Personal & Business Branding Style Guide
Let's get those finer details planned to get the most from your photoshoot!
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In this guide, you'll find my recommendations on how to dress for your shoot to help make the session a little more seamless. Clothing choices can increase spontaneity or take some of it away - if you are thinking about wardrobe issues it's unlikely you'll look or feel relaxed. With some consideration, we can achieve the highest level of both comfort and spontaneity so you have a great experience on your shoot.
Feel good, look good.
First and foremost I want you to wear something you feel good in. Getting in front of the camera can be tough!
Give yourself a leg up by wearing clothes that make you feel like your best self. Whatever makes you feel confident, bring it, wear it. If you have an outfit that makes you feel off, or uncomfortable, don’t wear it.
Your images will be better when you feel better. If your clothing choices don't align with my suggestions, that's fine, these are just guidelines and at the end of the day, the choice is up to you.
I'm always open to looking over your outfit selections prior to your shoot so feel free to email them my way.
Shoot ideas
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
Outdoor portraits
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The environment: When shooting in an outdoors location you'll probably be moving around, walking, sitting etc. You don’t want to be restricted with your clothing so wear an outfit that allows for movement.
The weather: Blue lips don't look good on anybody, so look ahead at the weather forecast, factor in the temperature, and bring layers just in case this changes.
The beach: You’ll likely get a little wet and sandy. Shoes will be likely be thrown off when we arrive. The beach is often super windy so an extra layer can be handy to keep the goosebumps at bay.
Rescheduling: While you'll see plenty of golden light throughout my portfolio, if you take a closer look you'll also see plenty of moody and stormy skies too. I absolutely LOVE to work in both scenarios and both will provide beautiful scenes. If you have your heart set on a particular look - please let me know as it may be worth rescheduling. I limit my workload to have room for rescheduling so I'm happy to be flexible for you to ensure you will make the most out of this investment.
Hair and makeup
When it comes to professional hair and makeup for personal branding or headshot photos, my vote will always be a resounding yes! I truly believe you will look beautiful either way, but having that little bit of extra can definitely add to your confidence level on the day. Once you feel great, it’s easier to relax and enjoy being in front of that camera.
Here is a list of the professionals I recommend, they are experts at creating beautiful natural makeup, and I know will look after you. On booking, I suggest also finding out their postponement policy in case we need to postpone your session due to wet weather.
Tips & Tricks
General Info for All
Unless you are booking shoots regularly, you want to be able to use this photoshoot for many months to come. Make the most of your time and wear multiple outfits.
This gives you more marketing mileage and helps your content to look fresh.
Aim for a range of styles that are on on brand. Casual, dressy, professional. If what you do requires a uniform or branded clothing bring that too.
Patterns that are really large, geometric, very colourful, and highly contrasting will draw the eye to focus on these strong patterns, especially if only one member of your team or group is dressed like this. The same goes with large logos or text. Floral and light checks are a great alternative. However, if bold, bright, high contrast is your thing and represents your brand then go for it!
Try everything on at home prior to the shoot, to see how it fits and moves and to make sure the combinations you have selected work together.
Also Don't Forget...
Press, iron or use a steamer before you arrive so that garments aren't creased, (this is super hard to photoshop out!).
Remove anything you don't want on your wrists - scrunchies, hair ties, watches.
Empty those pockets of phones and keys!
For the Ladies
Blazers and cardigans break up space and color, creating a more flattering look. Layering these pieces can add a slimming effect and bring visual interest to your photos. Easily dress up or down by adding a blazer, denim jacket, or cardigan.
Outfits that cinch at the waist help define your shape. High-waisted pants or peplum tops work similarly—drawing attention to your waist (rather than hips) creates a slimming, balanced look.
If you're wearing a dress I recommend medium or long dresses to cover your knees when you sit. If you're wanting to create movement, maxi dresses give you something to twirl in and can create really dynamic, interesting shapes.
Select the right colour and the right type of underwear for whatever outfit you’ve chosen. Make sure there is no pulling/ cutting in on you, no tight elastic etc. Do an underwear check to see if you have underwear lines showing. If you don't want bra straps showing choose pieces that properly cover your undergarments, in all types of movement scenarios.
Strapless tops or dresses, often pinch in around the arms and back in an unflattering way, so check this if you are going strapless.
For the Gents
If you are wearing a suit, make sure it fits correctly (you would be surprised how many badly fitted suits I've photographed!). If it's to tight, and pulls, leave the buttons undone.
Dress shirts for a professional look, add a blazer or jacket to quickly create interest. If your target market isn't professionals, keep it casual and comfortable, if you don't usually wear dress shirts don't feel like you have to. Linen, loose cottons on collared shirts, breathable fabrics, or a T-shirt with an open shirt over the top will help look less business-y.
Empty those pockets of phones and keys!
Colour
The colours you choose to wear will change the whole look and feel of your photos, and will help communicate the story of your business.
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I suggest using your brand colours, or various tones and hues of these. Solid colors help to keep a viewers eyes from getting distracted or pulling their eyes to your clothes. However, if bold, bright, pattern, colour is your thing and represents your brand then go for it! If in doubt use, warm, earthy and neutral tones. Think olive, rust, beige, dusty pink. A really bright red does not tend to photograph well. Neither does black as all the details get lost in the shadows. Dark gray, dark wash jeans, and dark olive are great substitutions for black. On the opposite end, wearing bright white can cast bright spots onto faces in certain light, or look blue rather than white. Off-white and cream are great, and white lace is fine because it has so much texture.
Explore how Dr. Ala Farah thoughtfully incorporated her branding colors into her wardrobe choices for her shoot here. For an example of a business team unified by their signature yellow branding, visit the Essential Finance blog here.
Below are a few examples of colour combinations from some of my shoots in a variety of locations. I hope these inspire you!
Tips for teams
Unifying your look for your team photos
Team outfits should reflect your brand identity
If you want to incorporate your brand colour, have some members of the team dress in this, or include sublte pops of this. If your brand colour is very bright you can break this up with neutrals
For groups, my advice is to colour coordinate tones but not to all wear the exact same colour unless this is your uniform
Avoid big prints or logos that distract from team unity
Dark colors can look sharp but vary shades to avoid blending together
Accessories like ties or jewelry can add flair and tie the look together
Coordinate outfits beforehand for a cohesive look
If wearing a uniform ensure this fits correctly and is clean!
For more inspiration
Odds are, you already have a vision in mind about how you want to present yourself in these photos. But sometimes, that vision can be hard to describe when it’s not sitting right there in front of you.
For more outfit inspiration Pinterest is where it's at. I've curated a bunch of helpful resources like the ones you see here, so take a look at my boards below, and feel free to re-pin to your own board!
What to bring checklist
For Touch Ups
Clothing & Props
Shops we love
FOR THE LADIES | FOR THE GENTS | |
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TO HIRE
If you can't find anything you love in your own wardrobe, Lend Me The Dress offers an amazing range of beautiful garments you can hire in a variety of sizes and colours. Use the discount code 'photographer20' for 20% off. Designer Wardrobe also has some great options!
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