How to Refresh Your Brand Image in 2026
Is Your Headshot Telling the Right Story?
You know that feeling when you look at a photo of yourself and think, “That’s just not me anymore”? Maybe you’ve evolved - professionally, personally, inside and out - but your headshot is stuck eight years ago, before the confidence, before the life lessons, before the new chapter.
I had a client show up exactly like that. A successful San Antonio business owner, stylish and sharp, but still using a headshot that didn’t reflect the powerhouse she’d become. When she walked into my studio, she said, “That doesn’t feel like me anymore.” And I understood what she meant, because I see it all the time.
The good news is that a brand refresh doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, it can feel easy, calm, even fun - when you’re guided every step of the way. Let’s talk about what that process looks like, and how to show up in your brand the way you really want to be seen in 2026.
You're Ready for New Headshots - But Where Do You Even Start?
You’ve probably Googled, “Do I need new headshots?” or “How to look confident on camera over 40.” Maybe you’ve had the same profile photo since your last corporate job, or your real estate clients keep asking, “Is this you?” in a curious tone. I get it. The idea of scheduling a photo session, choosing your outfits, figuring out makeup, and posing can feel like way too much.
Here’s my philosophy: You don’t have to figure it all out ahead of time. That’s my job. My goal is to make this refresh feel effortless.
When clients come to my studio - especially those busy, brilliant women over 40 who run businesses and their families simultaneously - I take everything off their hands. We talk about who you’re trying to connect with and what kind of energy you want your portraits to share online. And suddenly, it all starts to come into focus.
That client I mentioned earlier walked into the studio with doubts. She walked out standing taller, re-energized, proud to reintroduce herself to the world. That’s the real power of a personal brand refresh.
Let’s get into how we make that happen.
How to Refresh Your Brand Image with Intention and Ease
1. Focus on Feeling, Not Perfection
You don’t need to look “perfect” to have great new portraits. What today’s audience wants is connection. A strong brand image in 2026 feels:
Confident, but approachable
Polished, but warm
Stylish, but authentic
When someone sees your headshot, you want them to think, “I could talk to her.” That natural expression in your eyes? That’s what speaks volumes - not the ultra-glam angle or a blowout that doesn’t feel like you.
2. Choose Outfits That Reflect You
Your brand imagery should look like the real you on your best day - not some version you think you’re supposed to be. When my realtor client brought a green wrap top and a great black blazer that made her feel powerful, plus a comfy jeans-and-heels look for that “Saturday open house” vibe, we struck gold.
Think about layering a few options:
One look that’s polished and professional
One that feels comfortable and relatable
And maybe one that’s bold or fun, just for you
Colors that flatter your skin tone, necklines that photograph well, and simple jewelry that won’t distract - these are all things we’ll walk through together in your session prep.
3. Good Light and a Guided Experience Matter
The biggest misconception about headshots? That you need to know how to pose. Nope. That’s on me.
I’ll guide you through every breath, angle, and hand placement. I even teach you how to breathe into your smile so it doesn’t feel frozen. My studio in Bracken Village allows control over lighting that flatters without hiding who you are. No filters. No fake edits. Just clean, timeless light that brings your best features forward - and elevates your look without erasing what makes you you.
4. Leave Overly Edited Trends in the Past
The heavily airbrushed, over-posed headshot is done. In 2026, we’re embracing imagery that feels real. That shows texture in the skin. That tells your story instead of hiding it.
Same goes for distraction: skip the props or backgrounds that don't say anything about your brand. Instead, lean into simplicity: clean settings, beautiful lighting, and your natural expression. That’s what connects with today’s clients.
Because Refreshing Your Brand Isn’t Just About How You Look
It’s about how you feel.
When you see a portrait you truly love, something shifts. You don’t just walk away with a pretty picture. You walk away more confident to pitch, post, introduce yourself, and show up fully - online and off.
And truthfully? Your audience doesn’t need someone perfect. They need you - with warmth, presence, and clarity.
I see it every week. Women arrive unsure, overwhelmed, feeling awkward. And they leave saying, “Wow… that was actually fun.” Their energy changes. And it shows in every image.
Let’s Reintroduce the World to Who You Are Now
If you’ve been thinking it might be time to update your brand image, trust that nudge. Your work, your wisdom, and your voice deserve to be seen in 2026 - clearly, confidently, and beautifully.
Let’s make it simple. From outfit planning to posing to choosing images that feel like you, I’m here to walk with you every step.
Visit leahgodfredson.com to learn more about my studio experience in Bracken Village. Or reach out if you're ready for portraits that finally feel like the powerful, warm, capable woman you are today.
You’ve grown. Your brand should show it.
