5 Tips to Feel Ready for Your Brand Photography Experience
Ready for your first brand photography session?
As a fellow introvert, I know it can be uncomfortable to step in front of the camera. There’s all that, “where do I put my hands?” and “is this how I normally smile?” and “I hope my resting b*tch face isn’t showing.”
Don’t worry - I’ve got you!
I’ve been photographing womxn entrepreneurs and business owners for years and love helping you show up like your BEST self.
During our photography session, I’ll be there capturing your true self while offering specific, helpful direction to put your mind at ease. We’ll use props to show off your business and personality while giving your hands something to do. We’ll have an awesome time together and capture your real smile. And I’m watching your back - and your face - about that RBF.
The LoveJoy Experience
LoveJoy Photography is a unique experience – say goodbye to uncomfortable and awkward photo sessions and hello to an awesome day where you show up feeling ready to go.
When you book your half day, full day, or mini brand photography session, you’ll get support every step of the way. Here’s what it looks like:
With your half day photoshoot, we’ll do a pre-session brand questionnaire and strategy call, wardrobe consult, and session guide. On the day of the photoshoot, we’ll have up to three hours together in up to two locations. Then, you’ll get 50 (!) final images which is about three MONTHS of content!
With your full day photoshoot, we’ll do a pre-session brand questionnaire and strategy call, wardrobe planning, and session guide. On the day of the photoshoot, you can opt to go solo or bring a team and we’ll have up to five hours together in up to five locations. Then, you’ll get 100 (!) final images which is about SIX MONTHS of content!
Feel Ready for Your Brand Photography Experience
Your brand photos work best when you show your authentic self. You know how they say “a picture’s worth a thousand words”? You’ll get a thousand ways to connect with your ideal clients with each branded photo!
Let’s get you ready to show up on photo day feeling like your best rockstar/creative/witchy/badass self!
1. Find your ideal brand photographer.
While I have a…ahem…suggestion of who you should work with for your brand photography session, it’s important that we (or whoever you work with!) are a great fit.
Check out the photographer’s brand photography portfolio. You’ll want to make sure the photographer knows what brand photography is (vs corporate headshots), has a style you like, and has a variety of people, poses, and types of shots. (If every photo looks the same for every client, yours probably will too.)
Since you’ll be spending at least a few hours with your brand photographer, you’ll also want to make sure you do a personality vibe check. Might as well have fun while you’re here!
2. Get inspired.
It’s time to find your inspiration! You know when you go to someone’s website and you just LOVE their images, like you immediately want to meet them or work with them? That’s what we’re going for.
Think about where your photos are going to live, like your website, social media, flyers, posters, business cards, the back cover of your book, in a featured article, etc. What kind of photos would work best for the places they’re going to live? What kind of brand photography ideas will be most helpful?
You might want some straight-up headshots/portraits, images of your beautiful creations, working with clients, your workspace, playing with your dog, or photos that show what it feels like to work with you.
Make a Pinterest board or moodboard with your ideas and bring it to our strategy call!
While I’m here to help you through this process, you can also come to the strategy call with specific brand photography shot list requests like:
Stock image style photos
Photos with clients (BYO clients)
Images with blank space for banners, space for text, etc.
Product images
3. Plan your style and props.
Ugh, having to dress like someone else for a photoshoot is the worst. If you’re an artist, why should you wear a corporate outfit? If you’re a yoga teacher, why should you wear non-stretchy pants?
Same goes with your hair and makeup. If you’re usually a no-makeup gal, there’s no need to get super glam for your brand photos. If you always wear your hair up, do something similar for your photos! When people see you in real life, you’ll look like YOU.
In our strategy call, we’ll chat about wardrobe, how many outfits you’ll likely need to bring, and what colors will look best based on the location and props.
The props you choose can help support your photos and show your prospective clients who you are, what you do, and what it’s like to work with you. Your props might include:
Your computer and/or phone
Tools you use for your business (e.g. hair tools, paintbrushes, notepad, camera, microphone, paint swatches, etc.)
Your planning journal
Items with your logo on them
4. Location, Location, Location
Does your brand aesthetic fit best in a coffeeshop? Or a museum? Or in your studio or workshop? Do you want photos with the beautiful Colorado mountains in the background?
We’ll dive into location ideas in our strategy session and pick out some places based on your package type. Getting ready for a half-day session? We’ll pick a primary location with the option for a second location (keeping travel time in mind). If you’ve booked a full-day session, we can look at up to five locations to play with your brand photos.
5. Take a breath.
Okay. You’ve done all the prep and now it’s time to take a deep breath, get a good night’s rest, and show up as your authentic self for your photoshoot day!
Photoshoot day is supposed to be fun. That means we move at a pace that feels good to you, we’ll chat, we’ll laugh, and we might even bust out some sweet dance moves.
