THE
BRAND SHOOT GUIDE
Contents 2
WELCOME
11
STYLING
Tips for getting started on wardrobe.
3
MEET MY SQUAD
Who you’ll be hearing from over the next few weeks.
4
COMMUNICATION
A quick note on how we’ll talk throughout the process.
6
TIMING
Key deadlines to keep in mind to keep up on track.
8
LOCATION
15
PROCESS
A quick rundown of what’s coming, and when.
21
WHAT TO BRING
Prop ideas to get the wheels turning.
25
DELIVERY
What to do once you have the photos in your hand.
What to look for when booking your shoot space.
1
Welcome I am SO excited to work with you! We’re going to have such fun shooting together, and I can’t wait to dive into your business and get to know your brand like an old friend. Take a look through this guide to get an idea what you’re in for over the next several weeks. My approach to branding portraits is extremely detailed and I’ll be doing a LOT of homework and research before we shoot; I want these photographs to represent your brand the way YOU want to be seen. If we haven’t met in real life yet, I’m a wife, mama, Ravenclaw, Enneagram 3w4, yogi, and latte lover. I'm a dual-citizen Canadian + American. I've always been a tiny bit of a rebel, and have always loved to break the norm... Smash the patriarchy!
2
Meet the Squad
Jon
Henrietta
The Boys
World’s best husband, analyst, sidekick, and DIY jack of all trades. He is constantly learning from YouTube, loves drumming, and tinkering in his shop. Beverage of choice: a giant glass of milk
Giver of smiles and allaround morale booster. You won’t see her on the day of, but, I mean, come on. Look at that face! She definitely deserves a mention here. Beverage of choice: "jus" aka juice
Jag, Jaxon and Jericho (we’re not sure how they all ended up J names) are our trio of pets. This is literally the only photo we have of all 3. Beverage of choice: literally anything Hattie drops on the floor.
3
Communication
You’re going to have a number of questions throughout this process, and let me just assure you- that’s totally normal! I want you to ask for anything you need- I’m here to make this process AS smooth as possible, so don’t hesitate to shoot over an email if there’s anything we can help with. Just so you know what to expect going forward - I am at my desk on Mondays and Thursdays and check email throughout the day. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays are my “deep work” days and I’m generally offline for the duration of the day.
With a toddler at home I do a lot of work at night, so if you get a reply at 11pm, please don't feel obligated to reply then! The culture of immediacy and constant fragmentation of time aren’t healthy outside of work. ;) Additionally, I try to limit social media for my own mental health, so I'm not on there a lot. Facebook and Instagram DMs are way too easy to lose track of, so if you have any questions pertaining to your shoot that requires an answer, make sure you’re sending an email.
5
Timing We’ll have a few key deadlines that you’ll want to keep in mind- firstly, when we send out your pre-shoot questionnaire, make sure to complete that within one week! The questionnaire and my notes from our initial call are what direct the majority of my research, so make sure to get that back to me as soon as you can. I only take three branding shoots per month, and any delays in the process can compromise the time needed to thoroughly research and plan out your shoot. Once your questionnaire has been submitted, I’ll reach out to schedule your pre-shoot call, which will take place two to four weeks before your shoot day. During that call, we’ll talk through the
6
set of storylines I’ve come up with for you, attire, and location, and together we’ll brainstorm a list of props to have on set. Because you might need to purchase/order a few new items that we discuss on that call, it’s important we’re able to meet far enough in advance of your shoot to allow time for ordering said items. Keep in mind that any significant delays in sending over the intel I need from you could result in a need to reschedule your shoot- I know your time is precious and these photographs are really important for you to have, so just make sure you’re sending in the intel needed as soon as possible!
Location If your home is one that Chip and Joanna would be proud of, let’s chat about shooting there!
That certainly keeps things simple, and whenever shooting at home is an option, I love how relaxed it helps my clients feel. But if a well-decorated, well-lit, onbrand home isn’t your story, don’t sweat! Part of planning your session involves choosing an appropriate backdrop for it all- if your home isn’t “on-brand,” we still have a ton of other options. More than half of my clients end up choosing an off-site location for their session (I did, when I had my portraits taken!).
8
The top place I recommend looking is Airbnb. Or if there’s an event venue in your area that immediately comes to mind, it doesn’t hurt to reach out and ask if they have an hourly rate for a session in the middle of the week. If you go the Airbnb route, you’ll likely need to reserve two nights to give us enough time for prep + shooting.
When choosing a location, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Is there ample natural light (big windows) throughout the home?
3. Does the space feel like a photo shoot set, or does it seem more organic/true to life?
2. Is there more than just one room or corner that feels brandcohesive?
4. If choosing a public location (i.e. hotel bar, landmark, public park), will we be dealing with passersby/tourists/etc.?
9
Need a second opinion? If you’re struggling to choose between a couple different locations, send the links my way! I love providing input on what would photograph best. If we’re shooting offsite, when it comes time to reserve your location, please allow a one-hour buffer of extra time for arrival & set-up beforehand, and another 30-min buffer for teardown afterwards. Trust me, we’ll need it, especially with all the props I’ll be asking you to bring!
Styling What should I wear?
11
One of my goals for your shoot is to maximize the usage you get out of your photographs, allowing you to use them for as LONG as possible before you need a refresh! Part of that formula is making sure we have variety in your outfits, so that as you use your photographs across ads, website, social media and beyond, it doesn’t look like you’re reusing the same images over and over again. We’ll base your outfit choices on the set of storylines I come up with for your shoot.
12
For 3-hour sessions, I recommend 3-4 looks. For my 6-hour clients, we can include upwards of 6-8, depending on your individual needs! Your final selection of outfits will depend on your brand, your personal style, your storylines, and how you plan to use your photographs, but I almost always recommend having at least one somewhat-casual outfit and one dressier option. I absolutely recommend having a stylist help you curate your shoot wardrobe.
This isn’t something you want to leave until the last-minute, and having a professional to help make sure your attire speaks to the same quality and aesthetic as your overall brand is key in making sure these photographs go to work FOR your brand. Some local places in Thunder Bay that have great service and The Loop Clothing, JB Evans, and Street Legal. If you'd like to go outside of the local scene, I have a few names for virtual stylists to help you curate a wardrobe for the shoot.
I recommend booking your stylist *no later than* four weeks before your shoot date, giving you ample time to choose a final collection of looks, order new pieces, and have items tailored/dry cleaned as needed. Make sure that all of your outfits are clean, ironed, etc. the day before your shoot to avoid the last-minute hassle of doing it the morning I arrive!
13
If you decide to have your hair and makeup done professionally, we’ll plan for them to finish up no later than 30 minutes before we’re set to begin shooting (assuming you’re getting dolled up onsite). We want the final result to look and feel like you, so I’d recommend asking for an everyday look for your hair and makeup, instead of a full-on glam job. Polished & professional is the goal, as these photographs are meant to feel as authentic as possible-
14
if your brand photographs are overthe-top fancy, there’s a certain disconnect when you show up for a consultation looking completely different than you do on your website! Since your brand session will likely involve a few close-up photos of your hands, I recommend having your nails done the day or two before your shoot with a clean, neutral polish- avoid any bold or dark colours that will draw the eye to your hands. If you have any plans to go barefoot or wear open-toed shoes, I suggest a pedicure as well!
The Process Here’s a quick run-down of how you can expect things to unfold throughout our time working together!
THREE MONTH'S OUT: LET'S GO! Your contract is signed and the retainer has been paid, so let’s get to the fun stuff within the first week, we’ll send over your brand clarity questionnaire. Make sure to return that within one week so I can get started on my research. Your brand clarity questionnaire is the starting point for me as I do my research. The more detail you can give me here, the better I’m able to brainstorm your storylines and shot list!
T WO MONTH'S OUT: B RAND BOARD Once your questionnaire has been submitted, I’ll have you get started on a brief Pinterest board (no more than 30 pins) that encapsulates the overall feel and aesthetic of your brand. This isn’t the place to Pin photos of poses or logos you like, but to help me envision the overall vibe of your brand. I’ll have a printed copy of the board with me on the day of your shoot as a reference! Feel free to include photographs of anything that feels on-brand: locations, textures, colours, emotions, moments, fashion, interiors, and more.
15
PRO TIP: If you’re thinking of including kiddos in a portion of your branding session, make sure to have a family member or friend on hand to get them prepped and ready!
F OUR WEEKS OUT: VENUE, OUTFIT PLANNING, AND SCHEDULING Approximately one month before your shoot, you’ll start working with your stylist to choose your outfits for your shoot (so you have plenty of time to order and try out those new pieces!). This is also the time when you’ll want to have reserved your final location for your session! If you’re planning to work with a hair & makeup artist, go ahead and get on their schedule now- this will impact our final day-of timeline, and I’ll want to plan accordingly. If you’re thinking of having any floral arrangements on hand for your shoot, order these now. I will also reach out to get your preshoot call on the calendar!
16
T HREE WEEKS OUT: PRE-SHOOT CALL We’ll have your pre-shoot call between 2-4 weeks before your shoot, during which time I’ll present my ideas for storylines and to make sure I’m on the right path. We’ll also use that call to discuss a timeline for the day of your shoot, taking into account any additional vendors involved, team or family members you hope to include, and potential start/end times dictated by the venue.
The Process (CONTINUED)
O NE WEEK OUT: G ATHERING THE DETAILS You’ll hear from me with a final packing list of everything I’d like you to have on hand. This will include any of your tools that you use on a regular basis, as well as on-brand accents (especially if we’re not shooting at your office or home). This is the time to take any finalized outfit items to the tailor or dry cleaner! Order any final items off your packing list that you don’t already have on hand. If I will be travelling for your shoot, you’ll also hear from me with the final details on when we’ll be arriving in town. We’ll send over a schedule for the day of your shoot so you’ll know an overall start and end time.
O NE TO TWO DAYS OUT: L ET’S PREP! If you’re in need of a final hair and/or nail appointment, this is the time to have that done! Pick up any items you took to the tailor or cleaners. Gather all your outfits and accessories in one place, and ensure everything is clean and wrinkle-free. I’ll have a steamer with me on the day of for any lastminute subtle wrinkles, but trust me: nothing is more stressful than trying to iron with your hair and makeup halfway done, only to hear the doorbell ring signalling our arrival! If you’re planning to have easy, fresh flowers in vases around the house, purchase these now.
17
PRO TIP: Consider having your go-to beverage (coffee, La Croix, etc.) and snack on set- I always like having the option of true-to-life desk accessories to keep things feeling authentic!
S HOOT DAY!
ONE WEEK AFTER
We’ll plan to arrive 30 minutes before your session to give me time to walk the space and set up my gear. Don’t worry about being camera-ready right when we arrive! Depending on the time and whether your shoot is a 3 or 6-hour session, we’ll plan for a lunch break around noon. Once we’ve wrapped up for the day, count on me taking about 30 minutes to pack up and load out!
18
I’ll send over a few previews from your session! I can’t wait for you to see these. You’re welcome to begin using these as soon as I send them!
The Process (CONTINUED)
F OUR WEEKS AFTER
T HREE WEEKS AFTER We’ll deliver your final gallery through my proofing site, PicTime. You’ll have full download capability so you can start using your photographs as soon as they land in your inbox. Your gallery will be online for a full year, but I suggest downloading the high-resolution files as soon as you receive them so that it doesn’t fall off your radar!
We’d love to hear your thoughts! We will send over a follow up questionnaire to ask about your experience, thoughts on the final collection of photographs, and any other feedback you might have for me. This part is so helpful for us as we polish and perfect our systems!
PRO TIP: Make a date with yourself for three weeks after your shoot to view + download your photographs, and pull your faves- you worked SO hard on this, so let’s put those photos to good use!
19
WHAT TO BRING? Here’s a general idea of what you’ll have to have on-set for the day of your shoot! This isn’t an exhaustive list, and the final packing list I’ll send over to you the week before your shoot will be tailored to you and your business.
EXAMPLES OF YOUR WORK If your business produces any sort of physical product, bring some of your favorite samples with you!
THE TOOLS THAT YOU USE TO DO BUSINESS i.e. camera, laptop, AirPods, a mic for podcasts, paintbrushes, tile samples, blueprints, etc
21
MARKETING COLLATERAL Do you have a client welcome magazine, brochures, or any templated tools you consistently use with clients? Bring ‘em along!
YOUR OUTFITS AND ACCESSORIES Hung up and grouped according to each look
DESK TCHOTCHKES If we’re not shooting at home, we want this to FEEL like an actual office space, used by an actual person- not a photo shoot set. Items like pencil cups, candles, pens/pencils/highlighters, Post-It notes, paperclips, tape, inspiration boards, small storage baskets, and more can help create a more authentic vibe.
22
ON-BRAND DECOR Any items you have throughout your space that are in line with the overall vibe of the brand. If we’re shooting offsite, feel free to bring one or two framed pieces you love to help make the space feel more true-to-life. We can use 3M Command Hooks with us to temporarily hang art, if needed!
23
DELIVERY I’ll send over a handful of previews within one week of your shoot, and your final gallery will be delivered three weeks after your session. Once you have them in hand, it’s time to put those photos to work! I suggest doing this in two main ways:
1. The Clean Sweep Choose your very favorite headshot from your shoot and go through ALL of your main channels to update your bio photo! Consistency across platforms helps your audience recognize you from one channel to the next, so I strongly suggest using the same bio photo across every channel. Here’s a general list to get you started: Website - About Page Online shop Sales pages Social media bio photos:
Industry-specific aggregate websites (i.e. Houzz, Wedding Wire) Client management software (i.e. Honeybook, Dubsado, etc.)
Email signature
Facebook business page
Press kit
Pinterest Clubhouse
Marketing collateral (i.e. pricing PDFs, proposals)
TikTok
Downloadable freebies
2. The Slow Burn Pull together a collection of your favorite 30-40 photographs from your shoot (both horizontal and vertical) and keep them in an easy-to-access folder on your desktop or in the Cloud. These are the go-to photos you’ll use again and again on social media, guest posts, newsletter heads, Keynote slide decks, etc.
25
Additional ways to put your photographs to work:
• Drop your top highlights into whatever social media planning software you use (i.e. Planoly) to make sure they’re on hand next time you’re scheduling posts • Save your favorites to a folder on your phone for easy access when you’re away from your computer • Update the cover photo of your Facebook business page, and any Facebook groups you run for your business • Sprinkle your brand photos throughout any corresponding
28
workbooks you online courses
include
in
your
• Use your brand photos as the cover image for individual modules for your online courses • Implement your brand images (both photographs that include your face AND detail-oriented ones) into your marketing collateral to illustrate the process and/or deliverables, and to make them more visually engaging and cohesive.
THANK YOU If you have any questions at all or need help finding additional vendors, just send us an email at hello@cascadesphotovideo.com. We love recommending my favourite industry experts to help your shoot come together perfectly! We can’t wait to get started! Cheers!,
Megan
