Planning a branding photoshoot can feel totally overwhelming. You know you need a photoshoot for your business (sooner than later!), but you might not know where to start. Maybe you’ve already found and hired your branding photographer (go you!), but you feel totally lost on choosing an on-brand location, picking the right outfits, and knowing what you even want photos of. I get it!
A great branding photographer will spend time with you for several weeks before your shoot learning about you, your business, and what types of images you want to achieve. They’ll likely help you determine the overall look and feel for your shoot. However, in order for your branding photos to fully represent your vision for the shoot, you must do some of your own research and brainstorming. This will help you clearly communicate your wishes and avoid disappointment and missed opportunities. Your branding photographer will be so impressed with you!
Shooting branding photography in Charleston, South Carolina for over five years has taught me so many tips & tricks for planning a brand photoshoot with my clients. If you are currently feeling lost or overwhelmed by the planning process, we’re going to change all of that! Here is a roadmap to help you plan your branding photoshoot.
1. Craft Your Branding Photoshoot Shot List
Creating your own branding photoshoot shot list will help jumpstart the planning process. Your photographer will have plenty of shot ideas once they get to know you and your brand, but creating your own list ensures you don’t miss any essential shots.
Before going to Pinterest for inspiration, open a fresh page in your notebook and ask yourself these three questions.
- What words describe your brand?
- What feelings do you want your ideal audience to experience when they see your photos?
- When your audience sees your photos on your website, social media, or business cards, what do you want them to know about you and your business?
Take a look at your answers and underline similar words or themes. Make a list of the different ways you could show these feelings, words, and actions in photos. Could you visually explain your everyday work life by shooting in your office or studio? Maybe some detail shots of your hands working on a new piece for your shop or typing on your laptop could be great shots to show off your creative process.
Don’t hold back on your shot ideas! Your photographer can help you shape and refine them as you make decisions about your branding shoot locations, outfits, and props. Trust me, they will absolutely love you for taking time to consider the big picture goals of your shoot.
P.S. If you need help getting started, download my free guide, the Brand Photoshoot Shot List: 7 Must-Have Photos for Any Industry.
2. Consider Your Color Palette
It’s essential that your brand photos have a consistent color palette. What are your brand colors? What colors are in your logo, on your website, and show up consistently in your Instagram feed? Consider the different ways you could include these colors in your branding photos. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Wear a shirt, jacket, or accessory in your brand colors
- If you have lots of natural hues in your brand colors, an outdoor location could be a seamless way to include these colors in your photos. Or, choose an indoor location that has a similar vibe to your brand
- Bring along a prop or two that complements your brand colors
Don’t worry too much about matching colors exactly to your brand color palette. Similar shades will work just fine! If you only wear the exact shade of purple in your logo for example, your photos could come off as too matchy-matchy.
3. Choose an On-Brand Location
Where do you do your best work? Do you create art in a studio, work in a home office, or teach fitness outdoors? Are you often taking client consultations behind a stylish desk? That’s where your portraits need to be! If you’re at the farmers’ market selling goods every Saturday, consider re-creating that environment for headshots and detail shots.
If your work location is less concrete, first consider whether your brand photos would be better suited indoors or outdoors. Some photographers may allow you to do both depending on your branding shoot schedule. Brainstorm a list of local parks, areas of town, and coffee shops you love that would work well with your brand style and colors.
4. What to Wear for Your Brand Photoshoot
Coming up with outfit ideas for branding photoshoots is the #1 source of planning stress I see in my clients! I like to keep this process as simple as possible. Start by considering your brand style and colors. Pull a few items from your closet that feel like your brand. You probably don’t need to go shopping for an all-new outfit unless you truly feel you don’t already own anything that is on-brand. But hey, a brand photoshoot is always a good excuse for a new outfit!
The number of outfits you can wear will depend on the shoot schedule you create with your photographer, but I always suggest bringing at least two outfit options. These options could include one casual and one formal look, one pair of jeans with one solid top and one patterned top, for instance. The key here is to keep it simple. Too many outfit changes are a surefire way to quickly exhaust you on shoot day.
For more in-depth tips and examples on what to wear for your branding photoshoot, head to my post What to Wear For Your Branding Photoshoot.
5. Prop Ideas for Your Branding Photoshoot
Lastly, let’s talk about props for your branding photoshoot! What tools, materials, and accessories do you use to do your job? What do you surround yourself with in your studio or office? These are the details that help the visual story come to life. Here are a few of my favorite prop ideas.
- Laptop
- Favorite notebook & pen
- iPhone
- Your glasses
- A furry friend
- Glass of wine or champagne
- Project sketches
- Inspiration (coffee table books, mood boards, etc.)
- Fresh flowers or succulents
- Favorite bag
Depending on what location you choose for your shoot, you may need more or less props. Typically, 2-4 props work great for a branding photoshoot.
Planning a branding photoshoot is a big deal for your business, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. A little brainstorming, preparation, and inspiration is all you need to create the branding photos of your dreams. I can’t wait to see how your branding photos turn out!
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