How to Plan The Best Brand Photoshoot: Outfits, Poses, Location, and So Much More!
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If you're hesitating to book a brand photoshoot because it feels overwhelming, you're in good company. It can feel intimidating as hell – trust me, I get it! It’s not just about posing or standing in front of the camera (although yeah, that’s scary AF too), it’s also about the prep. You’re probably busy juggling a million things and unsure where to start. And that's why we're here today!
Outfits, props, poses, shot lists—how do you prepare for your branding photo session so it can be WILDLY successful?
Preparing for your branding shoot doesn't have to feel like running a marathon in heels. I’m here to walk you through how to plan your brand photoshoot with clarity, strategy, and let’s be real—a little fun.
Here are the exact same tips I give my photo and video clients to help them feel empowered, confident, and actually excited about their shoot day.
I even recorded an entire video talking about this—you can watch it here or keep reading to get all my best advice!
Get Clear on Your Brand and Audience
You always hear me say, “Don’t reinvent the wheel.” Well, here I am practicing what I preach. One of the most important things you can do before your shoot is get CRYSTAL clear on your brand and who you're talking to. Let’s stop calling it a branding shoot if you don’t actually know your brand, mmkay?
Knowing who you are and who you’re trying to reach is non-negotiable.
A good branding photographer isn’t just showing up to snap some cute pics. Whether it’s marketing, your site, or your IG grid, these visuals need to work hard for you. This means you need to be so confident in your brand’s purpose and voice so we can capture it with clarity.
Not entirely sure you’ve nailed down your brand? My pre-shoot questionnaire helps guide you through some brand prompts and has even made some clients realize they weren’t quite ready for a branding shoot yet (which is also a win!).
You can also download my 5 Steps to Brand Clarity freebie to help you get you clear AF before your shoot.
Define the Purpose of Your Branding Shoot
No plan = no strategic content. Period. Being intentional with your shoot starts with understanding how you plan to use the images. What platforms are you showing up on? What kind of visuals do you actually need? Need a wide banner for your website homepage? A tight headshot for LinkedIn? Social squares? Cool—write that down. Share it.
I help clients create a shot list (more on this later!) that covers everything from email banners to circle-crop profile pics. Plus my shoot prep includes a purpose-driven questionnaire for a reason: so we’re not just shooting in the dark.
Gather Visual Inspiration with a Mood Board
A mood board doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does have to exist. This isn’t about creating a Pinterest board just to copy it shot for shot—it’s about giving your photographer a visual language and vibe to work with.
The goal is to communicate style, pose types, lighting, energy.
Are you giving cozy and natural? Bold and editorial? What poses feel authentic? What colors light you up? Are you visualizing airy and bright or moody and intense? This tells me what puzzle pieces to bring to our creative party. Pin it, screenshot it, sketch it on a napkin—just show me what’s in your head.
Choose the Right Photoshoot Location
Location matters, and no—it doesn’t always have to be my studio (even though it’s fabulous). If my space fits your vibe, great. If not? I’ve got recs.
Whether you vibe with clean, minimalist walls or you’re all about lush textures and bold spaces, choosing the right location is a game-changer. I’ve got a whole stash of go-to spots, but the right one depends on YOU. Your audience. Your vibe. Your brand.
Plan Your Outfits (And Bring the Damn Suitcase)
I’d rather you bring too many outfits than not enough—if you don’t show up with a suitcase, I’m worried! Bring options that fit well, represent your brand colors, and make you feel amazing. If you’re still trying to decide what to where, here’s my tried-and-true rule:
When in doubt, haul it out.
What’s going to look best on camera? Oversized pieces are not your friend—more fitted clothes are actually more flattering. I totally get feeling self-conscious about certain things, but you can trust me to help you style yourself all throughout the day. I’ll let you know which outfit choices I think will help you look and feel your best!
Looking for some pre-shoot outfit inspo? I wrote a whole guide on How to Pick the Perfect Outfit for Your Branding Photo Shoot.
Get Pro Hair and Makeup (It’s Worth It)
You can absolutely do your own makeup—but should you? Camera-ready glam is a whole different ball game – this is not the time for an everyday drugstore makeup moment! My go-to glam squad are literal lifesavers. Tamara Makeup & Hair Artistry is Chicago's Premiere (and longest running) hair and makeup studio for weddings, bridal and photo shoots. Their team has over a decade of experience working with me and they truly know and understand camera ready glam. I truly can't stress camera ready part.
Tell a Story with Props
Props are not just accessories—they’re storytelling details with the highest rates of connection with viewers.
Props give personality. They show what you do, how you work, and what lights you up. Think beyond the laptop and phone—what else is so you? Bring it. Disco balls? Yep. Your fav branded coffee mug? Hell yes. Even post-its and pens in your brand color.
Details matter, and they turn a pretty photo into a visual story. I’ll even bring props from my own stash too, because I KNOW what works (and I have collected so many cute things that are too good not to share). Together, we’ll make magic that actually feels like you!
Build a Shot List and Timeline
A good brand photoshoot takes time, strategy, and a little chaos management. You can’t manifest the perfect gallery without a plan. I map out timelines and shot lists for every client, but your input is GOLD.
Need time for outfit changes or moving furniture around? I’ll account for it. Planning to remove the background in Canva later or need to fit an image in a weird website shape? Tell me now so I can set up the perfect shot. It’s all possible—but only if we plan and communicate well ahead of time.
Let’s Plan a Wildly Successful Brand Photoshoot
Whether you’re shooting with me or someone else, I want you to win. Great brand photos aren’t just lucky—they’re planned, prepped, and powered by clarity. If you want help from someone who lives and breathes this stuff? This Way to Fabulous is here to make your vision pop!
Go ahead and book your branding photoshoot with me today.
