How to plan for a brand photoshoot

You’ve hired a brand photographer. Now what?

To get the most out of your investment it’s important to plan ahead. Here are some of our top tips and recommendations to help you make the most of your professional photoshoot.

1. Make a shot-list 

Great photographers can be expensive. Maximize your investment by strategizing ahead of time and creating a list of which specific shots you’ll need, i.e. headshots, website banners, marketing images, product shots, etc.

It’s also helpful to prep your photographer in advance with any sizing info, such as which images will be cropped for social media, ads, website banners, and any other potential format. 

Even better?! If you have time, making a Pinterest board with various shot ideas and inspiration can be extremely helpful — for both you and the photographer.

2. Choose the right clothing 

Just as important as getting the right shot is capturing the right look for your brand. 

artinthefind.com

Ask yourself: What vibe am I trying to give off?

Whether it’s laid-back, professional, fun, modern, or something entirely different, your chosen wardrobe can help or hinder the message and vibe that you want to put out into the world.

Colors and wardrobe can really differ depending on your brand, and what image you are trying to create (or what story you are trying to tell visually), but a great go-to is to stick to a more muted and solid color scheme — it’s okay to have a pop of color, but using too many different bright colors or patterns can end up feeling a bit distracting. 

If you’re feeling a little lost, chat about it with your designer! Ask for their recommendation on a color scheme that will fit your brand well. Then keep their suggestions in mind when choosing other aspects of the shoot so that it all plays into a unified theme.

Don’t forget accessories! Sunglasses, necklaces, hats, etc.

3. Scout locations 

Location is yet another element that should be considered closely in advance, particularly since this, too, can either highlight or detract from consistency in your overall branding. Just because a location is super photogenic, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the best choice for your brand. 

I find that it’s helpful to think of a few key words that best describe your brand’s vibe, then head back to that pinterest board and research backgrounds that immediately call those words to mind (i.e., if you want your brand to feel relaxing and calm, the best location could be outdoors or in a comfortable indoor environment versus a corporate office space).

If you need more ideas, your photographer should have some location recommendations (often they’ll even scout for you!). 

4. Get multiple angles and perspectives 

During the shoot, ask your photographer for various shots of the same pose and location so you’ll have lots of options to spread throughout your website, social media, marketing, etc.

I recommend getting several images of the same shot — horizontal and vertical, zoomed in, and even panned out shots that can be cropped for website banner images, etc.

Another great tip, if you plan on taking images for your website banners specifically, is to ask your photographer to take the same photo with you on different sides of the frame (not just front and center). This way, if you decide, you’ll be able to have text over either side of the image, depending on what you and your designer decide works best.

Don’t forget other great shots, like close-ups, and flat-lays (think holding a cup of coffee, typing, etc). Shots like these are awesome fillers and are great for social media and blog posts as well!

Remember, this is your time and money - don’t feel bad or guilty about overshooting a certain element or location. It’s better to leave your photo shoot with the moneyshot, than to regret not getting more pictures or angles.

5. Take headshots that showcase your personality

Ah yes, the true face of your biz — yours!

constancedionne.com

Again, now is the time to get more types of photos than you think you’ll need, particularly when it comes to headshots. Regardless of your specific brand style, try to get shots from both sides: the professional AND the casual. (Always good to have both on-hand!) 

For some brands, serious headshots can feel too corporate, but they can come in extremely handy to use for featured articles, speaking bios, and so on. And playful headshots show a more human aspect of your brand. It’s the day-to-day face behind your work and the “you” that clients will actually be interacting with should they choose to hire you. 

Technical note: for headshots, it’s particularly important to get those varied shots - zoomed in, zoomed out, multiple angles, etc. Don’t assume you can crop a panned out photo and that it’ll still function well or size correctly as a headshot because that’s not always the case. 

Don’t forget about your gang! if you work with an in-house team, take the time to gather the group and get some fun shots of everyone.

6. Gather props and other items

Last but not least, think about what kind of props or items that you might want to gather for your shoot. Beyond any physical products that you may want to feature, think about any other special items that might help you tell your brand story visually.

Do you have a special coffee mug? A certain book, journal, or planner that you always talk about? Do you want your office assistant aka your pup in the pictures, etc.? Do you want to have a couple of images taken with you working on your computer, phone, or tablet?

Take some time to make a list and gather any items that can help tell your story. It’s also helpful to think through what items you use on a daily basis and what might add character and uniqueness to your images.

You may not use all of your props, but it’s always better to have them on hand!

At the end of the day, it’s important to trust your photographer, but no one knows your brand better than you! Help your photographer by going into the session with a very clear plan. Then when the day finally comes, you’ll be able to jump in and enjoy the process, knowing that rockstar photos are waiting on the other side.

I hope these tips help you in your next photoshoot!