TL;DR
Ahead of MarketEd Live 2018, I photographed Paul Ince, founder of LikeMind Media, during a fast paced professional headshot session in Nottingham. Paul needed images that reflected his role as a marketing agency owner, conference founder, and industry leader. Working around his tight event schedule, we used nearby city locations including a red phone box and a local coffee spot to create authentic, versatile headshots. The final images now support Paul’s personal brand across his website, LinkedIn profile, and marketing materials.
Professional Headshots for Agency Owners: Paul Ince’s Branding Session in Nottingham
In today’s competitive digital landscape, agency owners need professional headshots that reflect their expertise. As well as their credibility, and personal brand. Whether speaking at industry events, leading a marketing agency, or building a strong LinkedIn presence. High-quality headshots are essential for making a lasting impression.
Marketing Agency Headshots in Nottingham
Ahead of the MarketEd Live 2018 conference, I worked with Paul Ince, founder of LikeMind Media. Paul wanted to capture a set of professional, brand-aligned headshots in Nottingham. With a tight schedule, we planned a Professional Headshot Session, ensuring efficiency without compromising quality. Here’s how we created a series of dynamic, authentic images that showcase Paul’s leadership and personal brand.
About This Marketing Agency Headshots Photography Case Study
Meet My Client: Paul Ince
Paul Ince is the Founder of LikeMind Media. A marketing agency that provides social media, video, copywriting, and ghostwriting services. In addition to running his agency, Paul is also the creator of MarketEd Live. It is an annual marketing conference in Nottingham designed for agency owners and marketing professionals.
Also…
MarketEd Live 2018 focused on the future of marketing, with industry experts sharing predictions and insights. Before the event began, we took the opportunity to capture fresh, professional headshots that aligned with Paul’s evolving brand.
Planning a Headshot Session for a Busy Agency Owner
With Paul’s packed schedule leading up to MarketEd Live, a traditional headshot session wasn’t feasible. Instead, we opted for a quick Session—a fast, efficient shoot designed for busy professionals.
To maximize our time, we mapped out a shooting route near the event venue. This allowed Paul to stay close to his responsibilities while we captured the shots he needed. Our goal was to create high-quality, versatile headshots that would reflect Paul’s personality and professional standing.
Defining Paul’s Personal Branding Through Headshots
During our pre-shoot discussions, Paul and I established key themes for his professional headshots:
Entrepreneurial Presence – As a serial entrepreneur, Paul balances multiple ventures. His headshots needed to reflect confidence, leadership, and approachability.
British Identity with a Modern Twist – With an increasingly international audience at MarketEd Live. We wanted to highlight Paul’s British roots without relying on outdated stereotypes.
Casual, Authentic Style – Many agency owners prefer a relaxed yet professional image over stiff corporate photography. Paul’s branding leans into this modern, approachable aesthetic.
On-Location: Capturing Marketing Agency Headshots in Nottingham
We kicked off the session near Nottingham’s High Pavement area. Allowing us to incorporate iconic British elements such as a red phone box and a double post box. These subtle nods to British culture reinforced Paul’s connection to his home city.
In addition…
Paul’s natural charisma came through in every shot. While his usual public image leans toward friendly and approachable. We also captured more serious, focused expressions to showcase his versatility. Paul’s professional headshot with a confident expression
At Cartwheel Coffee, we embraced a more candid, in-the-moment style. Since Paul frequently meets clients and peers over coffee, this setting aligned perfectly with his brand.
Final Selection & Retouching
Paul opted for an upgraded selection process. This allowed him to choose images that best fit LikeMind Media’s upcoming website refresh. With a fast turnaround, his final professional headshots were ready to enhance his online presence.
Special Thanks
Nottingham Contemporary
Nottingham Contemporary – For allowing us to capture part of the session within their venue.
Cartwheel Coffee
Cartwheel Coffee – For providing an excellent outdoor atmosphere and top-notch hospitality.
Why Agency Owners Need Professional Headshots
Professional headshots are more than just a formality—they’re a key component of personal branding. Whether you’re a marketing agency owner, consultant, or public speaker. Having high-quality images ensures you make a strong first impression across LinkedIn, websites, and industry events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do agency owners need professional headshots?
Agency owners often represent their business in public spaces such as conferences, websites, and social media. A professional headshot helps communicate credibility, leadership, and trust. When potential clients or collaborators discover your brand online, a strong headshot reinforces that you are the person leading the work behind the agency.
How can headshots support a marketing agency founder’s personal brand?
For agency founders, personal branding plays a major role in attracting clients and opportunities. A well planned headshot session creates images that reflect both professionalism and personality. These photos can then support LinkedIn profiles, websites, speaking profiles, and media features.
What makes a good professional headshot for agency owners?
A good headshot for an agency owner should feel confident, approachable, and authentic. Location, styling, and expression all play a role in communicating your brand. Urban settings, relaxed poses, and natural interactions can help create images that feel modern and relevant to the marketing industry.
Can a headshot session work with a busy schedule?
Yes. Many professionals choose a quick session designed to work around their commitments. Planning locations close to an event venue or office can make the process efficient. Even a short session can produce a strong set of professional images when the shoot is planned carefully. See how Jeff planned an on-location session around a conference to maximise his schedule.
Where should agency owners use their professional headshots?
Professional headshots can support many areas of your marketing. They work well on LinkedIn profiles, agency websites, speaker pages, press features, and event promotions. Using consistent imagery across these platforms helps reinforce your personal brand and makes your online presence more recognisable. I have this guide on how to maximise the return on your headshots investment too.
How much does it cost?
I work in a bespoke style when it comes to pricing. To get rough ballparks, take a closer look at my different content and photography services here.
More Inspiration
I know – seeing is believing. That’s why I’ve pulled together a curated selection of past client work to show you what’s truly possible when we collaborate on your professional headshots.
Over the last 14 years, I’ve worked with hundreds of professionals: virtual assistants, consultants, creatives, coaches, and corporate leaders. Helping them go far beyond the typical boring headshot. Together, we’ve crafted striking, personality-rich imagery that supports not just how they look, but how they lead.
Take a closer look at the range of photography services in my portfolio, and imagine what we could create for your personal brand.
Need to update your professional headshots? Get in touch to book your session today!
