Questions to Ask a Branding Photographer
When you book a branding photographer, you’re putting your trust and your business in their hands. It’s not just an investment, it’s personal. You’re relying on them to capture your brand aesthetic as well as the stories you want to tell. So it’s important that you find a photographer that gets you, what you’re about, what your business is about, and what you want to tell your audience (bonus points if you really connect with them as well on a personality level). So when you’re in the process of booking a brand photographer, there are some things you want made clear before you set that date. Here are seven questions to ask a branding photographer.
1. What is your shoot plan process and how will you help me create imagery to advance my marketing goals?
You want someone who is going to be there for you from first contact, to booking, to planning the shoot, nailing it and beyond! You also want to understand how they will help you develop a shot list that will be reflective of your content needs. The goal should be not only to capture beautiful photos, but photos that are intentionally created for your upcoming marketing needs.
2. Do you have a studio?
Many branding photographers do not have a studio so you will need to rent a space or shoot at your own space. These are things you should keep in mind when you’re looking at your budget. I do not have a studio because many of my clients have specific brand aesthetics that they want to match. I have a list of my favorite Home Studios that I suggest to my clients as a shoot location and my clients always find something there that they love. Plus since I am a Home Studio affiliate I can offer my clients a coupon code for their first reservation! That being said, you also want a photographer that can review your space first - to see if it is possible to shoot at. Sometimes your home office or regular space will work with just a few styling changes.
3. How long is the entire process?
I usually recommend reaching out to potential photographers at least a month in advance because 1) they may be booking out that far anyway and 2) it gives you plenty of time to plan - you know get those props, clean the home, or gather outfits. I know my calendar is already booking into January of 2022!
4. Do you have a hair and makeup team available for clients?
You may not have thought of that as part of your shoot, but a dedicated hair and makeup team sometimes helps to boost confidence. For some clients, they prefer to either do it themselves or have their own beauty squad take care of it. I do offer hair and makeup services as an add-on from a dedicated team of pros or it’s included in my VIP Package.
5. How will you help me pick out outfits?
Do they have a stylist or will they be helping you directly? I have options for both. While I’m not a stylist, I can help pick out outfits that will go along with your brand and will work well for the shot types we are getting. For your shoot, it’s great to know your colors and The Color Guru is a great resource to figure out what hues suit you best. If you want something more in depth, I have a stylist that I work with for my clients that request it.
6. I’d like to see your portfolio.
This shouldn’t really be a question. Every photographer should have their portfolio available on their website. If you haven’t already checked out their work, ask to see it! You can see my work in my portfolio.
7. Can I purchase more images than what’s included in my package?
Photographers will usually offer a specific number of images in their packages but then clients can purchase extra images. I do offer a la cart pricing beyond what is included in my packages so that you can grab more if you absolutely want more!
Now that you know the questions you should be asking a branding photographer, why not learn more about the branding shoot process? Check out my planning guide, let’s discuss these questions and any others you may have, and then let’s get you on the books for 2022!