10 Pro Tips to Prepare for Your Brand Photoshoot
Be fully prepared for your brand photoshoot by going through these checks first!
As a brand photographer, one of the best parts of my job is helping entrepreneurs and creatives bring their vision to life. But let me tell you: the magic we create on shoot day starts well before the camera comes out.
If you’re investing in a brand photoshoot, you want your images to look intentional, cohesive, and most importantly—authentically you. So I’ve put together my top tips to help you prepare for your brand photoshoot so you feel confident and have the best session possible.
1. Know Your Brand Inside and Out
Before anything else, get crystal clear on your brand:
- What are your values?
- Who is your audience?
- How do you want people to feel when they land on your website or social media?
This will guide everything—from your wardrobe to your poses to your location.
Pro tip: Pick 3-5 keywords that describe your brand (e.g., bold, minimalist, playful, warm) and share them with me before the shoot.
2. Define Your Goals
Think about where you’ll be using your photos:
- Website banners?
- Instagram reels or feed posts?
- Email newsletters?
- Media kits?
Different platforms require different image orientations, crops, and vibes. Knowing this helps us tailor your shoot so you walk away with exactly what you need.
3. Create a Mood Board
Visual inspiration goes a long way. I always recommend creating a simple mood board in Canva or Pinterest with:
- Color schemes
- Pose ideas
- Backgrounds you love
- Outfit inspiration
This helps align our creative vision and gives us a great visual reference on shoot day.
4. Choose the Right Outfits
What you wear plays a huge role in how your brand comes across. Here’s what works best:
- Stick to your brand colors, or neutrals if your brand is minimal.
- Choose solid colors over busy patterns.
- Bring multiple outfits to add variety (I usually recommend 3–5 looks).
- Don’t forget shoes, accessories, and any layers that can change up your look.
Extra tip: Try on your outfits beforehand and take some selfies in natural light. That gives you a sneak peek of how they’ll look on camera and you can make sure clothes still fit or are comfortable before you get to the shoot.
Need extra ideas and inspiration? Here is the link to my Personal Branding Pinterest board to get you started!
5. Pick Meaningful Props
Props can add so much personality to your shoot. Think:
- Your laptop or tablet
- Branded packaging or products
- Favorite notebooks, coffee mugs, or tools of your trade
- Books, florals, or decor that reflect your vibe
They should feel natural to your workflow—not just something you grab last minute. Here is my full list of prop ideas for your brand photoshoot.
6. Select a Location That Tells Your Story
Whether we’re shooting in a studio, your workspace, or a cute downtown café, the space should reflect your brand. We’ll talk through options, but think about what kind of environment matches your energy.
Need help deciding? I’m happy to recommend locations based on your brand style and lighting needs.
7. Prep a Shot List (I Can Help With This!)
A shot list is like our roadmap. It ensures we cover everything you need, from headshots to flat lays to behind-the-scenes candids.
Don’t worry—I’ll help you build it! But start thinking about what images your business really needs (headshots, product shots, customer shots, etc).
8. Schedule Self-Care Ahead of Time
Trust me, it’s not “extra” to schedule a haircut, get your nails done, or book a makeup artist. You want to feel like your best self—and that confidence radiates on camera.
If you’re doing your own makeup, aim for natural but polished. If you don’t know where to go for a makeup artist, talk to me about that as we plan and I’ll send you my referral list.
9. Rest, Hydrate, and Fuel Up
The week of your shoot, prioritize sleep and hydration. The day of, eat something light but energizing. You’ll look and feel way better than if you show up stressed or running on coffee alone.
10. Most Importantly—Have Fun, and Trust Your Photographer!
I’ll guide you through every pose, help with styling, and make sure you feel relaxed. But the more fun and open you are to the process, the more magic we’ll capture.
You don’t have to “know how to pose.” You just need to show up as YOU—that’s where the gold is.
Ready to Make Some Magic?
Brand photos are more than just pretty pictures—they’re storytelling tools. With a little prep and some collaborative energy, we’ll create images that actually work for your business and feel completely aligned with who you are.
If you’re planning your shoot and want some extra guidance, let’s chat—I’m here to make the process smooth, stress-free, and fun.
Be fully prepared for your brand photoshoot by going through these checks first!
As a brand photographer, one of the best parts of my job is helping entrepreneurs and creatives bring their vision to life. But let me tell you: the magic we create on shoot day starts well before the camera comes out.
If you’re investing in a brand photoshoot, you want your images to look intentional, cohesive, and most importantly—authentically you. So I’ve put together my top tips to help you prepare for your brand photoshoot so you feel confident and have the best session possible.
1. Know Your Brand Inside and Out
Before anything else, get crystal clear on your brand:
- What are your values?
- Who is your audience?
- How do you want people to feel when they land on your website or social media?
This will guide everything—from your wardrobe to your poses to your location.
Pro tip: Pick 3-5 keywords that describe your brand (e.g., bold, minimalist, playful, warm) and share them with me before the shoot.
2. Define Your Goals
Think about where you’ll be using your photos:
- Website banners?
- Instagram reels or feed posts?
- Email newsletters?
- Media kits?
Different platforms require different image orientations, crops, and vibes. Knowing this helps us tailor your shoot so you walk away with exactly what you need.
3. Create a Mood Board
Visual inspiration goes a long way. I always recommend creating a simple mood board in Canva or Pinterest with:
- Color schemes
- Pose ideas
- Backgrounds you love
- Outfit inspiration
This helps align our creative vision and gives us a great visual reference on shoot day.
4. Choose the Right Outfits
What you wear plays a huge role in how your brand comes across. Here’s what works best:
- Stick to your brand colors, or neutrals if your brand is minimal.
- Choose solid colors over busy patterns.
- Bring multiple outfits to add variety (I usually recommend 3–5 looks).
- Don’t forget shoes, accessories, and any layers that can change up your look.
Extra tip: Try on your outfits beforehand and take some selfies in natural light. That gives you a sneak peek of how they’ll look on camera and you can make sure clothes still fit or are comfortable before you get to the shoot.
Need extra ideas and inspiration? Here is the link to my Personal Branding Pinterest board to get you started!
5. Pick Meaningful Props
Props can add so much personality to your shoot. Think:
- Your laptop or tablet
- Branded packaging or products
- Favorite notebooks, coffee mugs, or tools of your trade
- Books, florals, or decor that reflect your vibe
They should feel natural to your workflow—not just something you grab last minute. Here is my full list of prop ideas for your brand photoshoot.
6. Select a Location That Tells Your Story
Whether we’re shooting in a studio, your workspace, or a cute downtown café, the space should reflect your brand. We’ll talk through options, but think about what kind of environment matches your energy.
Need help deciding? I’m happy to recommend locations based on your brand style and lighting needs.
7. Prep a Shot List (I Can Help With This!)
A shot list is like our roadmap. It ensures we cover everything you need, from headshots to flat lays to behind-the-scenes candids.
Don’t worry—I’ll help you build it! But start thinking about what images your business really needs (headshots, product shots, customer shots, etc).
8. Schedule Self-Care Ahead of Time
Trust me, it’s not “extra” to schedule a haircut, get your nails done, or book a makeup artist. You want to feel like your best self—and that confidence radiates on camera.
If you’re doing your own makeup, aim for natural but polished. If you don’t know where to go for a makeup artist, talk to me about that as we plan and I’ll send you my referral list.
9. Rest, Hydrate, and Fuel Up
The week of your shoot, prioritize sleep and hydration. The day of, eat something light but energizing. You’ll look and feel way better than if you show up stressed or running on coffee alone.
10. Most Importantly—Have Fun, and Trust Your Photographer!
I’ll guide you through every pose, help with styling, and make sure you feel relaxed. But the more fun and open you are to the process, the more magic we’ll capture.
You don’t have to “know how to pose.” You just need to show up as YOU—that’s where the gold is.
Ready to Make Some Magic?
Brand photos are more than just pretty pictures—they’re storytelling tools. With a little prep and some collaborative energy, we’ll create images that actually work for your business and feel completely aligned with who you are.
If you’re planning your shoot and want some extra guidance, let’s chat—I’m here to make the process smooth, stress-free, and fun.
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