How exciting- you’ve booked a photoshoot for your brand!

But, having found a photographer and booked a shoot, are you now expected to simply show up and pose?

Well, kinda.

Except for ensuring that you are taking what you need for an effective, efficient photoshoot!

Why book a shoot for your brand?

Let’s first look at why brand photoshoots are necessary, and what purposes they can serve.

Brands need up-to-date images for several reasons, be it product shots for the website, marketing images for social media, or founder photos.

Planning and investing in a brand photoshoot provides you with high quality, professional images that are specifically shot with your branding in mind. This means your brand colors and aesthetic are utilized, the editing is in keeping with your brand’s style, and the shots are designed with usability and versatility in mind.

What to take to your brand photoshoot

To make the most out of your limited shoot time, don’t show up empty-handed!

The more prepared and thought-out you are going into your photoshoot, the more you and your brand will get out of it!

Below are guidelines for what to take to your brand shoot:

• Your product and packaging: This one is pretty self explanatory. Make sure you take your product(s), even if you’re not specifically shooting product photos. Lifestyle images incorporating and showcasing your product are so valuable and impossible to attain without having it on-hand!

• Simple look variations: Versatility is key. Your photographer may allow you an outfit change, but there are other ways to add variety to your shots quickly and easily. Hats, jewelry, layers such as cardigans and blazers, spare shoes, etc. are all simple incorporations. Bonus points because often these can also be used as props or for flat-lays!

• Speaking of props, you’ll want to take some with you! Think about your product and the setting, lifestyle, and culture it serves and brainstorm items that make sense to accompany your product. If your product is running shoes, for example, a water bottle or gym bag would be applicable props. Also, think about how you work. Props that highlight you doing what you do best (your laptop, gear such as gloves, aprons, or tools) are great options to take as well!

• You’ve likely (hopefully!) consulted with your photographer about your brand and its aesthetic prior to booking with them, but it is still helpful to come to your shoot prepared with your brand’s blueprint, mood board, or anything else that will guide the shoot within the parameters of your branding.

• Lastly, we recommend you bring “touch up tools.” Bring things like a brush, any makeup that may need to be touched up, extra hair ties, safety pins in case something breaks or tears, etc. Also bring water and a snack to help keep your energy up!

I may be a bit of a chronic over-packer, but in my book it’s better to have something and not need it than the other way around!

So, set aside some time to make a list of what you want to pack for your brand shoot and prepare it a day or two prior to the date of your actual shoot. This way your brain has the space to notice if you’re forgetting anything and you’re not stressed and rushed the day-of.

If you want to ensure that your brand shoot is set up for success and would like a brainstorm sesh specifically tailored to your brand shoot, our office hours are a great resource! Spend some time sitting down with us to build your packing list for your upcoming photoshoot.