Your smartphone can give you stunning, authentic images that will enhance your natural health practice’s visual presence across social media, websites, and marketing materials.
With the right approach to lighting, composition, and simple editing, your phone can produce professional-quality results that truly showcase your expertise and personality.
Starting with a shot list is a great way to ensure you capture a wide variety of images and don’t forget the essentials. Start with this list and create variations under each bullet point. Use several changes of clothes and backgrounds to make even more variations.
Photo Shot List For Natural Health Practitioners: 50 Inspiring Ideas
Clinical Work Photos Introduce Your Professionalism
- Consultation notes – Writing patient notes with herbs or plants visible in background
- Pulse taking – Close-up of hands checking a client’s pulse during consultation
- Herb preparation – Measuring dried herbs into small bowls or containers
- Tincture making – Hands working with dropper bottles and herbal extracts
- Consultation setup – Wide shot of your consultation room before a client arrives
- Reference books – Flipping through naturopathic reference books or journals
- Client interaction – Mid-conversation during a consultation (with permission)
- Supplement organisation – Arranging or selecting supplements from shelves
- Assessment tools – Using tools like pH strips, blood pressure monitor, or scales
- Case study review – Reviewing client files with cup of herbal tea nearby
Nature & Wellness Photos Demonstrate Your Values and Interests
- Herb garden visit – Walking through or tending to medicinal herb gardens
- Wild plant identification – Crouching to examine plants in natural settings
- Forest bathing – Peaceful moments sitting or walking in woodland areas
- Sunrise/sunset meditation – Silhouette shots during quiet outdoor reflection
- Beach wellness – Walking barefoot on sand or collecting seaweed
- Mountain hiking – Enjoying nature’s pharmacy during countryside walks
- Park bench reflection – Quiet moments in local parks with journal or book
- Seasonal foraging – Collecting elderflowers, berries, or other seasonal offerings
- Outdoor yoga/stretching – Gentle movement in natural settings
- Nature’s textures – Close-ups of bark, leaves, stones that represent natural healing
Education & Consultation Photos Build Trust and Understanding
- Online consultation – Professional video call setup with good lighting
- Workshop preparation – Setting up materials for educational seminars
- Whiteboard teaching – Explaining concepts using diagrams or notes
- Book writing – Working on educational content at desk or a café
- Video recording – Speaking into a microphone with professional setup
- Reading research – Studying latest naturopathic journals or studies
- Client education – Showing anatomical charts or educational materials
- Presentation prep – Preparing slides or materials for speaking engagements
- Social media content – Recording educational videos on smartphone
- Mentoring moment – Discussing cases with fellow practitioners (with permission)
Photos Make Your Personal Brand Shine
When creating personal brand content, remember that you are the main character of your own story. Position yourself as the central figure in each shot, showing confidence in your expertise and passion for natural healing.
Don’t hide behind your tools or workspace – let your personality and professionalism shine through.
Whether you’re holding a book, preparing herbs, or simply looking thoughtfully at the camera, you should be the clear focal point that draws viewers in and helps them connect with you as both a practitioner and a person.
- Professional headshot – Clean, approachable portrait in natural light
- Workspace overview – Your desk/office showing personality and professionalism
- Morning routine – Starting the day with herbal tea or meditation
- Reading corner – Comfortable spot where you study or relax
- Qualification display – Certificates or awards in a professional setting
- Tools of trade – Flat lay of essential naturopathic tools and books
- Signature style – Outfit that represents your professional aesthetic
- Travel setup – Working remotely or attending conferences
- Professional networking – At industry events or colleague meetings
- Behind-the-scenes – Candid moments of daily professional life
Share Your Lifestyle with Photos – Show Your Favourite Things
- Healthy meal prep – Preparing nutritious meals in a kitchen setting
- Farmers market visit – Selecting fresh, organic produce
- Herbal tea ritual – Preparing or enjoying therapeutic teas
- Exercise routine – Gentle movement that supports wellness philosophy
- Seasonal cooking – Using fresh, seasonal ingredients in meal preparation
- Garden to table – Harvesting herbs or vegetables from your garden
- Wellness practices – Dry brushing, oil pulling, or other daily rituals
- Healthy snacking – Nutritious snacks that align with naturopathic principles
- Weekend wellness – How you practice self-care on days off
- Evening routine – Winding down with herbal tea or gentle stretching
Smartphone Photography Tips for Beginners
Basic Camera Settings
- Portrait Mode: Use for people shots – creates nice background blur
- Grid Lines: Turn on in camera settings to help with composition
- HDR: Keep on ‘Auto’ for balanced lighting in tricky conditions
- Focus: Tap on your subject to ensure it’s sharp
Lighting Fundamentals
Natural Light is Best: Shoot near windows during daylight hours. Avoid harsh midday sun – early morning and late afternoon provide ideal conditions. On overcast days, light is soft and flattering. For indoor shots, position yourself facing a window for the most appealing results.
Avoiding Common Lighting Mistakes: Don’t shoot directly into bright light as this creates unflattering silhouettes. Watch for harsh shadows on faces, particularly when using overhead lighting. If using overhead lighting, add a lamp for warmth. Use a white sheet or wall to bounce light onto your subject for more even illumination.
Composition Techniques
Rule of Thirds: Imagine your screen divided into 9 equal sections and place essential elements along these lines rather than centring everything.
Leading Lines: Use natural lines such as paths, shelves, or desk edges to guide the viewer’s eye toward your main subject.
Fill the Frame: Get closer to your subject rather than shooting from far away, which creates more engaging and intimate photographs.
Angles and Perspectives: Shoot from slightly above for flattering people shots. Get down to eye level for more engaging photos that create a connection with viewers. Try different angles and don’t just shoot standing up – crouch down or find elevated positions for variety.
Taking Great Photos of Yourself
Self-Timer Method: Set up your phone on a stable surface or tripod and use the 3-10 second timer. Take multiple shots in sequence to give yourself options. Look just above the camera lens, not at the screen, for the most natural eye contact with viewers. Small tripods can be bought very cheaply from office suppliers or $2 shops.
Posing Naturally: Keep your shoulders relaxed and angle your body slightly away from camera for a more flattering silhouette. Use your hands naturally – hold props or gesture gently rather than letting them hang awkwardly. Think of something pleasant to get genuine expressions rather than forced smiles.
Props and Styling
Naturopathic Props: Fresh herbs and plants add authenticity to your shots. Wooden spoons and natural materials reinforce your connection to natural healing. Books and journals suggest ongoing learning and expertise. Herbal teas and tinctures showcase your tools of trade. Natural fabrics and textures create visual interest and reinforce your brand aesthetic.
Styling Tips: Use odd numbers of objects – three or five items work better visually than even numbers. Mix textures by combining smooth and rough, hard and soft elements. Choose a colour palette with earth tones, which work particularly well for naturopathy. Keep backgrounds uncluttered and simple to ensure your main subject remains the focus.
Simple Editing with Your Smartphone
Built-in Editing Tools
Brightness and Contrast: Slightly brighten most photos to make them more appealing. Add a touch of contrast to make images pop, but don’t overdo it – natural is better than over-processed.
Saturation and Vibrance Increase vibrance slightly for more appealing colours but keep saturation natural to avoid an oversaturated look. Green plants and natural elements should look realistic rather than artificially enhanced.
Crop and Straighten Crop tightly to remove distracting elements. Straighten horizons and vertical lines for a more professional appearance. Consider square crops for Instagram to maximise impact on the platform.
Free Editing Apps for Beginners
VSCO offers excellent filters that look natural and good basic adjustment tools. The free version has plenty of options for most users’ needs.
Snapseed by Google provides professional-level tools completely free. It offers great, detailed adjustments and a useful ‘healing’ tool for removing small blemishes or distracting elements.
Canva is perfect for creating social media graphics with templates for Instagram stories and posts. It also offers easy text overlay options for educational content.
Remember: The best camera is the one you have with you. Start with these basics, practice regularly, and your visual storytelling will naturally improve over time!
