Part of having a personal brand is having a consistent visual identity. For that, you will need brand photos taken to use across all your media channels. Brand photos reinforce your brand identity.
These types of photos should embody your brand personality and have the same tone, look, feel, and theme as the rest of your branding elements.
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Here are the 4 steps to the perfect brand photos.
1. Pick The Right Photographer
For me, this comes easy. My brand photographer is also the creative director of my marketing agency. We have worked together for such a long time that I feel so comfortable when I’m posing for the right shot.
Most bloggers tell you to do your research and choose your photographer wisely. Although finding a photographer that has a style that works with your brand is essential, it’s useless if you do not feel comfortable with them. One suggestion I want to make is to meet them before hiring them. Take them out for coffee. Set it up as if it were an audition for both of you.
Talk about the process from booking, shooting, to payment. Don’t forget to share your brand identity and vision with them so they know exactly how to translate that into your images.
It’s extremely important to discuss what happens if you run out of time, it rains during your shoot, other natural disasters, and even if your photographer is late or involved in an accident. I’ve heard stories from my influencer friends of times where photographers showed up an hour late. Come to terms with what is permissible and what is not.
2. Plan Ahead
Likewise, what if you are late, stuck in traffic, or had a fashion blunder. You too need to plan ahead. I usually plan my outfits up to four days ahead. Why? Well, as with any time we get dressed it takes at least 2 outfits to figure out which one I’m heading out the door. Try on your clothes make sure it fits.
Another tip is to build your brand shoot wardrobe as a capsule. Find pieces that can be mixed with others, used alone, or layered so that you don’t have to keep changing and wasting paid time.
Make sure to have discussed locations with your photographer during your meeting. Nothing wastes more time than a shoot that still has to scout locations. I typically have an outline of locations and travel time between them as well as where to park and meet.
3. Bring Props
You will often see me and Marco lugging around small suitcases, duffle bags, and camera bags. Pack items that are on brand. If you are a realtor pack a sold sign and other related props.
If you are a marketer, blogger, business coach consider books, laptops, iPad, smartphones, notebooks, notepads, pens, and other items related to what you do. I’ve been known to take my coffee mug, bullet journal, and even confetti to my shoots.
4. Get Dolled Up
The one major mistake I see when looking at other brand photos is people don’t look like themselves. This is not the time to hire a makeup artist or hairstylist and get overly done. Conversely, if you feel this will help you get prepared then do what is best for you.
However, you do need to have clean professional looking makeup and a well-groomed hairstyle. In my opinion, the best makeup is clean and natural. Then change up the look by switching out your lip color with bold lipsticks or glosses. I do recommend to either take your time and load up on mascara or add a set of Ardell Wispies.
The last thing you want is to ruin your shoot with bad makeup, too much makeup, or overly done makeup. Keep in mind your hair should look natural and effortless. Likewise, keeping it simple allows you to change up the style using barrettes, pins, or tossing it in a ponytail.
Okay, now that you have a head start in planning, you can crush your brand shoot! If you are still not convinced, check out Why Your Business Needs Brand Photography.
What kind of photographs do you use in marketing your personal brand? What kind of images would you like to see in your brand photos’ visual identity?