Personal Branding Photoshoot Checklist
Maximize your brand photoshoot potential
During discovery calls with my clients I always ask about brand vision and mission, expectations and purpose of the photoshoot. There are no wrong answers, some of them are deeper, well thought and conscious, connected with visual language and some are more generic.
My mission, as a personal branding photographer, is to understand your mission, your brand universe and values. In order to show it visually I need to understand what vision you have for your brand and choose the best direction from unlimited possibilities for your branding photoshoot.
If you started planning your personal branding photoshoot and you freak out…
Hold on, relax and let’s go through a checklist together.
There are few basic points that never change, and it’s good to have them planned ahead. If you already have chosen your personal branding photographer, she will definitely help you. Nevertheless it’s good to start the preparations a few weeks before by building a concept.
Personal branding photoshoot checklist will keep you relaxed.
Why do you need personal branding photos?
Be clear on your purpose and goal of the photoshoot.
Are you launching your web for the first time?
Do you need photos for your newsletter, podcast and articles, or you will use them more frequently on Social Media?
Do you want to create a cohesive visual identity or you need a starting pack of excellent portraits?
Do you want to showcase a new service or product?
Where and how you’re going to use the final photos is a crucial information for every personal branding photographer. By knowing your long term goals and plans we help you better with ideas and planning, as it determinate the format and style of photos.
For example if a photo is destined for a landing page it has to have more impact that a photo for Instagram that will be exposed among complementary graphics and photos.
2. Your Story Brand: Vision & Universe
The second most important thing is a universe of your brand and a message you send to the world. It’s good to be conscious about your brand mission and how you’re going to help your costumer.
Ask yourself which of your rituals or routines are relevant to your brand and do you want capture them.
It’s great to show behind the scenes of your work, don’t forget to add it to the list.
Your hobbies shape you and your brand, do'n’t forget to add one or two.
I wrote a whole blog post on how to build a successful personal brand.
3. Aesthetics: Look & Feel of your Brand
Gather all the inspirations. Start building a mood board that could help transmitting your branding photoshoot ideas to a photographer.
4. On brand props
Don’t forget to include on brad props for example: a notebook, pen, coffee cup, everything in your brand colours. If you work in a creative field you can build a mood board on a wall or on a floor using magazines, printed photos, textile - it will show your creative skills and also make you feel relaxed during the your branding photoshoot. Depending on the industry and ideas is cool to show food, cakes, coffee.
Explore and have fun during gathering them before the photoshoot day!
5. Dreamed location Ideas
Close your eyes and imagine a place that you feel happy and comfortable, that feels that it brings all the values of your brand. Is it a cosy apartment or a modern design studio, is it an outside location as a picturesque vineyard or and incredible coast?
Make a list of all these places.
If there are out of your reach, maybe you are planning a vacation trip in the upcoming months - that is a great way to explore the possibilities for dreamy location for your imaginary branding photoshoot.
6. Shot List
Ask your photographer for sending you over the final shot list before the photoshoot. So you can be sure you have every idea covered!
7. Outfits planning
Plan at leat 3 different outfits. Be sure that they are comfy and you feel good wearing them. Depending on your budget I always recommend to hire a Fashion Stylist that helps you with all the troubles connected with finding the best outfit choices and helps on the set during the photoshoot.
8. Hair & Makeup & nails
Don’t leave it for the last moment! Book a makeup artist and remember that the close up photos are very important, so don’t forget to prepare your nails.
If you’re visiting Barcelona and you’re planning your photoshoot here let’s create together.