7 Elements of a Balanced Brand Photoshoot for an Online Business

Want to get more out of your brand photo sessions? Create variety! I would hear from so many new clients that their previous branding sessions produced beautiful images, but they didn’t really tell their brand story. I also hear from fellow brand photographers I coach that they want to create more variety in their imagery so everything doesn’t look the same.

First, it’s important as the client, to collaborate with your photographer. You should both be sharing ideas, coming up with concepts and bringing both your vision for your brand and their expertise on visuals together to create magic.

Create a moodboard to use as inspiration while you’re shooting, so you won’t get into a creative rut. Jot down important details about your business processes or any upcoming launches on your shot list, so you won’t leave the session forgetting those images you’ll need in the near future.

If you run an online business, you may be struggling to come up with creative ways to tell a story, since most of your time is likely in front of your computer. Use these ideas to get started:

On a backdrop:

A backdrop is a great way to capture images that you can use in so many ways to promote your offers. Grab clean shots of facial expressions, headshots and creative poses that you can remove the background and add text to or create graphics with. Choose a backdrop color that matched your brand to make your posts stand out on your online platforms.

2. At your desk or workspace:

As online business owners, we spend most of our time on the computer, right? But your images don’t have to be boring! Show how you like to work, what you wear while working from home, and talk about your business processes. You can shoot images of you doing a virtual call, typing away, working on your website or writing in your agenda. Shoot different angles like flatlays, straight on and from each side.

3. Detail shots:

Detail shots are close-up shots that you can use as custom stock photos on your website, in your client welcome guides, lead captures and blog posts. Not every brand photo you shoot has to be of you. Leverage your props, business tools and the location you’re shooting in to create lifestyle detail shots that you can use over and over.

4. Hand gestures:

If you feel like your poses are too stiff, you may need to be more expressive! Use hand gestures to show your client experience (like doing a virtual call, talking to the screen, pointing to the screen if you’re doing a mock in-person client session or pointing to either side or above you on a clean backdrop to add text later.

5. Flatlays:

Flatlays are an easy way to create variety in your content and tell the story of your brand. They’re essentially a mashup of props on a flat surface in a beautifully styled way. You can incorporate your business tools or items you use on a daily basis. Gather inspiration and start creating! Check out this post on the elements of a good flatlay. Make your flats more personal by incorporating your hand(s) or your branded marketing materials like a guide you created or your business cards.

6. Headshots:

We all know, headshots are the foundation of a brand photoshoot. You can use them for profile photos on your online platforms, all over your website and to send over for speaking engagements. Be sure to create a variety of headshots in different outfits, poses and facial expressions. Try incorporating a prop like your phone, a coffee mug, your #1 business tool or flowers to add even more personality.

7. Daily routine:

Creating more casual images like you’d daily routine, is a great way to spark engagement and create relatability with your audience. It also reveals your core values and beliefs. For example, if you’re really into self-care, create imagery of what your routine looks like. Post the visuals to your online platforms to start a conversation with potential clients who also prioritize it. You’d be surprised how often it comes up in offline conversations with them as well!

How do you create a balanced brand photoshoot for your business?