Planning Your Brand Photoshoot: A Complete Guide to Authentic Visual Storytelling

In today's visual-first world, your brand photography is often the first impression potential clients get of you and your small business, so let's make it count!

Which is why it’s important to go beyond the logo when you’re creating your brand as a whole. A cohesive visual presence builds the trust that turns browsers into buyers. But how do you create photos that not only look professional but authentically represent your brand?

Let’s to jump in.

Why Professional Brand Photos Are Your Secret Weapon

I’m gonna say it… your iPhone can work magic for social media, but professional brand photos? They're the difference between "oh, that's nice" and "wait, I need to work with them!"

For service-based businesses like yours, strategic brand photos:

• Show the real human behind the business [because people hire people, not logos]

• Create that "they get me" connection with ideal clients

• Give you a library of scroll-stopping content

• Help you look as professional as you actually are

Creating Your Shot List [Because Winging It Is Not a Strategy]

Before you book that photographer, let's get strategic about what shots you actually need. Here's your essential shot list to make every minute of your session count:

The Money Shots [AKA Your New Profile Pics]

• That perfect headshot [both "I'm a professional" and "I'm approachable"]

• Action shots of you in your element doing your thing

• A variety of expressions [because you're not just one-note]

• Multiple outfits that feel like you while vibing with your brand. This is also a great place to add in your brand color with accessories or your clothes.

The Behind-the-Scenes Magic

• Your workspace [even if it's your kitchen table – authenticity wins!]

• Your process in action

• Tools of your trade

• Those little details that make your service special

Working With Your Photographer

Finding the right photographer is like dating – you need someone who gets your vibe.

Here's how to make the most of your session:

Before the Big Day

• Share your brand vision, confusion is the enemy of great photos

• Create a mood board

• Scout locations that feel like you and make sense to your business

• Plan outfits that make you feel like a million bucks

  • PRO TIP : take photos of each outfit so you don’t have to remember what belt you’re putting on what pants!

• Review that shot list you just created

During Your Session

• Start simple to warm up [trust me, everyone feels awkward at first]

• Take breaks to check images

• Mix posed and candid shots, looking at the camera and away from it

• Grab both horizontal and vertical options [your future self will thank you]

• Make sure to have photos with space around them that you can add text to without covering yourself

Ready to take your brand to the next level?

Now that you've got the scoop on creating scroll-stopping brand photos, let's talk about weaving them into an unforgettable brand experience. Wander over to my post on Beyond the Logo: Creating a Brand Experience That Takes Your Business Places to discover how to craft a brand journey that captivates your audience from that first Instagram scroll to the moment they hit "book now" on your site.

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