How I Help Local Candidates Show Up Strong with Photography

When you’re running for local office—whether it’s mayor, city council, or parliament, you’re asking people to trust you. And trust starts visually, long before anyone hears you speak or reads your policy.

In a local campaign, your photo is often the first impression: on billboards, flyers, social media, or the top of your website. That image needs to say: approachable, credible, confident, and local. Here’s how the right photography can help you win hearts and votes.

The 5 Photos Every Candidate Needs

1. The Hero Portrait

Your main campaign photo. Clean, confident, and approachable.

• Use: billboards, signage, website headers, social media profiles
• Tip: avoid overly formal poses, look like someone people can walk up to
• Where: my heashots studio, or a meeting room with my portable studio setup

2. Community Engagement Shots

Photos of you speaking with locals, at events, or volunteering.

• Use: flyers, social posts, and showing your values in action
• Tip: authentic connection always beats a perfect pose, show diversity
• Where: a local event, or some place that feels on brand with your platform you are running eg local industry (jobs), water treatment, planting/restoration etc

3. Action Shots

Walking, talking, listening, showing movement and energy.

• Use: website sections, campaign reels, digital banners
• Tip: these help break up stiffness and humanise your campaign
• Where: recognisable spots like Garden Place, Victoria Street etc

4. Team or Volunteer Photos

Show you’re backed by real people who believe in your message.

• Use: thank-you posts, updates, donor outreach
• Tip: these build social proof—and community
• Where: local projects like gully restoration or place related to an issue you are championing

5. Local Context Shots

You in familiar places around your electorate.

• Use: campaign intros, homepages, press kits
• Tip: local settings make you feel relatable and rooted
• Where: markets, stadiums, zoo, CBD, Frankton, community leaders, landmarks and icons

Where to Use These Photos

You’ll get more value from your campaign photography than you think. The same 1–2 hour session can give you visual content for:

• Website “About” and “Home” pages
• Social media profile and ongoing content
• Printed flyers, signage, and mailers
• Billboards and corflutes
• Press releases or media coverage
• Campaign video thumbnails and covers

Why Good Photography Builds Trust

In elections, image is everything—but that doesn’t mean looking like a polished celebrity. It means looking like someone people believe in.

• Polished without looking staged = professional and real
• Consistent visuals = build credibility across all materials
• Local backdrops = reinforce connection to place and people

Your photography should help people feel like they already know you before they meet you. We want warm, confident, and local!

Planning Your Campaign Shoot

A little prep goes a long way. Here’s how to get the most out of a session:

• Bring 2–3 outfits (formal, casual, campaign shirt)
• Include props: flyers, signs, maybe even your bike or dog
• Choose a few meaningful locations: a market, parks, a meeting
• Think about what you want people to feel when they see you

Choose a photographer who understands storytelling, not just portrait lighting. You’re not just getting a headshot—you’re shaping your public image.

Ready to Show Up Strong?

If you’re running for office, professional photography isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s one of the most effective tools you have to build connection and trust.

I help local candidates show up as the leader their community needs. Approachable, credible, and true to who you are.

Let’s plan a campaign shoot that helps people believe in you.