The truth is, a brand photoshoot isn’t as simple as showing up to a studio, capturing a few different poses, and then leaving with a gallery of high-quality professional images. 

For any brand photoshoot, it’s actually best to have a plan and create a brand strategy before your session. However, many entrepreneurs repeat the same brand photoshoot mistakes over and over again in their brand sessions – but you don’t have to be one of them! 

As a brand photographer in Lemont, Illinois, I wanted to create this guide to help you prepare for your upcoming brand photoshoot so you can have the best experience (and photos) possible.

Read on to learn more about common brand photoshoot mistakes and how you can avoid them! 

6 Brand Photoshoot Mistakes to Avoid  

Here are six brand photoshoot mistakes to be aware of: 

1. Not having a brand strategy or plan for your brand shoot 

This is a big one! I’ve seen it happen more than once where entrepreneurs don’t even realize they should have a brand strategy and plan in place before showing up for their session. 

Your brand strategy and plan don’t need to be overly complicated, so where do you start? By defining your brand. 

It should be very clear to everyone involved in your photo shoot what your business does, your mission and vision, and who your ideal client is. You’ll also want to note your brand voice and colors and share all of this with your photographer prior to your session. 

Your photographer will work with you to create a shot list, props, and brand elements to incorporate, and they can help you choose outfits that fit your brand. However, first, they need to know the essentials of your brand and understand who you are and what you do so they can help you plan an incredible session. 

Furthermore, when it comes to planning your session, if there’s anything you do (or don’t want) to be a part of your photoshoot, make sure you write it down and share it with your photographer.

How to avoid not having a brand strategy or plan for your brand shoot: 

• Map out a plan for your session – write down things you know you definitely want to include, any poses you want to use, the location for your session, etc. 
• Create a mood board for your session – I recommend using Pinterest to do this!
• Share all the important info with your photographer prior to your session about your brand identity. 

2. Choosing outfits that don’t align with your brand colors or vibe

You should always pick out a couple of outfits that match your brand colors and your brand vibe for your session. Ideally, all of your outfits will align with your brand in some way. Why? Because color will help associate your branding with you. Furthermore, it will help make your brand and your business more recognizable to your audience. 

If you don’t already have clothing that matches your brand’s color palette, this doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money on a new wardrobe. 

Instead, you can try to find similar colors that would fit within your brand’s color palette. Ideally, we want your brand photos to show as much of your brand as possible, and one part of this is color. 

As you choose outfits that complement your brand’s color palette, be mindful of any colors that clash or don’t work together. I want each outfit you pick to intentionally enhance your brand’s identity, not distract from it.

Want more info on how to plan your brand photoshoot outfits? Go here! 

3. Wearing clothing that doesn’t fit or that you don’t actually like

When you show up to your session, I want you to feel confident in what you’re wearing! The goal of your session is to look and feel your best and have that captured by the camera to represent your brand and business. 

Ideally, you’ll be obsessed with your outfits when choosing them! If you’re hesitating about an outfit, my advice? Don’t wear it. If you feel uncomfortable in an outfit, this will show up in your images. Remember, the camera captures everything. 

If we work together, I can help you pick out outfits that you love and that also represent your brand. The good news is that you don’t have to figure out what you’re going to wear all by yourself. 

4. You don’t think about how/where you’re going to use your brand photos 

After receiving your brand photos, they deserve their time in the spotlight, not collecting dust in a folder on your computer. There are so many different ways to use your brand photos—on your website, social media, press, etc.! 

Before you book your brand shoot, think about how and where you’re going to use your brand photos so you can get the best return on your investment. 

Most of my clients come to me thinking they just need branding photos for social media content, but then they realize all the other ways they can actually use their photos. Want to learn more about how you can use your brand photos outside of social media? Go here. 

5. You just rely on headshots 

Let’s set the record straight – headshots don’t = a brand photoshoot. While headshots are very important (they are one of the primary services I offer), they don’t show off all of your unique personality, vibe, or the aesthetic of your brand. 

If you really want your brand photos to stand out, you need more than just headshots. You also need action/ lifestyle photos, photos of your products and spaces, and fun, unique, and personable photos of yourself. 

6. You don’t update your visuals consistently 

Your business needs to have more than one brand photoshoot – especially if the last time you had a brand photoshoot was years ago… 

I’m a huge proponent of having at least one branding session a year for your business. Anytime your business evolves or rebrands, it’s time to update your visuals! 

I know that a brand photo shoot is a big investment and time-consuming, so instead of getting a massive one once a year, let me introduce you to the concept of mini-branding photo shoots. 

Mini branding photo shoots are a much shorter branding session, and not only are they quick, but they are also affordable and convenient. You change throughout the year and will evolve, so why not have content to reflect these changes? 

Also, a mini branding session is going to enhance your brand and show how much you’ve grown. You can learn more about mini branding sessions and whether they are right for you here. 

If we work together, I offer mini branding photo shoots and a monthly membership called the Content Club. The Content Club is meant to help you build a library of usable visuals so you can consistently show up online each month. This space is designed to make your monthly content creation fun, effortless, and inspiring.

The Content Club is for any business type—coaches, bakers, health professionals, creatives—you’ll build a library of high-quality content that keeps you visible and engaged, whether you choose flexibility or the consistency of a subscription. Curious to learn more about the Content Club? Go here! 

Ready to Take Your Brand Photos?

I hope you found this guide on brand photoshoot mistakes to avoid helpful! Remember, your brand photos help you create a cohesive visual identity across all your marketing channels. 

That’s why it’s so important not to walk blindly into your brand session but to have a solid idea of the direction you want to take your session in and how you would like your brand and your story to be captured. 

And…if you are ready to take your branding photos to the next level with binge-worthy, powerful visuals, I’d love to chat. You can click here to check out my brand photography services, or you can head over here to get in touch, and we can start talking about your plans for your session!

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Read these next: 

Branding Photoshoot Checklist: What Every Business Owner Needs

Why Professional Branding Photos and Videos Are Non-Negotiables for Your Business