How to Plan a Brand Photoshoot You'll Love
Tips and tricks for getting the most out of your brand shoot
You probably already know you need brand photos. Maybe you're excited to get cute and step in front of the camera, or maybe you're absolutely dreading it. Either way, you know it needs to happen!
Photos are everything in our visual world. You need them for your website, your social media, your marketing materials, and they can't just be a mish-mash of random iPhone images. Ideally, they’re on-brand, cohesive, professional photos that reflect you and your brand.
So if a brand photoshoot is on your goal list, here's everything you need to know to plan one you'll walk away feeling great about.
Why a Custom Photoshoot Matters
Whether you're a product or service-based business, we highly recommend investing in a custom photoshoot so you can use the images across your website and social media. A professional photographer can help you translate your brand elements into a visual story, one that adds trust and credibility the second someone lands on your page.
Finding the Right Photographer
When it comes to finding a photographer, we highly recommend working with someone who specializes in brand photography specifically.
Brand photographers already understand the branding process and speak the language of branding. They know exactly what kinds of images you'll need for your business, and they know how to format and frame those shots so they actually work well on your website and social platforms.
To find one, search "brand photographers" on Instagram and Google. We love Instagram for this because it's such an easy way to get a feel for someone's style and see their recent work in action. Reach out to 2–4 photographers so you can find the one you resonate with most, who has availability, and who fits your budget.
Preparing for Your Shoot
Choose a Location + Props
Atmosphere plays a huge role in how your photos turn out, so pick a location that reflects the aesthetic you're going for. Don't forget props!
Plan Your Outfits
Clothing, facial expressions, and body language all work together to set the tone of your photos. To keep everything aligned with your branding, stick to outfits in the same color family as your brand palette. They don't need to match perfectly; just make sure they don’t clash. You can round out your options with neutrals like grays, whites, creams, and denim.
Find Inspo Images
Your photographer needs to know the end goal and end use of your photos. Before the shoot, put together a shot list and a handful of inspiration images to share with them. This makes the best use of everyone's time and helps ensure you leave with every image you actually need.
Get a Variety of Images
This one's a gift to your future self (and your website designer): ask for a mix of horizontal and vertical images. You'll likely need both depending on where the photo ends up (website banners, Instagram posts, print materials). Variety now saves you from having to do a second shoot later.
Have Fun With It!
Pop some bubbly, loosen up, and maybe even get your makeup done professionally. This is your chance to indulge in a little self-care! Go ahead and finally book that eyebrow wax you've been putting off. The more relaxed and like yourself you feel, the more that will come through in your photos.
Ready for Brand Photos That You’re Obsessed With?
Great photos are only part of the equation. Before you invest in a professional shoot, it's important to have a clear brand strategy in place (i.e., your colors, your vibe, a real understanding of your ideal customer, etc.) Without that foundation, even beautiful photos can end up feeling disconnected from the rest of your brand.
That's exactly what we do. If you want a strategic brand and website vision to hand your photographer before your next shoot, let's chat. Book a free consultation call today!
AMARI CREATIVE
We are a brand and website design studio for small business owners.
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Since starting of Amari in 2016, we’ve helped hundreds of small businesses go from a mere idea to a full-blown brand. From logo, to messaging, to websites, we’re here to help you launch your dream brand and website.
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