to capture lifestyle or behind-the-scenes shots.
✕ Not thinking about how the images will be used - website, social, promo materials.
Personal Brand Photography Shot List Fixes:
✓ Plan your shoot ahead of time with a shot list that includes:
Professional headshots
Lifestyle and behind-the-scenes shots
Flat lays or product images
Personalized stock images
Fun, personality-filled shots that feel authentic to you
✓ Head to pinterest to find creative ideas.
✓ Think outside the box, even down to choosing fun locations that help tell the story.
➞ Want a done-for-you shot list? Inside the course, I'll take you step-by-step through methods I use to help my clients create incredible custom shotlists that help them stand out so they can confidently promote their businesses online. Join the waitlist today.
Final Thoughts: Your Brand Deserves Better Than DIY Struggles
DIY brand photography doesn’t have to be frustrating—you just need the right guidance to make it work for you.
If you’re ready to stop wasting time on trial and error and finally create professional, on-brand photos that make you look like the expert you are…
Join the waitlist for my upcoming course!
➞ Learn how to take polished, pro-level brand photos (without hiring a photographer for every shoot).
➞ Feel confident in front of the camera with easy posing techniques.
➞ Get a complete shot list so you never miss a must-have image again.
Or if you’d rather get 1:1 guidance tailored to your business, book a mentoring session with me today.
Let’s make your brand photos work for you!
Are you looking to book a personal brand photoshoot?
I'm here to guide compassionate entrepreneurs like you through fun and relaxed personal branding photoshoots that boost your confidence and save you time with loads of gorgeous content. Together we plan your shoot around your story and passions to build trust and connect you to other beautiful souls by showcasing the authentic you.
Check out what's involved in Personal Brand Photoshoots reach out when you're ready to learn more!
