RISE AND SHINE!
In my experience, it is better to schedule on-location sessions early in the day while everyone is fresh, and before the demands and stress of the day set in. Most business owners would agree, but I am happy to schedule your session at whatever time works best for you and your business.
PREP YOUR STAFF
Help your employees prepare and get in the proper mindset for your branding photo session. Let them know that I will be photographing at your location, what time to expect me in their area, and what images you are hoping to capture. Giving them as much advance notice as possible, and following up with a reminder the day before, will help them relax and enjoy the experience, which of course translates to better images overall!
STAGE YOUR SPACE
If you plan to have photos taken in multiple locations or throughout the building, let your staff know when they should have their areas cleaned up and what types of things are okay to keep out and what should be put away. A little work ahead of time will help us move through each area quickly and avoid distractions in your finished images.
It can also be beneficial to have a designated area set up for product images. A table near a window with great natural light is ideal. Gather your items and inspect them before the photo shoot to ensure each item is clean and free of defects. If you would like me to use any props to style your items, gather those and place them nearby as well. Examples would include flowers or greenery, colored paper or cloth, office supplies, kitchen utensils, boxes/blocks as risers, etc.
WHAT TO WEAR
If you don’t have a standard uniform, you may want to request that employees wear colors that coordinate with your brand. If not, simply suggest they wear the shades that flatter their skin tone and hair color best. Generally speaking, solid dark colors, jewel tones, and mid tones tend to photograph well. Clothing should fit comfortably and allow movement. Avoid baggy or too-tight clothing, bold stripes or patterns, and any clothing with logos, writing, or graphics unless they pertain to your business. Finally, be sure to try on clothing with proper undergarments, and make sure each piece of clothing is clean and pressed.
LOOK YOUR BEST
In the days leading up to your business branding session, encourage everyone to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, eat healthy and light, and use a daily moisturizer with sunscreen. I recommend keeping hair and makeup simple and natural; avoid wearing tons of make up, or doing your hair differently than you normally would. Do remove old nail polish, as your hands are likely to appear in some images, and bring a hairbrush, hairspray, lipstick, or any other products needed for touchups. It is helpful to have a mirror nearby so employees can check their appearance.
HAVE FUN!
Just because it's a business photo shoot doesn’t mean we can't have fun! I realize some people don't enjoy having their picture taken, so I aim to keep the session flowing quickly while helping them look their best and feel confident. As the business owner, here are some additional ideas you can try to ensure your employees are looking forward to the experience (and show up on the session date!):
- free coffee
- cookies or donuts
- cooler with beverages
- fun music playlist
- gift card drawing
- prime parking space
- extended lunch.
Any of these are relatively inexpensive ways to offer something fun for your employees on the day of the shoot and make sure they have a great experience and SMILE!
PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD!
Having high-quality images that represent you and your brand is essential for every industry and occupation, but especially for entrepreneurs, creatives, and small, independent business owners. With the world doing more and more business online and from home, Professional Branding Photography can help you reach and inform your ideal customer.
Jill Nissen is a proud member of the PPA (Professional Photographers of America), an organization dedicated to helping photographers grow their practices, exceed customer expectations, and push the artistic envelope. Jill is the CEO (Chief Everything Officer) of The Proof Photography in Louisville, Kentucky. Whether you are an artist, author, musician, or dancer in need of personal brand photography, or an entrepreneur or small business owner in search of a business branding photo session, contact Jill for more information and a free consultation!
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