Have you ever stopped to think how much your past experiences have shaped where you are today?

Every job, career, failure, success, and relationship contributed to the person you’ve become and the business you’ve built. You started your business driven by the desire to make a difference, to help, to support and create meaningful change in the lives of others.

Sometimes, this history doesn’t come into play on photoshoot day. But for some businesses, a deep connection between past and present is a cornerstone to their brand story, a foundation piece that cannot be ignored. Highlighting that journey becomes a crucial part of showcasing why you are the right choice for your clients.

That’s exactly what we focused on in this personal branding photoshoot with a remarkable client. Kat is a registered functional medical health coach and seasoned dental hygienist with a practice on Orcas Island with her husband. With over 20 years of experience in dentistry, she’s now carving a new path in health coaching, integrating her extensive knowledge of oral health with functional medicine to empower her clients to live healthier, longer lives.

One of the most fascinating aspects of her journey is how her time as a dental hygienist informs her coaching philosophy today. Through two decades of treating periodontal disease, she discovered the profound connection between oral health and overall wellness. Her experience revealed that the mouth often provides clues about deeper systemic health issues, making her uniquely equipped to guide her clients toward holistic health. This narrative not only makes her story compelling but also establishes her as a trustworthy expert in her field.

In her own words, she shared, “Research shows that untreated periodontal disease not only affects your smile but increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s. My approach integrates advanced screenings and functional medicine principles to help you take control of both your oral and whole-body health.”

Our goal during the branding session was to visually represent the richness of her professional journey and the multidimensional aspects of her coaching philosophy. To accomplish this, we wove together three distinct elements of her story through carefully chosen locations and setups.

The Client: Kat Beyond the Brush

The Locations: The dental office, her home and outdoors

1. Honoring Her Dental Expertise

We started the photoshoot in her dental office, where her journey began. The environment speaks volumes about her clinical expertise, commitment to precision, and deep understanding of oral health. Incorporating a lifestyle "client" communication session, and headshots at work provided a sense of authenticity and trustworthiness. These visuals communicated her roots in healthcare and the credibility she brings to her coaching practice.

2. Adding Lifestyle Context at Home

Next, we transitioned to her home, a space that reflects her personal side and her approachability as a coach. Here, we captured her in moments of calm and connection—setting a table, working, on a call, with her dog, enjoying a glass of wine, her love of books, getting cozy and engaging with materials that represent her dedication to lifestyle wellness. These lifestyle images bridged the gap between her professional expertise and the personal guidance she offers to clients, inviting them to feel a sense of partnership and relatability.

3. Showcasing Wellness in the Outdoors

To highlight her belief in holistic health and the importance of movement and nature, we concluded the shoot outdoors. We used her natural environment that surrounds her daily life, we captured her in her favorite spaces, getting ready for a run, with her chickens and sharing her love of paddleboarding. These images told the story of balance and vitality that she aims to inspire in her clients, further reinforcing her authenticity as a health coach who practices what she preaches.

Bringing a Shoot Together

Bringing all these elements together allowed us to tell a cohesive story of transformation, passion, and expertise. Her past as a dental hygienist is not a chapter she left behind; it’s the foundation of her present and future as a health coach. This alignment of past and present serves as a powerful reminder that every step of our journey contributes to who we are today.

As a personal branding photographer, it’s my job to weave these narratives into storytelling visuals. By thoughtfully integrating a client’s history, values, and aspirations into their branding photos, we create images that resonate deeply with their audience. For this client, her story of bridging oral health and functional medicine is what sets her apart. Through our shoot, we captured not just what she does but why she does it and why her clients will choose her.

If you’re considering a personal branding session, think about how your past experiences shape the unique value you bring to your clients.

Kat's Testimonial

"Working with Kristina has been, by far the BEST experience and result I have ever had using a photographer. I am building a new business that relies on clients to build trust and interest in the first few views of my site. I am not super comfortable in front of the camera solo, and Kristina just made me feel like we were old friends having fun. Kristina's work has exceeded my expectations and I couldn't be happier! This was the most professional experience ever and I felt completely prepared and very well guided through the entire experience."