Photographers are used to being behind the camera, not in front of it. So when we know we want our own photography branding photos, we need to get a picture (no pun intended) of what that might look like. So I compiled five different sessions to give a few ideas for inspiration. Feel free to use these ideas in your own branding session!
1. Headshots
When people think of brand photography, headshots are often the first thing that comes to mind. You can do this with or without your camera. We actually recommend both when taking your photography branding photos. Yes, your camera seems to be a part of you. But it’s not YOU. So remember to take some without your camera as well.
2. Show Your Personality in Your Photography Branding Photos
Branding is all about what makes you YOU. So make sure you show your personality in your photos. Are you goofy? That’s fine! Do you love to laugh? Show it! Are you more serious? That’s ok too! Make sure your potential clients get to know you when they look at your photos. The tiny hands prop in the first photos were quite the hit at our session. I was laughing so hard I almost couldn’t breathe. Her seniors will get a kick out of her personality!
3. Show Your Products in Your Photography Branding Session
Every photographer is different. Some offer in person sales. Others have packages that come with prints. Still others help you put together an album of your favorites from your session. So in your photography branding session, make sure you show what you offer. After all, you will be using these photos on your website and social media channels to promote the things you offer.
4. Stock Images for Your Website
Not every photo has to have your face in it. Sometimes you just need a stock image for your website. Go to almost any website and you will see images that have no faces in them. So make sure you get some of these images. Yes, you could just use stock images like everyone else uses, but wouldn’t you like ones that fit into your aesthetic and are unique just to you?
5. Full Length Images in Your Photography Branding Session
We see so many close up images when we look at websites and social media. Don’t forget to get full length photos during your photographer branding session. Often these can tell even more of a story than the close up photos. But let your photographer know if you plan to use these just for social media as vertical images get cropped differently on Instagram.
6. Images with Blank Space
Many times we want to add wording to a photo, whether in a hero image on our website or in Canva for a social media post. But to do that, we have to have blank space to put those words. Make sure to tell your photographer how you plan to use the images so they can create blank space in the correct part of the image.
7. Photos of You Editing
Editing is a very large part of every photographer’s job. So why not get images of you editing during your photography branding session. Admit it, you spend more time here than you do anywhere else, right? Add these to your session for variety. And give your clients a little peek behind the scenes.
8. Photos of You Working
There’s a lot that goes into photography. Make sure to capture all the different things you do, from planning a session, scheduling dates, photographing, posting to social media…all the things. It will probably feel awkward just pretending to work, but these images usually come out amazing!
9. Lifestyle
We may be photographers, but we’re also people. Lifestyle images will help your clients get to know the person behind the lens. Do you always have a certain drink in your hand? Show that! Do you love to travel? Let them see that as well! If you have a family, there are ways to show that even if you don’t want photos of your family online. Show the world who you are and what’s important to you. After all, you ARE your brand. Help others feel like they are getting a little sneak peek into your life.
10. Looking Down at Your Camera
We all look at our cameras dozens of times during a session. Maybe even hundreds. Our clients see this all the time. Why not capture this? This can put their mind at ease that we check our work throughout our session. If you happen to have someone taking behind the scenes, why not get someone to snap a photo when you’re showing the back of your camera to someone. That’s when the real magic happens!
11. You Can Photograph Anything You Want During Your Photography Branding Session!
Do you want to celebrate something? Use confetti or a take a photo of you cheering. Do you want to show that you use flash on your sessions? Take some images holding your flash equipment. Really, the sky is the limit for your photographer branding session. Get as much variety as you can!
And with that, we wrap up our ideas for a photographer branding session. There are plenty more images in each session, of course, but we hope this gave you some ideas for your next session. If you would like to work with us, we absolutely love helping fellow photographers!
