If you’re like us, you love to feel prepared, and brand photoshoots are no exception. 

As branding photographers we have a few tips up our sleeve & in this blog post we’re leaving nothing off the table! Outfits, locations, props, you name it. We’ve got you covered.

First things first: What’s the end-game here?

Before we can talk about anything else, ask yourself:

“WHY am I getting brand photos done right now?” Is it for an upcoming launch? A brand refresh? To promote a new product? 

Knowing the overall purpose of your content sets the tone for the rest of the planning process.

For example, lets say that you need photos for an upcoming launch. You have a new course coming out that’s all about sales. You’ll be marketing this transformational course to women who are in their late 20’s who struggle with money mindset and who crave a lifestyle that allows them to travel and treat themselves to Starbucks (or better yet, treating their friends to brunch and weekend getaways).

Knowing this, you’ll want props like a money gun or travel essentials (luggage, airplane tickets, etc.); an ideal location would be a cute brunch spot with a couple of girlfriends, and you’ll DEFINITELY want to include a Starbucks drink in a shot or two. 

See how it sets the entire tone? Knowing why you’re creating content in the first place opens the door for your creativity to soar.

Location, Location, Location:

Depending on how much time you have set aside will depend on how many locations you can include. For our clients’ brand photoshoots, we do a full-day experience (starting with hair & makeup always), and then we hit up 3-5 locations that allow us to get a solid variety of content.

We always suggest having at least one indoor location if at all possible to avoid any weather curveballs! This could be a cute studio, a friends’ apartment, a coffee shop, or a selfie-studio.

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Other location ideas include: 

• Outdoor walls/murals that fit your brand colors
• Downtown city vibes
• Rooftops or parking garages
• Ice cream shop
• Beach or lake

PS, Your photographer may have location suggestions for you, so don’t be afraid to ask!

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What do I wear?!?

The million dollar question - what do you wear?!

And our million dollar tip…whatever feels most like YOU.

The last thing you want to do is show up in outfits that feel super uncomfortable or that feel nothing like you. We love feeling in full alignment over here and that includes our outfits! For example, if you live in jeans and baseball caps, don’t be showing up to your branding session in a fancy two-piece suit. Wear what makes you feel good! You will feel more comfortable and confident & that will 100% show in your final images.

Choosing a variety of outfits will add to your photoshoot as well. We love playing around with layers & accessories to easily switch it up. 

Accessories & layers could look like:

• Hats
• Jewelry
• Shoes (heels, booties, tennis shoes, sandals, etc.)
• Jean/Leather jacket
• Sunglasses
• Purses/Backpack

If you want a little help with putting together outfits, clothing subscriptions like Nuuly or Rent the Runway can be super helpful! We’ve used both and love the pieces they offer!

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Don’t forget about props!

Props are a branding photoshoots’ secret weapon. They add so much to the variety of your content! There will be certain props that speak to your photoshoot's purpose - for example, in our sales course example that could look like: a money gun, cash, credit cards, calculator, or anything that pertains to your dream clients’ goals & lifestyle (ie: travel props, Starbucks with friends, etc.)

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For more general props, we love:

• Books
• Laptop & phone
• Notebook
• Post-it notes
• Coffee mugs/Water bottle
• Flowers
• Champagne
• Balloons
• Confetti
• Mirror
• Podcast mic
• Camera (film, polaroid, camcorder, etc.)

Here’s an example of one of our client galleries to give you some inspo!

Do You Want Reels Content?

Your branding photoshoot is the perfect opportunity to batch some Reels/Video content at the same time! If this is something that matters to you, we highly recommend creating a shot list ahead of time. Compile a list of Reels you want to record (bonus points if they’re going to point back to an upcoming launch) & specify which outfits you’ll be recording in.

Communicate this with your photographer ahead of time so that you’re both on the same page and the day can run smoothly & efficiently!

Create a Mood Board:

Now that you have a clear idea of why you’re creating content, locations that fit your vision, and outfits you want to wear, it's time to create a mood board! This is completely optional, however it can be super helpful if you’re a visual person or need a little extra inspiration.

We create mood boards via Pinterest for our branding clients, often pinning images we’ve saved from Instagram as well. This can also help with remembering certain poses or image ideas you want to recreate in your photoshoot!

A Few Last Tips:

• Consider getting your hair & makeup done! This boosts confidence levels ten-fold.

• If you’re going to get a spray tan, 24 hours before is a good sweet spot.

• See if your photographer would be open to hopping on a call with you beforehand so that you’re both on the same page! This helps to plan things out and they may have ideas or advice to enhance your experience even more.

• Speaking of photographers - choose a photographer who aligns with your style & vibe! You’ll be working with them closely and that’s a big deal. You want someone you vibe with & whose editing style you absolutely love!

If you want even more tips on planning your branding photoshoot, come hang out with us on our website and Instagram @joelleelizabethandco! We’d love to connect with you & cheer you on!!