Personal Branding Client Prep Guide

Let me help you prepare for your Personal Branding photoshoot like a pro.

Are you excited to create a collection of impactful images that tell your brand’s story and showcase your expertise? Well, I am. I love capturing the details that make you stand apart from your competitors and make you unique. I want to provide you with the best possible photography experience and an amazing gallery of images so thoughtful preparation for the both of us is the key to the success of our session. In order to make the most out of our time together please read my FIVE Preparation and Styling Tips below.

1. Visualize Your Brand

It’s critical to have a clear and defined purpose for the session.

How do you want to communicate your brand to your ideal clients? It can be helpful to think of keywords you would use to describe your business (approachable, energetic, powerful, expert).

Are there core values (inclusive, respectful, client loyalty) you want to communicate with the images we make together?

Do you have brand colors you want to incorporate? What locations are you considering?

Woman in a blue shirt with short brown hair smiling, standing at a kitchen sink with fresh vegetables and fruits, near a window.

2. Prepare a List of Photos

What images do you want to represent your business? How and where you will use them? Share your ideas with me because a personal branding session is a creative collaboration.

Do you need a photo for a print ad?
Are you updating your website?
Do you need images for social media?

Are there any specifications I need to be aware of (aspect ratio, orientation, negative space).

Let’s create the KNOW, LIKE, & TRUST factor.

Ideally, you want a mix of photos that show you as the expert as well as highlight you as a person potential clients would like to hire.

Pro Tip: Create a vision or Pinterest Board. Do your research. Review competitor advertisements, websites and social media for ideas and inspiration. Pinterest is a great resource too!

Some examples of the photos we will capture:

Environmental portrait
Personality portrait
Your workspace
Close-ups and details
Flatlays
Activity and action shots
Interactive: clients, family, friends and pets
Enjoying life beyond work (hobbies, outdoors, interests, family & friends)
Behind-the-scenes
Some of your favorite things
Traditional head and shoulders headshot

3. Wardrobe DO’S

Choose 3-4 outfits. Casual, dressy, athletic, etc. Your outfits should be authentic to who you are and should capture your style and personality. How do you dress for client meetings, on the weekend?Incorporate your brand colors.
LOVE what you wear. Clothes that flatter your body will boost your confidence and this will be evident in the photographs. Generally, clothing that is fitted (but not too tight or loose) is most flattering in photos. The session will involve movement, sitting and activity, so ensure that everything fits properly before the session. Try everything on. Sit and move in outfit. Look at yourself in mirror how do you look and feel from front, back and side ?
Add accessories and layers. You can quickly change your look without a complete outfit change. Accessories and layers also add texture, an accent color and contrast to your photos. Using accessories is a great way to incorporate brand colors. I like pieces such as hats, scarves, lightweight jackets, blazers, belts, statement jewelry (earrings, necklace, etc.). Be playful and a little daring if you want, mixing things up is a great way to add interest and personality to your portraits.
Choose colors that flatter you. Have you ever been told, “That color looks great on you!” …then definitely incorporate “that” color. One way to determine which colors look best on you is to consider your base skin tone. If you have reddish, pink or blue undertones, you may try wearing blues, purples, teals, lavenders, greens, and darker pastels. Avoid too much orange or yellow. If you have yellow or warm undertones you will probably look great in shades of orange, gold, and amber, scarlet red, creams, fuchsia, violet and rusty and earth tones.
The colors of your clothing should be in harmony with the location and provide contrast so you stand out from your surroundings (i.e., if you're at a park avoid too much green or if you want to incorporate a navy blue couch, a blue top won’t work).
Select tints, tones and shades of the primary colors you like. For example rich jewel tones and earthy greens browns, yellows, oranges will photograph well.
The darker your eyes, hair, and skin, the bolder you can go with color choice.
Layout your outfits and see how they look and adjust as needed. Don’t forget to incorporate the aesthetic of your location and make sure you wear the appropriate undergarments for your outfits (i.e., ensure that bra straps are not visible).
Don’t forget your feet. Select footwear that coordinates with each outfit.

A woman with dark hair smiling and crossing her arms, wearing a white blouse, standing next to a white brick wall with blurred Christmas lights in the background.

PRO TIPS:
1. Clothes with movement add grace to your images and give them an extra special feel. Full skirts and long flowing dresses come to life with a little bit of wind.
2. Do you wear an apple watch? If yes, consider if you want to wear it or not. It will be quite visible in many of the photos.
3. Shop your closet first.

Anything that is uncomfortable or clothes that may make you feel self-conscious or insecure. A tight waistband or uncomfortable shoes will show on your face and will be a distraction and nuisance.

Clothes that show tan lines.
Very short skirts and shorts.
Busy patterns and prints.
Fabrics that wrinkle easily, such as pure linen.
Neon colors.
Very pale pastels- they will make you look washed-out, opt for deeper pastels.
Pure black and pure white. These “colors” are hard to photograph and pull focus away from your face. Creamy and warm whites and various shades of gray are good substitutes. If you really want to wear white or black consider wearing it at the waistline and below.

And…
Avoid these wardrobe DON’TS

A woman with blonde hair, wearing a plaid blazer, white shirt, light blue jeans with frayed hems, and white loafers with gold accents, sitting on a colorful striped carpeted staircase near a window.

4. Pamper Yourself

A blowout is recommended the day of the session. If you're thinking about getting a haircut or new hair style, do so at least two weeks in advance. You can change up your hair style during the session for various looks. Wear your hair down, put it up, add or remove hair accessories.

Paint your nails or get a manicure and pedicure 1 - 2 days before the session. Many of your photos will have your hands close to your face and if you are wearing sandals (or maybe no shoes) your feet will be included in many photos too. Lighter polish colors photograph best.

If you are considering a spray tan, be very conservative and only go 1-2 shades darker than you are without tanning. Do not spray tan for the first time (or 1st time in a while) prior to the session - this is not the time to experiment. Ideally, spend time outside but wear sunblock and be mindful of tan lines.

Make-up should enhance the way you look and not change your look. Apply just a little more than you normally would to highlight your eyes, lips, cheek bones and even out your skin tone. If you’re going to experiment with colors or a new look, do it well before the session.

PRO TIPS:
1. Stay hydrated, especially a few days prior to your session (8 glasses of water each day) and bring a water bottle to the session.
2. Get plenty of rest (especially the night before).
3. Avoid too much sun- you don't want to be sunburned, red or be peeling.
4. Bring makeup and hairbrush to your session for touch-ups and to tame stray hair.
5. Clean jewelry you will be wearing, especially rings.
6. Minimize stressors & distractions on photo day.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a dark blue sleeveless top and dark blue pants, sits on a patterned yellow couch in a well-lit room with a window and potted plant behind her. She rests her chin on her left hand, looking confidently at the camera.

Show your clients the personal side of you and what makes you unique. This is where you can get creative and have some fun. Think of it as behind the scenes and a look inside the brains behind the brand. Incorporate something/someone you love into your session: a skill, sport, hobby, passion, family member, friend, pet. We will get some great action and activity based photos which will add variety to your gallery and help tell your story.

Using props is another great way to add interest to the photos. Props include tools of the trade, products you sell, personal items like eyeglasses, books, flowers or even something fun like balloons.

Props and locations should always be harmonious with your brand and message. An outdoor location will tell a more casual and informal message while an office setting will communicate a more serious and authoritative feel.

5. Showcase What Makes You, YOU.

A woman practicing yoga on a large rock near a body of water, sitting in a seated twist pose with one leg over the knee, wearing a white tank top and colorful patterned leggings.

A personal branding session is an investment in your business and it’s important that you make the most of your investment with thoughtful planning and attention. I hope you are getting excited for your session. We’re gonna have some fun while I capture images that showcase your passion, expertise and the joy you bring to the table.