LET’S PREP

A: Brand in Mind

First - take time to review your branding again: your message, your voice, your mission statement, your tone, who your target audience is and color palette. Make sure you are clear on your brand’s personality and who you’re speaking to.

B. Image Usage

Second – remember what the images you’re trying to capture will be used for. What types of shots will you need for the campaigns and/or advertising & marketing you’ll be doing throughout the next year?

If you’re working with a web designer (like me), get them involved as well! Whether your web designer is in the wireframing process or laying out the structure of your site, collaborating to determine where images will be needed is a big advantage. For example, maybe the layout of your “About” page of your website calls for an image on the right-hand side – it would be best to have an image of you NOT looking to the left, away from the text on the page or the Call to Action.

NOW PLANNING

Step 1 – Choosing the right photographer

Important first step! Make sure if you don’t already have a photographer that you trust that you properly research and vet some photographers before making your selection. Make sure they are willing to work in your area and are within your budget. Then, check their reviews from previous clients. Lastly, check out their portfolio. Do you like their style of shooting and editing? Does their aesthetic align with what you hope to get out of your photos?

Step 2 – Determine location, or perhaps, multiple locations

Where you take your photos sets the whole vibe for your photo shoot. Most efficient is finding one location that offers multiple rooms, areas or spaces to capture different facets of your branding or style. If you’re working in multiple locations, make sure they are near one another, that your photographer is on-board with going to several different sites and that any travel time is factored into your shoot time. Stay away from buildings, structures and signage that would clash with your branding. Also steer clear of locking yourself into a particular season. For instance, these photos will be used all year round, so try to avoid autumn leaves or snow during an outdoor photo, that set the time of the year.

Step 3 – Shot List Preparation

You may have a photographer and a location – but what kind of photos are you aiming to achieve? Consider how you plan to use these images as well: website, social media posts and stories, catalogs or advertisements, billboards or signs?

Creating a shot list looks different for each person…

·   Maybe you have specific images in mind, so you write a list with descriptions?

·   Maybe you have magazines and screenshots from the web of cool photos and ideas that you’ll print and bring along?

·   Another great resource is Pinterest! Create a Shot List Board and start searching “brand photo shoot,” “professional business photos,” “brand photos for content,” etc. Pin the ones that inspire you or have a similar vibe to your branding. If your photographer uses Pinterest, you can add them as a viewer or collaborator, so they have an idea of what you like before arriving on location.

Step 4 – Outfit Selection

When choosing the pieces of clothing you want to wear in your brand photo shoot, the most important things to remember are staying ON BRAND and thinking about your location.

·   Which colors in your branding palette look best on you and also have the same aesthetic as your location?

·   If the background is very neutral, you may want the fabrics and textures you wear to bring the color!

·   If the space you’re shooting in is already full of colors from your brand palette, perhaps this is the time for you to dress in the more neutral tones of your branding?

·   TIP: Keep your outfit selections to ones that are easy to get in and out of so that your outfit changes don’t cut into your photographer’s shooting time too much.

Staying on brand isn’t just about your color palette though – it’s also remembering the type of clients you are trying to target. Dress for them.

·   What style speaks to your audience?

·   What vibe are you trying to portray in the types of styles you’re wearing?

Make sure all your selections are tried on, cleaned, and altered, if necessary, prior to the photoshoot.

Step 5 – Hair, Make-up & Props

Having a hair stylist and make-up artist the morning of your photoshoot or on location is not really a necessity. If it’s within your budget and makes you feel your best, then by all means! If you are most comfortable applying your own make-up and styling your own hair, that is also a great choice!

Props, however, should be thought out and brought along with you to location. Regardless of industry or profession, there are always usually at least one or two props that would be very useful during a brand photoshoot. Examples could be pens, tablets, spreadsheets or calculators – if you work with these things on a daily basis. As a web designer, I would definitely have my laptop with me and perhaps some wireframe drawings. Remember, you’ll also be getting shots that won’t have your face in them – maybe your hands using the tools of your trade or an image of your desk and what’s on it, in your office. This is where a brand photoshoot can be a little different than a family portrait session.

Step 6 – Optional Videographer

Worth mentioning! Depending on your industry and goals for the shoot, it may or may not benefit you to also have a videographer. Ask yourself what platforms and types of content you utilize the most. If it’s making reels or maybe an intro for your YouTube channel…it could be worth creating a few videos during your brand shoot as well.

Step 7 – Brand Photoshoot Checklist

Have a checklist so you can go back and make sure each one of the steps we discussed has been ticked! It’ll help keep you organized during the preparation and planning process but also keep you on track the day of your shoot. We all get excited sometimes – our brains start racing or we get distracted. Having your checklist will help to ensure you achieve all of the items on your Shot List.

BONUS: NIGHT BEFORE & DAY OF TIPS

I did some content creation for a client who is a photographer this summer and some research I did for one of her posts would be very applicable here!

·   The night before your photo shoot, make sure you hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

·   Also, man or woman - exfoliating that skin and using a moisturizer before bed so your face looks it’s best the next morning is a wonderful tip!

·   It goes without saying that getting to sleep at a decent time so you’re well rested is most beneficial.

·   On the day of, try to bring healthy, light snacks to nibble on when you have a minute. It’s easy to forget to eat in all the craziness…and with all the boxes on your checklist you want to cover, but it’ll keep you energized and not hangry (which your photographer will appreciate). Stick to foods or liquids that won’t make you bloat or feel sluggish.

I hope these helpful steps and bonus tips have made you feel more prepared for your brand photoshoot!