Whether you’re launching a new product, refreshing your brand’s imagery, or engaging with your audience on social media, a well-executed brand photoshoot can make all the difference. It’s important to capture key aspects of your business like the tools and processes you use, your workspace, and client interactions or product photos depending on if you’re a service-based or product-based business. Creating cohesive and personalized imagery invites potential clients to learn more about your offerings and gives insight into what to expect when working with you.

To ensure your brand photoshoot hits the mark, here are 10 must-have photos to include in your shot list:

1. Classic Headshot:

The story of your business starts with you! People buy from other people, and as a seller, you want to maintain a human relationship with your clients – a simple shot of looking and smiling at the camera will help build this connection. There’s no need to button up in a blazer and sit in front of a plain background like an awkward school picture day; headshots can (and should) be fun! Accessorize with your brand color or feature your workspace in the background. These are great for the “About” section of your website and as a profile picture on social media.

2. Personality Shot:

Now that we know what you look like, let’s learn more about who you are! What do you love to do outside of work? Maybe you love yoga, foster adoptable puppies, or have hobbies like painting and gardening – share that! It will make you more approachable and show common interests that potential clients can connect with. I’ve totally followed someone on social media before after seeing a post about their life, only to click on their profile and find out that they offer a product or service I needed. Sometimes it’s that easy to convert followers into customers!

3. Action Shot:

Show everyone what you do! Are you a hairstylist? I want to see you stoked to be giving someone a new look. A candle maker? Give me those wax pour shots! Graphic designer? I can’t wait to see the sketches that turned into a beautiful final product. If you’re primarily a remote business and do everything from your laptop, open up a project and give us an “over the shoulder” glance at your work. These images should capture you in your element – candid, authentic, and doing what you love. And the result will give potential clients confidence in your abilities now that they’ve seen you in action.

4. Client Interaction:

This is equally as important for product-based entrepreneurs as it is for service-based ones. Showcasing real people interacting with your product adds authenticity and credibility to your brand. Take some photos of yourself selling products at a craft fair, or consulting with a beauty client before their treatment. What would it be like to work with you? Does your studio look warm and inviting? I know I’m not the only one who curiously scrolls Yelp reviews or Instagram tagged photos of a business to see what a restaurant or salon really looks like. Don’t leave people to guess – show them exactly what they’ll get when they book with you.

5. Lifestyle Shot:

Context is key when it comes to brand storytelling. You can try on clothes in a store before buying them, but online purchases make it tricky to know how an item may look on a person or in a home. Whether it’s a fashion accessory being worn on the street or a kitchen appliance in action, lifestyle shots in real-world scenarios help consumers visualize how your product fits into their lives. Showcasing product function and versatility is helpful. Make sure the environments and models align with your brand’s identity and target demographic for maximum impact.

6. Tools of the Trade:

I get it, not everyone wants to show their face all the time. While I still encourage one headshot at a minimum, there are other great ways to highlight aspects of your business, like the tools you use! Pantone color swatches, makeup brushes, machinery – let us peek into your tool kit and see how you get the job done. If you have cute packaging or stickers with your logo on them, this is a great opportunity to highlight them. You can show the items in use, or do styled flat lays to add variety to your feed.

7. Product Shot:

This might be the number one thing that comes to mind when people think of photos for their business. A crisp, classic e-commerce product shot (think white backgrounds like you see on Amazon listings) is a great place to start, but well-composed “hero” images and styled scenes will elevate your product and depict it in a more luxurious way. Highlight bestsellers in a website banner image, give your product listings some personality, or use these images to make attention-grabbing social media announcements.

8. Announcement Photos:

While you’re all dressed up, you might as well grab some images for future launches or announcements. Get some balloons, a disco ball, champaign, or whatever brings you joy, and just have fun! Take silly photos of yourself dancing, celebrating, and looking surprised. I promise they’ll come in handy!

9. Stock Photos:

What if instead of using random stock photos of waterfalls or flowers you found on royalty-free websites, you could have an asset library of personalized on-brand stock imagery? Little details like your morning coffee, notebook, or the view out your office window can be useful as backgrounds for text posts or to switch it up from your usual brand visuals while still feeling cohesive with the rest of your content. You can even take a photo of your laptop or phone to overlay a mockup of your new website or digital product offering. Since you’re in control of the photo, you can add a mug with your business logo, a blanket in your brand color, or other personal touches to these images.

10. Behind the Scenes Shots:

Lastly, give your audience a glimpse at your creative process. I’m surprised how often businesses neglect to share or even capture behind the scenes content. It’s a valuable educational resource, and an easy way to add transparency and authenticity to your brand story. You can capture this organically on your phone by recording some quick photos and videos; this is also a great opportunity to turn them into a reel, repurposing and diversifying your content. Posting before & afters can also be a fun way to show off your skills, especially for photographers and visual artists.

A successful brand photoshoot goes beyond capturing pretty pictures – it tells a compelling story that resonates with your audience. Great brand photos build credibility, showcase your skills, and drive engagement on social media. I hope you picked up some ideas from this list to incorporate in your own business!

Want to book me for your next brand photoshoot?