Showcasing Your Brand: Tips for Incorporating Your Existing Brand into Photography Sessions
I talk a lot about establishing your brand through branding photography, but what if you already have an established brand and you need to have a photoshoot to create new content?
Incorporate your existing brand into those pictures! Your photographer should have steps to get that information from you, but to give you some ideas on how you can do it here are some helpful tips.
Have your brand kit ready
This includes your colors, logos, and any symbols, items, or mascots that are significant to your brand. This could be a meaningful figurine or stuffed animal that has become a noticeable figurehead of your business, or an object that you use a lot in your online content already.
When you establish a relationship with your photographer make sure you send them that info during the planning process. This will give them a chance to start thinking about ways to incorporate those factors and symbols into your pictures seamlessly.
Pack your props intentionally
Make sure the props you’re bringing go with your brand. If your brand is bright, carefree, and colorful you don’t want to bring props that have a more moody, dark feel. Bring along flowers or pieces of furniture or décor that match the colors of your brand, so that they can strategically be placed during staging. Consider the vibe you’ve already established, and if necessary go out and buy new items that go with it. Wear colors that coordinate with your brand. They don’t necessarily have to be your brand colors, but they should GO with your brand colors. Reference a color wheel if you need to or ask your photographer for some pointers.
Use locations to your advantage
When picking your locations, try scouting them out first to make sure they have the right aesthetic. Find places that have the same feeling your brand is trying to evoke: a babbling brook or forest for a more natural, calming brand; an Airbnb for a home-based business or personal chef; a gym or dance studio for a fitness trainer. Pick locations that are already vibing with what you offer, and you won’t have to do too much extra setup or decorating before the session.
Plan your Makeup and Hair to fit your image
If you have an established “look” that your followers and clients are used to seeing, and suddenly in your branding pictures you look completely different, it’s not going to fit in with your content very well. Make sure when you’re booking your hair stylist and makeup artist that you explain what your style is and that you want to match that relatively closely. In other words, you don’t need a total makeover just a tiny glow up so that you’re camera ready. 😉
Do your pre-stress routine before the session
You want to bring out the same version of you that shows up for your regular content and clients. Do what you need to do to make sure that happens. Get your morning routine done, meditate, work out, drink your tea. The less stressed you are the better, because that’s when you’ll bring your best self to your images.
It’s always important to bring your best self to these sessions, because not only will they be the pictures you’re using for the next several months (at least) to represent your brand, they’re also a big investment.
For my branding clients, I provide complimentary planning and wardrobe consultations to support them in the best possible way. Not everyone needs or wants them, but they’re available at no charge with all my packages. I also put together a branding session day plan that lays out all the details of the session, each story, wardrobe ideas and inspiration, and even reminder lists of what props and supplies to bring with you.
When you’re ready to book your free new client consultation,
There’s no obligation to book your session with me after the consultation, but it gives you a chance to test the waters and see if you like my vibe and ideas. I want you to be comfortable with where you’re putting your hard-earned marketing dollars!