Having a clear brand identity is crucial for any business. You’ve got the basics - logo, brand colours, consistent typeface.
Today, the photos you use are just as important. Brand photos will be used across your site, socials and beyond. Captivating photos help your audience understand and envision your offering.
Your photos should convey your brand message, clearly and succinctly. You want a cohesive and captivating look. A strong image will keep your current customers hooked, and bring new ones in.
This is where a brand photoshoot comes into play. Your photoshoot should capture the essence of the brand, tell its story and engage its target audience. Sound like a big ask? It’s not as hard as you think. Follow our 5 key steps to a successful brand photoshoot to make sure your photos hit the spot.
For any photoshoot, you’re going to be spending time and money. There’s no point in winging it. Do the work, plan properly and make the most of your time. With our top tips, you are sure to deliver visuals that resonate with your audience and keep them coming back for more.
Improvising can be great. Sometimes it produces great results. But when you’re paying for a studio, photographer and models, time is money.
Having a clear goal is the most important thing you can do. Think about what you want to achieve with this shoot. This goal will guide all other decisions.
What message do you want to convey? What kind of content do you want to use them for? Your website, social media, or an ad campaign? Whatever it is, this will inform your shoot. The more specific your goals are, the more likely you are to achieve them.
Having a concept for your shoot makes planning easier. We suggest thinking of three words that best describe your vision. Brainstorm from these three words. Think about what kind of location you need - a particular colour backdrop, a themed setting? What kind of models will best bring your vision to life? What props would make the photos pop?
Think about this beforehand and come up with a strategy. Then make sure that everyone involved knows your keywords, and understands your vision. If you don’t know what you want, how can you expect other people to help you achieve it?
This leads us to step number 2.
You know your brand best. Whether it’s a product or service you’re selling, certain things need to be emphasised in photos. Plan what shots you want to secure during your shoot.
If you’re selling a product, you need photos emphasising different aspects. The last thing you want is to get home after the shoot and realise you missed out that killer angle. You might have certain hard sells planned for captions and need specific photos to match.
This is where a shot list comes in. Make note of what photos you want to leave with (remember your intention!). Think poses, angles, framing. Have all of this ready to tell your photographer to ensure you get exactly what you want.
Speaking of photographers…
So you’ve got your intention and your shot list. The next step is to find someone who can bring all this to life.
We recommend making note of shoots and campaigns that you like. Save any posts that catch your eye on social media. Research the photographers that produced these. Hone in on the style of work that appeals to you and your audience.
Ideally, you want a photographer used to working with brands. Social media is great for scoping out different styles.
As well as technical ability, personality is crucial. Communication and collaboration are so important for your shoot. Finding a photographer that you get on with, and who gets your vision, is essential.
OK, so we’ve got our intention, our shot list and our photographer. Next, we need to work out what we need IN the photos.
Choosing a location can be hard - this is where your well-planned intentions come in. Think about what kind of backdrop will best complement your product or service. Indoor or outdoor? Bright light, a coloured backdrop? A themed setting? Research studios and locations near you.
Check out our list of top outdoor locations in London for inspiration. Keep an eye on our blog, as we’ll be sharing our top indoor photoshoot locations in London soon.
Props are a game-changer. Some simple, well-placed extras can add so much depth to your photos. Remember, you want these photos to make people stop and stare. The little details are important.
Alongside the specifics, it’s important to think about the bigger picture. You want everyone involved in your photoshoot to feel comfortable and confident. A positive vibe will produce positive results.
Music is a big one. Having some killer tunes in the background will put everyone at ease, and help foster a more creative atmosphere. Have snacks and refreshments available, and create a friendly environment for everyone involved. These little touches will go a long way.
Finally, a bonus tip for you: prepare for things to go wrong. As much as you plan, things can always change last minute. Critical thinking will always come in handy - as will spares, back-ups and plan B’s. If you know your goals and focus on them, you will smash it.
Once your shoot is over, you want a killer strategy to make the most of your final shots. Get in touch with our team of creatives and strategists to help turn your content into currency.
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