How to prepare for a personal branding photoshoot
The last time I had a personal branding shoot, the weather just wasn’t working and I literally struggled to get myself in a place where I felt confident and comfortable.
My first meeting with branding photographer Hayley Richardson
How to prepare for a personal branding photoshoot
There is something about a photoshoot that intimidates me. I'm not one to sit still for long periods of time and be photographed, but then again, who is? I’m a video director and I’ve also worked as a photographer, but someone shooting me somehow felt …strange!
If there's one thing I've learned from my years in creating content for entrepreneurs and small businesses, it's that there are no rules when it comes to personal brand photography. Some people choose to hire professional photographers while others prefer to take their own photos at home with their phones. Regardless of which option you choose, though—and whether or not you hire an expert—there are still some things you should know before walking into any kind of studio or taking photos at home by yourself...
Choose the right photographer.
Choosing the right photographer is key to your success. You want to find someone who is going to complement your brand and help you break through any barriers that could stand in your way as an influencer. Ask yourself:
Are they comfortable with me?
Do they specialise in personal branding?
Have they worked with other business owners before?
If the answer is yes, then you’re probably onto a winner! If not, then think carefully about the next steps of your journey and how much more difficult it will be without the help of an experienced professional photographer who knows exactly what needs to be done for these photos (and how best to do them).
Create a personal brand moodboard.
A moodboard is a collection of images that represent your brand. It can be a collage or Pinterest board, but it should be visually appealing, cohesive and match your brand's personality.
For example, if you're thinking about going with an edgy look —you might want to include some darker colours and textures in your moodboard. The most important thing is making sure the colours align with where you want to go stylistically as well as what kind of image you'd like people to have when they think of you.
Have fun.
Don't be afraid to get silly, don't be afraid to try new things, and don't worry about making mistakes. Remember: if you have a bad hair day or a bad outfit choice on the day of your shoot, it won't matter because this is just one aspect of you—and even if it turns out poorly, there's no need for concern because it's always easy enough to reshoot! Just enjoy yourself and let go of any inhibitions or fears you may have about being in front of the camera.
You never know what might happen; maybe your photographer will come up with an idea that inspires you so much that it becomes part of your brand identity or maybe they'll catch something on film that shows off one of your best features. Either way, these photos will help tell your story as well as give potential clients insight into who you are beyond just how good you look.
Get a good night's sleep on the night before your shoot.
I can’t stress enough about how sleep is important for good energy levels on the day of your shoot! If you are feeling tired before an important meeting or presentation, try to get a good night's sleep before the shoot.
If possible, set up your photoshoot on a day that you’re guaranteed adequate sleep. You may have had an exciting event the previous night and might not be able to fall asleep properly because of it. This will affect both your appearance and mood in photos!
Bring the right props.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on props, but having the right ones for your shoot can help you look more professional and feel more confident. There are many benefits of bringing props:
Props can help you get the right look. For example, if you want people to see that you're fun and bubbly on your website, then bring a beach ball or silly hat!
Props can help make things easier for the photographer. If they need an object in the background of an outdoor shot, having it ready will save them time and energy (and keep them happier) while they work hard to give their best performance.
Props can help make things easier for you! If something makes sense because it fits with your personal brand image—like wearing orange shoes if orange is one of your brand colours—then do it! These small changes will make it feel like less work overall because everything about this process will seem more natural than if we were just standing there staring at each other awkwardly until someone finally broke down laughing out loud from sheer exhaustion...
A good personal branding photoshoot is all about preparation - choose the right photographer, plan ahead, have fun and get a good night's sleep before to make your photo-shoot day fit like a glove!
A little recap:
The first thing to do is choose a photographer who you're comfortable with. This person will be spending hours with you and knows how to make you look your best. They should also be able to give advice on how to prepare and what props or outfits are best suited for the shoot.
Next, plan ahead - whether it's shopping for new clothes, booking a stylist or researching the location where your shoot will take place. It's important that everything is perfect so that there isn't anything distracting from your brand, like messy hair or ill-fitting clothing.
Finally, don't forget about sleep! Everyone looks better after having had a good night's rest – especially if they've been up since 5am getting ready for their big day!