How to Plan a Successful Personal Brand Shoot
Planning a successful brand shoot takes time, effort and coordination – it’s not something you can pull together overnight! As a business owner, I can relate to wearing ALL the hats and feeling overwhelmed at the thought of planning something completely outside your wheelhouse. That’s why I wrote this post – to help solopreneurs like yourself prepare for the fun adventure that is planning your own personal brand shoot.
Set Your Goals
Before you hire a brand photographer, start by taking some time to think about your goals and vision for your shoot. What message do you want to convey with your branding images? How do you want your brand to be perceived by your audience? Do you have an upcoming launch that you want to promote with these images? What content do you want to create with your brand images? Once you have a clear understanding of your goals and vision, it will be easier to plan the logistics of your shoot.
Create your Vision Board
If you’re a visual person like me, chances are you love using tools like Pinterest. I personally use Pinterest in my creative process to ensure my client and I are on the same page! Go ahead and create a vision board (aka Pinterest Board) for your shoot, and pin images that inspire you.
Search for images that are specific to your niche and profession, and general ones like wardrobe, posing, location, etc. You want a variety of inspiration images that’ll give you a big-picture look at your brand shoot. If someone who didn’t know you looked at your vision board, would they be able to guess what you do? If the answer is yes, then you’ve successfully created a detailed vision board.
Hot tip: Use Pinterest’s organizational feature to separate your board into categories, ie. client shots, headshots, details etc.
Create your Shot List
A shot list is a detailed list of the shots you want to capture during your branding shoot. This will help you and your photographer stay organized and ensure that you get all the shots you need. Your shot list should include specific poses, props, and backgrounds. Use your vision board to create your shot list and share it with your photographer before your shoot so that they can plan accordingly.
choose Your Location
The location you choose for your branding shoot should reflect your brand and your vision. If you're a fitness brand, you might want to choose a gym or an outdoor location with workout equipment. If you're a nutritionist, you might want to choose a restaurant or a kitchen. Think about the message you want to convey with your images and choose a location that reflects that message. Check out my blog post on choosing the perfect location for more tips. And if you’re in Winnipeg, I’ve got location ideas for you, too!
Hire the Right Photographer
Finding the right photographer for your branding shoot is essential! Look for a photographer who has experience shooting branding photos and who understands your vision. Check out their portfolio to make sure their style aligns with your brand aesthetic. You should also make sure that you feel comfortable with the photographer and that they are easy to work with. Some photographers offer a free consultation, which you should take advantage of so you can ask any questions and get a feel of their personality.
Plan Your Wardrobe
Your wardrobe is an important aspect of your brand shoot because it says so much about your personality and brand! Choose outfits that reflect your brand and that make you feel confident. Avoid busy patterns and logos that could distract from your message, and overly trendy clothing that will look dated faster. If you're unsure about what to wear, consider hiring a stylist to help you choose your wardrobe!
Gather Your Props
Props add interest, depth, and personality to your branding photos. Think about the elements that are unique to your brand and gather props that reflect those elements. For example, if you're a creative professional who’s always traveling, you might want to bring maps, suitcases, and travel accessories. Make sure that your props support your branding message and are consistent with your overall vision. Bonus points if your props reflect your brand colours for a cohesive look!
Practice Your Poses and Expressions
Posing and expressions can be the difference between stiff and boring and warm and authentic. Remember your vision board? Take a peek at the poses and facial expressions you see and practice them in front of a mirror to see what works best for you. Also, practice smiling and fake laughing (yup!) to make sure that it looks natural.
put in the Work and have fun
Preparing for a branding shoot can be challenging, but the results are SO worth it. By following these tips, you’ll have more clarity, purpose, and fun when it comes to planning your shoot.
Are you ready to create powerful branding images that will help you connect with your audience and grow your business?