Some people have a difficult time understanding what branding is.

The short answer – your brand is your reputation. It includes the logos, fonts and color palettes of course. And then it extends to your brick and mortar business, digital marketing, website design, your staff and how they treat people, and of course, the products and services you offer. All of it.

Does my business need a brand photoshoot?

The images you share through marketing are telling your story and forming your reputation. The goal is to connect with your audience and develop a relationship that brings loyalty to your business. Showing faces behind a business brings a sense of trust to your potential customers and a brand photoshoot ensures these photos are high quality and professional.

If you’re thinking of booking a brand photoshoot or some headshots for your team, I got you all covered on the most important things to consider. I am a photographer turned designer business owner so I know these few things will go a long way for you!

Tips for a successful photoshoot:

Hire a photographer you are comfortable with that loves what they do. That’s actually my advice for everything in life – hire someone who loves what they do. It shows in their work.
Split the session with a friend – this is a game changer! It was like a girls night out! So many giggles and working together on each shot. We alternated while changing outfits and poses. It made the best use of our time, financial investment and we both felt the relief of dividing the attention of the camera.
Don’t forget the b-roll. Marketing online means videos are important as well!
Bring a few props but not too many. At the end of the day, YOU are your brand. Bring just enough to complement you but don’t clutter the photos with excess distracting objects.
This is personal preference, but it worked so well for me. I scheduled an afternoon session on a day where I had nothing else planned. I started my day with a 10-round boxing workout and slowly got ready from there. I always feel the most confident when I complete a sweaty workout so it totally worked with getting me to #5.
Be confident and comfortable! The more comfortable you are, the better your photos turn out. If you are anxious in front of a camera, bring music and wine.
What to wear? Keep it simple and flattering. Darker colors work best for slimming and avoid horizontal stripes.
Find the perfect setting! I was looking for a space with lots of white simple backgrounds and natural light. Decor in the background might be cute and trendy, but it also goes out of style and then the photos become dated. This can be true for technology as well. I rented from Brooke Elisabeth Studio in Ramsey, Minnesota. It was comfortable, nice, had beautiful natural light and cool given it was a hot day.