Business Branding
What's Involved: Shot List
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Having a shot list prepared for your shoot is essential as it provides a roadmap for capturing images that tell your brand story and messaging. This guide will walk you through the essentials of planning a personal brand photoshoot with a focus on building a strategic shot list. A photo shot list shouldn't be limiting. Not everything we capture will be preplanned on paper. The shot list serves as guide, helping us stay focused, organised and efficient throughout the photoshoot and ensuring we make the most of our time together.
The business branding shot list
When I create a brand photography shot list, I shoot with your marketing goals in mind.
Before we meet, consider these points to ensure the photos meet your goals and reflect your brand identity:
What are the photos for?
Are you launching a campaign, updating your website, or refreshing marketing materials? Knowing the purpose will guide the types of images needed.How should the images reflect your brand?
Think about what elements best represent your brand. For example, if you’re an outdoor brand, you might want team headshots, product shots, and lifestyle photos taken outside. Identify these details so we can chat over them!Do you need specific compositions or specialty shots?
If you need header images with space for text or overlays, highlight this early on. Specifying unique composition needs ensures the photos will work for your design requirements.
Images are an effective way to show your potential customer exactly what you’re about.
Type of images I typically photograph in a session:
Individual headshots
Traditional headshot: tight head and shoulders crop
Personal branding - individual images
Wide, mid, tight, birds-eye view
Looking and not looking at the camera
Working - laptop, notes, etc
Team shot/s
Formal camera facing
Candid or less formal
Working together
Wide, mid, tight, birds-eye view
Looking and not looking at the camera
The working space or retail space on its own, no people
Working with clients
Wide, mid, tight, birds-eye view
Looking and not looking at the camera
Working space
Wide, mid, tight, birds-eye view
Looking and not looking at the camera
Custom stock imagery - related images that are relevant, they may or may not include people in them, eg laptops or other relevant props.
Composition and creative conventions
Negative space (to rest the eye)
Motion blur
Out of focus images
Example Business Branding Photoshoot
The shoot for Essential Finance Solutions included individual headshots for each member of the team. We also shot, posed and candid photos of the team as well as the smaller groupings. We also created some custom stock imagery to be used next to the various services they offer! Check out the shoot in context of the Essential Finance Solutions website below.
Shoot & Prop ideas
If you are not sure where to get started with your shot list, then start with writing a list of all the things you do to provide your service. Think if it like documenting how you work and taking people on a journey through your client experience. You could also pull from some of the ideas below!
STORIES TO CAPTURE
Behind the Scenes
Client Interactions
Events
Collaborations
Team/staff members
Travelling
Upcoming launch
Teaching or presenting
Products/services
LOCATIONS
Office/Studio
Home
Co-working space
Rented space
Outdoors/urban environments
Cafe/coffee shop
Gym/yoga studio
OUTFITS
Client meeting
Creative process
Special occasion
Casual
Rest/lazy
Seasonal/holiday
Activewear
Presenting/teaching
PROP IDEAS
Computer/laptop/tablet/
Phone
Books
Coffee mugs
Flowers/floral arrangements
Candles
Foods that are brand cohesive
Business cards/other marketing
PEOPLE TO INCLUDE
Spouse/partner
Children
Friends
Coworkers/collaborators
Clients
Pets
Models that reflect your target audience
Any Questions?
Do you photograph products on white backgrounds?
Yes, I do, and I have several studios available for this in the CBD.
What's included in editing/post production?
Post production/editing includes the following:
Applying my custom colour preset
Straightening and cropping if needed
Black and white version of the image (on request/if included in quote)
Removing background distractions
Light retouching
A small fee may be charged for special requests, please check your contract or invoice for inclusions.
When will we receive our images?
Proofing Galleries will be available to view within 5 business days of the Photoshoot. If applicable, the favourite images need to be selected within 21 business days after images have been delivered. Fully edited purchased images will be available within 10 business days. If the Client requires images to be delivered in a shorter time frame then an additional cost may be applicable.
Can I buy additional images after I have paid for my package?
If you would like additional images to what is included in your package or quote then these can be quoted for and added to the invoice after the shoot.
How long is my gallery live for?
Your gallery will be live for 24 months after it is first sent. Images can be downloaded in high and low resolution prior the gallery going offline.
