How to prepare for a brand shoot
I believe most magic happens spontaneously during a shoot. However, to get most out of your brand shoot is when it is planned with intention, purpose and attention to detail. It so helpful to take into consideration various elements, of which I have made some suggestions in this blog post for you to consider. It will help towards you coming away with authentic images that are aligned with your brand’s identity and your marketing needs. I hope you find it useful.
Set an intention, what are your goals for the photoshoot?
A personal brand shoot conveys the story of your brand, it links into the essence and the personality of your brand. Brand photos will shape how your business looks, feels and speaks to people, ultimately helping you to connect with your customers. So it is so important that you have a clear idea of what your brand stands for and how you would like it to be perceived. Think about questions beforehand such as;
Who is your audience? What makes your brand unique? How would you like to be perceived? What aspects of your brand are important to show? What other brand inspire you?
Where will the photos be used?
In order to have a range of content that will suit your marketing needs, create a shot list of the type of images you need and where you will be intending on using them i.e on blog posts, social media, website banners, flyers, Facebook ads etc. This way you will be sure to have a variety of photographs that are in the right format for what you would like to use them for.
Create a vision board
It is really helpful to create a mood board/ vision board with imagery you like the vibe off in order to form idea’s and it helps to have a visual reference point for yourself and your photographer, to make sure you are on the same page. Find images that you connect with, this could be because of a certain pose, an overall feeling the image gives you, the setting, the light etc.
As your photographer, I will be able to suggest locations (outdoor and indoor, studio or location) and will give you advice on timings to make sure we have the type of light we need.
Styling and props
Consider the overall look and feel of your brand image with prepping your shoot, i.e Is the overall feel bright and colourful, more earthy, muted etc etc? This will influence the choice of location, type of lighting, use of props etc. Your brand identity might be more aligned with working in nature using the elements or it could be more in line with a colourful backdrop or a studio. I always suggest to bring a few different outfits, so we can decide during the shoot what works best, or play around with various, depending on the type of shoot you book.
During the shoot; how to pose and what to expect
It is totally understandable you might feel slightly nervous in front of the lens, many people do. Rest assured, I have a very relaxed approach and allow time for you to feel comfortable during the shoot and will give you gentle direction, prompts and idea’s to help you with the most flattering poses. My aim is for you to have a enjoyable experience, as it ultimately is a celebration of you and your business. I love working and connect with individuals from all walks of life, it is one of the main reasons I love this job!
I hope you found this article useful, if you have any further doubts of questions, please feel free to drop me a DM.