how to prepare for a branding portrait photoshoot
preparing for a branding photoshoot is fun and it can help with any pre-shoot nerves too!
I keep meaning to count how many clients I’ve photographed for… this post is a good nod to go out and do it! What I can tell you, though, is that every single one of them has told me they are nervous before the shoot.
I know there are a few things that can feed into nerves. First off, most of us haven’t had many or any experience in front of a photographer’s camera before. What’s new can be scary and I think clients go in with a real awareness of the unknown. As business owners, we tend to know our craft inside and out, so it can be really strange stepping into an experience where so much is brand new.
I have also photographed mostly women and non-binary folk, and I relate 1000% to the feeling of having hang-ups that we are worried about seeing on camera. I used to love what I looked like when I was little, but as the years went past I found myself picking up more and more anxieties about my appearance. I know none of us would feel this way if it weren’t profitable for companies and the media to generate dysmorphia in us, so showing my clients of all genders that they are beautiful is so important to me.
Much of that happens on the day, but part of feeling comfortable on the day is feeling prepared. I have a wee outfit guide that I now send out to all clients straight after they book in, and they receive more personalised prep notes in their shoot guide. Today I’d love to give you a blog post version… let me know if this one is helpful for you!
how do i plan my branding shoot outfits?
Of all the prep that goes into a shoot, outfits are typically the aspect that clients and I chat about the most. For one-day shoots I suggest 3 – 5 outfits; for two days that’s 6 – 10 max. First and foremost:
make sure you feel comfortable
I mean that in two senses: physically, and mentally. Photoshoot days can be long, especially in the summer or if travel has had to happen prior to a shoot. If it’s an outfit you’re worried will need adjusting a lot, with straps or fabric that could get irritating, I would skip over it and go for your tried and true, easiest faves that are in line with the direction of the shoot.
Being comfortable physically also means bearing in mind where you’ll be photographed. If you’re joining me for a stomp in the woods or wander on the beach, pick out the pieces that will let you be mobile and at ease. If you’re at home and would love to be sat cross-legged on your sofa or bed, looser bottoms will be easier for you. If you’re sat down (maybe in a cafe or Airbnb setting) you’ll have more variety in what you can wear, and typically my coach clients pick locations like this as they suit the settings and clothes they wear when they meet their clients.
consider your colour palette
If you have specific colours in your branding that you can pull in, go for it, but I always tell clients that neutrals are a versatile option when you’re building your business or know you are due a rebrand. (If you’re working with a designer at the time of the shoot, put us in touch with each other!! We can work together to create harmony across your branding.) Some clients incorporate them into their clothing, accessories, nail or hair colour, and props for the day – there are more prop notes below!
Plain fabrics are an easy choice 99% of the time but it’s not always the case, though! One of my clients wore plenty of prints in their shoot because as a design studio, these are a huge part of their work. I would avoid logos, very small stripes and polka dots as cameras make these look psychedelic, as well as small, intricate patterns that are harder to understand from a distance. If clients know they want a slogan tee I usually suggest sending me pics; sometimes designs can fold in ways that make them unclear and as photos often have text placed on top of them, I usually recommend limiting slogans to just one outfit.
go for final touches that suit you
Some clients like having their nails done, others their hair, but above all else, you just need to look like you! If a big blowout isn’t your day-to-day, you don’t need it at all. If heavy makeup isn’t your usual, skip it. Instead, stick with what you feel relaxed in, just considering this a polished version of how you would present yourself to clients when you see them. I say that dressing for the first meeting you have with a client is a good guideline for how “dressed up” you should be.
My only suggestion is that if you are a makeup owner, apply slightly more foundation or concealer than usual and have a mirror on the day. If base makeup is a no for you and you’re used to going without on camera, please embrace that, but if you are like me and are troubled by your acne a good base is really helpful.
what props should i bring to a branding photoshoot?
Just like personalised outfit notes, I will always include specific prop suggestions in your photo plan so you’ll never be going in without ideas that I think work specifically for you.
As with outfits, the main thing to think about with props is how they will sit with your colour palette! Again, if in doubt, stick to neutrals; otherwise, go for props that match your branding shades.
Don’t forget to bring business cards, stationery, water bottles, or anything else with your branding on – they’re a lovely thing to incorporate into the shoot!
The most common props clients bring are laptops, notebooks, and pens for desk setup shots. Often we include a cuppa in seated shots too, so if you have a favourite mug or reusable coffee cup, bring it along!
Make sure your props and screens are clean, though usually we’ll be somewhere we can give things a wipe down.
Lastly, if you have a hobby or passion that you chat about online, they are an amazing addition! If you are a yogi, let’s snap you on your mat. If you chat about your baking on the regular, let’s pap you in the kitchen. If there’s something you love sharing with your audience and that connects you with clients, let me know as we can blend it in to your branding photography.
how should i prepare the week of the branding shoot?
I love having a check-in call during the week before a shoot where clients can! It means we can go through the shot list, prop list, outfits, and any questions that have come up for us. This is when I reach out to venues clients have hired to confirm if they haven’t had the chance to already.
Make sure to have outfits washed or dry cleaned in plenty of time. I suggest putting your outfits to one side and wearing whatever else is in your wardrobe to make sure they are spick and span. Iron anything that needs to be ironed and hang them somewhere safe.
If you would like flowers at your shoot, try and ensure they will be in bloom and ready. If you need to get them a few days before, go for ones that aren’t yet in flower so that they won’t be past their best.
how should i prepare the day before a photoshoot?
Get a good night’s sleep! I am a big advocate for sleep anyway but think about getting some proper Zzzz-s if you can.
Iron and pack your outfits and check for any stains before you pop them in your bag or suit carrier.
Drink plenty of water, and eat well the night before. This is basically an excuse to do all the self-care you might otherwise be neglecting ;)
Check you’re okay to get to our location, and drop me a line if you need help or are unsure of directions and addresses.
what should i do on the morning of the shoot?
Have breakfast and drink plenty of water – you’d be surprised by how much energy you’ll feel like you’ve expended during the shoot, so fuel up beforehand.
If it works for you usually then exercise or meditate if those are your thing. Do anything you need to if you’d like to feel at ease as both will help you relax.
Let folks know why your phone will be off before you get to the shoot, as I recommend not having it on you while we photograph.
There you go my loves!
I hope you enjoyed this wee guide – if there are any questions you have, ping me an email, I’d love to help!
I’m now taking bookings for Dec, Jan, and Feb so if you would like to book in for a branding shoot of your own, all the details and welcome form are here on my branding photography page.
In the meantime, lots of love and happy Monday,
Anna xxx
