Top 5 things to do to get ready for your brand shoot 

professiona; branding picture of a black woman chef

As an Austin-based professional brand photographer, I’ve had the privilege of working with a number of Austin’s entrepreneurs, coaches, real estate agents, and lawyers to help them craft their visual story through impactful brand photography. While the actual photoshoot is where the magic happens, the preparation leading up to it is just as crucial to ensure you get the most out of your investment.

In this post, I’m going to share my top 5 steps to prepare for your best brand photoshoot yet:

    1.Define Your Brand Story Before you walk int the studio, take the time to really hone in on the core messaging and visual identity of your brand. What are the key elements that make your business unique? What emotions do you want to evoke in your target audience? Clearly articulating your brand story will give your photographer a solid foundation to work from when planning your photoshoot concepts and shot list. This is how I start every Free consultation. If you’ve already thought this through , great, if not Im here to help you flesh out your ideas, and build your brand the right way.
    2.Assemble Your Dream Team A successful brand photoshoot isn’t just about the photographer – it takes a whole crew to bring your vision to life. In addition to your photographer, you’ll want to enlist the help of a hair and makeup artist, a stylist, and potentially even a videographer. Having this dream team in place ensures every aspect of your photoshoot is executed flawlessly. IF you have your people in place utilize  your team. If you want a seamless experience, then I’ll bring in the A-team. I have stylists, Hair and Make up artist, as well as a videographer to capture those behind the scenes moments if needed.
    3.Prepare Your Wardrobe. One of the most common pain points I hear from clients is feeling stressed about what to wear for their photoshoot. My advice? Plan out your outfits well in advance, making sure they align with your brand aesthetic and the specific looks you want to capture. Lay everything out beforehand, and don’t be afraid to get input from your stylist. Or we can have a quick zoom call about whats in your closet, How you plan to accessorize , and what will look best on camera.
    4.Optimize Your Shoot Schedule Time is of the essence during a brand photoshoot, so it’s crucial to have a detailed schedule in place. Work closely with your photographer to map out the perfect time of day, location, and flow for your session. This allows you to maximize the number of high-quality images you get, without feeling rushed or frazzled. Before the shoot during pre-planning we will discuss the best fit for your shoot. My studio is located in the Arboretum, there I have access to a picturesque green area, and of course my studio space.
    5.Embrace the Process Finally, remember to embrace the process and have fun! Brand photography should be an enjoyable experience that leaves you feeling empowered and ready to showcase your business to the world. Trust in your photographer’s expertise, be open to creative direction, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The end result will be images that authentically capture the essence of your brand. being able to be yourself, and showcase the best parts of you is crucial. Authenticity is key.
When you’re ready to elevate your brand Identity and create magazine quality images let’s talk!