How to Prepare for Your Personal Branding Photoshoot
How to Plan for Your Personal Branding Session
Your Branding Photoshoot is oh-so important! After all, it is representing you and your brand. The details must be spot on to accurately represent YOU! These tips will get you on the right track. Dive in to make sure your session gets you the knockout photos you’ve been dying for.
The steps to branding success
1. DEFINE YOUR BRAND
BRAND ME BABY
Before diving into your photoshoot, first things first, you have to know your brand inside and out. Can you say that your brand is clearly defined and you are ready to rock-n-roll, or do you have some branding discovery homework to do?
These topics should be well ironed out ahead of your photoshoot:
Your brand story and mission. Who are you, what do you do, and how are you unique?
How you fit within your brand. What is your role? How will you show your audience what you do?
Brand visual identity: colors, logo, mood, and overall style.
Identifying words that you want your brand to reflect (ex: creative, power, acceptance, diversity, etc.)
Your ideal client or audience. Who are they and how will you reach them?
Your brand inspirations. The doers, movers, and shakers that inspire you to achieve your goals.
The future of your brand. Where do you see it going 2, 5, or 10 years from now? What are your goals?
2. CREATE AN INSPIRATION BOARD
We love Pinterest! If you don’t already have an account, you can sign up for free to create your own customize mood boards. It’s fun and easy! Use the search bar at the top to search for images. Find something you like? Pin it to your own board. This is a great way to share your personal style and inspiration images with your photographer. It gets the creative wheels turning, and we love that!
3. WHAT TO WEAR
THINK SIMPLE
In portraits, less is more! Solid colors are best. As a general rule, solid colors photograph better than patterns. If you want to wear a patten, keep it small and subtle. Stick to classic and timeless outfits, while keeping your brand personality in mind.
WHAT TO AVOID
Stay clear from busy patterns, text, logos, and neon colors. Avoid baggy ill fitting clothes and tops with batwing sleeves. Look past trendy items that may look dated in a few years. Details show in photographs, so skip on any item that has stains, pilling, holes, and excessive wear.
COLORS
If you have a color story that relates to your brand, let’s make sure this color is seen in your outfits, accessories, and/or backgrounds. You should be cohesive with your brand’s identity and color scheme. If you don’t have a brand color, neutrals and earth tones are best. Neutrals: Black, White, Gray, Creme, Taupe. Earth Tones: Wine, Gold, Plum, Sage Green, Emerald, Navy, Ruby Red.
VARIETY
Bring a mixture of items that have different sleeve lengths, necklines, and layering abilities. Cover all of the bases with different styles and textures. Ex: dress, top with skirt, top with pants, blazer outfit, casual outfit, etc. Bring at least 6 full outfits and 3-4 backup options. The more the merrier!
UNDERGARMENTS
Be sure to bring proper undergarments that are not visible with your outfit. We recommend nude and black strap and strapless bras and spanx if you like extra support.
FORM FITTING
Form fitting clothing actually gives the appearance of a more slender silhouette, so break out that tight fitting dress! Stick with solid colors and simple classic items. Our favorites include: blazers, wrap and A-line dresses, 3/4 sleeve tops, high waisted pants/skirts, and anything cinched at the waist.
4. PLAN THE DETAILS
PROPS
Consider your brand personality words when choosing both your props and your location. Does your brand scream luxury? Or are you more personal & casual? It’s important that your clients get to know you, they want to work with someone real & relatable. Be sure to throw in some personal touches so they can see what it’s like behind the scenes at your business or doing something you love. Just be sure it stays consistent with your brand image.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Do you have a tool that helps show what you do? Or maybe you spend a lot of time in a coffee shop with a latte and your laptop in hand? Let’s show what tools help make you the master of your craft. This is a great way to make a clear and strong on-brand first expression.
5. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
PLAN AHEAD
Make a checklist and pack your car the day before the shoot. The day of the shoot, run through your checklist and closet again to make sure everything was packed. This will eliminate last minute stress forgetting an item.
DETAILS MATTER
Have all clothes steamed, ironed, or pressed. We also have a steamer at the studio for touch ups. Lint roll every item. Inspect each piece and remove new tags, hanger straps, pilling, stains, and loose threads.
ACCESSORIES
Don’t forget to bring a variety shoes, belts, jewelry, and undergarments for each look. Please clean your shoes (even the bottoms!) for a fresh look and to avoid soiling the set.
BACKUP OUTFITS
Bring at least 3-4 backup outfits. Sometimes things just don’t translate well on-camera, or a coffee stain accident happens (worst nightmare!). Your backup outfits come in handy for anything that needs swapped out.
TRANSPORTING
Have each item on its own hanger. Use garment bags for protection. Avoid stuffing clothing in duffle bags or cramming multiple pieces into one garment bag, as this will cause wrinkles.
You are on your way to an amazing shoot!
Read on to learn more about:
How to prepare your wardrobe and
How to prepare yourself - all about hair, skin, and nails!
