Y O U R B R A N D P L A N N E R
T h e U l t i m a t e G u i d e t o
P l a n n i n g Y o u r B r a n d i n g P h o t o s h o o t
Meet Kellyn
HI FRIEND!
As a branding photographer, I am super passionate about entrepreneurs getting in front of the camera to elevate their brand! So I’m excited you ’ ve decided to book a branding photoshoot to take your business to the next level!
During this process of planning and capturing your shoot, you can consider me your business bestie! That's why I created this step-by-step guide to help you organize all the details and plan a dream personal branding photoshoot that reflects your business, communicates your message and lets you SHINE ONLINE! Remember, your industry may feel oversaturated, but there's one thing in your business that sets you apart from the rest... and that's YOU! So let's work together to create amazing photos to your brand to the next level!
Kellyn
What
is Branding Photography?
Personal Branding Photography provides imagery for entrepreneurs to uplevel their brand, tell their story and connect with their audience on a personal level to grow their business These photos will showcase your unique personality and can be used in a variety of ways throughout your website, social media and marketing platforms! It’s all about capturing who you are, what you provide and what makes your brand unique. Headshots, your workspace, creative process, tools of your trade and MUCH more!
Your Client Avatar
Making sure I capture photos that represent you and your brand is why you hired me..am I right?!
We're going to be using what you know about the people you love to work with to help plan out your branding photoshoot! In order to make this happen, I need to get to know who your ideal client is.
Let's get started! Answer the questions on the next page and give your Ideal Client a name so that we can start planning your personal brand photoshoot. This person can be a real person, a made up person or even a different version of someone you know.
Who is your ideal client
How old is your ideal client?
Why does your Ideal Client need your services
Your Personal Brand Story
Before you can start planning your branding shoot, you must develop your Personal Brand Story. This story helps you to connect with your audience and showcase what makes your business unique beyond what you sell.
Brainstorm
Who you are (Beyond your job title, who are you at the core of your heart?)
What you do (Beyond your actual service, what is the experience you provide?)
Why you do it (What’s your mission, why do you wake up and work?)
Your unique value proposition (What makes your business unique?)
Setting Your Intentions
How do want to use these photos to grow your business?
□ Brand Awareness
□ Showcase products and services
□ Grow your community
□ Convert visitors into customers
□ Inspire audience
□ Educate audience
□ Connect with major brands □ Other
What type of feel do you want your photos to have?
□ Fun/Playful
□ Professional
□ Classy
□ Inviting □ Relaxed/Casual
Earthy
Calming
Other
List any image requirements you need for specific image placements
(e.g., need new homepage header image with white space on the left side for text)
Elaborate on what you hope to achieve by doing a personal branding shoot.
Brand Colors
While planning your shoot, keep your brand colors in mind! Adding pops of your brand color into your outfit, props and other elements can bring your photos to life and help with brand recognition.
What are your brand colors?
Creating Your Vision Board
Pinterest is a great way to plan your shoot and share your inspiration with me! The best way to design a mood board with great visual inspiration is to pick photos based on if they communicate a similar feeling or emotion, and if they have specific poses, positioning or elements you love (15-30 pins would be great)!
When pinning, please use the caption to explain what you like about the image This both helps me to understand what catches your eye, and you remember why you pinned it when you refer back!
Ideas of what to look for and comment on:
• Poses • Location • Colors • Props • Clothing
Bonus tip: Look at inspiration outside your industry to set yourself apart The key is to not plan to replicate the image exactly but to use the board as inspiration to create your own custom brand images.
Choosing Your Locations
Location, location, location! Choosing a location for your photo shoot is important because it will set the tone for your shoot and impact the look and feel of your photos. Choose locations that are on-brand for your business and don’t be afraid to look for new places that have an atmosphere that can uplevel your brand. You’ll likely shoot a variety of photos in 1-3 different locations.
Outdoor Location Ideas
Town Centres
Streets with colourful walls & doors
Gardens
Beaches
Parks
Your neighbourhood
Farmers market
Boats
Indoor Location Ideas
Home Office/Studio Space
Various parts of your home (Kitchen, Living Room)
Coffee shop/Cafe
Bookstore
Co-working space
Clubhouse of an apartment complex
Rent an Airbnb
A borrowed space
*Note: I'll have lighting equipment for indoor locations, but choosing a space with ample window light is key!
Brainstorm
What locations are on brand for you? What type of locations do you enjoy working from? What do you like about these environments? What's important to you about the feel, style, vibe?
Your Top Looks
What you wear in your photos is a reflection of your brand and overall business, so dress accordingly! Your attire should complement your overall vibe and give a powerful first impression
Before choosing your wardrobe, I want you to think about the different looks you would like to capture. These looks should represent you and your brand.
Aim for 5 looks but if your brand only encompasses one look that is ok! .
Examples
Relaxed - Ex Spa day, pajamas in bed, or meditation clothing
Fitness - Ex Yoga pants, workout clothes, hiking outfits
Casual - Ex Jeans, t-shirt, shorts and spaghetti straps
Dressy Casual - Ex Sundresses, nice jeans, knee length skirt, date night clothes
Relaxed Business Casual - Ex Jeans and a nice blouse or sweater
Business Casual - Ex Blouse, sweater, skirt, button up
Elevated Business Casual - Ex Pencil skirts, blazer, heels, slacks
Business Formal - Ex Pantsuit, blazer, skirt or dress and jacket
Festive Attire - Ex Holiday, little black dress, cocktail dress, dressy skirt and blouse
Formal - Ex Evening gown, little black dress, cocktail dress, black tie
Choosing Your Wardrobe
Most people online have a very limited attention span, so we want to connect with them quickly The best way to connect with someone in an image is through their eyes and through their smile Your wardrobe can either distract the viewer from your eyes and smile, or they can help to enhance your eyes and smile
We will go over wardrobe more in depth during your consultation but for now here are a couple of tips!
Tips for choosing your outfits
□ Choose 2-4 outfits for the shoot. A great place to start is to choose one that represents a professional look (work) and one that represents a lifestyle look (casual).
□ Choose on-brand colors and clothes that represent your personality and best self!
□ Avoid wearing overwhelming or distracting patterns. Having simple options with accessories are always a safe bet.
□ Feel free to layer (throw on a sweater or cardigan), be bold with accessories (necklaces, shoes, etc.) and make your outfits your own.
□ Avoid wearing horizontal stripes, as they can distort when the photo is minimized and create a look of extra width in your figure.
□ If you wear glasses, choose non-reflective lenses or coating to avoid glare.
□ Try on all your outfits in a mirror (move and walk in them) and make sure that you look and feel comfortable in what you ’ re wearing.
Brainstorm
What signature pieces do you have in your closet that you can wear? You don’t need to go on a shopping spree but if you ’ ve been wanting to buy a new outfit, feel free to use this as the opportunity!
Choosing Your Props
Props are one of the best ways to show off your personality! They can be as simple as the tools of your trade (laptop, camera, phone) or fun personal items that you love having in your life! Adding these elements into your photos can give your audience an idea of what it’s like to work with you. Review your brand story when brainstorming props so that you can be sure the items can assist in communicating your message.
Prop Ideas
Yoga Mat
Flowers
Food
Clipboard
Balloons
Confetti
Mixed Drinks
Hats
Microphone
Headphones
Newspaper or Magazine
A book
Passport
Plants
Knick Knacks
Sunglasses
Smartphone
Laptop
Notebook or Journal
Coffee or Tea Cup
Glasses
Wine or Champagne
A Thank You Card
Your Favorite Pen
Camera
Paintbrushes
Artwork
Supplies
Brochures
Signage
Workbook
Stapler
Brainstorm
What kind of props would you like to incorporate in your shoot?
Makeup
Holiday knick knacks
Paint Swatches
Luggage
Jewelry
Picnic Props
Dinner Props
Pajamas
Portfolio
Candles
Clock
Gardening Tools
Cooking Tools
Empty page
Workout Equipment
Planner
Hair & Makeup
It’s completely up to you how ‘natural’ or ‘glam’ you’d like to come across in your branding photos but either way, I highly recommend getting your hair and makeup professionally done. You’ve done all the work to plan a professional branding shoot, so top it off with a polished look! No need for a formal updo (unless that's your style)! You’ll want these photos to represent the best version of your everyday self Here are some examples for inspiration:
Brainstorm
What ideas do you have for hair and makeup?
Shot List Ideas
□ Headshots
A quality photo of you smiling at the camera! For variety, take some of just your gorgeous face, half body and full body!
□ Lifestyle
Show off that personality, boo! Laughing and smiling, sitting on a couch, standing, walking, leaning, sipping coffee, reading, etc Whatever makes you feel most comfortable!
□ Inspiration
Grab photos of what inspires you (a location, resource, books, magazines, a person, etc.)
□
Workspace
Your audience wants to see WHERE the action happens! Your desk, your bed, your couch, a full office space... anything goes!
□ Creative Process
HOW do you get your work done? This can be a photo of you on your computer, writing ideas on a whiteboard, organizing materials, etc
□ Tools of your trade
What are your go-to supplies? Camera, art supplies, a planner, writing/drawing utensils, makeup brushes, etc
□ Props
Show off some fun props! Welcome guides, gift boxes, mugs with funny quotes!
□ Products
Show em' what you sell! Albums, prints, florals, artwork. If you offer a service, get photos of happy clients!
□
Uniqueness
What makes you different and interesting? Do you love to hula hoop? Collect graphic tees? Have a hidden talent?
□ Seasonal
Snap seasonal photos at the start of the season to help fill in the blanks! (Beach items for summer, ornaments for Christmas, etc )
Packing List
Outfits
Jewelry & Accessories
Props
Notes
Let's Do This!
I'm so honored you chose me as your photographer and can ' t wait to create amazing imagery to elevate your brand!
Feel free to email me at email if you have any questions!
Kellyn