10 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Brand Photoshoot

Brand photos are so much more than nice photos that you’ll post to your Instagram a couple times and forget about. If you use them right, brand photos are one of the best strategic investments you can make in your business!

Because of this, brand sessions require more preparation than other types of photoshoots. In this post, you’ll learn the top mistakes to avoid so you can maximize your investment and walk away with a gallery you’ll use everywhere!

Mistake 1: Waiting Too Long to Book

As a business owner, your mind is constantly working. It can be hard to keep track of everything (hence why I still use a paper planner!), but one of the biggest mistakes you can make is reaching out to your brand photographer too close to your desired brand shoot date!

If possible, reach out to your brand photographer months in advance. This is especially important if your photos are tied to a launch, event, or new offer! Before scheduling a shoot, you’ll want to consider the time needed for planning, prep, the shoot itself, and editing turnaround.

Mistake 2: Not Putting Effort Into Prep Work

Sometimes, we just have to fake it until we make it (we’ve all done it!). But your brand photoshoot is not the place for that! If you want to maximize your investment (and really, who doesn’t want that?!), you’ll need to spend some serious time brand photoshoot planning.

If you choose to work with Marissa Elise Photography, I love helping with this part! I truly believe that collaboration with your brand photographer is essential, so we will work together to choose outfits and props that align with your brand, create an essential shot list, pick out the perfect shoot location, and come up with a strategy for the brand shoot day itself!

Mistake 3: Throwing Together Outfits Last Minute

The outfits you wear on the day of your brand photoshoot are some of the strongest tools for brand consistency! You know that feeling when you try on your own clothes and it seems like nothing works? And your bed ends up looking like a fitting room disaster? You definitely want to avoid that on the day of your brand photoshoot!

Your outfits need to reflect your personality, coordinate with your brand colors, and the platforms where the photos will be used. While that may sound like a lot of pressure on an outfit choice, it can actually be a ton of fun to figure out what looks fit your brand!

Mistake 4: Ignoring the Details

You are the face of your business, and every little detail counts! Wrinkled clothes, cracked phone screens, dirty laptops, and chipped nail polish are the types of small details that will throw off your professional images. Making sure to check all these little things before your brand photoshoot will ensure that your gallery has a polished and professional vibe!

Mistake 5: Limiting Yourself to Instagram Photos

Like I said before, brand photos are an investment. And if you use them correctly, they can actually make you money! When going into your brand shoot, don’t think short-term! Think of a big-picture brand presence – you want to make yourself seen everywhere. Your brand shoot gallery should serve your entire business, not just social media!

Brand photos can be used across:

• Website
• Email Marketing
• Print Materials (think business cards!)
• Blog Posts
• Speaking/Workshop Slides

If you’re looking for more ways to utilize your brand shoot photos, I made this 50 Uses for Brand Photos freebie to make sure you get the most out of your gallery!

Mistake 6: Letting Negative Self-Talk Sabotage Your Experience

It’s totally normal to feel nervous in front of the camera, but it’s important to remember that your audience isn’t looking for perfection. During a brand photoshoot, it’s crucial to let your personality and energy shine, since that’s what makes your business thrive!

If you’re worried about being in front of the camera, talk to your brand photographer. If you choose to work with Marissa Elise Photography, I do everything in my power to make your brand shoot day a fun, relaxed, and upbeat experience!

Mistake 7: Skipping Meals or Hydration on Shoot Day

Think of your brand shoot as a big presentation. You need to be prepared, which means you need to be hydrated and fueled! Making sure you eat enough food and drink plenty of water are small but crucial parts of prepping for your brand shoot! Energy crashes make it harder to show up confidently – and you want to make sure you’re capturing yourself at your best!

Mistake 8: Not Asking Questions Along the Way

Good communication ensures your brand  photographer captures exactly what you need! If you hire an expert in the field, your brand photographer should guide you. But keep in mind that every business is unique! You need to be clear with your brand photographer about what makes your business special so that they can capture exactly what you want.

During brand photoshoot prep, be sure to ask your photographer about:

• Outfits
• Props
• Locations
• Shot List 
• Poses

Mistake 9: Arriving Right at Shoot Time

As a business owner, you know that time is precious. When you book a two hour brand shoot, it may sound like a lot of time, but trust me – it’ll go by fast! That’s why it’s so important to arrive at your brand shoot early. Once your shoot starts, you don’t want to be wasting time with preparation!

Arriving early allows time to:

• Hang outfits to make for less wrinkles and easier outfit changes
• Lay out props so you have a clear visual
• Touch up hair and makeup for that polished, professional look
• Use the bathroom, breathe, and get settled!

If you show up to your brand photoshoot in a rush, your photos will end up looking hurried, and trust me – neither you nor your photographer want that!!

Mistake 10: Not Maximizing Your Gallery Afterward

The first thing many entrepreneurs do once they receive their brand photoshoot gallery is update their profile picture. And this is a great place to start, but if you stop there, you are not maximizing your investment! 

A good brand shoot should fuel your business for months (and maybe even years!). You’ll want to intentionally block off time to maximize your brand photos by updating your website, newsletters, digital products, and more! If you’re not sure where to start, grab this free list of 50 Ways to Use Your Brand Photos and get your brand photos working for you everywhere!

Bonus Mistake: Not Trusting Your Photographer

It’s easy to get day-of photoshoot jitters. For many people, there’s a lot riding on these photos, whether it’s an upcoming launch or new business cards! While it’s important to not put too much pressure on yourself going into a brand photoshoot, it’s also essential to remember that you hired your brand photographer for a reason – so lean on their expertise!

A professional brand photographer brings strategy, posing, and creative experience. Trusting their direction makes for a smoother, more successful session!

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By avoiding these ten brand photoshoot mistakes, you’ll be sure to get the most out of your investment! A brand shoot should feel exciting, not stressful. If you’re ready to book your next brand photoshoot and need a Maine brand photographer, check me out at Marissa Elise Photography! I love cheering for my fellow Maine entrepreneurs, and I’m here to help you plan the brand photoshoot of your dreams! 

Not sure if a brand shoot is right for you? Check out 5 Reasons Why a Brand Shoot is the Best Investment for 2025 (or any year!). If you’ve got a brand shoot on the books, 10 Things to Bring To A Brand Shoot and Choosing Props for Your Brand Shoot will help your brand photoshoot preparation!

Before you go, take a look at what a well-prepared-for brand shoot gallery can look like! Full Circle CPAs came in with the goal of getting headshots and working photos, but they trusted me with some more creative shots – which turned out to be some of their favorites! The mix of professional and more creative photos gave them a super versatile gallery to use for a variety of target audiences on different platforms! 😊