“I’m not a model.”
“I don’t know where to put my hands.”
“Smile or no smile?”
I’ve heard all of these from my clients during their branding shoots. So much so that I’d figure I’d compose this list of tips.
Brand photography isn’t the same as wedding images or family portraits. Your brand images tell a story about you and your brand. It helps put an image to your adjoining content. For many, it’s the first introduction potential clients have with your brand so of course you want the first impression to be a good one.
Create a Mood Board via Pinterest
Best way to get inspiration for your upcoming shoot is to find some images similar to what you are aiming for. Create a board and title it Brand Photography Inspo and spend an afternoon saving pins to your board. This will come in handy when you book your photographer so they will have an idea of what you are looking for specifically for your brand.
Vet Photographers and Review Portfolios
Everyone who has a camera and knows how to capture images doesn’t necessarily make for a good brand photographer. Each artist specializes in their own genre of photography from wedding to family to documentary to brand/lifestyle (and many others of course). When vetting your photographers, make sure they specialize in branding & lifestyle and have a portfolio to match. A good starting point could be searching for photographers in your local area via hashtags. After finding one that fits your style and budget, go ahead and share your mood board with them via Pinterest.
Create a shot list
This can also be done when creating your mood board. Plan out the shots you know you will want captured and any props you would want to bring with you. Say you are a business coach that works with people who recently quit corporate america to become lifestyle coaches. Maybe you want a more lax set of images to showcase the type of clientele you are seeking as well as showing the casual side of your brand. You can take pictures of you sitting on a couch with your shoes off and your laptop; a picture with you writing in your planner; a less formal headshot with you hugging yourself and laughing. It’s perfectly fine to get creative and have fun with it.
Create Your Playlist
I don’t know about you but as a photographer AND as a model, I have to have music playing during my sessions. It sets the mood and creates a more lax atmosphere that helps everyone loosen up and work the early kinks out. Curate a playlist of the music that makes you feel like you are about your business; makes you feel good about yourself.
Find Your Attire
Whether it’s something in your closet that you want to put together or you need to make a store run, make sure you have your outfit(s) planned out in advance. Even try them on to make sure it fits the way you want them to, test out different types of jewelry, hair accessories, etc. Blazer or no blazer? Tennis shoes or high heels? If you look good, you’ll feel good. If you feel good, it’ll come through in your images.
Pack it Up
Whatever outfits you selected, props, shoes and accessories, pack all of these items up the night before (double + triple check) and put them by the door as to be sure not to forget anything. You are probably going to spend the day of the shoot worried about posing so this will be one less thing to think about.
