The Ultimate Mental Health Brand Shoot Guide
A brand photoshoot for mental health professionals should capture the warmth, trust, and professionalism of your practice. This guide will help you prepare for a strategic and compelling collection of images to use across your website, social media, and marketing materials.
Location Planning
Select locations that reinforce a sense of calm, connection, and expertise:
Your Office or Therapy Space – Capture cozy, inviting seating areas and details that make clients feel at ease.
Photography Studio - Often the best choice for most industries, a studio offers great natural lighting, minimal distractions, and a neutral backdrop that keeps the focus on you and your brand.
STUDIO EXAMPLE
PROPS
What to Bring
To create a well-rounded and strategic brand shoot, consider bringing:
Notebooks & Journals – Symbolizing client reflections and therapist notes.
Laptop, Tablet, or Phone – Essential for virtual therapy or scheduling.
Books & Resources – Titles related to mental health, mindfulness, and self-help.
Tea or Coffee Mugs – Enhancing the cozy and conversational aspect of therapy.
Soft Textures & Decor – Candles, pillows, blankets to reflect a comfortable space.
Affirmation Cards or Motivational Quotes – Reinforce your brand’s tone and mission.
Art Therapy or Mindfulness Tools – Sand trays, stress balls, or meditation props.
WARDROBE
Wardrobe & Styling Tips
Your wardrobe should reflect professionalism, approachability, and warmth. Consider:
Colours – Stick to only your brand colours.
Comfortable & Professional Attire – Flowy blouses, cardigans, or business casual wear.
Minimal Accessories – Simple jewelry to keep the focus on expressions and interactions.
Layering for Variety – Different textures and layers for versatile looks.
Ensure your clothes are free of wrinkles, stains and marks.
SHOT LIST
Must-Have Shots
To create a diverse and meaningful image library, ensure you capture:
Your Process & Client Interactions
Sitting across from a client (posed to represent therapy sessions)
Active listening and engaging in a thoughtful conversation
Taking notes or reflecting on client progress
Offering a reassuring gesture (hand on heart, a comforting nod, or open hands)
On-Location Shots
Seated in a therapy space
Virtual therapy session setup (with laptop and cozy background)
Reading or reviewing therapy materials
Journaling or setting up for a session
Branding & Lifestyle Content
Holding a cup of tea or coffee in a relaxed setting
Writing in a journal or planner
Smiling or laughing in a candid moment
Close-ups of hands holding therapy tools or books
Inspirational quote boards or affirmations in the workspace
Pro Tips for a Successful Shoot
Plan Your Shots in Advance – Communicate your vision with your photographer.
Focus on Emotions & Expressions – Your warmth, empathy, and professionalism should shine through.
Incorporate Movement – Walking, writing, and engaged gestures create natural, dynamic images.
Keep Branding Consistent – Use brand-aligned colors, props, and settings.
Capture Wide & Detail Shots – Ensure you have full-scene images and small, meaningful details.
Pinterest is an amazing resource for inspiration when planning your shoot. Take a peek at our board here and we encourage you to create your own.
WHO TO HIRE
When selecting a photographer please ensure the following;
They are a BRAND photographer
Their approach to shooting matches with the location of choice (ex. if they are a natural light photogapher does your location have natural light?)
You have reviewed their portfolio and their style matches your brand
Do not worry if they aren’t available “asap” - we would prefer you wait for quality vs picking based on availability
Want to run your options by us? We would be happy to take a look and provide our feedback!
NOTES FOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Capture both vertical and horizontal images (your client requires all orientations for their marketing)
Capture all the types of shots listed above (not all headshots!)
Marketing will require various shots, angles, close ups, etc. (variety is key)
Save the files the client business name (ie. My Wolf Design not: “MWD”, “image12345”)
Images for web use should be no bigger than 10MB
Providing client with both High res at 3600px and up and web size at 1024px is critical
Please share with the client expected final file delivery timeline
Please ensure number of edits are adequate to complete the project (shot amounts provided in this guide)
