How to Choose the Perfect Location for your Brand Shoot
Choosing the right location for your brand shoot is incredibly important when it comes to telling your brand story. If you’re not sure where to start location scouting for your brand shoot, here are a few questions to ask yourself to help get you on the right track.
Do you have a workplace where you do business?
Let’s start with what you already have access to. Whether you have a home or commercial office, storefront, clinic, studio, or co-working space, if it’s a place you frequently do business at (especially with clients) you might want to consider doing your shoot there. Taking photos at your workplace is not only authentic, it also gives your clients an idea of what to expect when doing business with you!
Is it on brand?
Everything ties back to your brand identity, and choosing a location is no different! Ask yourself whether your chosen location matches the tone of your brand, complements your brand values, can help illustrate what you do, and reflects your personality. Your location is the setting for telling your brand story, so choose wisely.
Is it versatile?
Make sure your location has a few different areas for you to showcase various aspects of your business, brand, and personality. Trust me, you do not want to have 100 different photos with the same background – it's boring and limiting! Renting a home on Airbnb or a studio with different feature walls or styled corners can get you so much mileage and versatility out of your brand shoot!
How is the quality of the lighting?
Good lighting is the key to high-quality photos. Make sure your location or space provides enough natural light, and take note of the direction and quality of light during the time of day your shoot will take place. Always consult with your photographer if you’re unsure about the quality of lighting at an indoor location or the time of day for an outdoor shoot.
What logistics need to be considered?
Public locations like cafés, parks, and beaches are fun, but you need to consider things like the least busy hours, obtaining permits, accessibility, public washrooms nearby to change into different outfits, and the weather.
Keep in mind time your timeline when shooting at more than one location. Make sure your locations are within a reasonable distance (within 15 minutes of each other) so you don’t waste precious shooting time!
Do you feel comfortable?
Lastly, there’s no point in choosing an amazing location, only for you to feel unsafe or uncomfortable the entire time. Maybe reconsider that downtown alleyway, sketchy neighbourhood, or cliff edge if it gives you the wrong kind of butterflies. Perhaps the idea of shooting at a busy public place makes you nervous, and you’d rather shoot somewhere secluded or private.
Always choose a location you feel safe and comfortable in, because fear and discomfort will show in your facial expressions and ruin your flow in front of the camera!
When in doubt
I hope these considerations help you choose the best location for your brand shoot. When in doubt, you can always run potential shoot locations by your brand photographer – they might also have some new ideas for you!
Now that you know how to find the best location for your brand shoot, check out my top picks in Winnipeg!