branding prep guide
How do you prepare for a branding session you ask?
Well, we are not going to sugar coat this one:
preparing for your branding session can be a lot of work!
You can’t do branding photos without having a proper strategy.
Please be sure to fill out the questionnaire and schedule a discovery call with us to help us understand your brand better.
Some things you may want to gather:
Your brand colors
Brand description and voice
Brainstorm about your ideal clients
Products if your business offers products
Marketing calendar + future social media posts
It’s your job to have and know your brand - it’s our job to document it.
visual inspiration
You have chosen me to take your photos because you like my style of work & my approach to photography. However, that is our brand - not yours. Each of our branding clients have their own editing preset to maintain their color and vibe.
As we talk about how to prepare for a personal branding photoshoot, I suggest collating 10-20 samples of photos that inspire your brand. Color, style, light, emotion, feeling. Whatever element it is that resonates with you.
Please note - we are happy to use these for reference but we do not and will not copy any image.
location
The location for your shoot is key to creating images that fit with your brand. The whole ethos of personal branding photography is to tell the real story of your business. To capture genuine & authentic images, the best location is the place you work in.
Shooting in your own space is easy but it is important to make sure it is clean, tidy & it’s free from clutter & distractions. I get it though, your real-life working space may not be suitable for photos or simply may not be the image you want to project and if that’s the case we have our studio that can be used for your session.
the shot list…
… is a key part of preparing for a photoshoot & means we go into the session fully prepared, knowing exactly what photos we are taking & for what purpose. It stops us from wasting valuable shooting time.
As you’re creating your list, consider where the photos will be used. This will help you determine what images you need & also guides how I take them.
Are they for your website? Which pages?
Are they for Instagram? The grid or stories?
Do you need a Facebook banner image?
Think about what your business ‘does’? Brainstorm activities, daily tasks & things that are important to your brand. Which of these do want photos of? Where will these images be used?
WHEN TALKING ABOUT HOW TO PLAN A PHOTOSHOOT, THE FIRST THING TO CONSIDER IS WHY.
models, aka clients
Do you require any additional people in your photos? For example, do you need clients in any images?
These could be real-life clients or you may ask friends or colleagues to step in & model for you. Ensure that anyone you ask to model for you fits your target client profile & demographic.
Who are you going to ask to model for you?
Top Tip: Remember to ask anyone who models for you to sign a release giving you permission to use the photos on your website & social media.
styling your session
What to wear
Choose outfits that match your personal brand. Decide on the feel. Do you want business casual? Casual? Chic? Dressy? You can also decide to have 2-3 outfits alternating these styles.
We all have that favorite outfit that when we put it on it makes us feel invincible. When you are being photographed, wear clothes that you know look good on you & that you feel comfortable & confident in.
It’s important to wear colors that work well with your complexion, skin tone & hair color. Wearing clothes that are the wrong color can age & drain you. Solid colors look better than distracting patterns, these can often overpower a photo.
Outfits can make or break your session! Here is a link to our styling website that coordinates the outfit perfectly every time.
STYLING WEBSITE - code is CEDARMOSS
Top tip: make sure you wash & iron all your clothes prior to shoot day – you don’t want a creased dress to spoil an otherwise fabulous photo.
what props + accessories do we need
Remember to bring any props you may need for the photos on your shot list. For example a laptop, notebook & pen, coffee mug & water bottle.
Are we shooting images of you working remotely in a cafe? Don’t forget your laptop, your notebook & a pen. Personal trainer training a client in the park, what fitness equipment do you need to bring with you?
Props are a great way to enhance your images & give a little flavor of who you are & what you do. Your prop may be as simple as a yoga mat, but equally, it could be an elaborate array of cakes to show off your baking skills.
We ask clients to bring props that reflect their business, and the big question to answer is, what do you use for the work you do? Or do you sell products? Then we take it a step further and show you at work!
Are you packing items? Are you working on emails? Are you scheduling on social media?
Hair & Make-up
Avoid make-up with a gloss or shimmer to it, especially foundation. Use a matte base to keep your skin looking smooth, even & shine-free & finish with a translucent powder to remove the shine on your forehead, nose & chin.
Using makeup is a great way to emphasize your features. Define your bone structure by contouring with blush or bronzer to make your cheeks look less flat.
Make eyes appear larger & brighter with eyeliner. Add a little mascara & they will pop!
If your hands are likely to be in the shot, don’t forget to trim & paint your nails.
Examples based on industries:
Boutique Owner Photo Props
At the store arranging products, Actual products, Packaging with the brand name of the shop, Client interaction shot where the client holds an item, Any props that symbolize your personality
Lawyer
Briefcase, Laptop, Notebook and Pen, Law Book
Salon Owner
Hair Dryer, Scissors, Salon apron or uniform, Beauty Cart, Brushes, Favorite products that you use + sell
Realtors
Laptop, Notepad, Sold Sign, For Sale Sign
Food Shop / Coffee Shop
Coffee packages, Sprinkles, Items to make certain foods, Branded packaging, Coffee Mug
Small Business Marketing Calendar
When prepping for a personal branding photoshoot, definitely consider your upcoming marketing campaigns. I love having photos ahead of time that align with whatever my business is working on. So think about the time you are scheduling your brand photos, then answer: What is coming up in the next month? In the next 2 months and maybe even a quarter? Any specials or events that you are planning?
Planning & preparation are key to the success of a shoot. I put a huge emphasis on this. Whether it be a branding shoot, a fitness shoot, a headshot, or an event.
On the day of a shoot, I want everyone to walk in knowing who is being photographed. When they will be photographed. Where we are taking the photos & what props or accessories are needed. I worry about how. That’s the technical element, the aperture, shutter speed, lighting & which lens to use. We established the why at the first point of contact.