Your Must Have Photos For Every Brand Photoshoot

Must Have Photos For Every Brand Photoshoot

Whether you are rebranding, launching a new service, starting a new business, or simply refreshing your online presence (see my blog ‘5 signs it’s time to refresh your brand photos’), having the right mix of photos will ensure that you are fully equipped with all the images you need to market your business in the best possible way and create a consistent visual identity across all of your platforms and marketing materials.

When I work with my clients, we ALWAYS create a shot list. This is a list that has all the shots that the client needs - it starts by understanding what the images will be used for through asking the right questions on our planning calls and questionnaire and the list often includes headshots, behind the scenes shots, product shots, detail shots…and many many more!  

To help you get the most out of your next photoshoot, here’s a checklist of the must have photos that every brand needs…a starter for 10 and then you can add from there!

1. A Headshot that reflects your personality

Your headshot is often the first introduction people have to you and your brand - think of it as your digital handshake/hello/hug! Take a mix of formal and relaxed shots, but above all, these shots should feel approachable, authentic, and aligned with your brand vibe – remember, we are always thinking ‘what do I want my ideal client to FEEL when they see my brand images?’

Top tip – headshot and full body shots give you loads of versatility, instead of only taking from mid body upwards.

2. Action shots of you at work

Clients LOVE to see how you work – I can tell you that the behind-the-scenes videos I post on Instagram of me working with my clients have the most views and engagement, hands down – have a look for yourself here!

No matter whether you are a coaching a client, explaining a process, working behind the scenes, or talking on a zoom call, action shots bring your process to life. These types of shots also help build trust by SHOWING how you engage with your clients and starting to tell a story of how it would be to work with you.

3. Photos of the tools you use

Camera, laptop, phone, tarot deck, flowers, notebook, paints…all of these help potential clients visualise your work. The shots we take might include flat lays, which make brilliant backgrounds for social media posts, or close ups, using colour, light and texture (my speciality!) to make those tools pop off the page and stop that scroll!

4. Lifestyle images…who are you?

I’ve said this so many times…BUT…people buy from people. Your ideal audience wants to know more about the person behind the business. They want to know your story and they want to know who you are at the very core. These photos could be, you having a coffee in a café, walking in nature, enjoying time by the fire reading a book, relaxing in your workspace…they could also include non-inanimate objects…such as your furry friend who often sits off camera under your desk to be close to you! If you look through my website, I promise you’ll see some shots of my 4-legged best friend Merlin…and you get extra points for guessing his cross breed! 😉

5. On-brand detail shots

These are so often missed….but so vital! These detailed shots could be close ups of your hands, tools, or objects that represent your brand. They could also be part of an action shot, of you writing in a journal or typing on your laptop – it’s subtle but impactful.

One small tip that I like to suggest to my clients during our planning call – think about which parts of your body might be in the detail shots – it may be that even if you don’t wear polish on your nails, for this shoot a manicure without polish may get your hands/feet into prime position for their close ups!

6. Full environment context shots

What I mean by this is shots that show your environment. They are usually wider shots of you in your workspace or another setting that reflects your brand. They give your audience a sense of context and also can be used on your website as hero or signature images, for online ads or promotional shots to give wider context….they are also helpful for this next type of shot….

7. Negative space shots

These are shots that have ‘white space’ – I’ve popped an example below as it’s often easier to see that explain! It’s the space to the left of my client Philly, as you can see she is positioned over to the left of the shot. This ‘white space’ can be used to add another image, or overlay writing. It can be used to highlight promotions and offers…and well, just about anything you like! It’s always worth having a few of these in your shot list – I don’t have a capped limit on the number of shots I give you from our shoot (there is a minimum that you will receive but if I can take loads then you get loads – all edited and ready to use!) so we always include quite a few of these as it then gives you plenty of options to change outfits, pose etc.

8. Stock photos – personal to you

When I started my photography business, there were certain ‘musts’ that I wanted to provide for my clients…and personal stock photos was close to the top of that list! (alongside, quick editing turnaround, a brilliant smooth client journey and a lot of fun on shoots!). We know that stock photos are brilliant for website fills, newsletters, Canva backgrounds, carousel backgrounds…BUT, you often see people using the same images time and time again, or even worse, when an image is popular (this often happens within the same industry), many people use the same image…so why not have your own personal stock images? Not only are they unique to you, but they are consistently on brand! I provide stock images with every photoshoot I do with my clients, at zero additional cost, and like I said, there is no cap on the number of images I deliver in your gallery, so there’s no trying to pick what you need at the expense of some of the other types of shots. Now, HOW I create the stock photos, and what I take photos of…I’m going to keep that to myself…a girl has to have a bit of mystery about her after all!

If you’ve enjoyed reading this blog and learning all about what must-have photos you need in your branding photoshoot…and it’s nudged you to book your shoot, then I’d love to work with you!

Get in touch through my contact form and let’s talk about your brand, your vision, and how you want your ideal clients to feel when they come across your brand 😊