How to Prep for Brand Photos in 5 Steps

When you know how to prepare for your brand photos mini session, you maximize your session – and the result is more photos that connect with your ideal audience to grow your following and build the credibility of your business. This is exactly what you want! Don’t continue to hunt for stock photos and post random images. It wastes your time and might be repelling potential clients.

Need a little help? You’re in the right place! I’ve put together a proven 5-step process to help you get the most out of your Content Club mini photo session based on the experience gained over the past 50+ photoshoots with female entrepreneurs just like you!

We’ll cover everything from pre-shoot planning to the actual shoot day. I’ll also give you some things to look out for along the way, mistakes I made before I worked out this system, and ones I still see other business owners making.

Just follow the steps, and by the time you finish Step 5, you’ll feel like a pro and enjoy your mini session and love the variety of photos you’ll have to share with your audience over the quarter.

Ready? Let’s go!

Step #1: Determine Your Brand Photo Objectives

Before you can be truly prepared for your mini session, you’ll want to take your time with this critical first step.

The first thing you need to do is look at your calendar to see what’s coming up for your business in this quarter.  What will your marketing focus be?

• Do you have a special launch coming up?
• Will you be announcing a new service or product?
• Do you have a blog series planned?
• Are you focusing on a specific facet of your business or yourself?
• Do you want some of your photos to have white space for text?

Each of these questions can help you decide how you want to focus your 15 min session.  It goes quickly, but you can maximize the time and come away with a good variety of photos you will actually use if you take some time to think about what you’ll want to post about this coming quarter.

For example:

Last quarter, Mandi Briggs was planning a blog series about how she (a life coach) helps her clients unravel life’s tangles.  She brought a ball of yarn with multiple strands all tangled together.  Her concept was the direction I used during her mini session to capture these brand photos, which she has been using for several posts and blogs over the past few months.  

What to look out for:

Many people skip this foundational step and then wonder why they’re not getting a wide variety of usable photos. Don’t let that be you!

This is a crucial foundational step that will set you up for success later on. And each step is a building block for the next, so avoid the urge to jump ahead! 🙂

All done? Great job! Let’s move on to Step 2.

Step #2: Choose Your Brand Photos Outfit 

At this point, you might be thinking that this is too easy.  Why put so much effort into choosing clothing?

You may even be wondering, “Can’t I just pull something out of my closet on the morning of the shoot?”

If you hang in there, it will make sense, I promise. What we’re doing is pulling this all together into a mini brand photoshoot that maximizes your time and investments with great results that really boost your brand presence.

One thing that may help is to write it all down.  Grab a notebook, or open Notes on your phone, and make a list to keep you organized.

Now it’s time to plan your outfit. Based on your answer to Step 1, choose an outfit that supports your goal for these photos.  A few tips for what to wear:

• Dress for maximum confidence!
• Wear colors and styles that accentuate your best features.  If you have features you feel self-conscious about, please tell me.  We can focus on your favorite features and minimize the ones you don’t love.
• Dressy or casual?  Remember your objective from Step 1.
• Light colors have a peaceful, calming feeling.  Dark colors have a bold, dramatic feeling.  Which fits your brand?

The reason this step is important is that it will help you love your photos and give you confidence in sharing them online.

Step #3: Gather Your Branding Photoshoot Props

Are you starting to get excited? I hope so. We’re almost there!

You may be feeling a bit anxious, and that’s perfectly normal. Any time you’re getting brand photos done, it’s common to feel some nerves. Being prepared always helps me to relax.  I hope you’re starting to feel more prepared and more calm, too.

Next, let’s talk about props you can bring to your mini session.

You can download my checklist of “19 Best Props for Your Brand Photoshoot”. I created it to help you come to your brand photos mini session with great props that help your audience learn more about you and your business – without feeling generic and cheesy.

What to look out for:

It may be hard to zero in on props that mean something, but the more unique and specific your props, the better variety you’ll have for your content creation.

You can always bring several extra props to your session, and if we don’t get to them this time, you’ll have them for next quarter!

Step #4: Prioritize Your Hair and Makeup for Brand Photos

We’re just about done. There are just two more steps. 

Maybe you’re like me: When my hair and makeup is on point, I feel like a queen.  Coming to your brand photos mini session feeling like royalty is the best way to translate confidence in your photos.  As one of my former bosses always said, “Look good, feel good, do good.”

A few pointers for hair and makeup:

• Even if you don’t typically wear makeup, you may want to use some powder, lipstick and mascara.  
• If you do wear makeup on a regular basis, you may want to jazz it up a little with a bold lip or faux eyelashes.  Whatever makes you feel extra pretty.
• Photoshoot day isn’t the day to try something new.  Do a trial run prior to the shoot if you want to try a new look.
• Treat yourself to professional hair and makeup!  I’ve partnered with professional hair and makeup artist Natasha Rae Artistry to bring you an awesome rate of only $150 for a full hair and makeup session with Natasha before your shoot.  You can plan on 1-1.5 hours for your session with her.  Book directly through Natasha by contacting her at natasha@natasharaeartistry.com

Here are some photos from a recent shoot with me. Natasha is the beautiful brunette in the jeans. She did the hair and makeup for my bride, along with assistance from her sister who is also a hair and makeup artist. I love how she creates a naturally glamorous look that isn’t over the top or “all done up.”

Step #5: Bring Screenshots of Specific Shots

If you’ve seen photos you like on Pinterest or elsewhere online, grab a screenshot.  Send it my way.  If it’s doable for your brand photos, I’ll let you know.  I’m always happy to recreate images you’ve found.

Here’s how to get the best results with this:

• Be realistic.  15 minutes goes by quickly, so if your concept is complicated, that’s fine.  It just means we’ll have less time for other shots.
• Plan ahead.  Have your screenshot(s) in a folder in your phone gallery so you can easily access them for your shoot.
• Have fun with it!  Use Pinterest for inspiration and think outside the box.  Try a new pose.  Style a new flat lay.

Bonus! Arrive 5 Minutes Early for Your Brand Photo Shoot

And finally, here’s a Bonus Tip just for you! 

This is something I’ve noticed after plenty of trial and error, and it’s the best way to start a brand photos session on time and relaxed.Get to the studio at least 5 minutes early for your mini session so you aren’t feeling rushed.  This gives you a few minutes to lay out your props, touch up your hair, and add a little extra lip stick if needed.

Key Takeaways

Congratulations! You just learned how to prepare for your brand mini session. Follow the steps above to have a super productive photoshoot that results in lots of photos you love, instead of winging it and wishing later you’d done a little more planning.  

I’ve given you all my best tips, tools, and techniques to help ensure your success. Now you can prep and plan like a pro for your next Content Club mini session.  

I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Join Us At Content Club!

Looking for a quick, easy, affordable way to improve your brand image online?  Need high-quality, professional photos for your website and social media?  Sick of using the same 2-3 images all the time?

Content Club gets you started and keeps you going all year.  How?

• 4 Mini Photoshoots – Each quarter, you’ll get a 15 minute mini-session in the studio with Leslee. This session is all about you! Choose your own props and sets each season.  You’ll get downloadable photos you can use for all your online marketing.
• 4 Content Creation Days – Meet with our members at my studio where we’ll spend a half-day creating content together.  Bring your laptop and get your quarter planned while enjoying snacks, drinks, and laughs.
• Education and Support – The love-hate relationship with social media and online marketing is real. I’ve been there.  The other members and I are here to help you strategize and stay consistent.
• Reaching Goals with Friends – The biggest struggle for most of us is consistency.  It’s easy to get started, but difficult to keep going.  We will support and encourage one another along the way, and celebrate our success together. 

Click here for more information and to apply for Content Club