10 Things to Bring To A Brand Shoot

One of my favorite things about brand photography is that every business is unique, with its unique owner, energy, and mission. So, there’s honestly not a ton that’s the same from one brand shoot to another. And that’s what makes it such a fun, creative challenge as a brand photographer!

That being said, there are 10 things that I think every business owner can benefit from bringing to their brand shoot. Are you ready for it?

Here’s the 10 things every business owner should bring to their personal brand shoot:

1. Water: staying hydrated during your shoot is KEY. Take it from me, I’m constantly forgetting to drink water while I’m taking photos and am in my creative zone but I pay for it the minute I slow down. So, take breaks during your session to sip your water. Plus, if your mouth is getting dry from all the smiling and laughing, hydration will help you keep up your authentic smile because your mouth won’t feel like it’s full of cotton balls!
2. Chapstick/lipstick: Chances are your lips will need a little touch-up at some point during your session so have your lipstick easily available.
3. Snacks: Nothing makes an experience unpleasant like being hungry does, am I right? Pack a snack (or better yet, a few!) that’s quick, convenient, and satisfying to have on hand. That way, if you notice you’re starting to get hungry or need an energy boost during your session you’re prepared. I always support people taking whatever time they need to take care of themselves during their shoot and being well fed is a big part of that!
4. Pen: This is one I find a lot of people forget. If you’re doing a brand shoot and brought your notebook and planner but forgot a pen then it’s…awkward…to use those props. Have no fear, I keep a pen in my camera bag for backup but not every photographer will so it’s best you bring one.
5. A good playlist: I don’t go to a session without my travel JBL speaker and can’t imagine doing a session without music (unless it’s outside and not as accessible). If you have a playlist you love or if you want to build one special for your shoot, I will happily grant you Bluetooth access to blast those jams during your shoot!
6. Lint roller: Especially if you have pets and are wearing dark colors. Just trust me.
7. Change of clothes: You’ll have your outfit changes for your session but bring something especially comfy to put on after your shoot. Nothing feels more satisfying than putting on a cozy sweatshirt and joggers on after a big accomplishment!
8. Pinterest inspo: Read this carefully, I LOVE seeing brands Pinterest boards for the vibe of their business. So that can include things like colors, textures, overall aesthetic. You can totally include a few core poses you’d like to try but seeing a Pinterest board with the overall brand aesthetic is so helpful to me as a brand photographer versus a board full of only photos of other people!
9. Laptop: I don’t think I need to elaborate much here. I don’t know a business owner who doesn’t use their laptop in some way and there’s lots of ways we can use it to showcase what you do and your process.
10. A good attitude! You’re doing it – you’re investing in yourself and your business. That’s something to feel really positively about if you ask me!

So what do you think…can you bring these 10 things to your next brand shoot?

If you found this blog post helpful, here’s a few other ones you might like, too:

• 30 ways to use your brand photos
• Choosing props for your brand shoot
• Personal brand shoot: What to expect
• 7 things to do before your brand shoot