XPERTALENT - LIFESTYLE BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY
FOR BOUTIQUE RECRUITMENT AGENCY IN MANCHESTER
LIFESTYLE BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY FOR XPERTALENT, A BOUTIQUE RECRUITMENT AGENCY IN MANCHESTER, DELIVERING RELAXED, PROFESSIONAL IMAGERY THAT SUPPORTS BRAND STORYTELLING + HELPS A NEW BUSINESS LAUNCH WITH CONFIDENCE.
THE BRIEF
Xpertalent are a newly established recruitment agency offering a boutique, relationship-driven approach to talent acquisition. With a clear focus on quality over quantity, they needed imagery that reflected their values: human, professional, and confident without feeling too corporate or forced.
As a small business launching a new website, Xpertalent came to me looking for commercial lifestyle photography that would help them hit the ground running. They’d previously seen my work for DINOSAUR and were keen to replicate a similar relaxed, natural style – approachable but still professional.
The brief was to capture lifestyle brand photography that felt familiar and trustworthy, while elevating their visual presence to compete with larger recruitment agencies. Although the team works remotely from home, they wanted their imagery to project a more professional environment.
THE PROCESS
To strike the right balance between relaxed and professional, we chose Beehive Lofts, a Manchester co-working space with clean interiors, plenty of natural light, and a modern but welcoming feel. It gave us the flexibility of a real working environment without the distractions of a home setup.
Ahead of the shoot, we discussed how the imagery would be used across the website – homepage, about page, LinkedIn, and future marketing materials. This helped shape a shot list focused on brand storytelling through lifestyle photography, rather than stiff headshots or generic stock-style images.
On the day, the shoot was intentionally informal. We focused on natural interactions, working moments, and subtle environmental portraits that reflected how Xpertalent actually operates day to day. This approach is at the core of my work as a freelance lifestyle photographer for businesses in the North West – creating images that feel real, not staged.
By keeping the pace relaxed and direction light, we were able to capture confident, authentic imagery that still felt professional. The final set included a mix of individual portraits, working details, and wider lifestyle shots that could be cropped and reused across multiple platforms.
RESPONSE
The finished images gave Xpertalent a strong visual foundation for their brand launch. The photography helped position them as a credible, modern recruitment partner while staying true to their boutique, relationship-first ethos.
The imagery now supports their website, LinkedIn presence, and wider marketing, helping them stand out in a crowded recruitment market. More importantly, the photos feel like them – approachable, knowledgeable, and confident.
Projects like this are a great example of how commercial lifestyle photography for small businesses in Manchester can elevate a brand without overcomplicating things. Thoughtful locations, a clear brief, and a relaxed shooting style go a long way.
IF YOU’RE A GROWING BUSINESS LOOKING FOR AUTHENTIC BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY THAT TELLS YOUR STORY AND ACTUALLY WORKS ACROSS YOUR MARKETING, THIS KIND OF APPROACH MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE. GET IN TOUCH