The 4 Things You Should Know Before Booking Your Personal Branding Session

You’ve decided to book a branding session. Wahoo! Time to do a little happy dance! 

Okay, now what? You’re researching photographers, shoot styles you like, what you want to wear in your shoot, etc., etc. But what are some of the other things you should consider even before booking a shoot? Well straight from a branding photographer’s mouth, here are the 4 things you should know before booking your personal branding session. 

1) You’re going to want to book in advance.

I know it can be so exciting when you decide to book a branding shoot. Once you make the commitment, you want to get it done right away! But let’s hold those horses, my friend.  Some photographers, myself included, book at least a month or two in advance. So if you know you want to schedule a branding session and you have a timeline in mind, you are going to want to do your homework on local branding photographers and submit your inquiry as soon as you pick a photographer that you feel comfortable with. 

But this extended timeline can actually be helpful to you. It will give you plenty of time to work with your photographer as well as ask them questions to plan your shoot so you’re getting the exact shots you want and need. After all, you also need to secure the perfect location (more on that in a minute), curate your wardrobe and any props you need, and maybe schedule a hair and makeup artist to make sure you’re looking your best! 

2) You need a clear idea of your ideal client.

Part of a strong brand is knowing who your ideal client is. If you don’t already have that nailed down, questions you should ask yourself are:

• Who are you serving? 

• What are their pain points or problems? 

• What is your brand personality?

You can find out more about about how to create a strong brand here. But for now you should know that your ideal client informs the images you need for your brand. For example, if you are a makeup artist for weddings and special events, likely make sense to have pictures taken of you at work with a client, your tools of the trade, and some final examples of your work. If you’re a personal trainer or fitness instructor, you’re likely going to want action shots of you working out, and then some “off-duty” images of you living a healthy lifestyle. But if you’re a lawyer, you’re shoot could look totally different depending on who you serve (aka your ideal client). A shoot for a lawyer that serves creatives will likely look totally different than a criminal defense lawyer. . So ask yourself these questions and it will make your shoot just that much easier to plan!

3) Location, location, location!

While your photographer should have a few ideas for locations for your shoot, it’s a good idea to brainstorm where you would like to shoot. Do you have a home or office that fits your brand? Or are you looking for a studio? If you are looking to rent a space, don’t forget to budget for the extra cost.

Then if you are looking for a space, what does that space need to have? A kitchen? An office space? A bedroom? You also need to make sure that the space aligns with your brand’s aesthetics. This will all depend on what your business does and what you want to show your ideal clients! And finally, you will need to make sure the space is available for when you are booking with your photographer. 

4) Be kind to yourself. 

Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Some people struggle with getting in front of the camera for many reasons, including being body positive. Just remember this: whatever your reason for feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera, you shouldn’t be shaming or punishing yourself for it. I just love what my friend, client and personal stylist Nicole Otchy has to say about picking out clothes. She says that if you are at war with your body, you will never be a peace with your wardrobe. 

So when you are picking out your shoot wardrobe, you can work with a stylist (some photographers, like me, actually offer this service) and pick quality fabrics in silhouettes that are flattering to your frame. Make sure whatever you’re wearing makes you feel empowered and confident. That confidence will shine right through the camera! And if you pick the right photographer and put your trust in them, you’re going to look great in your photos. I promise! 

To learn more about how to plan your shoot, grab my planning guide. And then let’s get you booked for a shoot!