Iska Birnie Photography

Iska Birnie Photography Award-winning Brand, Wedding, and Dog & Equine photographer based in Aberdeenshire.
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Last weekend, we lost one of the kindest and most inspiring human beings.Tess was a shining light wherever she went. She...
15/06/2026

Last weekend, we lost one of the kindest and most inspiring human beings.

Tess was a shining light wherever she went. She was the most positive, kind, and resilient person I have met, and was always focused on helping those around her.

Many years ago, when I was still finding my feet as a commercial photographer, Tess gave me a chance. She believed in me and supported me at a time when it really mattered, and I will never forget that.

I don't think she realised how many lives she touched. She inspired me to become a more positive and confident person, and I know I won't be the only one who can say that.

I am very sad that we didn't have more time together. It feels unfair that someone who gave so much to others has been taken from us far too soon.

But I also feel grateful that our paths crossed, and I am grateful for her friendship, encouragement, and the example she set to everyone around her.

Tess, you will be missed, remembered, and never forgotten. 🤍

Happy Monday! Can you spot the photographer? This image feels like a good metaphor for me last week. I was here, there, ...
08/06/2026

Happy Monday! Can you spot the photographer?

This image feels like a good metaphor for me last week. I was here, there, and everywhere... Photographing every day of the week apart from Saturday. I was in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen (a few times), Inverurie, and Banchory for my clients.

It was a great mix of work, everything from headshots to brand, events, and dogs.

Watch this space for some of the photographs. I can't wait to get them all edited and delivered. :-)

Photo credit Kerstin Gruenling (it was sooooo good to catch up on Monday)

Let's talk about props! I love props in brand photo sessions. Luca the Spaniel is most definitely one of the best 'props...
29/05/2026

Let's talk about props! I love props in brand photo sessions.

Luca the Spaniel is most definitely one of the best 'props'! 🐶

If you don't have a dog (or other animal), here are some other ideas for great props (bonus points if they match your brand colours):

📸 Any tools, equipment or supplies you use for work

📸 Notebooks

📸 Stationary

📸 Your favourite mug

📸 Pens and pencils

📸 Flowers

📸 An old dial phone, or your mobile

📸 Laptops

📸 Items that represent your hobbies

📸 ... the list goes on!

What props would you want to feature in your brand photography session?

27/05/2026

That’s me all set up for an afternoon of headshots at Every Student Accommodation at the Old Fire House.

Thank you very much to Chloe, Leanne, and the team for having me.

I’m looking forward to a great event all around employability and helping students on their way into the working world.

'What’s the difference between headshots and brand photography?' That’s a question I get asked quite a lot. There is a l...
25/05/2026

'What’s the difference between headshots and brand photography?'

That’s a question I get asked quite a lot. There is a little bit of overlap, but they are also very different.

Headshots focused purely on head and shoulder portraits, traditionally against a plain backdrop. They are designed to give you a professional image of yourself. They are great for profile pictures, about us sections on the website, and PR images.

Brand photography goes into much more detail. It tells your brand story through images. It includes headshots, but goes much further than that. Think of lifestyle portraits, but also how you work, your environment, details of your process, behind-the-scenes moments, and interactions with clients. All designed specifically for your marketing and social media.

A good brand shoot creates a library of images that helps your audience understand not just what you look like, but what it feels like to work with you.

Most businesses need both. A strong headshot gets you recognised. Brand photography builds connection and trust around everything you do.

Get in touch to arrange a consultation call if you'd like to find out more.

What does your profile picture say about you? According to research by psychologists, people form an opinion about you w...
21/05/2026

What does your profile picture say about you?

According to research by psychologists, people form an opinion about you within 7-30 seconds of meeting you, so first impressions really count! The scary thing is, when it comes to your online presence, people judge you even faster than that.

Before anyone reads a single word on your website or LinkedIn profile, they’ve already seen the image you’ve chosen as your profile picture. Does that photo reflect the amazing, unique, and capable you? Or is it a rushed selfie, a cropped image from a night out, or maybe even just your logo?

One thing I've learnt from speaking with my clients, people want to connect with the person behind the brand and the business. They want to know who they’d be working with and what it would be like working with you.

If only you knew a photographer who could help with that.

Oh, wait, you do! ;-)

My biggest passion is to help you feel relaxed and confident in front of the camera. Soooo, if you are ready to update your profile picture. You know where to find me! I’d love to help.

19/05/2026

At the start of the month, I had the pleasure of working with the marketing team at Harbro Ltd again.

All of their photo sessions have been very different. Over the last few months, I have captured PR images of a charity cheque handover, headshots of some of the senior leadership team, and images around a farm during lambing season to highlight specialist ewe feed.

This time, the shoot was all about their new mobile mix and mill vehicles. The weather gods were with us on this one, we couldn't have asked for better weather. Beautiful blue skies really helped the red vehicles stand out.

If your business needs new and fresh images for PR and marketing, give me a shout, I'd love to have a chat.

Photography has taught me so much about people.When I first started my business, I thought I was 'just' capturing images...
15/05/2026

Photography has taught me so much about people.

When I first started my business, I thought I was 'just' capturing images to help my clients with their marketing. But the longer I do this, the more I realise that it really is more than that.

My clients allow me to step into their worlds and learn about them and their businesses. And I love it! Every time I photograph someone, I get to hear a little about their journey, their wins, and sometimes their struggles. It's something I really don't take for granted.

That’s why my passion project 100 Faces, 100 Stories, means so much to me. It’s a chance to share those incredible stories, celebrating resilience, kindness, determination, and all the things that make us human.

(If you know someone with an inspiring story, please do let me know.)

Yes, I take photographs of people. But I also help people see themselves the way others already do.

Katie Watson, Jason Hare, Mike Scotland, Jasmin Corbett

12/05/2026

Should you have a photographer on retainer for your business?

I am going to say yes! (perhaps unsurprisingly...)

Having me on retainer and working with me on a regular basis is great for so many reasons.

I’ve been working with some of my clients for a few years now. And the difference between the first shoot and where we are now is amazing.

When we first start, there’s usually a bit of hesitation. But that tends to change very quickly. You and your staff get to know me, and a few shoots in, me showing up with my camera isn't as big of a deal anymore. You might even find that your staff starts to enjoy the sessions.

Another bonus is that you don't have to brief a new photographer on your business and brand every time you need new photographs. We get to know each other, figure out what works, and then create images that get better with every session. Building a library of images that really represent your business.

Don't take my word for it, though. Here's Jennifer Hall speaking about her experience working with me.

What do I actually do during a photo session?The conception sometimes is that photographers just show up and point a cam...
11/05/2026

What do I actually do during a photo session?

The conception sometimes is that photographers just show up and point a camera at the client.

With some photographers, it might be like that. But that's not how I work. Before we even start shooting, we'll have a plan and will have talked about what you would like to achieve with these images.

During the shoot, I chat a lot and ask random questions. All in a quest to distract you from the fact that I am actually taking photos. I also give direction and guidance without overcomplicating things. Making sure hair sits right, glasses are clean, and collars are straight.

Being photographed really can't be that bad, as I have clients who keep coming back to me, some I have worked with on an annual retainer for more than 5 years!

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Inverurie

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+447807776016

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