Preparing for Your Branding Photoshoot

If you’re looking for a Bendigo or Melbourne branding photographer or you’ve already booked your branding photoshoot with me, you’re in the right place!

As a Bendigo & Melbourne commercial photographer, I work with small businesses, creatives and entrepreneurs to create professional, personality-filled images that can be used across their websites, social media and marketing.

Not sure what to wear, what to bring or how to prepare? I’ve put together this simple guide to help you get ready for your shoot — without the overwhelm.

Here’s everything you need to know before we shoot.

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How to prepare, what to wear & what to bring

So, you’ve booked your branding photoshoot. YAY! 🎉

Now comes the part where you start wondering “WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO WEAR?”

Don’t panic. I’ve got you.

You don’t need to be a model, know how to pose or have a wardrobe worthy of Instagram. My job is to make you look and feel amazing — your job is simply to turn up prepared and ready to have some fun.

Here’s everything you need to know before we shoot.

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WHAT TO WEAR

Think YOU, not Pinterest.

Your branding photos should look and feel like your business — and like the person your clients are actually going to meet.

Choose clothes that make you feel comfortable, confident and like yourself.

I recommend bringing 3–5 outfit options, depending on the length of your shoot. They don’t all need to be completely different outfits – changing a jacket, adding jewellery or swapping shoes can create a whole new look.

Think about bringing a mix of:

• Something casual
• Something a little more polished
• Different colours and textures
• Layers such as jackets, cardigans or shirts
• Your favourite accessories
• Something that feels unmistakably YOU

COLOUR

Consider your brand colours and the overall look of your website and social media.

You don’t need to dress head-to-toe in your brand colours, but choosing colours that complement your existing branding will help your final images work beautifully with everything else.

And if colour is part of your personality and brand? Don’t be afraid of it!

AVOID

Anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Also be cautious with very fine stripes or anything that needs constant adjusting.

If you’re spending the whole shoot worrying about your top riding up or your pants being too tight, it’s going to be much harder to relax in front of the camera.

Comfort = confidence (Psst… Confidence photographs REALLY well!)

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THINK ABOUT WHERE YOUR PHOTOS WILL BE USED

Before your shoot, have a think about what you actually need your images for.

Website? Instagram? LinkedIn? Email marketing? A new launch?

Let me know.

This helps me create images that are not just lovely to look at, but actually useful for your business.

Think about whether you need:

• Horizontal images for your website
• Vertical images for social media
• Images with space for text
• Headshots
• Working/candid images
• Detail shots
• Images of you interacting with your products or tools

Your branding photos are a library of marketing content — let’s make sure we build the right library.

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WHAT TO BRING

This is your opportunity to bring along the things that make your business your business.

Depending on what you do, this could include:

Your work:
Laptop, camera, tools, equipment, stationery, books, products, packaging or anything you use regularly.

Your products:
If you sell something, bring it! We can photograph you using it, holding it, packaging it and showing it off.

Your personality:
Your favourite coffee cup, flowers, a book you love, your dog, your ridiculous collection of pens…

If it tells part of your story, bring it along.

And don’t forget your shoes, jewellery and accessories to go with your outfits.

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HAIR, MAKEUP & THE LITTLE THINGS

You don’t need to completely transform yourself for your photoshoot.

The goal is to look like the best version of YOU, not someone else.

If you’re having your hair or makeup professionally done, tell them you’re having photos taken and allow a little extra time so you’re not rushing into the shoot.

A few other little things worth doing:

• Have your nails tidy — your hands often feature more than you think! (Bonus points if you have on brand nail polish!)
• Bring makeup for touch-ups.
• Bring a hairbrush.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Don’t try a new skincare treatment the day before. Please. 😂

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“BUT I HATE HAVING MY PHOTO TAKEN!”

That’s okay.

Most people do.

You don’t need to know how to pose. You don’t need to know what to do with your hands. You don’t even need to consider yourself photogenic.

That’s my job.

I’ll direct you, move you, chat to you, make you laugh and tell you exactly what to do.

We’ll find the poses and expressions that feel natural to you – and we’ll keep moving so you don’t have time to overthink it.

You just need to trust me.

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BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

Have a think about what you want these photos to say about you and your business.

What do you want potential clients to feel when they see them?

What parts of your business do you want to show?

Are there photos you’ve always wished you had?

You don’t need a complicated shot list — just tell me what’s important to you.

The more I know about what you need, the more intentional we can make your shoot.

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AND FINALLY…

You do not need to be perfect.

You don’t need to be naturally confident in front of a camera.

You don’t need to know how to pose.

You just need to show up, trust me and be yourself.

Your branding photos aren’t about creating a fake version of you.

They’re about showing your potential clients who they’re actually going to work with.

Your personality. Your expertise. Your quirks. Your passion.

There is absolutely nothing embarrassing about owning your shit and being confident.

So bring the outfits, bring the props, bring your personality…

AND LET’S CAPTURE SOME BLOODY GOOD PHOTOS! ❤️