I have some wonderful clients who return for fresh brand photos time and time again. Their reasons vary – some have updated their services, changed their hairstyle or personal style, or want to show off a new look after a transformation. Others simply love how short sessions can give them an easy and affordable refresh.
But what if you don’t want to book a session every year (or even every other year)? That’s where planning your brand shoot really matters. A bit of forethought helps us uncover what you want your images to say and how they’ll support your business. From there, we get to work – and create some magic.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of a single brand shoot:
Prepare multiple outfits for your brand shoot
Bringing a few outfit options allows us to capture a wider range of photos that serve different purposes and speak to different aspects of your brand.
Casual outfits lend themselves well to a more relaxed, lifestyle feel. These are perfect for your “About Me” page or for sharing personal stories on social media. People love seeing behind the scenes – showing a glimpse of your day-to-day helps your audience feel more connected to you.
Formal outfits – whatever that means for you – showcase your professional side. Think LinkedIn profiles, speaking engagements, author bios, or any place you need to look polished and represent your business clearly. And formal doesn’t have to mean a suit and tie. It could be a branded T-shirt, a button-down shirt, a pink jumpsuit, or just your go-to jeans and jumper – whatever feels like you.
Feel free to bring more than one “business-y” look to mix things up. Accessories and props can also help create visual variety. Be creative – if it reflects your brand, it belongs in the shoot.
Whatever you choose to wear, make sure your clothes fit well and feel like you. Avoid bringing something brand new that you haven’t worn before – even if you love it, it might not sit quite right, feel stiff or unfamiliar, or photograph as well as you’d hoped.
Plan multiple locations for your photo session
My most popular brand session, Your Brand Signature, gives us around two hours to shoot. That’s plenty of time to change locations once or twice. Depending on the setting, we can often cover three or four spots.
Why does that matter?
Each location tells a different story. While the focus is always on you, where we shoot can help support (or hinder) your message.
- Your office, studio or shop is often the most natural starting point. It’s filled with your things, reflects your personality, and provides an authentic snapshot of your work environment. If you’re often on video calls or share content from this space, it may already feel familiar to your audience.
- Co-working spaces are great if you don’t have a dedicated office – though keep an eye on lighting conditions, as some shared spaces can be a bit tricky.
- Cafés give a more relaxed, everyday feel. Many small business owners spend time working from cafés, so it’s a familiar and relatable vibe. It also helps position you as approachable and friendly.
- Your home, if you’re comfortable shooting there, offers a very personal peek behind the curtain. It shows your style, your space, and a softer, more intimate side of your business.
- Local landmarks help place you geographically. Are you a Londoner, a seaside lover, or based in the countryside? Incorporating elements of your town adds a strong sense of place and character to your photos.
Think about what you actually do
To get the most out of your brand photos, we need to show what you really do. That means more than outfit changes and backdrops – it’s about capturing action.
A lot of people spend their workday on a laptop – and the classic “laptop shot” is a staple for good reason. I still use some of mine from 2021! They’re endlessly versatile.
But what else do you do?
- Do you take client calls on your daily walk? Let’s capture that.
- Are you a personal trainer running sessions in the park? Let’s shoot that.
- Do you visit clients in their homes? Let’s show that in action.
Let’s go beyond the desk and capture the full picture.
Bring props that tell your story
What tools do you use every day? Laptop, phone, notebook, pens, your favourite mug — bring them along. If you have specific tools or equipment unique to your work, those definitely deserve a spot too.
Also think beyond work. Do you always carry your bike helmet? Love a tote bag from your local coffee shop? Have a dog that’s always by your side? Props don’t have to be functional – they just need to feel true to you.
We don’t need to include everything you touch in a day, but a small, meaningful selection goes a long way.
Work with clients? Bring one!
If you regularly work with people in person, bring someone along to be your model client.
These photos are powerful – they show your body language, your expressions, and how you connect with others. Even if you mostly work online, getting a few images of you in action adds warmth, relatability, and professionalism to your brand.
Recap: Get More From One Session
With all these elements – varied outfits, multiple locations, props that tell your story, and authentic action shots – we can create a rich, versatile bank of images that could last you two years or more.
But having great photos is only half the job. I know it can be overwhelming when you receive a big gallery – you’re excited but unsure where to start. That’s why I send all my clients a simple guide to help them use their images with confidence.
Want that guide too? Scroll to the end and sign up for my list to get your copy.
