Prepping for a Brand Photoshoot: How to Get Photos You’ll Actually Love and Use

Feeling awkward in front of the camera or unsure how to prep for a brand photo shoot? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I’m sharing exactly how I plan and prep for a brand shoot so you walk away with a ton of content that actually feels like you. You’ll learn how to build a Pinterest vision board, choose outfits that reflect your brand, pick the right location, and pack the perfect prop bag. If you’re craving confidence, consistency, and photos you’ll actually want to use, this one’s for you. Let’s make your brand shoot feel fun—not forced.

Check out the full show notes for this episode.

Things I cover inside the episode:

• How I use Pinterest to plan poses and clarify my brand vibe
• What I pack in my “brand bag” (yes, including plants!)
• My go-to outfit tips for photos that feel natural, not staged
• How to choose a location that fits your brand without breaking the bank
• Creative shot ideas beyond the basic laptop-and-latte pose
• Mistakes to avoid that I’ve learned the hard way

Resources & Links Mentioned in this Episode:
📸 Courtney from Sea Fleur Studio – My bestie & branding photographer
 

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Transcript

0:00

This isn't just about having a couple cute photos, right? It's about showing up confidently and showing up consistently. And a solid brand shoot I swear, gives you those two things. Okay? So I think it's incredibly worth it. Welcome to the Creative Bodega, a podcast about content marketing, Instagram growth, and personal branding for female service-based solopreneurs who wanna grow their business without letting it take over their lives. I'm your host, EM Connors, and each week I'll share actionable tips, expert advice, and unfiltered truths to help you create engaging content, connect authentically with your audience, and turn followers into loyal customers. All without the burnout. If you're ready to simplify your content creation, navigate the ever changing trends and build a business that works for you while staying sane in this crazy season of life, then you're in the right place. This episode this week is something that just kind of came to me because I'm in the middle of prepping for it, and I thought, you know, maybe they would appreciate some information on this because whenever I have had a brand photo shoot, which is what we're talking about today, I get a lot of dms with a lot of questions and it always surprises me a little bit, but it's kind of an intimidating process for me. I do not like being the center of attention. I do not like photos of myself generally, like I'm one of those people, but they're necessary. I, I literally need them. I need them, and I use my brand photos. All the time. So I wanna break down for you exactly how I prep for a brand photo shoot so that you get a ton of usable content. I mean, you're, you're paying for these photos most likely, and you don't want it to go to waste. So we want photos that actually feel like us and work really well for our brand and our content, and fit our vibe. So I'm gonna walk you through how I prep and probably share some of the mistakes I've made along the way. I think this is my fifth. Fourth, fourth or fifth brand photo shoot, and we'll talk about, you know, everything from Pinterest boards to packing up my plants and my desk accessories to bring with me and why I am leaning into more creative non-traditional shots. Uh, that really help my content stand out on Instagram and in my business in general. So what we're gonna cover today is building a vision board to help clarify your aesthetic through Pinterest, choosing outfits that are gonna align with your brand vibe, picking the right location, and making that work for you. Finding the right photographer who really gets your vision, planning your props, and packing a, a brand bag, and then some creative shot ideas beyond, like that typical headshot, right? Or the girl sitting with her laptop on the couch or like against the wall with her feet in an interesting angle. And listen, I, I've done both of those shots, so I'm not making fun of anybody. But let's talk about it step by step guide. Step number one, create a Pinterest board for inspiration. So my photographer, as you may or may not know, is my very best friend in the whole world. Her name is Courtney. Her handle on Instagram is sea floor studio. She and I worked together in fashion back in my New York City days, and we've kind of been inseparable ever since. She's one of those. You know, a reason a season or forever. She's my forever. She's stuck with me forever. She's amazing. And she and I plan a photo shoot once a year. So we met it on two one year,'cause I swear this is our fifth, but neither here nor there. We share a Pinterest board and she started this with me and she invited me to it. And we basically, the week or two before our shoot, start adding images. For inspiration, because I'm not a model, I have no idea what to do with my body. I feel very awkward, and so I need to be able to just look at a picture on Pinterest and do what that model's doing. So that's what we do. We literally have her or my laptop open with Pinterest open and we will organize the photos, like photos with. iPhones and then photos with laptops and then like flat lay shots or like detailed closeup shots and full body shots. So we try to organize them so we can kind of like bust a whole bunch out in a row that are similar, but that really helps us save time. So. We will create this private board. We will add, again, all types of shots that resonate with us or that we like, and this helps us just in, in the moment really decide what, what type of shots I need to to do. And we kind of like check'em off the list as we go. So it helps a ton to save time and it helps me figure out what to do with my body because again, I get a little awkward. Because I don't like being the center of attention. So pro tip used terms like creative brand shoot or flat lay workspace or candid branding photo when searching, and I bet you'll find a bunch of really awesome photos for inspiration. In fact, I should have her put all the photos she's taken. So she is an incredibly talented photographer and Brianna Photography. Is definitely her thing, but she's also amazing at like prop styling, so I think she actually likes that more. But I just force her to take my brand photos because she's so good at it. Plus, it's a reason for us to get together. So we basically, no kids, no husbands. We get together for three nights. And only one of those days is the brand photo shoot. But we get together for three nights, somewhere in between where we both live and we make a long weekend out of it. And it's just so fun. It's, we call it our creative retreat. So step over two is I want you to plan your outfits with intention. So when I first started thinking about a brand photo shoot, I like thought I had to order all these brand new clothes and. You know, I don't know, just get really interesting clothes. And then I figured out that I am my most comfortable in the clothes that I wear every day. And I actually didn't wanna present myself drastically differently in my brand photos than I kind of look every day and what people are used to in stories. So I didn't need 10 outfits. I just needed a few really good ones that reflect. You know, the mood for my brand and the mood for my brand is quite casual. Okay? I, I'm very comfy casual, and so that's what I'm gonna go for. I'm not gonna show up in like a suit or like a really fancy dress. That's not how I dress. And I don't know, I don't think those brand photos would fit me if I did it like that. So I am for. Three to five outfits, and I basically lean onto the comfy casual look like I'll do ripped jeans and a t-shirt and maybe add some fun jewelry to make it a little more interesting. If anything, I'll buy like a new pair of like shoes, like sambas or something, but honestly, I really don't worry about that. So I like to either stick to my brand colors or neutrals. I don't do anything in between. Like I'm not wearing red in my brand photo shoot. You will not really fi well, I don't call it red. I do have a tomatoey color, but it's more of like on an orange side, but that's not a great color for me. So I stick with my brand colors or neutrals. And I think that's really important because if you're, you know, a really modern, uh, clean, crisp brand with minimal colors, I don't think you wanna be showing up. In like bright colors or reds or you know, I don't know. I would think you wanna be a neutral. So I really think you should take that into consideration. I also really avoid busy patterns or really memorable clothing like. Why? Because I just find when I'm in more neutral plain basics, they, I just get a lot more use out of the photos because I don't feel sick of seeing a certain top. I'm assuming other people are not noticing it either. But if I were wearing like a ruffle collar button down with like it with polka dots on it, and it was two very distinct colors, I'm pretty sure everyone would remember that each time that brand photo showed up. So. That's just me. I try to wear pretty basic stuff and then I like to, you know, think of layers and accessories to sort of add personality. So really just plan those in those outfits with intention. And don't wait till the last minute. Take it from me. Like start looking at your clothes a month before, in fact. My shoot isn't in about a month today, actually a month from today when I'm recording this and I need to start looking at what I have and fill in the holes where I need to. Uh, step number three, choose a location that fits the vibe. So remember I just told you before that my best friend and I go away for this. So we rent an Airbnb for this weekend and we typically shoot in the Airbnb and it's a write off. So I. Book it. And it's really fun because again, we get to get away and we get to be in a really cool space. So the setting's gonna say a lot about your brand, like I care about what the surroundings look like. So I've actually never done a photo shoot in my home. I've only ever rented a really cute Airbnbs and she dragged me to a coffee shop last year. And I, again, I don't like people looking at me and I don't like having photos taken so. Honestly, I don't like any of the pictures from that little stint at the coffee shop because I look so uncomfortable. Like I wanna just curl up and hide. So I don't think we'll be doing that again. But think about where you'd actually be when you're creating your content or working from home. So we do try to recreate. That same vibe and, and it, and it works. And no one ever says to me like, is that your house? Like, nobody cares. No one's paying that much attention. I, I, sometimes I wish I were my house, but this year we're actually just renting a house for four hours and it is as expensive as renting an Airbnb for two nights. It's pretty crazy. But she loves it. I love it. It's a really cool vibe and it's gonna be different. So we're just gonna stay at her house this year. Her sure. It's a long story, but we'll be by ourselves in a house together, but then we're gonna drive to this house to take the photos, but it just kind of gets you in the mood, right? I don't know. I, I don't, I'm looking around my office right now. I don't think it'd be a great idea to take photos in my office, to be honest. So if the location is neutral, bring your own branding elements to personalize it. And that's what we're gonna get to in step number four. So step number four is to pack your props and personal touches. So Courtney, my photographer, she tells me to do this. She's like. Bring your plants, bring out those photos behind you. Bring the mugs on your desk. Bring your favorite notebook. Like she tells me to bring all this stuff, which always makes me giggle, but I do it. And then she gets some really cool pictures with my stuff again, because we're not in my home. We're not in my office. I have packed up plants and I've brought them with me on these weekends. It's actually really hilarious, but. It's one of my favorite parts because in the photos, you know, it just, we're just like literally taking somebody's framed artwork off the wall and putting mine up and I'll stand next to it. It's very simple. We're not going crazy, but. It is cool to have some stuff that is uniquely mine, right? So of course I have my laptop, I have my journal or my planner that I use every day, maybe some books that I love, coffee mug for sure. My water bottle that's always around that people may recognize for me, any office supplies and my brand colors. Stuff like that. And a lot of times if we're shooting and my laptop's in it, I'll just open up my Instagram or my website and have that. And same with my phone. I'll open one of those two things, and so that'll be kind of in the background of my phone if the phone or the laptop are visible. So that's a really fun tip. Step number five is find the Right Photographer. I am. So lucky that my best friend does this. I'm so lucky because I'm so awkward and uncomfortable even with her, and she's one of my best friends. But thank God for her because she does, she tries to make me laugh and the photos that I'm laughing in are the most, the ones I love the most and the most natural. So. When looking for a photographer, if I were you, I would look for somebody who shoots with really natural light, who understands brand photography and is, you know, really open to giving suggestions and ideas for you if, if it's not something you're comfortable with or know much about. So stalk their Instagram, stalk their work on their website. Ask them, do you help direct the poses? You know, ask them these questions because I need as much help as I can get. And Courtney even styles me. She literally will bring her own clothes and be like, put this on. And I'm like, perfect. Like, just tell me what to do. The more direction, the better. And uh, she has asked me to get together like a pre-shoot planning session. Like what? Shots do you absolutely want, and I will go through and maybe even just drag those Pinterest images into a document so we make sure we get those certain ones. Step number six, just think beyond the traditional headshot. So a lot of the photos that I love to use. Are not straight on headshots at all. What performs better for me often is just creative shoots or shoots where I'm not looking at the camera at all or closeups of my hands holding something or doing something or me working, or you know, me kind of like curled up on the couch or sitting at the coffee table with my laptop, like casual, right? Uh, or flat lays of my space, like she's awesome at that. Or shots of me from behind while I'm writing or working or putting up post-it notes or stuff like that. So try those creative angles, like just think beyond the headshot for sure. So flat lay of your desk side profile of you working, closeup of your hands on the keyboard shot of you holding a camera or a phone. Behind the scenes of something you regularly do like this, go around. I will probably bring my podcast mic because we don't have any images of me with a podcast mic because I didn't have a podcast last time we did this, but, so I'll definitely want shots like that this time. So I will have to bring my mic with me. So think about things like that. I. Some mistakes to avoid. Don't wing it. Don't show up without a plan or not knowing what you wanna wear. Again, I change outfits. I have four or five outfits that I'll do and poses literally nailed down on Pinterest that we wanna use. So to help reduce that overwhelmed or missed shots, we really don't wing it. We do come prepared. Don't overcomplicate your. Outfits or props, keep it pretty cohesive and pretty simple and comfortable. Again, for me, I'm uncomfortable with the whole situation, so I need to be in uncomfortable clothes. I know that much, not communicating clearly with your photographer ahead of time could come back to bite you in the, you know what? So that's definitely a mistake to avoid. Um, forgetting to charge your phone or laptop or any backup accessories that you might need. So I use these photos. Everywhere. Okay. So that's one of the most common questions I get asked. Do I really need a photo shoot or I can't afford it? Like maybe you find a photographer who's just getting their feet wet with brand photography. Maybe it's a friend of yours that just started shooting. So that was Courtney and me four years ago. She had just gotten into photography. She wanted the opportunity. And I needed the photos. So we tried it and now it is just, you know, it's a beautiful relationship that we have going on here, both friend-wise and business wise. So these photos are not just for Instagram? Yes, I absolutely use them in my reel covers and in Instagram posts, but they're also all over my website. They're in my newsletter banner. They are in my podcast artwork. They are in my newsletters in general, they are the headshots I use when I'm being guest featured or an interviewing with somebody. I use them in my league. Magnets and opt-ins. I use them for digital courses and products. I use them in all of my slide decks, webinars, presentations, I mean, you name it, you name it. They're everywhere. And I get such massive use out of them. And how I'm putting them into Canva is I do not have a folder for them on Canva. I upload them directly into my brand kit so you can have brand photos. So anytime I need brand photos, I am in Canva. I have a template open, I click on. Brand, and then I scroll down to my brand photos and I can pop one in in two seconds. It's glorious and it is so worth the investment for people that are thinking about it. Let me tell you why, because this isn't just about having a couple cute photos, right? It's about showing up confidently and showing up consistently. And a solid brand shoot I swear, gives you those. Two things, okay? It gives you your time back'cause you're not scrambling to find a decent photo or take a decent photo of yourself. It gives you that professional look and feel. And the quality of the visuals instantly builds trust, in my opinion. It helps, uh, your feed be more cohesive every time you're showing up or you know, and cohesion across everything. Your website, your podcast, your social media, your newsletter, all of that. We'll be super cohesive if you're using brand photos, boosts confidence and I think just like builds momentum. So I think it's incredibly worth it. And final takeaway is your brand photos are more than just pretty pictures, right? They're really the visual heartbeat of your business. When you prep intentionally, you walk away with a photo bank that makes content creation that much easier and more aligned. So pack your plants. Bring your vibe. Don't be afraid to get creative and have some fun, and yeah, you've got this. Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Creative Bodega. Let me know what branding questions you have. Uh, shoot me a dm. And again, all the notes from this episode can be found on my website, the creative bodega.com/blog/nineteen. I will see you on next week's episode. Thanks so much for hanging out with me on the Creative Bodega Podcast. If you love this episode, please be sure to share it with a fellow solopreneur. Who could use a little content creation inspiration. And hey, don't forget to check out the show notes for any resources I mentioned on the episode to help you create content that feels easy and actually gets you results. If you want even more Canva and content tips, head over to my website, the creative bodega.com, or find me on Instagram under the same name. Until next time, keep creating, keep showing up, and most importantly, try and have a little fun with your content. I'll see you on the next episode.