If you plan on using social media to connect with your audience and post 3-4 times per week, you’ll need 156-208+ photos per year.
Whether you get all your photos in one go or book several sessions throughout the year, you need some diversity in your photos. Nobody wants to end up with 50 different images holding their laptop or too many headshots without enough whitespace. The key to unintentional photoshoots is the planning put behind them.
After all, there is a big difference between hiring a photographer for headshots vs. a brand session. Your brand is about so much more than a smiling face against a plain background. It tells the story about your why, the client experience, and what makes your product or services awesome.
When you’ve noticed that your social content is getting stale or your website photos don’t represent how you currently present yourself to the world, it’s time for an update. These are the 6 must-have photos for your brand shoot.
6 Must-Have Photos For Your Brand Shoot
Headshots
Everybody needs a good headshot. Even if you’re a product-based company, people want to know the face behind the brand. A crisp, bright, happy photo can create that connection and be used on your About Page, for speaking engagements, brochures, your profile pictures on social media, and get-to-know-you posts. I also use my headshot in my email signature as an added personal touch.
Lifestyle
Beyond the posed headshots, lifestyle photos will be more relaxed and give people a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes. Think of it as what you would be doing in your day-to-day life. This could be:
- Checking your phone
- Laughing with a client/friend
- Walking down the street
- Sipping your coffee
- Working on your laptop
- Reading a book
- Doing things you love, i.e. cooking, knitting, strolling along the beach, grabbing some donuts from a local shop (the list goes on)!
Product-in-motion
Product-in-motion, aka the action shots of your business, is great for your website and social media. This gives your audience a peek at the behind-the-scenes and what it looks like working with you or creating your product.
This story will showcase the value you bring and everything that goes into making your product or service special.
Special tip: Bring a friend or client that can model with you to get more diversity in your images and elevate your storytelling technique.
White space
White space, or negative space, is a must-have if you want to add text overlays for social media or website imagery. For these shots, you’ll need a plain-coloured backdrop or white brick wall for the best results. You could do a couple of pointing poses that you’ll eventually add text to before using it in your marketing plan.
For announcements, quotes, or facts, another option to highlight your message is holding a white canvas or piece of cardboard. Then you can add whatever the heck you want later!
The little details
Little details are fabulous as stock shots to showcase your brand, product, service, or lifestyle. They don’t include your face so that you can use it as a complimentary image for your social feed, website or brochures. These are great to have on hand, so you don’t have to rely on a stock site.
Detail shots will typically include props, areas of your workspace, or ways to connect with you. One of my favourite detail shots is a zoom of my client on their phone, focused on their own Instagram feed. Showcasing your business card or anything with your logo/branding works well too!
Tools of the trade
What do you use in your business that can showcase your story, work process, or client experience in a photo? If you’re a yoga teacher, this could be:
- Yoga mats
- Yoga bolsters
- Meditation journal or planner
- Laptop (if teaching online as well)
- Bolsters
If you work in the online digital space, this could be:
- A laptop
- Cellphone
- Business card
- Planners/journals
- Office Supplies
- Favourite mug
- Books you’ve read this year
In the photo above, my clients were real estate agents. Of course, we had to include a sold sign! To get more prop ideas, check out my free guide for a stress-free branding session.
Location
You don’t need to have a brick-and-mortar shop to showcase your location! And it doesn’t truly have to be your location. What I mean by that is if you like to send out your invoices on the couch, let’s take some snapshots of you on a couch with your laptop. This could be at a photography studio or your home.
If you work at a local coworking space or coffee shop, let’s pop in for a few shots. My client and good friend above, Kit, guides people through a cold plunge experience. I hopped in the water to get the submerged shot you see- totally worth the wet jeans!
Do you see how easy it is to get a ton of variety in your brand photos? The best way to maximize your session is to plan out your props, must-have images, and the types of poses that will support your story. If you’re camera shy like I am, you should read 5 Tips to Pose Like a Pro For Your Brand Photoshoot.
If you’re ready to level up your online presence with consistent imagery that amplifies your awesome, let’s chat more about your vision. Contact me here!
What are your favourite tools of the trade you could use as props? Share your industry and comments below!
