How to Prepare for a Personal Brand Photoshoot

Brand Photos is Vital for Business Growth

A brand photoshoot is essential to build a personal connection with your audience. A lot of business owners use stock photography to promote their social media platforms & website. But it can be hard to make an impact & connection when using generic cheesy stock photos. As I always say, if you want to look professional, then hire a professional. Your audience wants to get to know YOU, and a personal brand photoshoot is a perfect way to do this.

YOUR BRAND IS NOT JUST A LOGO

Yep, it’s the truth. When I first started my business, I had absolutely no brand photography to work with & struggled to convert leads into paying clients. The main reason? I had no connection or visual presentation of myself displayed anywhere. Once I had my first brand photoshoot, I was getting booked out for months in advance. I slowly realized the importance of brand photography, and have committed to shooting brand photos every quarter moving forward.

5 Tips for a Great Brand Photoshoot

1. Brainstorm Ideas & Moodboard

Without a brand identity or clear vision in place, it will be hard for your photographer to shoot pictures that you will love. I like to brainstorm ideas/goals and create a mood board before booking anything.

A mood board is a perfect way for your photographer to see your brand’s style & vibe. Create a Pinterest board that includes your preferred poses, hair & makeup, outfit, props, and overall aesthetic.

Here are some ideas you should brainstorm in order to have a successful shoot:

Photo Use: This one is so important! During my first brand photoshoot, I realized how I was lacking landscape photos as they were mainly all portrait. Therefore, I had trouble using most of my photos for website banners/wide areas. Ask yourself, where will you use these photos?
Background: The background of your photos should match your aesthetic, or it will make it hard to use the photos. Having some white space in your background will allow you to place text over your photos as well.
Must-Have Shots & Poses: You’ll want a variety of shots, and not get stuck having repetitive photos of you just smiling. Do you need flat lays, working pictures, standing shots, laptop mockups, headshots, you using your phone? Take a look on Pinterest or other brands that inspire you for an idea of poses & shots you’ll want.

A great example of a landscape photo with white space on right for text placement.

2. Book Your Photographer & HMU Artist

Finding a good photographer is the most important part! You’ll want to browse through several local photographers to find one that best fits your style. Not all photographers have the same style. Take a look at their editing style (if it’s bright/airy or darker for example) and their package inclusions. Stalk their social media platforms & portfolio. But most of all, check for social proof! You’ll want to see what other people have mentioned about their brand photoshoot. Some key points I look out for: if the photographer made them feel comfortable, or helped them pose.

If beauty isn’t your strong suit, I’d recommend investing in a hair & makeup artist as well. But if it’s something you know you excel in, you can do it yourself!

3. Find the Right Location

You’ll want to research locations that will match your brand. Look for studios/locations that have a variety of furniture options, and a lot of windows for natural light. The location will set the tone for your entire shoot. Depending on your industry & style, it could be at a rental studio, coffee shop, or outdoors for example. Your photographer may also have some ideas for the location once they have a clear vision of your goals for the shoot.

4. Plan 5-6 Outfits

Your outfit will make or break your photoshoot. For my first brand photoshoot, I quickly put together outfits of clothing that I had in my wardrobe. But when I received my photos, I was in shock! It didn’t turn out the way I expected it. Choose outfits that will complement your brand colors & make you feel confident. But it really comes down to choosing outfits that will make you feel confident. Don’t wear something just because it will make you look professional, choose clothing items that are YOU.

Great Tip: Always bring extra jackets/blazers & cardigans. These can add a variety to your photos, where you can take it off/put it on & easily get an extra outfit to shoot in!

5. Prop Ideas to Bring

You’ll want to bring props that are related to your brand & business. Since I’m a website designer, here are some props I brought for my own brand photoshoots:

All Screens (Laptop, Phone & Tablet)
Moodboards/Photos
Glasses
Planner/Magazines
Confetti or Champagne (for a specific launch)
Coffee/Mug

Have Fun with It!

The key to a successful brand photoshoot is to showcase your personality & have photos that will make you feel confident. Have fun with your shoot & plan ahead for the best results!