When I first meet with entrepreneurs about their branding shoots, I’ve noticed that most are already stressing about one thing: What photos they want to take or NEED to take.

While your thoughts and input are great, it’s actually my job to plan the shoot for you! It’s kinda like hiring another service provider (like a copywriter for example) and then writing or re-writing your own content. Sometimes the messaging doesn’t come across the way you really want it to, because it’s like trying to read a label from inside the bottle. So my goal is to help you take the best possible photos for your brand.

For Example…

When I worked with my client Christa Davis, we sat down and I really got to know her as a person, as well as what her processes are like with her coaching clients. She told me in conversation that she tells a lot of her clients to “throw out the rule book,” because they don’t need it when it comes to creating a business that works for them. All her clients really need is to tap into their true leadership.

So, we created some concept images of her literally throwing out a rule book.

Here’s some images from her shoot:

 

With that being said, the possibilities are endless as long as the themes and concepts tell YOUR story. Relationships are everything in business. We’re looking to create images that connect, tell your story, and show emotion… rather than just the run-of-the-mill obvious stuff.  So I’m here to brainstorm with you and get those ideas flowing!

Here’s are some questions that might help put things into perspective:

• How would you describe your brand? Think of words that evoke a feeling, for example bold, edgy, enthusiastic, calm, etc.
• What do people feel like before, during and after working with you? 
• What transformations do your clients experience? 
• What have you been told by clients about their experience of working with you?
• Are there any events or moments from your past that really shaped who you are today?
• If you could tell people anything about yourself, what would be the most important aspects?
• What’s your morning routine like?

By the way, I understand that it can be hard to open up and talk about yourself.. While those feelings are totally normal, let’s be real, they are just a product of the mean girl or guy in our heads trying to keep us safe. So when that happens, just say, “thank you for your suggestion but I’m doing this anyway!” 😉

Some Ideas

Here are some of the most common ways to use your images. I  This is all about telling a story with your photos and giving your audience an experience rather than just providing a pretty face.

Photos that show off your quirkiness

These are great if you have a fun or quirky backstory about how your business came to be. This will also help you stand out from the crowd, especially if you’re in a very saturated market where everyone’s trying to highlight their personality through photos.

Photos of builds and production processes

I actually like that this photo isn’t all about the product, but about the process of creating it. This is a great way to show customers how your business works, from more of an inside perspective (like a behind-the-scenes photo).

Photos that speak to your values and personality

If a picture really is worth 1,000 words, then why not use photos of people? Just like you, your customers’ faces and personalities are different, so this really helps to make your business stand out. Plus, it’s nice to see a person behind the brand!

Photos that show off your products in context

This photo shows the product being used in a setting or scenario that might be familiar to its potential buyers – for example, if your product is designed for a beach-goer, it might be nice to include a photo that shows its potential buyers using or enjoying the product.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to let these photos dictate what stories you tell or how you portray yourself – this list just goes to show that there are MANY different ways of showing off your products, from the outside in, and there’s room for plenty of creativity. I’ve had a lot of fun with my clients so far and can’t wait to see what’s next!

If you’re interested in getting started with a branding shoot, please get in touch and we’ll take it from there!