Preparing for a Branding Session
A lot of clients wonder how to prepare for their personal branding session. I'm not going to lie, it's a lot of work, but I am here to make it as successful and fun as possible! What I can tell you, is these sessions are well worth the investment and the effort you put in to them. Besides, it never fails that the photos that represent your brand and yourself, are the ones that tend to get the most hits on social media, and it is these images that catch attention and draw in your potential clients!
So what are you waiting for? Let's show the world who YOU are!
So what are you waiting for? Let's show the world who YOU are!
STEP ONE: Develop and know your Brand Identity
One of your first steps to prepare for your branding session is knowing your brand identity. Your logo, the overall feel, brand colours, your ideal clients, values etc all come in to play in these sessions.
For example: are you into earth tones, bright and airy, more deep and moody, or colourful and fun? When I do branding sessions for clients, I want to match their style. Send me a mood board, use words that describe the look you are going for with your images. Cohesive and eye catching images are what draw your viewers in. I match YOUR style for the session, and this will include different editing options until we find the perfect fit to match your style. I can also design a mobile preset from your session that you can apply to your own uploaded/mobile images to match the look!
For example: are you into earth tones, bright and airy, more deep and moody, or colourful and fun? When I do branding sessions for clients, I want to match their style. Send me a mood board, use words that describe the look you are going for with your images. Cohesive and eye catching images are what draw your viewers in. I match YOUR style for the session, and this will include different editing options until we find the perfect fit to match your style. I can also design a mobile preset from your session that you can apply to your own uploaded/mobile images to match the look!
STEP TWO: The Why?
Why are you doing a branded photoshoot? Do you need social media content? New headshots? Are you revamping your website? Either way, I know you realize the important of quality photography.
Together, we will chat about your vision for your business, your brand identity and pull it all together for a final look that is authentic, feels genuine and looks professional.
Together, we will chat about your vision for your business, your brand identity and pull it all together for a final look that is authentic, feels genuine and looks professional.
STEP THREE: Come up with a Shot List
Maybe you have a hard time with coming up with image ideas- The more upon prepare here, the better your branding session will be. I am a creative, but I also cannot read minds. This step is crucial to creating images that reflect YOU.
If you can't think of exact images, think of the words you would like to share on your blog, in captions, on your website etc and think of some images that reflect those words.
For example:
-Your personal image: what does your life look like outside of work?
-Your process from start to finish? ie: supplies you use on a daily basis
- Behind the scenes/your workspace/office
-your client experience
If you can't think of exact images, think of the words you would like to share on your blog, in captions, on your website etc and think of some images that reflect those words.
For example:
-Your personal image: what does your life look like outside of work?
-Your process from start to finish? ie: supplies you use on a daily basis
- Behind the scenes/your workspace/office
-your client experience
STEP FOUR: The Fun Part
Now that you have your brand identity, your reason for this session and your shot list, it's time for the fun part! Locations, outfits and props.
OUTFITS: For each image on your shot list, try and plan for a different outfit or look. We want this to look like we've done multiple sessions over multiple different days, where in fact we took them all in an hour or two. I recommend 4-5 different outfits, with hair up, hair down etc.
Make sure that your outfits not only make you feel comfortable, but also represent your brand and identity. Are you into dresses and heels, or yoga pants and a t-shirt? If you aren't comfortable in what you're wearing for photos, it will show. We are representing YOU here!
PROPS: If you think you may use it, bring it! Whether it be your favourite coffee mug, tea, laptop, day planner or cellphone, try and think of everyday items that showcase what you do. As a photographer, I would bring my cameras, lenses, and favourite coffee mug. I also have a wide array of props etc that I can bring to the session to help tell your story. I like to include flat lays for social media posts, so I also have a selection of items such as greenery, vases, textures etc.
LOCATIONS: One of the last things you'll need to prepare for your session is to find the perfect location. Do you want indoors, outdoors or both? A coffeeshop? A kitchen? A gym?
I recommend a couple of different options for locations, so again we have the appearance of several different shoots, but still staying consistent with your brand/identity.
A few recommendations:
-a friends kitchen
-rent an AirBNB
-a show home
-a yoga studio
After you've completed this checklist, you are ready for your branding session! If you are still feeling unsure, or need some creative guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions.
It can feel overwhelming being in front of the camera! A few helpful suggestions to make it easier are:
-Bring a friend/Assistant to help with the little things so you can focus on being in front of the camera
-Make an appointment to have hair and makeup done prior
-Bring your favourite playlist, food or drink to help you relax
-HAVE FUN! First and foremost. This type of session should really display you as you are. Don't let nerves get the best of you. Take a deep breath and be prepared to have a blast. Besides, this session is ALL ABOUT YOU!
OUTFITS: For each image on your shot list, try and plan for a different outfit or look. We want this to look like we've done multiple sessions over multiple different days, where in fact we took them all in an hour or two. I recommend 4-5 different outfits, with hair up, hair down etc.
Make sure that your outfits not only make you feel comfortable, but also represent your brand and identity. Are you into dresses and heels, or yoga pants and a t-shirt? If you aren't comfortable in what you're wearing for photos, it will show. We are representing YOU here!
PROPS: If you think you may use it, bring it! Whether it be your favourite coffee mug, tea, laptop, day planner or cellphone, try and think of everyday items that showcase what you do. As a photographer, I would bring my cameras, lenses, and favourite coffee mug. I also have a wide array of props etc that I can bring to the session to help tell your story. I like to include flat lays for social media posts, so I also have a selection of items such as greenery, vases, textures etc.
LOCATIONS: One of the last things you'll need to prepare for your session is to find the perfect location. Do you want indoors, outdoors or both? A coffeeshop? A kitchen? A gym?
I recommend a couple of different options for locations, so again we have the appearance of several different shoots, but still staying consistent with your brand/identity.
A few recommendations:
-a friends kitchen
-rent an AirBNB
-a show home
-a yoga studio
After you've completed this checklist, you are ready for your branding session! If you are still feeling unsure, or need some creative guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions.
It can feel overwhelming being in front of the camera! A few helpful suggestions to make it easier are:
-Bring a friend/Assistant to help with the little things so you can focus on being in front of the camera
-Make an appointment to have hair and makeup done prior
-Bring your favourite playlist, food or drink to help you relax
-HAVE FUN! First and foremost. This type of session should really display you as you are. Don't let nerves get the best of you. Take a deep breath and be prepared to have a blast. Besides, this session is ALL ABOUT YOU!
