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Mother and daughter on a swing smiling

Introducing our photography

We use photography to bring our purpose to life and help tell our diverse brand story. We focus on genuine, relatable, people-centric imagery to create an emotional connection with our audiences.

Grandfather and granddaughter on the floor playing lego in the sunshine

Content overview

We capture real and authentic moments in people’s lives.

Images should look natural and unfiltered, never staged or over edited. We focus on candid shots of people living in the moment. Our photos capture a bright and optimistic outlook, showcasing the opportunities that lie ahead.

Style overview

Our imagery style helps us tell an inspiring narrative. We focus on capturing people in our photos, using techniques like shallow depth of field and creative compositions to make them the focal point. Our images are fully saturated expressing a bright, optimistic and positive look.

Depth of field

Depth of field

We like to use shallow depth of field to blur out the foreground or background, making the subject stand out and giving our images a more dynamic look.

Compositions

Compositions

Our imagery focuses on people. It could be a single person, or a couple or small group interacting or working together. They could be inside or outside. Outdoor scenes show themes like ‘common goals’, ‘forward thinking’, and ‘opportunities’, while indoor shots highlight themes like ‘future planning’, ‘family’, and ‘place of work’.

Colour and brightness

Colour and brightness

Our images are fully saturated and express a bright, optimistic, and positive perspective. This approach makes our content look and feel uplifting and engaging.

Visual displays images in multiple layouts

Using imagery in layouts

When using imagery as the main face of the brand, such as on the cover of a PowerPoint presentation, report cover, or website header, select images that allow space for content. Opt for images with cleaner backgrounds that can accommodate text directly on the image. If the image does not allow for this, consider using a squircle or rounded corner rectangle to improve readability. 

To add more visual interest in compositions or to create more space for content position subjects off-center, this also helps to visually balance designs.

Make sure the focal point of the image has enough breathing space and the design elements don’t overcrowd it. 

Portraits

Portrait shots connect with our audience personally by featuring real people in natural settings, telling diverse stories that resonate with our brand. Use these in client case studies or leadership messages on Horizon.

Capture lifestyle portraits with subjects looking at or near the camera, positioned centrally or off-center to create more visual interest. Enhance storytelling by photographing subjects in their natural environment.

Alternatively, people within photography can be shot in a studio, or digitally cutout and placed on a brand coloured background. 

Follow our photography style to capture optimism and authenticity. Subjects should appear natural and relaxed, not overly posed. Consider shooting landscape to allow space for content in layouts.

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Things to avoid

Visual displaying things to avoid using photography

Common mistakes

When it comes to choosing and using images, it’s important to avoid common mistakes to keep our brand image consistent.

Here are some examples.

Visual displaying alternative brand imagery for 'growth', 'cyber security', AI' and 'fraud'.

Visual metaphors

Visual metaphors are often used to explain ideas quickly. We like to avoid them as they can seem overused and unoriginal. Instead, we believe that using subtle imagery can be much more effective in capturing interest and engaging viewers.

The images shown here illustrate the basic idea of replacing overly literal images with ones in our brand style.

When choosing images to represent a negative subject, opt for ones that convey a sense of resilience or positivity. The headlines or text that go alongside these images also help to convey the intended message.

Additional tips

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help when using imagery.

Visual of extending an image in an email header

Extending your image to fill the layout

Is your image too small to fit the frame? As an alternative to using a gradient overlay to fill the space, try extending the photo first using Photoshop’s Generative Fill tool. If you need to overlay content, consider using a gradual blur instead. This technique helps to focus the eye and maintains a natural, modern look for the image.

Visual of a woman in a yellow jacket next to a woman in an Experian blue jacket

Make your lead image more distinctive

As an optional enhancement, you can elevate the uniqueness of your lead image by incorporating a Primary brand colour. Achieved by subtly integrating the colour into the focal point of the photograph, such as through an item of clothing or focal object. While exact colour matching may not always be possible due to lighting variations, aim for as close a match as possible to maintain brand consistency and visual appeal.

Iconography

Used to aid navigation or explain complex concepts

Typography

Find out more about our different typefaces and how they should be used