Okay listen up, here’s why you need to have professional brand photos taken asap!
Firstly brand photos are a suite of professional photos that represent you, your brand, and what you do. Having this suite of photos will position you as being professional, organized, and effortlessly on brand in everything your brand puts out.
While I think everyone needs to have on brand photos I understand that not everyone has the time, money, or drive to invest in a photoshoot right off the bat. So if this includes you, don’t worry I’m not going to leave you completely to your own devices. Here are some of my favorite resources for high quality stock photos. (Just remember to respect the artists that choose to share their work with you):
Using stock photos definitely comes with it’s pros and cons. Let’s take a quick look at what those may look like before moving on.
Pros
Cons
Remember that these photos are reflecting you and your brand. They should align with your brand’s personality, values, and visuals. While photoshoots are fun and it’s important that you are having fun while doing it, these are professional photos for your brand and need to stay on topic.
To achieve a cohesive brand the secret ingredient is a good consistent color scheme. Wether the use of your brand colors is subtile or apparent it’s crucial that they are there. Using the website template from this blog post, take a look at the impact a photo suite can have.
Brand Color Palette:
Good Example:
Not So Great Examples:
Notice that the good example feels put together and professional. While in the bad example each photo individually is professional, putting them all together is confusing and non-cohesive.
In order to get the photos you want it’s important to first know what it is you want. Starting out on Pinterest, create a board, pin anything that catches your eye. Once you have a good collection go through, narrow down your options to ones that match your brands aesthetic. But don’t just rely on Pinterest, save photos from Instagram, look at stock photos, check out what other brands are doing, look for inspiration anywhere and everywhere. These inspiration photos will help to give direction to your photoshoot so choose carefully!
My inspiration board for my latest brand shoot:
The result:
When choosing a location make sure to choose something that fits your brand, and don’t be scared to think outside the box, or to have multiple. For example my last shoot was done at an Airbnb! (Just let the location know your plan and make sure they are okay with the photoshoot!)
Make sure to pay attention to the lighting, overall vibe, colors, and most importantly lots and lots of negative space! Why negative space? Because you’ll need room for type and other assets to make your photos adaptable for marketing, websites, etc.
When choosing your wardrobe, pick pieces that you would actually wear that feel like you. My number one tip is to make sure you feel comfortable and confident in what you are planning to wear. Also pick pieces that incorporate your brand colors and that reflect your brand’s overall vibe and values.
If you’re anything like me during a photoshoot, I never know what to do with my hands! So use some props, pick things that you use, that you like, look at what your inspiration photos are using! I work mainly on my computer so I did a shoot around my laptop. As shown above: based off of my inspo pics I used a mirror, newspaper, pen, scarf, even a towel around my head. Pick plenty of options and have fun with them!
Revisit your inspiration photos and refine exactly what photos you want to get. Now create a list to help you and your photographer get plenty of amazing photos.
Make sure not to forget:
To achieve a brand that is consistent, professional, and effortlessly its self, investing in a brand photo suite may just be your next step. So start that photo inspiration hunt and find a professional photographer near you and do it!
To learn more about creating a strong brand check out this blog post about your brand’s ‘why’ and this blog post about brand strategy, what it is.