5 simple tips to get ready for your brand close-up.

Great brand photography should never be underestimated. Get it right, and you’ll have a bank of images at your fingertips that you can use for your website, your social media, your brand documents, brochures and signage.

But how do you make the most of your brand photography shoot? As with anything, it helps to prepare. Here are my five top tips to getting the most out of your photographer, your photos, and your day so that you get the perfect brand photos, every time.

1. Location, location, location 

One of the first questions you should be asking yourself before booking your brand shoot is whether you want your photos taken outside, inside, or both. Neither is better or worse - it’s all about your brand and how you want it translated through a camera lens. Many products need to be shot indoors, but some might look better set in a forest, beach, or even on a pavement. Just as a street footwear brand might look a bit odd set in a cosy cafe, a calligraphy artist would steer well clear of any skate parks or graffiti!

Lighting is also key when it comes to your location. If shooting outdoors, be prepared for rain (we’re in the UK, after all), and bring umbrellas or protection accordingly. If shooting indoors, what kind of light sources do you have? If you’re after light, airy photos, then a room with lots of natural light is best. Dark, walled buildings are better for moodier, darker shoots. I always say I can be clever with photography, but I can’t work miracles. If you want your products and team shot in a cafe, we can’t recreate this in someone’s loft! Consider how you want your brand’s vision to translate to your imagery, and pick your location accordingly.

2. True colours

Colours can make or break a photo, but you might be surprised to hear that you shouldn’t go straight for your brand colours. You want your brand’s products or stationery to stand out, so if you’re getting your team in shot, pick colours that contrast or match with your branding but are not exactly your brand colours and won’t overpower the image. I often tell teams to ditch black, especially indoors. A pair of black trousers is fine, but all-over black just starts to look like a black blob in photos, and there’s little texture that can save it.

If shooting outside in a forest or natural space, be mindful of greens or browns. Whilst natural tones look amazing, you don’t want to blend into the background! Speak to me about colour palettes before your shoot if you’re unsure, and always bring multiple choices so we can see which looks best.

3. Prep your props

Unlike your clothing, props are an excellent way to bring your brand colours subtly into the shoot. Over the years I’ve used everything from Scream masks to sweets, so it truly is a question of anything goes. Consider the feeling you want your images to convey. If you want warm, cosy photos, then old books, candles and fabrics are a great place to start. For cleaner, brighter photos, sharper-edged plants like succulents, minimalist shapes and simple, clear backgrounds look best.

Sometimes, clients end up adding in objects they didn’t know they needed, so if you’re unsure about a prop, bring it along!

4. Dress to impress

Everybody gets nervous picking out their outfits for a brand shoot, but it needn’t be a stressful experience. Bring a few changes of clothes or at least different tops to avoid every picture looking the same. Colours and textures are important for the look but so are accessories. Even a simple change of a scarf or a jumper can make a big difference to a photo. With regards to hair and makeup, natural is my preference, but if you’re going to focus on doing one well, then hair makes more of a difference in photos.

Before you select your wardrobe, do consider your audience. If you’re from a highly corporate background, then a pair of dungarees or a low-cut top might not resonate with your prospective clients. Likewise, if you’re a florist, an artist or a designer, then forget the suit and tie in favour of something more comfortable.

Top tip: Ditch the fake tan. Yes, you might have a lovely tanned glow, but very easy to overdo it and look orange, plus any streaks are going to show up much more obviously in photos. Nobody wants orange hands holding a product!

5. Must-have shots

It’s your shoot, so make sure you’re getting the most out of it. Consider where your photos are going to end up being used. If your shots are going on your website, do you need them to be shot landscape or portrait? Are you using them for banners, and if so, do you need any with lots of space for text to go over the top?

Make a list of your absolute must-have shots, and make sure that your photographer gets all of them before you wrap.

Common must-haves include:

Headshots of the entire team
Full team photos
Specific product shots
Specific stationery shots (business cards, merchandise)
“Behind the scenes” process shots

Are you considering your next brand photography shoot? Check out my work here and get your session booked in!

How to Prepare for Your Brand Photography Shoot