5 Prop Ideas For Branding Photoshoots

So we've been at this long enough to know that 99% of people are going to start a photoshoot feeling pretty freaking awkward.

WE GET IT!

Where do I look?

Should I smile?

Why do my hands suddenly feel like they shouldn't exist?!

That's why we love starting a shoot off giving out clients an activity to do and props to interact with!

So your next question is, What kind of props should I bring to my shoot?

Here is our list of 5 of our favorite props to bring to your branding photoshoot

1. Things you use every day.

   The goal here is to help your audience see into your daily routine or rituals you have.

   Do you start your day with a cup of coffee?

   Do you write your goals and intentions for the day?

   Maybe you always take a mid-day yoga break?

   The more unique the better!

   For example, I once saw a post from someone talking about how they eat their pancakes with peanut butter and Sugar-free syrup.

   I felt an immediate connection with them because there was someone out there just as weird as me.

2. Accessories are another great prop (bonus points if they are on brand).

   You can throw a hat, wear your grandmother's pearl necklace, have a statement watch, red bottom shoes, or your favorite sports team jersey.

   Not only can these items help give you something to play with in the photo but they can help tell your story.

3. Work Items.

   If you're a maker this is super easy, bring what your sell and the items you use to make it.

   It doesn't have to be that literal though.

   If you're a realtor, you could bring keys, a sold sign, or client magazines.

   Are you a coach or other virtual service provider?

   Bring a laptop, phone, podcasting mic, print outs of questionnaires.

   Anything you use regularly or physically represents what you do would be perfect.

4. Something to celebrate?

   Did you just get featured in a magazine?

   Or maybe you have a goal you plan on achieving?

   Not only does your audience want to celebrate with you, but having the pictures ready to go for future wins can be a great way to manifest good things to come!

5. What's coming up?

   Are the holidays around the corner?

   Are you planning a vacation?

   Bring items to your shoot that we can create content for things coming up on your calendar.

To sum that all up...

Bring things that help tell your story.

Let your audience see what your day looks like.

Manifest your goals by celebrating them in your shoot.

The more props you bring to your photo shoot, the more options you’ll have during your shoot.

Less is not more! 

BONUS TIP: I always tell clients during our shoot planning call to set out a bin 5 days before their shoot and add items to it throughout the week.

Ready to book your branding photoshoot? Click Here and enter your name and email to get our pricing guide and tips to avoid common mistakes made when hiring a brand photographer.

What styles of photography work the best for ads?

There are two subjects that I'll cover in this post. (1) Photography Styles and (2) Editing Styles.

Honestly, there's an infinite number of combinations of variables for effective advertising, but if I could narrow down a main focus for you it would be to understand your audience and show them images that are relatable.

There are actually around 15 photography genres...

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Before we get into it. I wanted to use other people’s photography as examples in this blog post, but I decided against it because we all have access to Google and just getting all of the different licenses, etc are just not worth the hassle.

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Aerial Photography

With the cost of drone technology coming down, aerial photography is now a genre that has an increasingly low barrier of entry.

This is great because if you need those high converting real estate shots from the sky, you'll be able to affordably accomplish those.

Architectural Photography

I love these shots because they capture the richness of history and tell such a great story about that time.

Taking pictures of key architectural scenes can change everything for you.

Candid Photography

This is where Personal Branding Photography lives. These are also known as lifestyle photography.

When these pictures are taken, they capture a very genuine, authentic emotion when they're done right.

This style is the recommended style for anyone trying to create a personal brand with an emotional connection to their audience.

Documentary Photography

This photography is designed to tell the truth about a subject. By taking photographs that highlight the different points being made, it creates a very linear and easy to understand storyline.

Fashion Photography

This can get very artistic and driven by the photographer. If not, this style will have a lot to do with the marketing campaign.

Obviously the fashion designer will already have the artistic direction in their mind.

It will be the photographer's job to realize this vision and make it a reality.

Food Photography

This type of photography can make something go from average to extraordinary.

Taking the right photography transforms a dish into something absolutely amazing.

Landscape Photography

We just cannot live without landscape photography. Some artists can really take a step back and see the true beauty of the Earth.

This photography can do an excellent job of setting the stage for you when you're telling a story.

Night Photography

This is a very specialized type of photography because there's a lot of patience involved.

So much trial and error getting the shot just right.

If this is a look that you'd like be prepared to spend some extra hours figuring it out.

Photojournalism

This type of photography is what you'd expect to see in newspapers.

The news media requires these photographs to be able to tell the right kind of story in the news.

Without these, it because increasingly difficult for the news to create trust that the events are being told the right way.

Fine Art Photography

This photography can be worth a lot of money. I'm not going to pretend like I'm an expert knowing anything about that...

All I'm going to say is this...

You just never know what people are going to spend when it comes to buying fine art.

Portraiture

This style is exactly what you see in a family portrait or in a headshot...

This style works great for capturing a formal picture.

Sports Photography

This is also known as action photography. People or things moving fast.

Capturing the emotion of a big game win or lose.

Getting that last second win.

There's a ton of emotion available in a contest like that.

The art and skill of capturing that raw emotion is amazing because you get to leave your mark on history.

Street Photography

I've re-discovered street photography. There was something about it that I didn't realize appealed to me.

Seeing humanity this way is eye opening when you take a step back and look around.

Telling stories around the city will always have a variation of this style in the photos.

War Photography

I picture black and white images when I think about war photography.

Wars today are so high tech and very seldom documented through photos.

Wildlife Photography

This is one of the styles of photography that take an immense amount of planning and execution.

You have to be a researcher first and then have the right gear and conditions to capture elusive animals.

There might be a little luck involved too...

Overwhelmed?

Don't be...

I'll discuss how to choose the right one below.

Before that I want to touch on editing styles that convert sales for you.

Now before you read any further, this is where I recommend that you hire an expert to do this.

Not because you can't, but because you shouldn't.

I'll explain why at the end.

7 Editing Styles that Convert Sales

Orange and Teal

This is an outdoor editing style. You will find this style used with Street Photography as well as outdoors where the sun is a factor.

It is also used in Candid Shoots.

Light & Airy

This style is found in wedding photography and I've seen it used with indoor real estate photography.

This style really gives the photo a fresh, bright feeling.

Pastel

The most common way this editing style can be found today is through beauty and travel bloggers.

This look gives pictures a soft and gentle shade.

Retro

This is more than just a sepia Instagram filter. LOL. This editing style gives your photography a nostalgic feel if it's done properly.

And that's just it. The right style pulls emotions out of the person looking at the picture.

Muted

A muted look can be thought of as a "washed out" look. Or a picture where the colors aren't as bold as they should be.

You'd use this if the image itself wasn't the entirety of the focus.

Maybe you're adding text to the image or have something else in the area of the photo that should have the attention.

Monochromatic

This style is when you take one color and make it the dominating color throughout the photo.

Like a black and white photo, but instead of black or white, the image is red and black or red and white.

This image converts well with certain ads, but as with everything, you'll want to test this out.

B&W

Ah, the classic black and white. This style is probably the one that can be over used, and under used at the same time.

A black and white photo can capture the most intimate of details, but at the same time tell a story so broad and sweeping that it's powerful.

High Contrast

Bright and bold and colorful. These pictures are sometimes described as "cinematic", but I don't like that description.

I think these are eye catching and beautiful and give us something our eyes can consume and connect with.

Which Editing Style Do I Need?

Ok, so now that I've completely overwhelmed you, let me help you make this an easy decision.

Sound good?

Let's use 3 easy criteria to pick the right editing style.

1. How does your target audience respond to your ads now?

2. What message are you communicating?

3. Are these pictures being used for a temporary campaign or long term branding effort?

These questions are tough questions, I know, but you have to be honest with these answers and get rid of the styles that don't line up with your intention.

Let’s quickly breakdown these three criteria….

How does your target audience respond to your ads now?

What I’m asking here is whether there is a definitive style that your market is responding to.

What’s interesting about advertising today is that you can test all of the different types of images until you find the winners.

When you get to that point, you’ll know exactly the style of photography that works for YOUR high converting ads.

What message are you communicating?

Drama.

Flair.

Excitement.

Luxury.

These are all different adjectives that might be used to describe the photos that work best for YOUR high converting ads.

Based on your message, you’ll want to choose the editing style that gives your message the right amplification.

Are these pictures being used for a temporary campaign or long term branding effort?

This question is more about being congruent with your advertising and marketing.

Depending on the usage of your photos, you might want to consider a uniform editing style or concept throughout.

Need help with this? Leave us a comment below and we'll see how we can help.

Take Care,

Mark Gubuan

P.S. Are you all caught up with the 7 Personal Branding Photography Pillars Your Competition Doesn't Want You To Know About training series? Click Here to Go to the Post

When we first started with business branding photography, we knew that we could create high quality photography, but we wanted to nail down our process first.

That's where The Move Makers come in...

The Move Makers are an enthusiastic group of people that make organization and moving a totally stress free experience.

I remember back in the day that I hated moving so much.

I probably moved once a year for 6 years straight. It was so brutal for me that made sure that I was able to fit all of my belongings into a small red pickup truck.

When moving day came… poof… I was gone… LOL.

Now.... I stay put much longer...

But if you want to cut down on the stresses and hassles of organization and moving, The Move Makers are definitely the one's you want to talk to.

A Bridgetown Story Sessions Success Story

The Move Makers are a wonderful example of a business that wanted to update their visual branding to match their level of customer service, experience and enthusiasm.

And to see how beautifully the photography, website and social media marketing came together is amazing because we know that their business is taking steps forward.

We're proud to be able to help businesses with photography.

Branding Photography is A Marketing First Approach to Photography

…and when we approach a business branding session, we do it with a marketing first approach.

Traditional photographers focus on “getting the shot” and there’s absolutely NOTHING WRONG with that because ultimately that’s what a great photographer does.

But a branding photographer has to think ahead to HOW the pictures are going to be used.

Today, you have more than just printed materials…

You have social media now and that is quite intensive.

What’s great about working with The Move Makers was that since we approached their requirements this way, there was no second guessing what they needed.

From the planning, to the execution and delivery of the branding shoot, we left no detail undone.

For them, we understood that it was an investment for them and creating high converting photography was a priority.

Since The Move Makers have been taking advantage of our subscription service, they had the opportunity to create a cohesive marketing message for the entire year.

We worked with their staff closely each session and brought their vision to life.

Since they had dedicated marketing staff, it was a breeze to setup the shoots so that they received exactly what they wanted.

But not to worry, if you don’t have dedicated marketing staff, we have a process we use to ensure there are no grey areas when it comes to what you’re expectations are and what we deliver for you.

It is absolutely our priority to align your photography with your marketing message so that over time your digital and print assets convert leads and sales for you.

The Move Makers Results with Branding Photography

Branding Photography is an investment that has unlimited potential.

Now, I can’t guarantee that your branding images will ever go viral or convert sales and leads at specific rate…

There’s just so many factors at play…and it’s just irresponsible to guarantee something like that…

But what I can say is that professional photography that aligns with your marketing message, affects the perception that your clients have of you.

Instantly, they’ll feel more comfortable and will trust you more since all of your marketing channels will be congruent.

From Facebook, to Instagram, to your website, they will see your images and not just generic stock photography.

Now there’s a time and place for stock images (we offer a unique stock image gallery with our Bridgetown Insider’s Club).

But nothing is better than genuine, story telling, imagery showcasing you, your employees, products or services.

Here at Bridgetown Pictures, we’re always excited to speak with you, so if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (503) 383-9159.

Want to learn more about Bridgetown Story Sessions? Check out our Branding Photography page.

Have you seen our Owner Education Series? Check Out The 7 Personal Branding Photography Pillars Your Competition Doesn’t Want You to Know