The Art of Planning a Brand Shoot
You wouldn’t turn up to a presentation or pitch without proper preparation, so give your brand photography the same care and attention to make sure you get the most out of your shoot.
Why brand photography matters
Your brand imagery can be as important as the product or service you sell.
In most cases, it’s the very first interaction a potential client has with your business. Before they read your caption, click through to your website, or enquire about your services, they see your imagery and make an instant assumption about who you are and what you offer.
That’s why your visuals need to do more than just look good. They need to communicate your values, speak directly to your audience, and feel consistent across all of your channels.
Take a moment to consider what you want people to think when they discover you. Do you need them to trust you with their finances? Do you want to communicate a calm, holistic approach to wellbeing? Or do you want your brand to feel fun, approachable and full of personality?
Understanding how you want to be perceived is the first step. From there, you also need to think practically. Where will your imagery live? Your website, your email marketing, your social media channels or all of the above? Each platform serves a different purpose, and your photographer needs to understand what they’re shooting for and why.
How to plan a brand shoot with strategy
A successful brand shoot starts before the camera comes out. In fact, in many cases, it starts with choosing the right photographer; one who complements your style and can achieve your vision. Every photographer has their own style when it comes to things like creativity, editing, composition and it’s important that the one you choose can capture your style and vibe. Follow these simple steps to ensure you get the most out of your shoot:
Define the aesthetic of the images, whilst considering the location. Are we in a studio? In your own space? Or at a location house? If you want clean lines and neutral colours but your space is busy and colourful, the vision and reality won’t align.
Complete the questionnaire that we send you. We want to know as much about your business, your competitors, your vision and your style as possible!
Spend time preparing a clear shot list. While we guide you through this process, it’s important that you come with a strong understanding of your non-negotiables. If you need a hero image for your website, what does that look like? What does it need to communicate? Who needs to be in it?
Styling plays a huge role in how your brand is perceived. Your outfits, props and overall aesthetic should align with the tone of your business. If your brand is relaxed and informal, that might look like denim, natural textures and minimal styling. If your brand is more polished and professional, your outfits for your shoot should reflect that.
We always recommend subtly incorporating your brand colours. This doesn’t mean dressing head-to-toe in them, but small details like a notebook, mug or accessories can create cohesion across your imagery. Over time, this helps build recognition and makes your brand instantly identifiable.
The role of founder presence
At Not Another Social, every brand shoot begins with a pre-shoot call or meeting. This is where we get clear on your vision, your goals and what success looks like for your content. That alignment is key to the success of the shoot.
Turning up to a shoot without a clear plan will always impact the outcome. You won’t get the same value from your images, and your content won’t work as hard for your business.
Even if you’re not planning to be in the images yourself, your presence as a founder is essential. No one understands your brand the way you do. Being there on the day allows you to guide the direction, make decisions in the moment, and ensure that what we’re capturing truly reflects your business.
Preparing for your brand shoot: tips for better results
We intentionally don’t book shoots within seven working days. Good content takes planning, and we want you to have the time and space to prepare properly.
If the process feels overwhelming at first, start simple. A Pinterest board is a great place to begin. Save imagery that resonates with you and feels aligned with your brand. Over time, patterns will emerge, and it becomes much easier to define the direction of your shoot.
When you’re investing in professional brand photography, you want to make sure it’s done properly. Thoughtful planning ensures that your imagery not only looks beautiful but works strategically for your business even after the shoot is over.