The Importance of Investing in Your Business
In mid-2023, I decided to take a leap and invest in branding photos for my business. My goal was to take my online presence (website, socials, etc.) to the next level by using a set of cohesive, brand-right photos that showcased my brand’s personality, color palette, and professionalism.
Photos can honestly make or break your online presence. So here’s how to prep for your next brand shoot!
Now, let me follow that up by saying that they don’t need to be done by a professional (at least not right away). I’ve definitely found success in my business with a little DIY magic. But, like many business owners, I eventually got to the point where outsourcing was in the budget and the time saved by hiring a professional was 100% worth the investment.
So, can you be successful without professional photos? YES!
Does hiring a professional photographer help you grow faster? Also YES!
Having high-quality photos on your website and social media:
👩🏻💼 allows you to show up as a professional
🫱🏻🫲🏽 builds trust and credibility with your audience
💸 saves you valuable time and energy when creating content
And since I specialize in the eCommerce field, I feel compelled to say that this is especially true for product-based businesses. Having high-quality photos is a necessity!
But I digress... Let’s get to the brand shoot tips as promised.
Here’s how you can best plan for your brand shoot:
1️⃣ Make a mood board. Head to Pinterest and save all the poses, outfits, product shots etc. that feel like they capture the essence of your brand.
2️⃣ Find a photographer that suits your brand’s style. @indiajadephoto does destination shoots so check her out!
3️⃣ Book a location. Your photographer may know of some good studio options if you need help finding a location that fits your brand style. Refer to your mood board to get an idea of what type of furniture you might need. Many studios have furniture you can use. I used @bellevousstudios
4️⃣ Make a master list of outfits and props then start gathering what you need. I outlined 2-3 outfits, props that I wanted with each outfit, studio props, etc. Honestly, I brought more than I needed but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
5️⃣ Can I be corny and add “have fun!”? But seriously. The joy and energy you bring will show in the photos so get caffinated!
I’m curious, have you invested in brand photos yet? What was your experience?