Planning a branding photoshoot, but not sure what you should be captured?

As a small business and personal brand photographer, I’ve helped many clients level up their online presence and show off the face and personality of their brand. A little bit of pre-shoot planning goes a long way! Make an inspiration board for the brand personality, colors, and details you’d like to include, as it will serve as a reference on the day of your photoshoot.

Then use this as blog post as a resource for your preparation on what to bring, what type of location would work well for you, what kind of poses to expect, and the energy of the session itself.

Professional headshots

This seems like a no-brainer, but can sometimes be one of the more time-consuming pieces of a branding session because you want to come across in a way that makes you feel confident and expresses the right amount of professionalism, authority, and personality of your brand. Get a mix of expressions and poses (seated, standing, location changes, outfit changes, smiling, serious, etc.)—you never know which one might be your favorite, and it’s good to have a variety of options that can be used throughout your website or social content.

Make sure you’re wearing an outfit you feel comfortable and confident in, and ideally that’s free of pet hair, lint, wrinkles, etc. You can find more tips on what to wear to your session here.

Personal brand portraits

These are similar to headshots, but are a little more casual in that we can play more creatively with the way you express and pose yourself. Feel free to use movement or add props and design elements that communicate who you are and what you do. Let loose and have fun here! This is to showcase your brand personality.

Brand candids

These are the unplanned, in-between moments that a great brand photographer will notice or facilitate. This is typically once you’ve gotten comfortable into your photoshoot and notice the camera less. If you have a team that works with you, this is a perfect opportunity for you all to connect with each other a little bit and have some fun during your session. If you work alone, maybe bring a friend or someone who’s gonna bring out the more playful side of you, whether it’s your photographer or someone who knows you well. Having some great candid shots makes you feel relatable and like a person your audience can connect with, not just a business or brand.

Brand candids can also be captured in your day-to-day workflow, should you choose to have that captured.

Products/services offered in use

People like to know what to expect when they can work with you. If you have a product, show the product in context of how you would see it in use. If you have a service, it’s helpful to go through the motions of the service to give people a better visual of what their experience may look like. You could have a friend or team member model as your client during the shoot, someone who is a willing participant for the sake of demonstration without any awkwardness. 

You could also have your session be a real day in the life of your business. You would need consent from any customers, but sometimes this is the best way to really show you in action and get candids of client interactions as they happen naturally. If you go this route, try to pick a day where you have the right clientele and aren’t too slammed to the point of being stressed out.

Product or service detail photos

This means detail shots of the specific elements of your product or service. What features make it unique? What should we draw attention to? Are there different colors, sizes or models of the product? Getting creative and artsy with these shots can be a bonus, as having something eye catching will bring attention to your products.

Tools used in your process or workflow

This could mean anything from physical tools to software to your personal workflow. It could mean resources that have been helpful to you like books, notebooks, phone apps, websites you use often, etc. Think about what your process looks like and how it may help your potential customers see the amount of thought and work that’s put into your offering. 

Let’s talk locations

So you’ve got an idea of what you want captured, but you’re not sure where is best for the session. This is where your business/brand type comes into play. If you own a brick and mortar business you can absolutely do it there (during hours you’re not open). If you want a particular aesthetic where you can really control lighting, weather, and colors, perhaps renting an indoor space like a studio or office would be best. Studios offer a clean look that can be easily changed and customized within your session. Other rented spaces can offer a more realistic setting that may work well for your business, especially if you work remotely and need a setting that looks like an office or workspace, for example.

If you work from home you could also use your actual workspace if it’s a key part of your brand or process. Does your home office have unique tools or an aesthetic that feels really on brand? Does it have personality and charm? Are there items there that would be difficult to bring to another location?

You don’t necessarily have to have all the answers here, but it’s useful to think about as you plan your session. I’m happy to provide feedback on what would serve as a great setting for your session.

Ready to plan your powerful branding photoshoot?

Effective brands utilize custom imagery to attract more ideal customers. So if you’re ready to level up, reach out today to schedule a consultation call. We’ll design a session that captures the essence of your business and I’ll help you execute your vision with a fun experience.