Brand photography sessions go wrong before the camera is even unpacked. Not because of lighting, or location, or what someone decides to wear. They go wrong in the weeks before the shoot, when the person being photographed has not stopped to ask themselves one fundamental question: who are these photos actually for?
That is the single most common mistake we see. People focus on the logistics, what to wear, where to go, how to smile, without first thinking about the audience who will eventually see the images. Get that question answered early, and everything else becomes much easier to decide.
Start Planning About a Month Out
A month before your session is a good point to begin having conversations with your photographer. That might sound like a long lead time, but there is a good reason for it. A proper brand photography brief covers location, outfits, props, hair, and more, and some of those things need time to get right.
Haircuts are a classic example. If you are a man and you get your hair cut the day before a shoot, it will look too short and freshly clipped rather than settled and natural. If your hair needs styling, having it done the morning of the shoot or the day before gives it time to find its shape. These are small things, but they are the kind of small things that show up in photographs.
The most useful thing you can do at this stage is talk to your photographer before you make any decisions. A good photographer will ask you questions you have not thought to ask yourself, and will help you think through things that would otherwise only occur to you on the day, when it is too late to change them.
Choosing What to Wear
Outfit choice comes down to your personal brand and your audience. There is no universal formula, and if anyone tells you to always wear navy blue and avoid patterns, take that with a pinch of salt.
If your brand is built on energy, colour, and personality, then dressing in muted neutrals is going to produce photographs that do not look like you. If you always meet clients in smart casual, wearing a formal suit for your photos is going to create a disconnect between the image and the reality. The goal is authenticity to who you actually are, presented in the best possible light.
That said, always bring options. Multiple outfits give you flexibility on the day, allow you to create variety across your image library, and mean that if one choice is not working in a particular location or light, you have alternatives ready to go. Think about it in terms of looks rather than just one outfit, and make sure each one is clean, pressed, and in good condition well before the shoot day.
Location Is Not an Afterthought
One of the most common assumptions people make is that brand photography happens in a studio. Sometimes it does, but for most personal brand shoots, the environment you are photographed in should say something about who you are and what you do.
If you present in boardrooms, being photographed in a boardroom tells a story. If you work from a home studio, a beautifully lit corner of that space might communicate more about you than any formal backdrop. If you are outdoors, creative, or lifestyle-focused, there may be an outdoor setting that fits perfectly.
The location needs to match you, your brand, and your target audience. Think about where your ideal client expects to see you, and work backwards from there. We will help you identify options and work out what will photograph well, but the starting point is always who you are trying to reach and what impression you want to make.
Props: Only If They Tell Your Story
Props are not essential, but the right ones can add something genuine to your photographs. The key word is genuine. A prop should be something you actually use, something that says something real about how you work or who you are.
A leather-bound notebook and a quality pen might be exactly right for someone whose brand is built on precision and craft. A laptop in a coffee shop setting might suit someone who works flexibly and wants to convey that freedom. But a random vase of flowers or a coffee cup you never actually drink from adds nothing except clutter.
Talk to your photographer about what you are considering. We will ask you about your audience, your brand, and what you want people to feel when they see the images, and we will tell you honestly what we think will and will not work.
Being in Front of the Camera
Almost everyone who comes to us says the same thing: “I hate having my photo taken.” It is one of the most common things we hear, and it is completely understandable. Most people are not used to being photographed professionally, and the anticipation feels uncomfortable.
The reality, once we get started, is almost always different. Digital photography means we can take as many shots as we need without it costing you anything extra. You will not be looking at a handful of frames and hoping for the best. You will have a proper selection to choose from, and the editing happens only to the images you actually want. That knowledge alone takes a lot of pressure off.
Our job is to direct you, explain what we are doing and why, and take you through the process at a pace that works for you. This is not a rushed, transactional process. We are crafting something together, and that takes conversation, adjustment, and time. You do not need to arrive knowing how to pose. You just need to be willing to show up.
On the Day: Practical Details
Arrive a little early if it helps you settle. Bring everything we have discussed: your outfit options, any props, and anything else that has come up in our planning conversations.
On the food front, avoid anything that will leave you feeling bloated or uncomfortable. You want to feel relaxed and at ease in your body, not distracted. And avoid anything that will stick in your teeth before we start. If I see something, I will tell you, because that is part of what we are here for. But it is easier to avoid the situation in the first place.
For a more detailed practical guide to preparing for a headshot or portrait session, take a look at my headshot guide, which is linked below.
What You Will Receive
The number of final images you receive depends on the package you have chosen. But regardless of the package, you will always have a proper selection to choose from before any final editing takes place. That might be twenty images for a single headshot, or several hundred images across a half-day shoot. You select the ones you want taken through to full editing, and those are what you receive as your finished files.
See sample personal brand photographs
How to Use Your Images
Begin with your website once you have your images. If your brand centers on you as an individual, ensure your site reflects that. Authentic photos of the actual person behind the business convey a message that stock images can’t match. Customers want to see who they are engaging with, and a sincere image accomplishes this instantly.
From there, use them consistently across your social media. Regular posts featuring you, your message, and your brand imagery build familiarity and trust over time. And do not overlook presentations, printed materials, and proposals. A consistent visual identity across every touchpoint is what makes a personal brand feel coherent and professional.
The Mindset That Makes It Work
One last thing, and it might be the most important of all: be yourself. Not a smarter version of yourself, not a more formal version, not whoever you imagine you should be for a professional shoot. Be the person your clients and contacts actually meet.
We have all experienced the disconnect of expecting one person and meeting another. If your photography presents you one way and the reality is different, people notice. Consistency between your image and your reality is what builds genuine trust.
Turn up as you. We will take care of the rest.
Ready to book your brand photography session? Get in touch to start the conversation. And for practical advice on preparing for headshots specifically, download my free headshot guide below.
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