You booked the photographer. Your brand photoshoot is officially on the calendar.

Now what?

If you’re investing in professional photos for your business, especially because you’re getting ready for a new website, a little planning beforehand can make a HUGE difference.

Because while we definitely want a few great photos of you smiling at the camera, your website is going to need more than one really good headshot.

You want a gallery of photos that actually tells the story of your business, shows off your personality and gives you plenty of options to use throughout your website, social media and marketing.

Here are six things I recommend doing before your brand photoshoot.

(1) Think About Where You’ll Use the Photos

Before you start planning outfits or buying props, think about what you actually need the photos for.

If you’re getting ready for a new website, think about the different pages and sections you’ll need photos for.

• Your homepage might need a big horizontal image.
• Your About page will probably need photos of you.
• Your Services page might need photos of you actually working.
• Your Contact page might need something simple and welcoming.
• You may also want images for blog posts, email marketing, social media, Google Business posts and graphics.

Knowing where the photos will eventually live makes it much easier to create a shot list that gives you photos you’ll actually use.

(2) Create a Shot List

Please don’t show up and hope you’ll magically remember every photo you wanted.

Make a list.

Think about the different types of images that would make sense for your business.

If you’re a service-based business, that might include:

• Photos of you working
• Using your laptop
• Talking with a client
• Writing in a notebook
• Working at your desk
• Holding your phone
• Walking into your office
• Detail shots of your workspace
• Photos with your team
• Photos of your products or tools
• A few traditional headshots
• More casual lifestyle photos

The goal is variety.

If every photo is you sitting in the same chair smiling directly at the camera, you’re going to run out of ways to use them pretty quickly.

And if you’re having a new website designed, ask your website designer if there are any specific shots or orientations they recommend before your session.

Trust me…we’ll have opinions.

(3) Plan Your Outfits Ahead of Time

Do not wait until 10PM the night before your photoshoot to start pulling everything out of your closet.

I’ve been there. Don’t recommend it.

Choose your outfits ahead of time and try everything on including the shoes, jewelry and accessories you plan to wear.

Your clothes should feel like you, just slightly more intentional.

Think about your brand colors and the overall look of your website, but don’t feel like you need to show up wearing your exact hex codes.

If your brand is neutral and coastal, a neon orange blazer probably isn’t the move.

If your brand is bold and colorful, an entire session of beige might not feel like you either.

Most importantly, choose clothes you feel comfortable and confident wearing.

If you’re uncomfortable, you’re going to see it in the photos.

(4) Gather Props That Actually Makes Sense

Props can make brand photos feel more natural — as long as they actually relate to your business.

You don’t need to bring a coffee mug just because you’ve seen 700 other business owners holding one in their brand photos.

Unless you’re like me and coffee is basically part of the brand. Then absolutely bring the coffee.

Think about what you actually use while working.

• A photographer might bring a camera.
• A realtor might bring listing materials, keys or a laptop.
• A florist might work with flowers.
• A hairstylist might use their tools.
• A designer might have a laptop, notebook, color swatches or sketches.

Props give you something to interact with and can make photos feel much less posed.

Just don’t bring so many that your photoshoot starts looking like you’re moving into the studio.

A few intentional items are plenty.

(5) Think Horizontal AND Vertical

This is a big one – especially for your website.

Tell your photographer you need a mix of horizontal and vertical images.

Instagram has trained us to think vertically, but websites need all kinds of image orientations.

A large homepage banner may need a wide horizontal photo, while an About page might look better with a tall vertical portrait.

You’ll also want some photos where you’re positioned to one side of the frame with open space around you.

Why?

Because that gives your website designer room to add text next to or over the photo without putting a headline directly across your face.

And nobody wants that.

Ask for:

• Wide horizontal photos
• Vertical portraits
• Close-up details
• Full-body photos
• Photos with you centered
• Photos with you positioned to the left
• Photos with you positioned to the right
• Photos with plenty of negative space

Your website designer will love you for this.

(6) Don’t Forget the Little Details

A few days before your photoshoot, go through everything one more time.

• Make sure your clothes are steamed.
• Clean your shoes.
• Charge your laptop.
• Clean your laptop screen while you’re at it. Seriously.
• Get your nails done if that’s your thing.
• Remove the hair tie that’s been living on your wrist for six months.
• Check your props.
• Pack everything the night before.
• And give yourself plenty of time to get ready and arrive without feeling rushed.

You already did the planning. The day of your photoshoot should be the fun part.

One More Thing: Don’t Try to Look Like Everyone Else

Pinterest and Instagram are great for inspiration.

But inspiration is exactly what they should be – inspiration.

You don’t need to follow every brand photography trend. The best photos are the ones that actually make sense for you, your personality and your business.

Think about what actually makes sense for your business.

• Where do you work?
• What do you do every day?
• What do your clients see when they work with you?
• What makes your brand feel different?

Those are the things worth capturing.

The best brand photos don’t just look pretty.

They feel like you.

Getting Ready for a New Website?

If a new website is on your to-do list, scheduling your brand photos before your website design begins is one of the best things you can do.

Great photography gives us so much more to work with and helps your website feel personal, intentional and completely connected to your brand.

And if you’ve already booked your website design with me, reach out before your photoshoot. I’m always happy to take a look at your plans and let you know if there are any specific photos or orientations I’d love to have for your site.

Because nothing makes me happier than opening a client’s photo gallery and seeing LOTS of horizontal photos.

Okay, maybe coffee.

But it’s close.

Ready for a website that finally feels like your business? Let’s work together.