You’ve been listening to me shout about the importance of professional brand photography for a long time & have decided now is the time to invest in your business with a personal branding photoshoot. You know it will make SUCH a difference to have real & authentic photos of yourself that you can use to engage with your clients. But before you enthusiastically jump in front of the camera, here is a guide on how to prepare for your branding photoshoot.
1. How to prepare for a branding photoshoot: Know your brand
It’s important that you know your own brand before you have photographs taken to ensure that the images we create work in perfect unison with it. This involves looking at the visual elements of it as well as your brand personality & values.
Consider who your target client is & how your use of photography may attract them. Because ultimately, we want to create images that appeal to your target client.
I can work through this preparation stage with you during our planning meeting. I go into a little more detail about this in a separate article.
2. Visual inspiration
You have chosen me to take your photos because you like my style of work & my approach to photography. However, I still like to see what images inspire & resonate with you. And those that inspire your clients.
One of the aims of branding photography is to create a portfolio of images that allows you to connect with your clients. For this to be successful we need to know what they like. Ask them. Because we are, in a roundabout way, taking photos for them.
I suggest collating 10-20 photos that inspire you. Whether that be the colour, style, pose, light, emotion or feeling. Bring these samples to the planning meeting. Seeing them helps me to understand the visual ideas that you are looking to achieve.
3. Location
The location for your shoot is key to creating images that fit with your brand. The whole ethos of personal branding photography is to tell the real story of your business.
To capture genuine & authentic images, the best location is the place you work. That may be a shared office, your home office, a gym, a studio, or a retail outlet.
Shooting in your own space at home is easy but it is important to make sure it is clean, tidy & free from clutter & distractions. (And by distractions, I do mean children, pets & ‘helpful’ partners…!)
I get it though, your real-life working space may not be suitable for photos or simply may not be the image you want to project.
Offices in shared spaces can be hired for a few hours, hotel foyers are a great business environment. Cafes give a relaxed vibe & Air BnB has plenty of sleek apartments that can be rented for the day.
If you want to use a public space, you will need to ask permission from the owners. As long as we avoid their busy times, many independent cafes are happy to be used as a shoot location, especially if we buy a coffee or two & give them a shout-out on social media!
It’s good to include two or three different locations with one location being outdoors. This may be as simple as the street in front of your house or the park where you walk with your morning coffee.
Where is your shoot going to take place?
If you are stuck for location ideas, I am based in Croydon, South London & know the surrounding areas well. I can happily suggest some of my favourite places for branding photography shoots in London, Surrey, Kent & the South East.
4. What to wear
Perhaps the most asked question by clients preparing for a personal branding photoshoot!
We all have a favourite outfit that makes us feel invincible. When you are being photographed, wear clothes that look good & that you feel comfortable & confident in.
It’s important to wear colours that work well with your complexion, skin tone & hair colour. Wearing clothes that are the wrong colour can age & drain you. Choose solid, mid-tone colours – think blues, greens, & purples – as they flatter most complexions. Select colours that won’t dominate the image.
If you want to bring a splash of vibrancy into your photo consider your accessories; wear a tie, a scarf, or a piece of statement jewellery.
When choosing colours, consider your brand colour & select outfits that complement it.
Darker shades are more slimming but black isn’t always the most flattering colour. Solid black can photograph flat & may lack detail & definition making you appear larger. Exchange black for rich neutral colours like navy blue, dark brown, deep purple, or forest green. Solid colours look better than distracting patterns, these can often overpower a photo.
Style
As important as the right colour, is the right style of clothing. Choose shapes & cuts that flatter your body type & ensure that your clothing fits you well. Poorly fitting clothes can spoil an otherwise good photo.
Fitted clothing that enhances your figure looks better in a photograph than shapeless clothing. Tailored & structured items create a well-defined shape. If you are self-conscious about your arms avoid short sleeves & bare arms. Long sleeves will keep the focus on your face, not your arms.
A modest v-neck or simple crew-neck are generally flattering necklines. I would advise against low-cut tops as this will draw the eyes away from your face.
And don’t forget your shoes!
As well as considering the style, wear clothing that you are comfortable in. If you don’t usually wear a jacket, don’t feel as if you have to for your photoshoot. It’s important that you look like YOU! If you feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar clothing this will show in your posture & expression.
Bring three or four different outfits with you to your shoot. I usually suggest including one smart & one casual within that selection.
Top tip: make sure you wash & iron all your clothes prior to shoot day – you don’t want a creased dress to spoil an otherwise fabulous photo.
5. Hair & Make-up
Your makeup & hairstyle can directly impact how well your photographs turn out. Like with your clothing, you want your styling to work with your skin tones & body shape. For women, well-applied makeup can give a massive confidence boost.
A makeup artist & hairstylist will help you bring all these elements together so that your photos portray you in the best possible light.
Wearing the right makeup & applying it well will go a long way to achieving great photographs.
If you choose not to have your hair & makeup done professionally ahead of your photoshoot, here are a few tips for doing your own styling;
- Avoid make-up with a gloss or shimmer to it, especially foundation. Use a matt base to keep your skin looking smooth, even & shine-free & finish with a translucent powder to remove the shine on your forehead, nose & chin. Makeup doesn’t just apply to women. Men can often have very shiny faces & foreheads, a little makeup or powder on the face can eliminate this problem.
- Using makeup is a great way to emphasise your features. Define your bone structure by contouring with blush or bronzer to make your cheeks look less flat.
- Make eyes appear larger & brighter with eyeliner. Add a little mascara & they will pop!
- Choose bright colours for gorgeous luscious lips as darker shades can make lips look smaller than they are whilst nudes can make your lips disappear.
- If your hands are likely to be in the shot, don’t forget to trim & paint your nails.
- Remember to bring your hairbrush & makeup to your shoot in case you need to retouch during the session.
I partner with Victoria Chainey a makeup artist & hairstylist who will help you look & feel at your very best in front of my camera.
4. Models, aka ‘Clients’
Do you require any additional people in your photos?
For example, do you need clients in any images? These could be real-life clients or you may ask friends or colleagues to step in & model for you. Ensure that anyone you ask to model for you fits your target client profile & demographic.
Who are you going to ask to model for you?
Top Tip: Remember to ask anyone who models for you to sign a release giving you permission to use the photos on your website & social media.
6. How to prepare for your personal branding photoshoot: The Shot List
I LOVE lists. I have lists for many things; to-do lists, books-to-read lists, shopping lists, the list goes on…
The shot list is a key part of preparing for a photoshoot & means we go into the session fully prepared, knowing exactly what photos we are taking & for what purpose. It stops us from wasting valuable shooting time.
As you’re creating your list, consider where the photos will be used. This will help you determine what images you need & also guides how I take them.
- Are they for your website? Which page?
- Are they for Instagram? The grid or stories?
- Do you need a Facebook banner image?
Think about what your business ‘does’. Brainstorm activities, daily tasks & things that are important to your brand. Which of these do want photos of? Where will these images be used?
Here’s an example of a shot list from a recent shoot with a Hypnotherapist:
Location: Treatment room at hypnotherapist’s home
- Shot 1: Working with a client from the therapist’s POV, a model needed to be the client.
- Shot 2: Working with the client from the client’s POV, a model needed to be the client.
- Shot 3: Detail shot.
- Shot 4: Photo illustrating virtual consultations, a model needed to be the client.
- Shot 5: A headshot for the About Me page on the website, which can also be used as a banner image on the homepage, must include white space to the side.
8. What do you need to bring with you to your personal branding shoot?
Remember to bring any props you may need for the photos on your shot list. For example a laptop, notebook & pen, coffee mug & water bottle.
Here is a list of other items you may find useful to bring with you;
- Hairbrush or comb, a selection of hairbands & grips & some hairspray.
- Make-up kit including a translucent or matt powder to touch up your make-up if needed.
- Vaseline or lip gloss – dry lips in photos are not a good look!
- Toothbrush – especially if your shoot is after lunch!
- Tissues & anti-bacterial hand gel.
- Your pre-selected outfits, not forgetting the shoes!
- Accessories; hats, scarves, sunglasses, jewellery, etc.
- Water & snacks!
Countdown to your personal branding photoshoot!
Pick & choose some of the key preparations that resonate with you & will help you in the lead-up to your shoot.
3-4 weeks before your shoot
- We meet for our pre-shoot consultation during which we brainstorm & create a storyboard for your shoot.
- Start creating your shot list.
- Book hair & makeup stylist if using.
1-2 weeks before your shoot
- Arrange model clients for your shoot making sure you brief them on what they wear & how to prepare themselves to be photographed.
- Choose your outfits so that you have time to wash them as necessary.
- Get your haircut if needed.
The week of your shoot
- A check-in phone call to confirm the final brief.
- Send me your final shot list.
- Have a manicure or tidy your nails if your hands are likely to be in shot.
- Drink lots of water & get plenty of sleep so that your skin is glowing for the shoot!
The day before your shoot
- Gather together any props you need for your shoot.
- Prepare your outfits; wash & iron clothes as necessary.
- Pack your bag with everything you will need.
The day of the shoot!
- Allow plenty of time to get yourself ready so that you arrive at the shoot calm & relaxed.
- Avoid booking anything immediately after your shoot in case we slightly overrun on time.
- Relax, enjoy yourself & trust me to make you look fabulous!
I hope this short guide on how to prepare for your personal branding photoshoot has been helpful. Taking the time to fully prepare for your shoot will ensure you get the photos that you need to elevate your brand & attract your ideal client.
