How to prepare for your first small business branding photoshoot
Nearly every business these days is online in some way. Whether it’s hosting a website, advertising, creating online content or simply running a social media page, having high-quality, professional photos are key. So let’s talk about how you can prepare for your first small business branding photoshoot.
Talk with your photographer before your small business branding photoshoot
Before you meet for your session, your photographer should be reaching out to meet and talk about what you want to get out of your time together. If it’s your first time, tell them more about your brand.
How do you want people to describe you? What feeling do you want your customers or clients to have when they work with you? Where do you want to use the photos specifically? What would help you feel more comfortable in front of the camera?
Think about how you would answer these questions and communicate with your photographer before you head to the shoot to make sure you get the most out of your session.
Plan your outfits to match your style and brand colors
You want your photos to be a visual representation of your brand. If you want your brand to be laid back, approachable and relaxed (like the lovely ladies here from Plus One Event Co. said before our session!) then you probably want a more casual look. If they came in suits and formal outfits, it would come across as much less relaxed and a bit more intimidating.
On the other hand, if you’re a lawyer, people probably want to see you in a more formal setting. This is why answer the questions I laid out above is so crucial. It can really make a difference in how your brand comes across.
Another thing to keep in mind are your brand colors. If you have a color palette, choosing outfits that fit in really help keep your visuals consistent. If you don’t have brand colors yet, think about sticking with neutrals as a general rule.
Think about which props make the most sense to reinforce your brand
Props can be anything from a cup of coffee to a whole damn mood board depending on your business. Think about the things you do in your day to day when you consider which props to bring along.
Do you spend a lot of time on your computer? Are you working with people or having client meetings? Do you just really love coffee or wine and want to include that in your session? Your props are extras that give you something to do with your hands and highlight the kinds of tasks you do on a daily basis.
If you’re stumped on what to bring, talk to your photographer for their ideas on what might be good to bring to your small business branding photoshoot.
Work with your photographer to perfect your edits to match your personal style
This one is pretty big if you have a specific style that you use across your business platforms. Not all photographers will allow you to ask for specific edits or work outside of their own editing styles, so it’s important to ask.
As a part my process for any small business branding photoshoot, I include a custom edit for each client. For the Plus One Event Co. team, that meant bright, light edits in cooler tones.
I work with all of my branding clients to make sure the edits work for their business, not mine. As a photographer, I know how important your visual identity is when marketing your business. We’ll talk about the edit style you’d prefer and I’ll create a few options that we’ll tweak and fit to your esthetic.
The goal with a custom edit, and all of the steps I’ve laid out in this post, is to make sure your photos go the extra mile. The more you prepare and communicate ahead of your session, the happier you’ll be with the outcome.
If you are an entrepreneur, influencer or small business owner/employee and are looking to take the first step into getting professional branding photos taken, reach out! I’d love to work with to highlight your business.
