How to Prepare for a Branded Photoshoot
Branded photoshoots can help you get high quality, consistent, and professional photos that you can use on your website and on social media. We always recommend branded photoshoots because showing your face and your team’s faces can help to humanize your brand.
Think of it this way, your audience might find it hard to connect personally with a logo. However, a familiar face behind your brand helps to build trust with your audience. And if that isn’t reason enough, it also often increases engagement on your social content!
So here are 5 tips to ensure a successful branded photoshoot:
1. Create a Moodboard
Collaborate with your photographer to prepare a moodboard with the style you are hoping to achieve in your photos. Moodboards can be easily created on Pinterest, Instagram, or Canva. Simply find photos that demonstrate the look and feel that you are hoping to achieve and put these together in a document for your photographer. Your moodboard can also include your brand colours.
It’s generally a good idea to have your website wireframe completed prior to your brand photoshoot so that you know what photos you will need and where they will live on your site. The same goes for social media content. Decide what type of content you will be sharing on social media and what images you will need to go with this.
The more you can plan in advance, the better your shoot will go.
2. Determine the Location
When determining what location to use for your brand photoshoot, there a few main things to consider:
Choose a location that makes sense for your brand. If you work in an office, it might not make sense to take your branded photos in a home. If you own a construction company, taking branded photos in a studio likely won’t work.
Factor in availability and cost. If you are using a studio or other space that needs to be booked or rented, make sure you are booking in advance and adding the cost of the space into your budget.
Take suggestions from your photographer. Once you have connected with your photographer on your moodboard, they should have a good understanding of both your brand and the look and feel for the photoshoot. This could lead to them having some great suggestions for locations that you might not have thought of.
3. Select your Clothing
Rather than deciding what to wear on the day of the shoot, we recommend selecting your clothing in advance. We also recommend bringing multiple clothing options for the shoot so that you aren’t wearing the exact same thing in all the photos. This way you can use the photos more frequently and for longer periods of time without overwhelming your audience with too much of the same content.
Ensure that your clothing matches with your brand colours. Remember that these photos will live on your website and will need to accurately represent your brand.
4. Bring Props
It is always a good idea to bring some props with you. Having props can add variety and interest to your photos.
Consider what props make sense for your brand, for the look and feel of the shoot, and for the location you have chosen. Maybe it’s a laptop and notebook or maybe it’s a tool belt.
The best props for you will be different than the best props for the next business owner. It all comes down to what message you are trying to get across in the shoot.
5. Look like yourself
While it can be fun to get all glammed up for these shoots, it is important to ensure that you still look like yourself. This should be an authentic representation of you, so that your audience can recognize and connect with you.
There is a lot of planning that goes into a successful brand photoshoot, ensure you aren’t forgetting anything by using our brand photoshoot checklist.
Need help with your branding photography? We have an amazing in house photographer who would love to help! Message us to learn more.