8 steps to prepare for your brand photoshoot
You’ve made the decision to invest in professional photography! You’re so excited but unsure of how do you prepare for it? Here are a few tips to make sure that you are prepared for the shoot day. Remember, your photographer is a great resource for you, so if you are unsure of anything, reach out to them and ask away.
Create a shot list
It’s important to ensure you get the right photos for your specific needs. I always recommend starting with making a list of where you want to use your photos. This might include places such as your website header, social media posts, business card portrait. This helps both you and your photographer narrow in on the types of shots that you will want to capture during the shoot.
Next, it’s time to make a shot list of specific scenarios. Do you want standing shots, shots of you working with a customer, casually walking to show your personality? Your photographer will likely have suggestions and you can work with them to create this list, but it is good to come prepared because you are the BEST person to understand your business needs.
Create a mood-board
This is a fantastic way to organize your ideas for the look and feel of your shoot as well potential poses and shots. What’s make it easy is that Pinterest if full of inspiration. You can create a board and start gathering ideas for your shoot. Make sure to write in the comments what part of the image you like. If you love the pose, but the colour and theme are wrong, make sure that you indicate that. Once you have completed the board, make sure to share it with your photographer. This helps them more accurately understand what your expectations for the shoot are.
Prepare your location
Once your photographer understands the vibe you are trying to achieve with your shoot, they should be able to give you some great suggestions as to where to shoot. The location will also likely determine the time of day which you shoot at, especially if it is outdoors. If your shooting location is at your home or office, make sure to spend some time cleaning up and clearing out the spaces in which you plan to shoot in. This will help the focus of your shoot to be focused in on you, rather than a cluttered background.
Consider different options for clothing
Planning our your outfits well in advance of the shoot will help you stay on brand and likely reduce a lot of stress. Things you should think about when selecting your clothing options are:
- Colour - keep your brand colours in mind
- Style - how trendy or traditional is your brand
- Confidence - where something that makes you feel like your best self!
- Location - make sure that you keep your background in mind so that you don’t blend in or clash
Check your timeline with your photographer
Now that you have prepared your shot list and chosen your location, make sure to work with your photography to make sure that they can get all your shots on the timeline that you have prepared. Also make to organize any other vendors or subjects for the photoshoot so that everyone is on the same page to keep the photoshoot moving smoothly.
Organize props
Similar to prepping your outfits for the shoot day, make sure that your props are all in order well before the big day. If you sell physical products, make sure you set some aside so you have stock. Take a look back through your mood-board and see what other props you might need - plants, laptop, coffee, water bottle, etc.
Relax and have fun!
I know that this is easier said than done, but the goal is to get your personality to come through in the photos, so take a deep breath. Your photographer is there to help coach you through the session with positive encouragement and posing tips.
If you are looking to level up your brand photography, get in touch! We can work together to build up a beautiful bank of professional photography for your brand.