Branding Photography: 8 Secret Hacks to Rock Your DIY Photo Shoot

You know you need beautiful on-brand photography but don’t have the budget for a professional branding photo shoot? Lots of small business owners, course creators, coaches and entrepreneurs have been there.

Don’t let this hold you back! Showing up consistently on social media is one of the marketing cornerstones for creative entrepreneurs: Your dream clients must see photos to know what it’s like working with you. They need to get a feel for your personality and engage with your brand many times until they are ready to do business with you.

Here are my 8 crucial hacks for your DIY branding photo shoot on a budget!

1.      Develop a vision for your DIY branding photo shoot

Look around on Pinterest, Instagram, and other online platforms for inspiration – what brands and artists speak to you? How are they showing up on their social media and business websites?

What kind of branding images match the vibe of your brand? Which backgrounds, props and poses are attractiv to your target audience? Gather a few ideas and then visualize what kind of branding photos best support your goals, your message and brand identity.

(If you are not really sure about defining your brand vibe, learn more HERE)

2.     Decide on a which brand stories to share

What is it about you and your business that your dream clients have to see on your website or online platforms to make them feel they know, like and trust you? Those are the stories you want to show in your personal branding images to make potential customers comfortable with who you are and excited to work with you.  

A good option is to start with these the following three core branding stories for your lifestyle photo shoot:

• Show what you do: showcase how you help clients, work on your laptop, decorate cakes or teach yoga – all the activities you love to do that make up your business.
  
  

• How you do it: it’s the little things that count: the gentle guiding touch of the yoga instructor,  the lovingly designed graphics of the course creator, the special tools an artist uses.

• Who you are: let people know what inspires you and what you do for fun. Maybe you are cuddling with your dog or helping at the local food bank, maybe you are climbing mountains or love curling up with a good book and a cup of tea.

(Have you thought about props that help tell your brand story? Learn more HERE) 

3. Scout locations for your DIY branding photography

Finding a beautiful on-brand location with good light is the basis of any successful branding photo shoot. Think about things like:

• Does this place support my brand message? (urban or natural? Energetic or calm?)

• Are the main colors of the location complementary or analogous to my brand colors?

• How is the light going to be at different times of the day?

• Is this location quiet enough so I can do my branding shoot without too much distraction. Will there be people wandering in and out of the background?

4. Plan your wardrobe

My Nr.1 wardrobe rule: wear whatever makes you feel most confident. If that idea still leaves you with a couple of choices for your brand photo shoot, go for the fitted outfit in a solid color.  Choose materials that have an interesting texture. Accessorize with a statement piece necklace, a bold tie, a beautiful watch or bracelet to add extra personality to your outfit. You will be amazed at how good you’ll end up looking on social media or your new website.
Now incorporate your brand colors into your wardrobe. Think about what outfit would with the location and you’re guaranteed to create the perfect look for your new lifestyle branding photos!

(Check out more on the topic how to look good in photos HERE)

5. Frame your shot

Once you find a location you like, walk around, find an interesting angle and take a few test shots to find the perfect framing. Now show your framed test photo on the camera’s monitor to your friend who will be taking the image. That way they can get a visual guideline from the photo you just captured and you can explain the angle and framing you would like for your image.

Sometimes you may want to direct them to squat down a little and point the camera up. If you are going for a different vibe, you may want to shoot straight-on or even a little from above. Give lots of instructions and feedback so your photographer friend understands your vision.

6. Adjust your camera settings for perfect DIY branding photos

Sometimes you are working with someone who is completely inexperienced with photography, even a stranger! Yup, strangers will do amazingly kind things for you!

Going for that creamy background with you positioned according to the rule of thirds? Or a small aperture shot with all the leading lines pointing towards you right in the focus of the image?

Dial in your camera settings before handing the camera over to your photo friend. Ideally, put the camera on “manual” so the aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance stay exactly the same throughout the shot. That way you will get exactly what you had envisioned when someone else is taking your lifestyle branding photos.

7. Demonstrate how to focus – I know, right?

You’d think with modern technology this wouldn’t be much of an issue, but people are used to different techniques and every camera is a bit different. If possible, set your camera to automatic face recognition and demonstrate how it works to your helpful friend.
Make sure they wait for the focus to be adjusted on your face, and if it’s a close-up that it’s focused on your eye (you always want the eye in focus that is closest to you!)

After a couple of shots, double-check if your perfectly planned branding photos are in focus, technically flawless and the composition is what you had in mind. This is super important since no amount of fancy post production can fix a blurry image or add a cut off hand.

8. Try a variety of poses to get the perfect lifestyle branding shot

Check back with your brand essentials for the right kind of pose. Does your brand vibe call for a super confident female entrepreneur look- shot from way low? Or are you aiming for a relaxed urban feel where you sit on the curb, speaking to your audience?

It helps to save a some reference photos on your phone for inspiration on how to position your body.

Practice a few poses in the mirror before your DIY branding photo shoot. That way so you know which angles are most flattering for you. And don’t forget to take a peek at the images your photo-buddy takes and make the necessary adjustments.

What these 8 hacks to rock your DIY branding photography have in common is YOU being the creative director, stylist and photographer. With a creative eye, a clear concept and the technical skills, it is easy enough to get anyone to help you bring your vision to life!

You don’t always need to hire a professional - especially if you are just starting to turn your dream of a business into realty.

Learn more about the benefits of branding photography to your business HERE.

Or contact me with any questions - I would love to help

Seattle Lifestyle Business Branding Photographer

I’m Oriana von Specht, a published personal branding photographer and brand strategist. I love working with small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Seattle area, helping them to push past their fears of being seen, and teaching them how to create the photos and brands of their dreams. My mission is to give you an online image makeover that boosts your confidence—and your sales!  Contact me at oriana@purplesquidphotography.com to get make your vision a reality.