Branding Photography for Choreographer and Movement Director Emma Woods | Studio Session Highlights
There's something uniquely inspiring about collaborating with creative professionals who know exactly who they are and what they want to communicate.
Recently, I had the pleasure of creating branding imagery for Emma Woods — an extraordinary Choreographer and Movement Director whose work is as nuanced and intentional as it is bold and expressive.
About Emma Woods – Choreographer and Movement Director
Emma is a British choreographer and movement director based between London and the South Coast of the UK.
Following a successful career as a dancer in the West End and internationally, Emma established herself as a respected choreographer, movement director, and creative collaborator within opera and theatre.
She has collaborated with renowned artists and directors including Adele Thomas, Paul Foster, Bartlett Sher, Alistair David, Laurence Cummings, and Sir Antonio Pappano, among others.
Recent credits feature choreography for Rigoletto at Welsh National Opera, Un Ballo in Maschera at Opernhaus Zürich, and Il Trovatore at The Royal Opera House.
Emma is currently choreographing Tannhäuser at Theater Magdeburg in Germany.
The Vision Behind the Branding Shoot
When Emma approached me about creating a series of images for her new website and personal brand, I knew this wouldn’t be a typical ‘headshot’ session.
Emma needed a few different formats of image that she could use across a range of social platforms, mediums (including print) and pages on her website. Whilst she did need a headshot (although not a ‘typical’ headshot…) she also wanted to try some ½ length and full length portraits too, so we explored those options also.
We collaborated on a moodboard to define the tone of the shoot—simple, elegant and grounded. Reference images included expressive black-and-white portraits, motion blur techniques, and editorial lighting that accentuated lines and forms.
Setting the Scene: The Studio
We chose a minimal studio space with soft directional light and black and grey backdrops to keep the focus on Emma.
She brought an improvisational energy to the shoot, moving instinctively between postures, gestures, and moments of stillness.
We explored a range of images — strong, sculptural poses for profile use; candid, in-motion shots that felt intimate and alive; and a few editorial-style portraits with direct eye contact to connect with her audience.
The final gallery included a cohesive set of portraits and editorial images ready for web, social, and press use. We paid special attention to cropping and negative space so her web designer could integrate them seamlessly into her new site.
How the Final Branding Images Will Be Used
The final images are now being used across Emma’s new website, social media, and press materials, forming a cohesive brand identity that aligns with her work’s emotional and physical nuance. Each image was selected to serve a different purpose—from homepage hero images to more intimate “about” page portraits.
Emma now has a strong collection of visuals that reflect her unique voice as a movement director.
Her new website features portraits that don’t just say “I’m a professional,” but “I’m a storyteller.” And that’s exactly what branding photography should do—go beyond the surface and speak to what makes you you.
Why Branding Photography Matters for Creatives
For professionals like Emma, branding photography isn’t about vanity — it’s about clarity. A strong set of images helps convey who she is before a single word is read or a resume opened. It’s visual storytelling that communicates professionalism, artistry, and individuality all at once.
It was an honor to help visually represent the artistry Emma brings to every project she touches. Photographing Emma was a reminder of how collaborative branding photography can (and should) be. When the subject brings as much vision and intentionality as Emma did, the results go beyond traditional headshots — they become part of a larger narrative.
If you’re a creative professional thinking about leveling up your online presence or a brand looking for imagery that tells a deeper story, consider investing in imagery that truly reflects who you are and what you bring to your craft - I’d love to collaborate and help bring your visual identity into focus.
Emma can be contacted via her Instagram page or via her website here.
You can see some of her incredible work at https://www.emmawoods.net/
