How to Prepare for Your Branding Photography Session
These days, between social media and the internet, we live in an incredibly visual world. It’s not enough to snap a few photos yourself of your products and post them on your website. Your images have to be high-quality and eye-catching. They have to capture not only what your company does, but how you do it.
Professional branding images can be incredibly helpful in promoting and growing your business. While there are stock photos for just about everything, quality images of your brand that incorporate your style and color palette are ideal because they allow you to speak directly to your ideal clients without saying a word.
Brand photography is uniquely different from almost any other type of photography. While you may have worked with photographers before for family photos or even headshots, a branding photo requires a different type of planning.
That’s why we put together this guide: to help you feel completely prepared for your branding photo session and ready to get the images you need to make your company stand out.
Know your identity and ideal client
Before you even think about props or outfits, you should have a clear idea of your brand identity and how you want to express it. Think about your goals for your business, your vision and mission, and your color palette. Know what values your company stands for and what you want to offer or provide for your clients.
Not sure where to start? Try this exercise:
List five adjectives that describe your brand and how you want potential clients to feel when they visit your website or see your images. Or create a Pinterest mood board for your company. Think about colors, textures, and brand imagery, even the general vibe and atmosphere you want to create. Remember, you’re not looking for poses or images to copy. You’re trying to capture the unique feeling of your brand.
Plan out your outfit
What you wear for your brand photography session is incredibly important. You want to look professional as well as approachable, and you want to represent your brand. Overwhelmed yet.
Representing your brand can be as simple as adding an accessory in one of your company colors or choosing a blazer or cardigan with a pop of color that matches your logo. Dress how you normally would if you were meeting with a client or attending a business meeting. Stay true to your own personal style while also keeping your brand aesthetic in mind.
Choose your props
When it comes to brand photography, props are everything. After all, this is how you show people exactly what you do. It’s a chance to show off and look good doing it.
For companies with a product line, props are easy. Gather your products, as well as any tools you use to create them. If you offer a service, think about what you use on any given day, like a computer, notebooks, or a whiteboard. How can you represent your unseen work in a visual way?
It’s also a great idea to use props that include your branding or logo whenever possible and choose items that incorporate your color palette. This can be as simple as adding some flowers or books to your setting in the colors of your logo.
Consider your location
Work with your photographer to choose the right location for your session. Ideally, your branding photoshoot should take place in your workspace, but if your office or shop has no natural light, that may not be the best choice.
Prior to your session, ask your photographer to visit your workspace and determine if there is a way to get the right light, or if you will need to go elsewhere to get the photos you want. You may want to move your session to a studio or even a different building. An Airbnb or other rental space can be the perfect option to help you get the right photos for your brand.
Know what you want
Do you want a flat-lay image with your products? Are you looking for a new cover photo for your Facebook page? Maybe you need a variety of images to post to your Instagram business profile.
Whatever you need, tell your photographer what kind of images you’re looking for and how you intend to use them. This will allow your photographer to prepare a shot list that meets all your needs and ensures you get the right images to promote your business.
Stay in conversation with your photographer
Your branding photos should be more than a session for a few hours. You should talk to your photographer from the day you book right up until the session itself. The better they understand your images and what you require, the more likely you are to get the photos you want.
Final Thoughts
We’re here to answer all your questions about branding photography, from wardrobe advice to which props to choose. We’ll even help you set the scene for your images. Whatever you need, don’t be afraid to ask!
About Me
Hello, I'm Nathalie - owner and photographer of Pictonat Photography located in the heart of Toronto. I help entrepreneurs and professionals create a strong personal brand online with authentic images that builds connection and trust with their audience.
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Want to learn more about a professional headshots or personal branding session? Get in touch and I'd love to chat!