How To Make The Most of Your Branding Session

I’m definitely a plan ahead for things kind of girl. If I haven’t made several lists to get myself ready for something, call 911 because I’ve clearly perished! Winging it is just not my thing. It gives me so much anxiety because I’m afraid I’m going to forget something…which leads to me inevitably forgetting something. Or two. 😂

I remember the first branding session I did with some local photographer friends. We were so excited to be out and shooting with each other, we were all over the place. We had no plan for our photos, just everybody shooting whatever we felt like at the moment. Organized chaos, really! (The photos also ending up not being in the right file format I prefer for editing because I didn’t check before we started, but that’s another story 🤦🏼‍♀️). I know I ended up walking away with a whole lot of fun pictures to go through! But few that I actually NEEDED for showcasing my branding.

My frustration in that experience reminds me branding is just like any other type of photography. You have to go into it knowing your intentions. Why am I do this? What do I need to get out of this? I now have a lot more branding sessions under my belt and it gets easier each time!

So if you want to know my secrets to ensure you’re capturing the branding photos you truly need, keep scrolling!!

1. Create a vision board

Consider this the okay you need to take a break from all your other work to spend some time scrolling on Pinterest looking for ideas! Who doesn’t love doing that?! Create a secret board on Pinterest and start pinning images that showcase what you want for your photos. This can include any themes, props, outfits, colors from your brand palette, poses you are interested in trying, and more! Make sure to share the secret board with your photographer, this helps make sure you’re on the same page!!

2. Create a shot list of must-have photos

Shot lists are essential to any branding session! Having one helps make sure nothing important is forgotten during the chaos of a shoot. You want to build your shot list with what you truly NEED captured during your session. Know you’ll be using these to update your website’s about page? You know looking at that page you need one horizontal header image and two vertical portraits to replace with new images! Again, it’s about being intentional with your time and getting images that work for you!!

3. Source props

Props are a fun way to bring your personality into our photos! They’re there to help showcase your products/services as well as help tell the story of YOU. Bring items you need to do your work, but also some of your favorite things your audience knows me for. For example, I am a huge coffee drinker, you won’t see a branding session of mine without me holding a coffee mug. Stuck trying to brainstorm ideas? Grab a copy of my FREE guide of 45 prop ideas for your next branding session!!

4. Schedule hair & makeup

Who doesn’t love treating themselves to some pampering? Once your session date and location are set, schedule an artist to do your hair and makeup for your shoot! You’ll get an instant confidence boost and it’s one less thing you have to worry about handling the day of!

5. Plan your outfits

Don’t leave this to chance or something to figure out last minute. Take an evening a few weeks out from your session and really look through your closet for wardrobe items. Use your vision board to help build outfit ideas and then set them aside and/or write them down. That way there’s no chance of you running around worrying you have nothing to wear the day before the shoot!

6. Enjoy some beauty treatments

Want your hair cut or another beauty treatment done before photos? Get them scheduled! But stick with your routine beauty treatments, don’t go out experimenting with a spray tan for the first time. No one wants photos looking like they just walked off the set of Jersey Shore, am I right? Getting a simple manicure and a hair touch up will have you feeling extra fresh and ready for your shoot!!

7. Don’t stress!

You’ve planned all you need for your session, so pack up everything you need to bring with you….then turn it off! Take time to decompress and relax so you’re feeling rested and ready to go for your session!!

Looking for a branding photographer in the central Indiana area? I’d love to help!! Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to learn more about my branding experience!