A picture is worth a thousand words.
It’s no different for a business. Visuals are so important because you can communicate the entire personality of your brand. While brand photography is all about art, you need to do a lot of planning too!
And that’s because your brand needs to stand out. So let me share my brand photoshoot process with you all!
1. Begin with the end in mind
What do you want to get out of your brand photoshoot? While it needs to align with your business’s values, you need to think about whether you want to convey something specific. Here are a couple of ways to visualize the end in mind:
- What will be the style of your brand?
- What type of content do you want to cover in your brand photoshoot? For example, interview snaps, product shots, etc.
- Who is your target audience?
If you’ve just entered the world of branding, you need to be clear about the feelings and personality of your brand. Use adjectives to describe your brand – Is it funny, playful, feminine – and so on.
Whatever adjectives you decide on, stick with them throughout. The way you describe your brand through visuals should always be consistent.
2. Find your photographer
This is a crucial part of the process. For me, my photographer must understand my brand, can work from a brief, directs me on what to do with my hands, and be someone who makes it FUN.
Investing in a photographer will result in high-quality images and an alternative perspective from an expert in the industry that can help bring your vision to life.
3. Create an inspiration board
Mood boards are a powerful, visual way to help you achieve the right look for your brand. This is the key, and Pinterest is an excellent tool for collating all the photo inspo you want to draw on for your photoshoot.
You can share your board with the photographer you hire so that they can get a visual idea of what you are looking for. This will help give your photographer direction so they can better understand what you envision in your head.
4. Plan your outfits, and props
Now that you know exactly what you’ll need for every single shot, now’s the time to gather any props you’ll need for the shoot. Preparation is the key here. You’re paying good money for this photoshoot, so you want to ensure you are prepared.
Go back to the brand research you did, and think about props that would help to tell a story about your brand. Maybe this is your laptop, favorite coffee mug, or a camera. Maybe it’s glassware and dishes for your food or product photos. Once again, make sure these props make sense for your purpose.
5. Review your plans and create a checklist
Nothing clarifies things like writing. I always find myself crowded with thoughts. And while a brand photoshoot is all about visuals, you should always start with brainstorming your ideas in the form of the written word; make sure to review all your plans, shots, outfits, and props.
Whether it’s social media or your website, it must be consistent. This means you must stick to the same photography style. We’ve explored that in the very first phase: begin with the end in mind.
Regardless of your brand style, it would be best if you plan thoroughly before you started your brand photoshoot. I always find the tips below really helpful!
- What’s the purpose of your brand photoshoot? Do you need it to announce a new product or service?
- How many photos would you need to cover one topic?
- Which platform would the photos be going on? Remember that particular image dimensions might not work on some media.
- The location of the photoshoot. Will it need to be booked in advance?
- Would you need any props or set-up equipment for your brand photoshoot?
- Will you be hiring a photographer? If yes, consider your budget and their schedule in advance.
Recap
All in all, don’t shy away from coming on camera and being yourself! Being authentic is more important than being perfect. Don’t let negative self-talk stop you from taking the right action. Allow yourself to shine through your brand photoshoot!
