Business coach and speaker Tracey Leak was no stranger to having her photo taken. But what happened in our branding shoot was unlike anything she’d experienced before.
Tracey says: “I recently worked with Stephanie Hornby for a full set of new professional photos, and I honestly
couldn’t be happier with the entire experience. I’m a business coach, and I rely heavily on high-quality
imagery for my website, social media, and marketing materials. I had changed my hair colour and
realised it was time to update everything—not just a couple of headshots, but a whole suite of
images with different looks, some negative space for banners, and a range of shots I could use
across multiple platforms. The problem was… I really don’t like having my photo taken. It’s not
something I naturally feel comfortable doing, so I’d been putting it off for a while.
Stephanie came highly recommended to me, and I had already seen some of her work. I loved her
style: clean, simple, natural, and not overly posed. People looked like themselves—comfortable,
relaxed, and confident. That was exactly what I wanted, so I reached out. From the very first
conversation, she made everything incredibly easy. There was no fuss, no overwhelm, no trying to
figure out what would look good or what I should do. She guided me through each step, which
immediately put me at ease.
On the day of the shoot, what surprised me most was how genuinely fun the whole experience was.
For someone who doesn’t enjoy being in front of a camera, I found myself laughing, relaxing, and
actually enjoying the process. Stephanie has this wonderful way of giving direction that doesn’t feel
like direction at all—she helps you settle into a position, a movement, or a moment that feels natural.
I never once felt like I was stiffly “posing” or trying to force a smile. She created a space where
everything just felt easy and comfortable, and that really came through in the final images.
When my photos arrived, I had one of those moments where I messaged her and asked, “Is it 15
photos I’m choosing… or 150?” because every photo was incredible. I genuinely struggled to narrow
them down, and I actually ended up buying more because there were just so many great options.
That has never happened to me before in any previous photoshoot.
The response I’ve had since updating my website, social profiles, presentations, and marketing
materials has been amazing. Clients, colleagues, and even friends have been commenting on how
much they love the new photos. I’ve had people reach out specifically to say how natural, fresh, and
“very me” they look. And I can honestly say that’s because of Stephanie. She didn’t just take
photos—she captured who I am, in a way that feels authentic and aligned with my brand.What stood out to me the most about working with Stephanie was how simple and comfortable she
made the entire experience. I didn’t have to overthink anything. I felt supported the whole way
through. She created a relaxed atmosphere that allowed me to just be myself, and that’s exactly
what I wanted my photos to reflect. They’re natural, approachable, and professional—without looking
staged or forced.
If you’re someone who needs professional photos but feels even slightly nervous or unsure about
being in front of a camera, Stephanie is the person you want behind the lens. She makes it easy. She
makes it enjoyable. And the results speak for themselves.
I couldn’t recommend her more highly.”
Ninety percent of my clients tell me they hate being in front of the camera.
And because they’re incredibly busy professionals, they put off updating their photos and end up using the same headshot for years.
However, if you’re in an industry where building trust is important, up to date imagery helps you show up
online in a way that looks and feels authentic.
Tracey, from Gold Coast Business Coaching, knew this.
So after changing her hair, she engaged me for a branding shoot. This is her story.
The challenge: Authentic photographs that attract the right type of client
Tracey’s work is all about helping people grow their businesses, get
clarity and move forward with confidence. But when it came to her own photos, she had been
holding back.
She had recently changed her hair colour and realised her old images no longer reflected how she looked or where her brand was at.
Tracey knew how she wanted to come across. Friendly. Approachable. The kind of person you
look at and feel like you could sit down with a coffee and tell her anything — the good, the bad,
all of it. That’s who she is with her clients, and her photos needed to reflect that.
The solution: branding shoots that feel easy and
natural
My approach to branding photography is actually quite simple. I don’t treat it like a performance.
I don’t expect you to know how to pose or what to do with your hands.
Most people feel awkward because they think they’re doing it “wrong.
” They’re worried about
their angles, their smile, their posture.
So instead of over-directing, I focus on helping people feel comfortable first.
With Tracey, it started before the shoot. We talked about her business, what makes her
different, how she works with clients and how she wanted to be perceived. That part is important
because branding photography isn’t just about nice pictures — it’s about alignment.
On the day, there was no fuss and no overwhelm. She didn’t have to figure out what would look
good or what she should do. I guided her through it step by step.
What often surprises people is that the shoot can actually be fun. There’s chatting, laughing,
moving around, small prompts rather than strict posing. I might gently adjust something if it
doesn’t look right, but I’m not standing there saying,
“Move your arm two centimetres to the left.
”
The goal is to get you to stop thinking so much and just be yourself. That’s when the real
moments happen. That’s when you get images that look natural, relaxed and confident — not
staged.
I’ve been photographing people for a long time, including people who are very uncomfortable in
front of a camera for feature stories and personal branding. I think a big part of what I bring is
my personality and experience. I know how to read people and create a space where they can
settle in and forget it’s a photoshoot.
The results: more images, more confidence, more
visibility
After the shoot, Tracey received her gallery. Her package included 15 images.
When she called me, she laughed and said she had only hoped for one or two photos she liked.
Instead, she was trying to choose from a huge number of favourites and ended up selecting far
more because there were just so many strong options.
That’s actually a result I see a lot. People come in with low expectations because of past
experiences. Then they see themselves in a different light — natural, professional, very much
“them.”
Since our shoot, Tracey has been recommending me to others, which means a lot because word of mouth is a big
part of my business. For me, success isn’t just nice photos. It’s when someone walks away
feeling more confident and aligned with how they present themselves to the world.
Conclusion: strong branding photos change how you
show up
If you’re a small business owner, coach or speaker and you’ve been putting off your photos
because you feel awkward, you’re not alone.
You don’t need to be “good at photos.
” You just need a photographer who knows how to make
you feel at ease and capture you as you really are.
Strong branding photography helps you look professional, yes — but my favourite aspect is how
it can change the way it makes you feel.
And that confidence? It shows in everything you do.
Ready to get visible?
If you’re ready to update your branding photos and want images that feel natural, approachable
and true to you, I’d love to help.
Get in touch with Stephanie Hornby Photography to book your branding shoot on the
