So you know it’s time to get some fresh brand photos for your business, but you’ve either never done brand photos before, the last experience was a wash, or it’s been a while and you want to make sure you get it right.

Here’s how to make sure your shoot is a raging success.

Find A Brand Photographer Who Knows Marketing

Listen, I know your Uncle Chuck has a camera and can take good pictures, but I’m betting he doesn’t know squat about brand photography, so I’m sorry to say that he’s not gonna be a good fit.

And it’s not just Uncle Chuck you shouldn’t hire — your headshot photographer, your family photographer, your wedding photographer aren’t great options either unless they explicitly have experience and knowledge about personal brand photography.

Make sure the photographer you choose knows the ins and outs of branding and marketing.

Ask to see a full gallery and pay attention to the following:

This gallery of brand photos for a women’s business coach has a good mix of vertical and horizontal shots, as well as a variety of closeups, half body shots, and wide shots. There are also a good amount of images that were composed with negative space so that text could go over them in graphics. Your brand photographer needs to be able to a deliver a gallery with this type of variety.

Do they have a good mix of horizontal and vertical shots?
Are the photos all close-up portraits, or is there a healthy amount of half-body, full-body, wide and super wide shots? These shots may look odd as a standalone picture sometimes, but if your photographer knows what they’re doing, they were taken with intention to accommodate graphics and text for social & other marketing content.

Some great places to start your search are Google, Pinterest and Instagram. Google and Instagram are great for geographic searches, i.e. “Los Angeles Brand Photographer”

But Pinterest is where you can really hone in on other details, such as finding someone local who has worked with clients in your industry, i.e. “Los Angeles Brand Photos for a Registered Dietitian”

You will inevitably find some overlap, and in that overlap is where your dream photographer is waiting for you.

Make Sure They Pass Your Vibe Check

A blonde woman in a copper colored dress with a tulle skirt is photographed against a very dark background in this personal branding photo. — These photos of Los Angeles brand photographer Bernadette Marciniak were all taken by different photographers with different styles. Make sure you hire the photographer that will be reflective of the aesthetic that you want vs. asking someone who creates moody images, for examples, to deliver a light and airy gallery.

Once you’ve established that the photographer is indeed a brand photographer in your area, the next thing that needs to happen is for them to pass your vibe check.

When you look at their website, is their style similar to what you have in mind? If you’re looking for bright and colorful, the dark and moody brand photographer whose work you love, might not be the best fit for this project.

Los Angeles branding photographer Bernadette Marciniak speaks with a potential client over Zoom to see if they are a good fit to work together.

This is another place where Pinterest comes in clutch — you can add descriptors like “Colorful Brand Photography in Los Angeles” and it’s very likely you will get a list of results that will wow you.

Once you’ve compiled a list of photographers you’d like to work with, schedule a discovery call.

Yes, hopping on a call is imperative to ensure you get an accurate read of each other and can ask the questions you both need to see if it’s a good fit for both of you.

Do not, I repeat, do not, e-mail a photographer and ask “Hi, I’d love to work with you, what are your rates?” Good brand photographers will almost certainly funnel you over to a Discovery Call to learn more about your project and get to know you. If budget is a concern and they don’t have any starting prices on their website, you could instead e-mail them and say, “Hi [photographer name]! I’m researching brand photographers and came across your website — I absolutely love your work! Would you be willing to provide me with a starting price or range of how much your clients typically invest with you? I want to make sure you’re within my budget before hopping on a call!”

This sets the tone for a great possible relationship!

Sync Up With Your Team

Get everyone from your team on the same page while planning your brand photo shoot by asking them to either attend the planning calls or submit their requests for what they need ahead of time.

Once you’ve hired your dream photographer (yay!), try to schedule all your planning calls with anyone who’s on your team. This includes your social media manager, website designer, brand designer, etc.

While your brand photographer will know the essentials of what shots you need, having everyone together to plan your session ensures that no stones are left unturned and that all of your team members get what they need to make your brand sparkle and shine.

Hire a Makeup Artist

Even if you prefer an au natural look, getting your hair and makeup done for a professional photoshoot goes an incredibly long way. Getting primed and primped not only is the ultimate hype and confidence builder, but it takes your photos from “wow” to “WOW!!!!”

No need to go vogue — you can easily find a hair and makeup artist that will give you a natural look that will still make your photos pop.

If hair and makeup isn’t already included in your brand photo session, ask your photographer if they have any recommendations (spoiler alert: they do).

And if it’s possible to have your hair and makeup artist stay on set all day, they will be able to make touch ups as the day goes on, or even change your looks if you’d like to start with something more muted and get a more editorial aesthetic later.

Don’t Skip Styling Support

Solhaus Media team fashion stylist JenniLee helps a client pick out looks for her brand photo shoot in Los Angeles.

It may seem like a splurge, but this has undoubtedly been the biggest hit with my clients for their shoots.

Whether you’re a normal human being whose body has changed and you haven’t quite figured out what looks good on it yet, or you need help finding a style that’s representative of your brand, a fashion stylist will guide you to find something you feel like a BOSS in.

Many stylists can help you style pieces you already have in your closet, or can help you find a few outfits to purchase within your budget.

If you are able to have your stylist with you on set the day of your shoot, they will also be able to get your looks wrinkle-free and ready, and to make adjustments to ensure that that everything is running smoothly.

Bonus: once you’re styled, these looks will work in other spaces beyond your shoot, such as networking events!

Plan the Right Props

Props are a super important part of your brand shoot. They bring life, personality, and movement to your images, as well as help keep your aesthetic cohesive and representative of your brand.

Need some ideas for what to bring? Check out our blog post on 10 Props You Need To Have For Your Next Branding Photoshoot

Make sure all your props are wiped clean, such as laptops and iPads (as well as the surfaces they’ll be on). If you absolutely can’t get some important items spotless, give your photographer a heads up so you can find an alternative, i.e. using their laptop or tablet.

Prep Your Body, Mind & Soul

Girls, get your manis & pedis done, because your nails will be a main character in a lot of your shots (if you don’t plan on showing your feet, you can skip the pedi, but…why would you? Treat yo’self!)

Get your haircuts and colors at least a week beforehand, just in case something needs to get fixed — don’t wait until the day before.

Moisturize your skin and make sure to drink plenty of water the days leading up to your shoot. And while you want to stay hydrated the day of your shoot, keep the intake at bay, otherwise you’ll spend half of your shoot running to pee.

If you can, skip the booze in the days leading up to your shoot to minimize puffiness and pores. You can reward yourself with a glass of bubbly afterwards!

Disconnect yourself from e-mails, messages, and other work-related things on the day of your shoot — be present in the moment and enjoy the experience instead of wondering what’s in your inbox. It will be reflective in your photos.

And don’t forget to make a playlist & bring your favorite tunes to hype you up while you’re on set!

Communicate With Your Photographer Before, During & After Your Shoot

My right ear sticks out further than my left ear, and I don’t love it when I see it sticking out from underneath my hair. I always let any photographers I work with know this so that they can double check to make sure it’s not making an unwanted appearance before they hit the shutter.

If you’re not feeling an outfit, a pose, or a scene during your shoot, it’s OK, nay, ENCOURAGED to let your photographer know! They can often adjust or scrap the shot, or better yet — qualm your concerns with some hype and empathy.

After you receive your photos, if there are any that are almost perfect but not quite there, ask your photographer to see if anything can be done! i.e. flyaway hairs or blemishes you’d rather not have in your photos.

Ready to have the brand shoot of your dreams?

Poke around our website to see if you like our style, and then book a discovery call to get started!

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MEET BERNADETTE

Hi! I’m Bernadette Marciniak, founder of Solhaus Media, a woman-owned brand photography and video production company. We work with coaches, healers, podcast hosts, educators and creative business owners to create powerful imagery that converts audiences into clients.

Bernadette is a cat mom of two, who loves good pizza, craft beer and red wine. She’s usually bingeing on the hottest new true crime documentary, or finding solace in the upteenth repeat of Ted Lasso or Friends.

Solhaus Media is based in Los Angeles, the SF Bay Area, and New York City.

How to Plan A Successful Personal Brand Photoshoot