A photoshoot is one of the best investments you can make for your business in order take your brand to the next level.
In a content-driven day and age, brand photos that accurately reflect who you are, what your brand is about, and the personality behind it all are a sure way to attract the audience of your dreams. Having good brand photography can do so much for your brand so I want to make sure we nail your shoot!
To help you prepare for your next photoshoot, I’ve decided to share a few of my favorite tips and tricks when it comes to shoots so you’ll be totally prepared and we’ll create images that you LOVE!
Plan, Plan Plan!
The key to a successful branding photoshoot is to plan a head! Create a mood board on Pinterest and share it with me. If you have any Instagram accounts you love to follow and aspire to be like, send them my way (and then we will make it your own :). Before going into a photoshoot you should have an idea of your target market and your brands personality (are you fun? professional? friendly?) . I’m here for you 100% of the way and want lots of back and forth so I can make sure I’m going to get images you’ll LOVE!
Go Pro: Hair & Make-Up
It looks amazing on camera and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. Whether it’s lash extensions or blown-out hair, professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. If you’re working with a makeup artist, have them apply your makeup in natural light (if possible) so that it looks fresh and not too heavy. Plus, that’s the type of light we’ll be shooting in, so it’ll give you the best expectation of how it will translate on camera. Most of my clients feel like their makeup is “too much” at first, since it’s more than they would wear on a normal day, so if you feel that way, don’t worry! Good makeup artists know how to get it just right for the camera — and my clients always love the final result. If you need a recommendation for hair and makeup, I'd be happy to pass along the artists I love working with! Just let me know and I’ll send you their information. I know they’ll take good care of you!
Choosing your shoot Location
The location of your portrait session is completely up to you! I shoot ‘natural light’ meaning using the light from the sun. To achieve the bright and airy look of my photos, a space that is, outdoor, open air environments are always my first choice. Or if your session is inside, a home or an office with big windows and white walls is my preferred choice.
What to Wear
When choosing colors for your outfits, I recommend selecting lighter, neutral tones and more muted shades. You can never go wrong with light neutral colors like cream, taupe, camel or light gray. The camera loves shades of soft pinks and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light-colored neutrals. That softer, more pastel-leaning color palette fits beautifully with my editing style. Try to avoid colors like red, royal blue and bright yellow as these colors will ‘color cast’ your skin tone. You’ll also want to consider any colors you’ll want to incorporate into your Instagram grid to keep the look and tones consistent. Or do you have brand colors? If yes, then wear them!
Number of Outfits
I recommend 2-3 outfits for a 1 hour photo session. I want to deliver photos that are diverse and look like they were taken on different days of the week. You may even consider having a blazer for some photos and taking it off for a few - it creates a total different look! You may want to also consider having on business or done up look and one casual outfit to bring out your personality in photos.
Styling your Session
I recommend bringing some props with you to make the images look more editorial. You may want to set up a picnic or incorporate another special element into your session like fresh flowers, a hobby you do or a family pet! If you are a business professional you may want to bring your laptop, notebook or cell phone to show you hustling your your clients.
Think Ahead
Take a look at your calendar and see if there are any important dates coming up in the next few months. Is it your birthday? An anniversary? Earth Day? Halloween? Consider bringing a prop to the photoshoot so you can have a specific photo to post on that special day.
You’ll also want to take into consideration the changing of seasons. If your photoshoot is in the summer time you may want to have a summery looks but bring in some elements or an outfit change for the fall time.
I’m here for you!
I know I just gave you A LOT to think about! Don’t panic :) Just take it one step at a time. And remember, I’m here for you! If you’re deciding between a few outfits and can’t commit, no problem! I’m here. If you love two locations but can’t make up your mind, no worries! I can help with that, too. If you need a recommendation of any kind, I’m on it! Remember, I’m just one email away :)
I’m so excited! See you soon!
- Paige