Seasonal brand photography can really help keep your content look up-to-date and relevant to your ideal clients. And the good news is, it's actually quite easy to reflect the seasons in our brand photography here in Edinburgh - across Scotland as a whole we have very distinct "seasonality".
Aye, I know it sometimes feels like there's only one season (winter, bleurrgh), but we really do have such variety, let's make sure we use it to support our marketing efforts.
Here's why and how you should use seasonal images in your brand photography. But ... With a massive, MASSIVE caveat: that this is Scotland, and as you'll know, our seasons sometimes go all to shit!
But let's be positive and imagine the best-case scenarios, okay?
The power of seasonal images in brand photography
Why seasonal content really matters
1) Audience engagement
It keeps your content fresh and relevant, helping your followers connect with your brand on an emotional level. I mean, can you imagine showing pictures of yourself all wrapped up in your winter clothing (that'll be about a hundred layers here in Scotland) when everyone's sweating their bits off in our rare summer heatwaves?
2) Timeliness on your social media
Aligning your brand’s visuals with the current season shows that your business is active, responsive, and in tune with the world around it. You know, like you haven't been living in a cave but actually know what's going on out there.
A dead easy way to look really behind and out-of-date is posting very obviously old photographs from the wrong season.
3) Marketing opportunities
Seasonal themes offer unique opportunities for promotions, campaigns, and content that feels current and relevant, significantly increasing your chances of engagement and conversion.
If you're doing a spring sale, for example, autumn colours, clothes, and props in your images is going to look weird and dissonant. You're going to lose people right away. (Remember the saying, "the confused mind doesn't buy"? I can't remember who originally said that, but it's so true.)
Obviously the industry you're in has a big part to play in what you'll end up doing - my post on brand photography for your specific industry will help here, by the way. No matter what you'll end up doing, no matter what marketing drives you're planning, have a think about where the seasons fit in, and how you can make the most of them.
How seasons can influence your brand's connection with your audience
1) Cultural and geographic resonance
Each season brings its own set of cultural associations and feelings.
For example, in our part of the world, autumn is often associated with getting the kids back to school so we can refocus on our business after the school holidays, while spring signifies renewal and growth.
If you're on the other side of the world, however, that's obviously not going to be the case. (I'm still freaked out by the idea of Australians having Christmas on the beach.)
2) Emotional impact
Using seasonal images helps evoke the right emotions in your audience, whether it's the hunkering down - or festivities! - of winter, the fresh springy renewal feeling of spring, the busy, colourful days of summer, or the slowing down warmth of autumn.
Humans may not live so much in tune with the seasons as we used to in pre-industrial revolution days, but it's still there. It's still part of us. We're still affected.
3) Visual storytelling
The changing seasons offer a perfect opportunity to build a visual story that reflects the natural rhythm of your business as you move through the year. By aligning your content with seasonal themes, you're showing how your services evolve throughout the year, making your brand’s journey relatable and engaging for your audience.
This approach not only highlights that you're on top of stuff, but it also creates a year-round connection with your clients, helping them see the value in what you offer at every stage.
If you're wondering what the hell I'm on about, well ...
Let’s say you’re launching a new service in the spring. You could start by sharing images that capture the energy and renewal of the season, stuff like fresh flowers, bright colours, and outdoor settings.
Heading into summer, you could shift to visuals that highlight the growth and vibrancy of your business, like team collaborations in natural light or client meetings in sunny locations.
By autumn, your content could reflect the harvest of your efforts, showcasing results, client testimonials, or milestones reached.
Finally, in winter, you might use images that convey reflection and planning, such as cosy indoor scenes where you’re strategising for the year ahead.
This seasonal storytelling not only keeps your audience engaged but also reinforces the idea that you and your services are dynamic and aligned with the natural flow of the year.
Optimising your brand photography for Edinburgh's - and Scotland's - unique seasonal changes
1) Localise your photos by showing all our different seasonal weather
Scotland’s varied and sometimes (hahahaha!) unpredictable weather can be used to your advantage in the photographs you post, as you can show everything from misty autumn mornings to bright summer evenings. I've never lived abroad (yet!), but I've heard plenty of stories about how in other parts of the world they have only two types of light and weather: "sunny" and "night-time".
I have a good friend in California who visits me in Edinburgh once a year, and she's always raving about the mist, rain, misty rain, and misty rainbows we have here in Scotland. Apparently she never sees clouds in the sky or rainbows over there - can you imagine?!
Let's make the most of all this stuff.
2) Showing the seasons using iconic Edinburgh locations in your brand photography
Winter sleet on the Royal Mile with water skittering off the cobbles, rain pelting down in stair-rods on George Street, autumn leaves in the Botanic Gardens, the whins on Arthur's Seat in full flower in spring-time, and of course the pink blossom and crocuses in the Meadows ...
I've got some more advice here on how to find the perfect location for your next brand photoshoot, so do have a wee look.
Honestly, Edinburgh has so many fabulous locations for showing all the seasons. I'm sure there are millions more places and ideas you can come up with!
3) The importance of planning
It's really best to start thinking about all this a year in advance. Why not start off by plotting out a basic shot list (see my post on planning brand photography) now for the next four seasons ahead? You don't need LOADS of seasonal images, but peppering some throughout your regular marketing content can really make a difference.
Or how about even just have a think about where we are in the year right here, right now, and see what you can come up with?
Edinburgh's Ramsay Gardens, just off the Royal Mile, have rusty red steps and Mary's wearing a dark green jacket ... Perfect autumn colours, here!
But first ... A confession.
I have not been doing nearly enough of this myself.
In fact ... I've been pretty rubbish at paying attention to the seasons in my own marketing. Up until I did the thinking and the research for this blog post, I only really thought of reflecting the seasons in my clients' brand photography, and not my own. Daft, right?
So thinking all this through and setting it down here is a reminder to me, as much as to you, to really try and DO this.
Read on, and you'll find out exactly why!
Okay, so let's have a look at what we can do for each season, will we? There's actually a LOT.
Here's what we need to be doing in:
AUTUMN:
Showing the warmth and richness of the season
Using autumnal colours to evoke emotion and connection
1) Colour palette
Focus on the deep, rich jewel colours associated with autumn: burnt oranges, fiery reds, warm yellows, and earthy browns. These tones naturally make you think of warmth, nostalgia, and comfort. To be honest, they make me think oh gawd winter's coming, but that's another story! (I'm not very rational on the subject of winter, I detest it so much.)
2) The feelz
These colours can evoke emotions such as comfort and a sense of belonging, helping your audience to feel more connected to your brand. They might be sub-conscious, but those feelz are there. Warmth, cosiness, slowing down, hygge ... All good stuff to show in the images we post online in the autumn.
3) Brand messaging
Choosing the right autumnal palette is vital for seasonal brand photography at this time of year, and done well it should align with your brand’s message, whether you’re aiming to convey luxury, authenticity, or a down-to-earth vibe.
For example, if you want to suggest luxury you might go for images with deep, rich jewel tones like burgundy, emerald green, and gold. Obviously gold evokes a sense of elegance and opulence, so if you want to convey a high-end, exclusive feel, this is a perfect autumn tone for you.
On the other hand, warm, earthy tones such as burnt orange, mustard yellow, and olive green create a grounded, genuine vibe, ideal for brands focused on authenticity and real connections with their clients.
If you're more a no-frills type, soft browns, warm beiges, and rustic shades of ochre and terracotta bring a sense of simplicity and approachability.
4) Storytelling
Use autumnal themes to tell business stories of transformation, growth, or reflection, which can resonate deeply with your audience’s own experiences during this season.
5) Cultural relevance
Make use of what's happening around now - tap into stuff like harvest festivals, back-to-school themes, or Hallowe'en to make your content more relevant and engaging for your audience.
Edinburgh’s iconic spots for autumn brand photoshoots
1) Well-loved locations in Edinburgh
Locations like the Botanics with all the autumn leaves out, or Holyrood Park for panoramic autumn views of the city, are pretty decent. Incorporating these landmarks can create a strong sense of place and local identity, so if you have a Scottish audience, they're going to love this.
2) Further afield in Scotland
Places like the Pentland Hills, Loch Lomond, or Glencoe for example, offer lovely backdrops of forests and lochs surrounded by the autumn colours.
If you want to go a bit further, my own home area of Kingussie, up in Inverness-shire, has it all - mountains, lochs, rivers, trees, the lot.
To be honest, there are so many places in Scotland that look utterly spectacular in the autumn, you really don't need to go far out of Edinburgh to get to the good stuff. Even Dalkeith Park, just a wee stone's throw out of town, is really decent in autumn.
3) Narrative-building
Incorporating rustic settings, such as old barns, wooden fences, woods, forests or fields - we don't really have a shortage of these, to be fair - can add an authentic, earthy touch to the images, reflecting the richness and warmth of the season.
Autum outfits and props
1) Seasonal clothing
When you're in your photos, it's a good idea to wear cosy, warm clothing like chunky scarves, knitted jumpers, and stylish-but -warm boots. These things will not only keep you comfortable but they'll also add beautifully to the autumnal aesthetic.
2) Props
Using props like blankets, hot drinks in big solid mugs, baskets of apples, or even pumpkins (or neeps, seeing as we're in Scotland!) can all enhance the seasonal feel of the photos. Mushrooms and toadstools also work well, but for heaven's sake don't touch any of these things unless you know for certain they're safe.
WINTER:
Embracing the cool tones of the season
Using winter colours to evoke emotion and connection
1) Colour palette
Try and get winter’s cool tones into your seasonal brand photography, such as icy blues, crisp whites, soft greys, deep navy, and deep evergreen. These colours can convey a sense of calm, stillness, and clarity that is unique to the winter season.
2) The feelz
These cool tones conjure up emotions like serenity, introspection, and a quiet strength, helping your audience feel more connected to your brand during the reflective winter months.
3) Brand messaging
A winter palette can align with brand messages that focus on clarity, professionalism, and resilience, making your business appear stable and dependable during the colder, more challenging season. Coupling cool, clear, icy images with appropriate copy will work brilliantly.
If you'd rather suggest warmth and approachability, using rich, cosy colours in your photos like burgundy, deep plum, or mulled wine red can bring warmth and friendliness, ideal if you're wanting to maintain an inviting and approachable feel even in the depths of winter.
4) Storytelling
Use winter themes to tell stories of resilience, reflection, and preparation. Highlighting the quieter, more introspective time of year can resonate with your followers' own feelings of hibernation and renewal.
Or you could go for moodier, darker, muddier looks in your images which suggest dreich, pissed off "will winter ever end, for goodness sake" feelings, ha"!
5) Cultural relevance
Winter holidays like Christmas and Hogmanay, and events like the solstice, are pretty handy as they give us lots of scope for good, seasonal photos which can help make your content more culturally relevant and engaging for your audience.
Mind you, Christmas tat is often in the shops in autumn now, so maybe that's my advice here screwed up a wee bit!
Edinburgh’s iconic spots for winter brand photoshoots
1) Well-loved locations in Edinburgh
Calton Hill with ice on the canon, or the frozen-over lochans in a frosty Holyrood Park make for great winter backdrops.
Or you can use the lights of the Royal Mile closes or the festive atmosphere of the Christmas Market (just remember to remortage your house first, if you plan to buy anything) for settings, to create a strong sense of local identity.
2) Further afield in Scotland
You can't beat the jagginess of the Scottish Highlands for a bit of winter drama. (Of course I'm biased!)
Skye is actually relatively empty in winter, so if you'd like to be photographed in (or photograph) the mountains and scenery there, that's the time to do it when you've not got ten million campervans clogging up the roads.
The Cairngorms are magic at any time of year (I grew up at the foot of them so I defy anyone to say otherwise!). If you time it right, you'll get snow-covered mountain tops and frosty landscapes which'll give you breathtaking, dramatic backdrops for your brand photography.
(Don't go to Aviemore though, it's too busy. Get in touch with me and I'll tell you the best "off the beaten track" places to go.)
3) Storytelling
Wintery images can suggest all sorts of things, to be honest. Like resilience, hibernation, or festive fun and joy ... All these concepts can add authenticity and depth to your brand narrative during the winter months.
Snowy or icy outdoor locations can add an interestingly intimate feel to your winter photos, reflecting the calm and beauty of the season.
Winter outfits and props
1) Seasonal clothing
A bit like autumn clothes, but more of them! Opt for warm, stylish clothing like heavy coats, wool scarves, and gloves. These items will keep you warm while adding to the cosy, wintery aesthetic of your photos. If the landscape is looking a bit drab, try and get some nicely coloured bits and pieces of clothing in there to stand out.
2) Props
Make good use of props such as twinky fairy lights, sprigs of evergreen, hot drinks by the fireside, festive decorations, or candles to evoke a sense of warmth and celebration, contrasting with the cold outdoors.
SPRING:
Capturing the renewal and energy of the season
Using spring colours to evoke emotion and connection
1) Colour palette
See what you can do with the bright, fresh colours of spring, including pastels like soft pinks, light greens, pale blues, and yellows. These colours represent new beginnings, growth, and rejuvenation.
2) The feelz
Spring colours evoke feelings of hope, renewal, and vitality, helping your audience feel more connected to your brand during this time of growth and change and progress.
3) Brand messaging
If you and your small business are all about innovation and dynamism, then you're looking at using bright greens, crisp yellows, and soft lavenders, because these signal growth, new beginnings, and creativity. Perfect for conveying forward-thinking, dynamic energy, and showing you're constantly evolving and coming up with fresh ideas.
If you want to show a sense of vibrancy and vitality, then get bold shades of coral, daffodil yellow, and fresh turquoise into your images to suggest energy and enthusiasm, liveliness and potential.
If you're more focused on personal growth, self-care, or new opportunities, then how about going for the spring colours of light pastel pinks, baby blues, and mint greens to reflect renewal and transformation? These colours suggest a gentle sense of optimism and hope.
4) Storytelling
Use spring themes to tell stories of newness and freshness. These themes resonate with audiences looking to start fresh or embrace new opportunities.
5) Cultural relevance
Take advantage of cultural goings-on like Easter, the start of the financial year, or Earth Day to make your content more seasonally relevant and timely for your audience.
Edinburgh’s iconic spots for spring brand photoshoots
1) Well-loved locations in Edinburgh
The Meadows with the pink blossom, Melville Drive with the crocuses and daffodils, or the whins on Arthur’s Seat ... Capture the city’s vibrancy in your backdrops as nature wakes up and gets cracking again in spring. Mortonhall Woods and Craiglockhart Hill all have a good variety of settings in them for great spring brand photographs.
2) Further afield in Scotland
The Scottish countryside comes alive in spring, with locations like the Trossachs or Loch Lomond offering lush, green landscapes and blooming wildflowers as picturesque backdrops.
There are also plenty of good spots in the Pentlands, Vogrie Country Park, or up at Thriepmuir and Harlaw reservoirs. And the spectacular early-May bluebells in Dalkeith Park ... Though they're a bit of a bugger to photograph there as it's pretty dark and green-tinted, I have to say. But it's not impossible.
3) Storytelling
Use these locations at this time of year to tell stories of renewal and growth, which can align with your brand’s narrative of new beginnings and fresh opportunities.
Outdoor settings such as parks, gardens, or fresh fields, to add a natural, vibrant feel to your spring brand photos, symbolising the season’s energy and new life.
Spring outfits and props
1) Seasonal clothing
Wear lighter clothing, such as floral dresses (if that's your thing), pastel-coloured shirts, or light jackets. These outfits complement the bright and airy aesthetic of spring.
2) Props
Use props like bouquets of fresh flowers, gardening tools, or picnic setups to enhance the spring vibe of your photos, reflecting themes of growth and renewal.
SUMMER:
Harnessing the energy and vibrancy of the season
Using summer colours to evoke emotion and connection
1) Colour palette
Focus on bright, vibrant colours like bold yellows, vivid blues, fresh greens, and warm oranges. These colours capture the energy, warmth, and positivity of summer.
2) The feelz
These bright colours suggest feelings of happiness, excitement, and vitality, helping your audience feel a strong, positive connection with your brand during the sunny season.
3) Brand messaging
If you're after conveying energy and enthusiasm, vibrant colours like yellows, bright oranges, and electric blues are perfect for creating a sense of movement and fun. Their boldness suggest a dynamic and active personality, helping you and your busienss appear passionate and full of life.
If you lean more towards positivity and warmth, then warm golds, soft peaches, and coral pinks are ideal. These colours suggest friendliness and optimism, giving you a bright, approachable, uplifting, cheery image that fits really well during the summer season.
For businesses focused on relaxation and leisure, soft aqua, sandy beige, and light sky blue give your photos a calm, coastal feel. These tones create a sense of peace and serenity, making your business look inviting and laid-back, perfectly capturing the essence of a carefree summer.
4) Storytelling
Use summer themes to tell stories of busyness, adventure, and exploration, or, at the other end of that spectrum, rest and relaxation. Mentally busy days, or long, lazy days - what would work better for what you're trying to say to your followers?
The summer narratives resonate with audiences looking to unwind, explore, or engage in new activities. Tell stories of adventure and exploration, which'll make your brand come across as energetic and vibrant during the peak of summer, or talk about and show images of lazy holidays to suggest peace, calm, and tranquility if that's more your business vibe.
5) Cultural relevance
Use summer holidays and events like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe or beach days out and picnics to make your content more relevant and engaging.
The Festival is pretty good for street photography, so if that would fit with your marketing messages, summer's the best time to do it as there are so many colourful looking bampots stravaiging around the town.
Edinburgh’s iconic spots for summer brand photoshoots
1) Well-loved locations in Edinburgh
The Botanics in full bloom or Dr Neil's Garden with all the flowers out make for lovely backdrops, although I'm pretty sure you need a permit in the Botanics for professional photography, so better check that one. Historic Scotland aren't great fans of professional photography on their premises either. Just saying.
You can also highlight Edinburgh's summer vibrancy at locations like Portobello Beach, the Meadows when the Festival's on, or pretty much anywhere up the town.
If you're on the Royal Mile or anywhere else similarly busy, just keep an eye on your belongings so you don't get anything nicked, mind you.
2) Further afield in Scotland
Oh blimey, again ... So much choice! Coastal areas like the East Neuk or picturesque wee villages like Culross all look bonny in the summer, and backdrops of beaches, cliffs, and clear skies (haha!) are perfect for capturing what summer's all about.
3) Storytelling
Use these locations to tell stories of renewal and growth, which can align with your brand’s narrative of new beginnings and fresh opportunities.
Incorporate outdoor settings like sandy beaches (Yellowcraig!), grassy parks, or forest trails (Dalkeith Park!) to add a dynamic, natural feel to your summer photos, symbolising freedom and exploration.
Your followers may not know why your photographs grab them so much, but grab them they will.
Summer outfits and props
1) Seasonal clothing
You could wear bright, cheerful outfits such as summer dresses, shorts, and light, breathable fabrics. These outfits convey the light-hearted and energetic feel of summer.
2) Props
Use props like beach umbrellas, picnic baskets, sunglasses, or summer sports gear to enhance the summer vibe of your photos, reflecting themes of adventure and relaxation.
We've got great opportunities to refresh and invigorate our brand images at the change of every season.
If you have a good think about this stuff in advance, you'll start seeing the colours, textures, and natural aspects everywhere which will help show reflect each season in your brand photographs. Then - happy days!) - you can create a visual narrative that not only resonates with your audience but also strengthens your connection with them year-round.
Whether you’re showcasing the warmth and richness of autumn, the stark beauty of winter, the vibrant energy of summer, or the renewal of spring, seasonal brand photography can be a powerful tool to keep your content relevant, engaging, and visually compelling.
What next?
If you’re ready to showcase your brand through the lens of Scotland’s stunning seasons, I’d love to help you create business photographs that really reflects your business’s unique personality and values.
Whether you’re looking for autumn business photos in Edinburgh’s scenic parks or a vibrant summer session by the coast in Fife, I can absolutely help you out with this. I can even help you in winter - wind, rain, and early darkness might make it a wee bit more tricky, but we don't need to let that stop us!
Let’s bring your brand to life with beautiful, seasonally-inspired photography - get in touch with me so we can talk about putting together a highly personalised brand photoshoot that will make your business look absolutely current and relevant, and will make you look the very best version of yourself there is.
Not ready to get in touch? How about have a look at my ultimate guide to brand photography to find out more?
