Headshots are incredibly important for your small business’ brand, but I believe branding photography can be SO much more. As a Denver branding photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a ton of immensely talented small business owners. Through my experiences with these amazing entrepreneurs I’ve come up with a system that not only produces great headshots for your branding, but also photos that actually feel like your brand. I think striking this balance adds so much to your brand’s identity, which is why today’s article is going to cover my tips for taking headshots in a way that feels authentic!
1. Decide on Your Content Needs
One of the first and most important pieces of preparation that goes into your headshots and branding photos is deciding what your content needs actually are. Ask yourself:
- Where do you plan on utilizing these images?
- What are your current marketing needs when it comes to photography?
- What is your overall goal for the branding session?
The answers to these questions are what will help you determine exactly what you’re aiming to get out of this session in terms of photography. Are these images strictly for social media use, or do you plan to use them on your website or blogs?
This may seem like a no brainer, but as a branding photographer in Denver I can attest to how important it is to know these answers. If you don’t, you’re much more likely to end up with photos that don’t actually satisfy the needs you have, no matter how good they look!
2. Keep Your Brand Identity in Mind
Once you understand your overall content needs, the next thing to do for your branding session and headshot photos is to fit those needs into the context of your specific brand. Ask yourself these questions in order to determine how your content needs fit within your brand’s identity:
- Who do you serve?
- What do you do differently than your competition?
- What feelings or aesthetic does your brand currently have? (and are you looking to mix that up?)
You want your photos to not only fit the content needs that you have, but also reflect both your branding and your personality. This way, no matter where you use your photos, your potential clients will have a much clearer understanding of who you are, what you do, and what working with you is like!
3. Collaborate with Your Photographer
One of THE biggest recommendations I have personally as a branding photographer in Denver is to collaborate with your photographer prior to them taking your branding and headshot photos! I say this not just because it can greatly impact the look and feel of your photos, but also the overall experience of your session. When a client books me for a branding session the first thing I’ll do is hop on an intake call with them. There I’ll ask them questions about them and their business. I do this to not only better understand your business, but also the person behind it to have a more complete grasp of the vision you have for these photos.
Not only that, but I also assist with many of the planning aspects of the branding session as well. From outfit choices, to backdrop, and even the props you’ll bring, my goal is to help you throughout the entire process. Another thing I love to do for my clients is create a mood board based on what we discussed in our call. From there I’ll share the board with them and they’ll give me feedback based on how closely the outfits, text, and general content fit the vision that they have.
4. Choose a Location
The fourth tip I wanted to go over here is about choosing the right location for your branding and headshot photos. The three main things to consider when choosing a location for your branding session are the lighting, the aesthetics of the space, and how much traveling you’ll need to do to get there. Ideally the space you choose will be the best of all three, having ample natural lighting, a space with an aesthetic that fits the vision you have for your photos, and is relatively close to where you’re based.
I’m lucky enough to be based in Denver as there are practically endless phenomenal locations to choose from for a branding session! My number one rule in choosing a space is that it has an abundance of natural light to provide a natural feel to the photos. Finding the right aesthetic often depends on the goal aesthetic of the photos, but usually the session will take place in-home, in your office or workspace, outside in the cool parts of Denver, or in one of the MANY great studios in Denver! My favorite studio is Realm Denver thanks to their incredible natural lighting, easy parking, and it’s just SUCH a cool space. I do also often use spaces and resources like Denver Photo Collective, Home Studio List, and Peerspace for other options though!
5. Consider the Props and Action of Your Branding Photos
The final tip I have when it comes to your branding and headshot photos is to consider the props and action of the photos themselves. I always recommend using props and details that pertain to your business, and as I mentioned earlier, I love working with my clients to nail down the right props for their specific business. You’ll also want to think about if you want your headshots to have a more formal or informal feel to them, and whether or not you’ll need group/team photos. A huge part of properly documenting what makes your business unique is showcasing the people that make it special, the actions you take to provide the best quality of your service or product, and even your workspace (if applicable)!
Taking headshots and branding photos is such an important aspect of running your small business. These images are often the first impression your potential clients will have of you, and it’s crucial to start things off on the right foot! If you’re in need of more tips on how to plan your branding session, check out this article of mine, and for anyone looking to book me as their branding photographer in Denver you can send me an inquiry through my contact page!
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