Portrait & Lifestyle Photo Ideas for Private Practice Therapists
Portrait & Lifestyle Photo Ideas for Your Therapy Website & Marketing Materials
Strong visuals are key to making a memorable first impression. For therapists, your photos play an essential role in connecting with potential clients, helping to create a sense of trust and professionalism. Whether you're preparing for a photo shoot or updating your website, having a clear vision for your branding images can make all the difference.
To guide you through this process, I’ve put together a list of essential photoshoot ideas to consider, from personal portraits to team shots and office environments. These types of photos go beyond standard headshots, offering a more comprehensive look at the experience you offer.
Therapist Photoshoot Ideas
1. Traditional Headshots
A headshot is a simple portrait, usually from the chest up and with a plain background. You’ll need at least one, but two or three is better. This is because you’ll use your traditional headshot the most - on your website, brochures, business cards, social media profiles, directory profiles, etc. You don’t need to smile big if that’s not your thing. Just look relaxed and warm. Be sure to choose clothing and a backdrop that are simple and coordinate with your branding.
2. Lifestyle Portraits
It’s totally fine if you’d like to stick with traditional portrait shots, especially if you’re on a budget, but to add a little more of your personality, I recommend getting some lifestyle portraits taken. These photos are a bit more stylized but emphasize your unique personality. Lifestyle photos give you the freedom to be more relaxed and have fun with locations, props, poses, etc.
3. Behind the Scenes Photos
These images give people the chance to see you in action. Behind-the-scenes shots aren’t much different from Lifestyle photos. They are just a bit more intimate and focused on you and your environment. People will better understand what their experience might be like if they work with you. How do you know what to capture? If there was a fly on the wall, what would it see? Perhaps you’re meditating between sessions, reading, writing, creating materials for a class, or playing with your therapy dog. You can also include photos of your office. Even if you only do telehealth from home, capturing photos of your workstation helps clients feel more connected to you. Get creative!
4. Get-to-Know Me Photos
You want to feel relatable and connect with potential clients on a personal level. You don’t have to get too personal here. Get-to-Know-Me photos might include images of you doing your favorite self-care activity (like gardening), sipping coffee at a local café, volunteering in the community, traveling, or hanging out with your pets or your family.
5. Team Photos
If you’re part of a partnership, team, or group practice, photos of your colleagues and coworkers are essential so that people can see who you work with. Team or business partner photos create a sense of trust for potential clients.
