brand photography: your questions answered
November 18, 2019
Brand photography has become a bit of a buzzword these days. I get asked questions about it from time to time, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to answer some of them for you! Sometimes the question is as simple as “What does it even mean?”
So let’s start there.
What is brand photography?
Brand photography is professional photography that captures your business visually. The images should be consistent with your aesthetic and branding, so they should include elements such as your brand colors, showcase your values, and illustrate the mood and feeling you want your brand to convey.
Are you a fun, fearless brand, aimed at female entrepreneurs, and into pink with a capital “P”? Or are you a graphic designer with a minimalist style and laid back attitude? Or a stylist who kicks a** at color and isn’t afraid to show it?
Every business is different, so brand images should reflect and display the uniqueness of your brand.
Who needs brand photography?
If you’re an entrepreneur or a small business, chances are you need brand photography—myself included.
That’s right—I need brand photography too!
Lest you think for even a second that I don’t put my money where my mouth is—photographers need brand images too! As a small business and entrepreneur, I know how important it is to be the face of my own business.
I truly believe that everything you put out into the world is a representation of your business and your brand, from the feel of your business cards to the way you answer the phone to the images you use to promote your product or service. How likely would you really be to hire me if I had a crappy iPhone selfie as my profile picture? Or if there were NO pictures of me, and you had no idea who you were even talking to?
Why do I need brand photography?
Brand photographs help you connect personally with your audience, and let them see who you are, what your business is about, and why they should hire you.
Whatever your brand, know one thing for sure: it is unique, and it is yours.
There’s no one else that is you, and there’s no other brand that is yours. Settling for stock photography won’t tell your story. And as Seth Godin, author and marketing expert, said best:
“Marketing is no longer about the stuff you make, but about the stories you tell.”
So make sure that story is YOURS!
What kind of images will I get in a brand shoot?
This one’s easy – whatever you need! Maybe you’re a solopreneur and need to showcase that smiling face of yours to connect with your clients—then we’d want to shoot some great lifestyle portraits of you, and focus on shooting a personal brand photography session. Or maybe you run a small business, and want to show off your employees in action. Perhaps you’ve got a great product you sell, and need some stunning images to sell the you-know-what out of it.
Just as all businesses are unique, so are our needs, and the beauty of a brand shoot is that it is customized to fit your individual needs.
Where can I use brand images?
The short answer is: EVERYWHERE!
Your website, marketing materials, social media, blog, marketing emails, print campaigns, sales pages, packaging, proposals, and pitches are all calling out for brand photos. I’ve seen my clients’ photos turn up all kinds of places—and believe me, I use my own everywhere too!
Below are just a few examples of brand photos at work–you can also check out some of my clients’ websites for inspiration on how to use your brand photos beautifully and effectively–here are just a few!
Hunter Design Studio – https://hunterdesignstudio.co/
The Productivity Zone – https://theproductivityzone.com/
Propark Mobility – https://www.propark.com/
What kind of budget do I need for a brand shoot?
While we all need great brand photography, we don’t all need it in the same way—so I tailor all of my services to fit your needs. I offer everything from full brand shoots to monthly and quarterly mini brand shoots, which are crafted specifically to suit your brand’s ongoing social media content needs—and your cash flow as a small business.
So don’t let the price tag scare you away—and don’t be afraid to spend some money, either. After all: brand photography is an investment. It’s an investment in your business, and an investment in yourself. And as a business owner, you know that investing in yourself is one of the best feelings on the planet. Because you have earned it, and you know it will take you that much further in achieving your dreams and reaching your goals.
How much work will a brand shoot involve for me?
I always tell my clients and prospective clients the same thing:
This is a no-homework zone, but you will get out of it what you put into it.
Beautiful brand photos don’t make themselves, and your photographer can only work with what she’s got. I consult in depth with all of my clients ahead of time to determine what kind of photos they are looking for/need, get a really good feel for their brand and visual branding aesthetic (or what they’d like it to be), and come up with a shot list that ensures we can move as quickly and efficiently throughout the shoot as possible, and make sure we get as many beautiful photos as we possibly can.
The more work my clients are willing to put in with me ahead of time, the more successful their shoots. After all—YOU are your brand, and no one knows it better than YOU!
