Your branding session is more than just a series of new headshot images and profile picture. Think of your photoshoot as a day in the life with your brand. Your time in front of the camera is the perfect way to interact with your product or show yourself in service. Use your branding sessions as a way to build a portfolio of images that represent your colors, show off your personality and create a database of endless marketing images to choose from. Looking for a place to start, check out these 20 free color palettes to spark inspiration !

I’m so excited to share a few of my favorite tips on how to include your business colors in your next branding session! This should make content planning a breeze! Check out a few of my favorite images from this dream team of  recent brand photoshoot with Funnel Brew .

Your brand session is about so much more than smiling at the camera!

You are basically a life sized, beautifully branded prop, to help tell the story of what your business is all about. Your photo session will likely feature “action” shots of you in process without even showing your face. Check out how Funnel Brew photos seamlessly mixed with their current website colors!

Choosing On-Brand Outfits:

The biggest and most obvious way to include your brand colors is through your outfit choices! When it comes to prepping for your branding session, the anxiety-inducing choice of what to wear can be overwhelming! Remember that choosing outfits is based o your brand esthetic, not your personal style! Look through your social media grid to decide on a common color pallet. Even if you LOVE to wear black in your personal life, if you own a colorful children boutique, its best to pick outfits with your vibrant/youthful aesthetic in mind!

Here are a few details to keep in mind:

• If you are going to be photographed as a team, or with other individuals, pick outfits and accessories that coordinate instead of match! Try not to wear competing colors or patterns that will be distracting or too flashy (UNLESS that fits your brand aesthetic).
• If you’ll be photographed in multiple outfits, think about using a variety of brand colors or seasonal attire that will allow you to post dozens of images without your feed looking repetitive!
• Neutral and flowing fabrics always photograph beautiful, but don’t be afraid to mix in bold colors, fun jewelry, or hats to make the outfit your own!
• Make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable without being too revealing. If you’re wearing something low cut or skin tight might limit the number of angles you can shoot from.
• Empty your pockets! You don’t want to have key chains or phones showing bulky in your photos! (for guys especially!) This goes for any clutter in the background, like water bottles, random coffee cups or rogue chairs that will seem out of place in the frame.
• Avoid getting sun burn, or spray tans immediately before your session. Also be sure you nail polish is chip free for close ups! Your branding session is the perfect time to splurge on professional makeup or a quick blow out, for a fun day of pampering as a business expense (yes please)

Color Coordinated props for your brand session:

Think through what the next quarter of business will look like. Beyond just the typical headshot images think through ways you can incorporate props to add variety to your photoshoot. I always recommend infusing a bit of your personality. Are you an avid coffee drinker? Or if you can’t live without your fuzzy socks, your signature planner, or blue light glasses, be sure to bring them along for a few shots. Make sure to look ahead for any holidays, milestones, or launches that call for Champaign, balloons or confetti!

Here are a few prop ideas to get you started! If it doesn’t match the brand color, or aesthetic try to borrow from friends or a rental that will match the vibe!

• Shoes & accessories or each outfit
• Makeup, bobby-pins, hair ties
• Laptop, cellphone, or other electronics
• Notebook, Planner, Prop books
• Loose papers, or color swatches
• Glasses, hats, props specific to you
• Personalized favorite snacks, or drinks!
• Mugs, candles, or filler elements
• Fresh flowers, or greenery in the background
• Statement chairs or furniture!

One of my favorite “props” for branding sessions is to recruit a few “model” friends. If you are a solo-preneur like me, it’s wonderful to show off your services or collaborative spirit through images. These can be simple closeups of your hands fanning through products, or use your friend as a “faux client” Include images that represent your process or customer interactions. Can you incorporate restocking shelves, arranging beautiful table displays, or even sitting at a coffee shop answering emails?

    Choosing the right location:

Not all business owners have a light filled office space perfect for photography. If you are going to invest in brand photoshoot why not create your dream office atmosphere that will translate at every angle. TRUST ME, all of your favorite brands are doing this. I used to struggle feeling inauthentic if I created a curated office set up, or only shared my work day if I was as an adorable coffee shop. But your brand is an extension of your client experience, and the way you make THEM feel. So even if you’re crushing it from your kitchen table in yoga pants most days, there is no shame in creating brand images that are strategically curated.

Search for spaces that pull in your brand colors!

If your current home or office space isn’t matching the vibe, I love utilizing local rentals for branding sessions! There are tons of affordable options for coworking spaces and photography studios such as Gather or Common House or Contrast Studio in Richmond Virginia. Find a local coffee shop or hotel lobby that will give permission for professional photos such as Roastology, Quirk, The Graduate, I also love renting out an Air Bnb where you can utilize multiple rooms, and treat yourself to a staycation work retreat. I recommend swapping outfits and prop set up, every 15-30 minutes depending on your shot list and the available rooms in your location.

   

If you’re needing a little extra spark of inspiration, be sure to check out these 20 FREE COLOR PALETTES. The perfect aesthetic vibes for your brand redesign, home decor, photoshoot wardrobe or just an afternoon daydream!