How to Use Branding Photos for Social Media Carousels
You invested time and money into your personal branding photos. You chose the outfits, the props, the vibe and maybe even stepped out of your comfort zone to be in front of the camera. So don’t let those beautiful photos sit forgotten on your website or hidden in a folder!
Stop thinking about your branding photos as just profile pictures or website headers. They’re marketing assets of your business. And one of the most effective ways to use them on social media is on Instagram and LinkedIn carousels.
Why carousels + professional photos work so well?
Carousels are a powerful format on both Instagram and LinkedIn. They let you break your message down into swipeable bites. They grab attention and give people a reason to engage.
When the first slide has a professional brand photo of you, it immediately elevates the whole thing. It says:
You take your business seriously
You care about how you show up online
You’re not hiding, you’re building connection
If you already have the images, you just need to put them to work for you.
Repurpose Your Brand Photos with Purpose
Think of carousels as mini-conversations with your people. You can share a tip or insight related to your business, tell a personal story that shows your values, answer a question your clients often ask or break down part of your service, process, or philosophy.
You don’t need a photo on every slide, just that strong visual start. The rest can be text or graphics, depending on your message.
Even if your brand shoot gave you just 10 great photos, that’s 10 powerful carousel covers. That’s 10 opportunities to show up and build trust on social media.
Bonus: Post Better on LinkedIn
Here’s a quick tip for cross-posting:
Design your carousel as usual, then export it as a PDF document post for LinkedIn. These scroll beautifully, looking neat and more professional. Same content, new audience, zero extra effort.
Example of an informative carousel made by a client of mine, using her own images to create connection.
More info about her services here.
Start Using Your Brand Photos Now
If you’ve had a brand session with me or someone else, go back to your gallery and choose one photo that feels aligned with your next message. Pair it with a short tip, story, or insight. You don’t need to overthink it. You just need to show up with intention.
To design my carousels I usually use Canva. It’s perfect for simple carousels using your own photos. Just upload your images, choose a template, and start building your own slides.
You’ve already done the hard work. Now let your brand photos start working harder for you.
Example of a carousel I created using my own photo and presenting my favourite ways of working.
Example of a carousel I created using my own photo and presenting my favourite ways of working.
If you’d like more inspiration on how to make the most of your branding session, you can check out my blog post about handy props for branding photos, it’s full of simple ideas that add variety and personality to your pictures. And if you want to keep getting tips like this, join my VIP list. It’s where I share behind-the-scenes insights and early access to offers.