5 brand photography myths busted
I’m Anna, and I’m an Edinburgh brand photographer working across the UK!
…and one thing I think all business owners forget is that we are the experts, and our customers will never know even 1% of what we do about our speciality.
I've been shooting brand photography for 10 years, and freelancing for six, so I often don't realise that there are a heap of things that my clients have heard about brand photography that simply aren't true.
Today, I wanted to share my top 5 brand photography myths with you; let me know if you've heard any of these myths yourself!
BAM Glasgow, captured for a feature in 91 Magazine
BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY MYTH 1:
you can't shoot brand photography on a cloudy or rainy day
All brand photographers are very different, and I've heard of some who will reschedule shoots on days that are cloudy, not shoot in winter, or cancel sessions taking place on rainy days.
I love shooting on cloudy days – they are lovely for showing off true-to-life colours, don't involve being dazzled by bright sun, and can be really versatile in mimicking multiple seasons.
Equally, I don't typically cancel shoots on rainy days, unless the client is adamant that they want to reschedule. This is because shooting in the rain can be dramatic, moody, and absolutely stunning, especially for wild and free brands. I have a rain poncho and other bits of equipment that I use to protect my gear, and often rainy days will have breaks in the rain regardless.
BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY MYTH 2:
only some people are "photogenic"
Here's my hot take for ya: there is no such thing as a photogenic person. Instead, there are lots of photographers out there who haven't done enough hard work to guarantee that their clients feel confident in front of the camera.
Helping clients to feel confident is definitely one of my superpowers! I named my brand Studio Gently because I wanted to take ownership of the welcoming, supportive approach I take with me to every brand shoot. Every client consultation I have usually features a chat with the client about how much they hate photos of themselves or having their photo taken, where I'll let them know that my shoots involve:
A pre-shoot check-in call so we can go over any last-minute worries or nerves together.
Lots of shoot preparation support, including multiple guides I've created to walk them through every step of the process.
A shoot plan, so that they can get a super clear idea of what we're working towards on the day and feel included in the planning journey.
A relaxed shoot schedule, where I use lots of tricks to help them feel their most calm and confident while we work.
Nothing means more to me than when a client who has never really had a photo of themselves they love messaging to say that they love the portraits from their session: it's the best feeling in the world!
BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY MYTH 3:
you have to shoot autumnal photos in autumn
…or spring-like photos in spring, or summery photos in the summer… you get the idea!
In truth, though, most of the professional “seasonal” images you've seen were shot at a totally random time of year. This is because production times for commercial shoots or magazine features run many months ahead, but we can use props, outfits, and locations to fake a seasonal vibe.
I've created summer vibes in January and shot Christmas content in July, so there might be some really important reasons to consider shooting at another time of year as I've outlined in this Instagram post.
BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY MYTH 4:
you need to buy lots of props + outfits before a brand shoot
You might feel like a brand shoot calls for a big update to your home, office or studio, but my props guide includes prop masterlists for service providers, makers, as well as a list of props for any business and they are almost all items you own already. Don't feel you need to buy anything new at all for a brand shoot, there's usually just no need!
Another element that clients can worry about is what to wear. Again, please know that what you own already will usually be perfect! My rule of thumb is to wear what you would dress in for the first time you meet a new client; that could be a suit look or your fave jeans. There is also some guidance on how many outfits you will need on my packages page too.
BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY MYTH 5:
brand shoots will just give you lots of photos for social media
Last of all, I don't think most people are aware of what their brand photography can do! Yup, you can use it for your social media, but I've been working with an increasing number of clients who aren't heavy social media users and who have instead used their brand photography to:
Raise their prices after years feeling they weren't ready to
Land their first stockist for their beautiful handmade pieces
Appear in a magazine feature that celebrated them and their work
…all through using their beautiful brand photography.
I definitely recommend subscribing to Liz Mosley's podcast as I recorded an interview with her all about how to get more from your brand photography (and it was so valuable her editor loved it and sent me an enquiry after listening to our chat!)
You can also get some ideas for how to use your brand photography in my free email challenge, Your Gently Brave Business – it's super practical and actionable.
book in for your brand photography journey
I have limited availability this summer, and this autumn! Find out more about my brand photography and get in touch for a shoot of your own here.
In the meantime, lots of love,
Anna xxx
