Seven Tips to Maximize Your Branding Photography Session
Branding photography is essential for your business, as it tells your story and is a customer’s first impression of your company. If you are unsure whether or not your business needs branding photography, Shopify wrote an excellent blog post discussing the growth it can bring to your business.
After booking a session with your branding photographer, it is time to start thinking about what you want your session to look like. Each photographer runs their business differently; some will take full charge of the session and some work around the client’s needs. I personally learn about the brand ahead of time and come up with a list of ideas so the client will not have to stress.
Regardless, the results of the branding session is what you make of it. This blog post will discuss seven tips on how you can gain the most out of your photo session.
Dress to your brand
Like any photoshoot, make sure that you give yourself enough time to plan your outfit for your branding session. You should dress to your brand and make your personality stand out. For example, if you own a restaurant that has red in your logo, make sure that you wear at least one red article of clothing/accessory to resemble your brand. Additionally, if you own a clothing or accessory line, it is highly encouraged to wear your products in the photo.
Set up your background exactly how you want it to be captured
Photoshop is a magical tool, but it should be used as an assistant rather than a main source. If your background is cluttered from the floor to the ceiling, there is only so much that can be salvaged in post-production, even with AI. If there is too much clutter, your photographer may have to completely replace the background. Of course, minor imperfections can easily be removed without distorting the original photo, so don’t fear chipped paint, security cameras, or anything that is small.
When it comes to brainstorming how you want your background to look, I highly recommend finding some visions on Pinterest. You can also reach out to your photographer and see if they have any recommendations, as they most likely have experience with your field.
Think about products you would like to feature and have them in an easily accessible place
If there is a brand you would like to promote, be sure to have their products ready to go for your photographer to capture. I will style the product for my clients, but if you have a certain vision for how you would like the product to be posed, have those props nearby as well.
If this is a difficult question to answer, run through your day as a business owner. What equipment do you use almost every day? What do your interactions with clients look like? Is there a product line that you are in favor of and would like to partner with? Asking yourself these questions will assist you when coming up with ideas to discuss with your photographer.
Give your products a quick polishing
When you do decide which products you would like to feature, make sure they are free of any dust or stains. As discussed in tip two, Photoshop is a great tool but only goes so far. Minor imperfections can be erased, but if your entire product is covered in dust, the photo may not end up as sharp as you were hoping for.
Have models ready to be photographed
If you choose to have a model in your branding session, make sure they arrive at the photoshoot location on time and they are ready to go. Be sure to discuss outfits and any other appearance details with them ahead of time. If your model arrives late, you will miss time from your contracted session.
Be honest with your photographer
Despite how much experience your photographer has, nobody knows you like you know yourself. If your photographer poses you in a way that does not accurately reflect your personality or brand, let them know. (I promise, they would rather you speak up during the session when there is time to rearrange poses.)
Additionally, be honest about your feelings during the session. If you hate being in front of the camera and are doing it for the sake of your website, let them know; they most likely have strategies to make you feel more comfortable.
Be yourself
This sounds cheesy, but branding photos capture your business, so it is important to be yourself. Don’t try to mimic posed photos that you saw on LinkedIn; do whatever feels natural to you. If your session does not involve a model or client, imagine that you are interacting with a client during your session. How would you speak to them, and how do you want your clients to feel when they are at your business?
The best advice that I can give is when in doubt, talk to your photographer. If you are interested in taking branding photos for your business but are unsure where to start, contact me for a free consultation.