Session Prep: What Props To Bring To A Brand Photography Session
Dressing yourself up is just one part of your brand shoot. Dress your location and surroundings up with objects unique to you to add some extra pizazz and personality to your photos. I like to break these up into two categories: The Regulars and The Remarkables.
THE REGULARS
Let’s start with the regulars:
Coffee or tea mugs. Bring your favorite or buy one in your brand color to give an extra pop to your java joe shots.
Relationship coach Danielle Bear holds her “Hello, Gorgeous” mug during her Los Angeles brand photography session.
Laptop and/or journal. While your brand shoot shouldn’t revolve around the cliche laptop life pics you see every on every entrepreneur’s Instagram grid, they are a cornerstone of a brand photography session. If there are stickers or covers on your laptop that aren’t part of your brand, remove them. Be sure to wipe everything down and get it clean before your session. Smudges and dust particles will always show up otherwise.
Pens or pencils. Do you have a favorite writing utensil? Bring it! And if it’s a quill, reach out immediately. We need to do photos together.
Your favorite beverage. While coffee or tea may already be laying around, think of anything else that fuels you up throughout the day. Or what you celebrate with at the end of the day. Wine or beer are always welcomed at my sessions ;)
Favorite purse, clutch or laptop case. These are a great way to remedy that “What Do I Do With My Hands?” phenomenon when taking photos. They are also a great addition to flat lay photos.
Dr. Erin Fall Haskell holds her laptop case on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills during her Los Angeles brand photography session. Laptop cases are a great way to give your hands something to do in photos.
Favorite books or movies. Share the resources that have elevated your own development. Bonus points if you find something in your brand color.
Accessories like sunglasses, hats, lipstick, watches or jewelry.
THE REMARKABLES
I like to call the next category “The Remarkables.” This is where things start to get unique to you and your story. It may take some digging but the payoff is worth it in the end.
Any products that are part of your daily rituals. Do you like to start the day off with a candle and some meditations? Have a pair of headphones you can’t live without? Bring ‘em with you!
Framed photos of important people in your life. If your mom or grandfather are an important part of your story, bring them along for the ride!
Certificates, diplomas or name plates. I attribute the start of my professional journey to a name plate I was given at my college newspaper. I had only been there a week and was ready to quit. The day I came in to tell the editor, I found that he had given me a name plate at my desk with my name and official title of Assistant Copy Editor. Needless to say, I used it as a sign to stay, and my journalism career lasted another decade after that. You better believe it’s part of my story.
Have any other suggestions? Leave them in the comments below!
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