You have booked your branding session. You understand the importance of having photography done for your small business, but now what? How do you prepare for your session and calm those anxious feelings? A good branding photographer will help you prepare for your branding session, begin planning out your prop list, and guide you through your shot list.

Here’s a list of three ways you can prepare for your branding session. As your photographer, I want you to show up relaxed and ready to share your story in front of my camera!

Create a Pinterest Board

Whether you are doing a short mini branding session or a full session, it is so important to create a Pinterest board or mood board full of ideas and inspiration for your session. These can be photos of other brands that you love. Different styles of photography you are inspired by. Prop ideas or things you want to include in your session. As well as outfit ideas, color inspiration and location inspiration.

Create a Prop List

Props are key to telling your story. What are things you use on a daily basis or are part of your brand? If you are a photographer, you want to include things that are obvious like a computer, camera and your phone, but also, notebooks, pens, books or a coffee mug. Things to make your brand session personal.

People want to know about YOU! Yes, what makes you relatable and who the person is behind the brand. Do you spend your days as a mom? Let’s use your kids as inspiration. Do you always work with your favorite drink or listen to a podcast? Are their books that have inspired your business? Let’s create a list and make sure you gather all the items prior to your session date.

Want a free prop list? Download my free guide to props to help you begin planning your branding session!

Layout and plan your outfits to coordinate with you branding colors

Layout your outfits a week or so in advance. Allow time to send photographs to your photographer to make sure your outfits work for you, the space you are shooting in and your brand. By planning ahead of time, this allows you adequate time to revisit outfit choices if needed! Also, let’s not forget to try on these outfits! You want to make sure you feel good in your clothing, and they fit how you would like prior to your session date! It’s not fun showing up to a session to find out something has a tear or doesn’t fit right.

Lastly, make a decision early if you want to get your hair and makeup done the day of your session. It is nice to have these off your to dos, scheduled and planned out to relieve some day of stress. You do not want to feel frazzled or stressed the day of your session this is why I book up to 2-3 months in advance for branding sessions. It allows time for us to prep and create a stress free session day!

Want to read more about why you need a branding session? Check out my blog here! And if you are ready to book, let’s chat!