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.

Well, that was awkward...

Have you ever wanted to take pictures in a public space but worried it would be awkward?

Here are 5 ways we take the weirdness out of shooting in public...

1. Do your research.

If you have worked with us before, you know we love a good strategic plan for shoot day.

Knowing where you want to go and what you want photos of will speed up the entire process.

I like to start by looking for locations on Instagram.

You can get a good idea of how the space photographs.

Plus a cafe, bar, shop, that has an active social media account gets what you're trying to do and will be way more receptive to letting you use their space if you tag them in a post or two.

2. Give yourself some space.

If you choose a location that's super crowded, not only will you not have room to move around and get a variety of pictures, but we will probably be invading other people's space too.

Try to find a location that has lots of room.

If it's indoors try to get near a window for the best light.

Or even better year, find a space with outdoor seating.

3. Be a giver not a taker

If you are in a location that is selling something.

Buy something.

If it's a Cafe, order food and drinks.

If it's a store, buy something ( you could even use it as a giveaway to grow your social media).

Just remember the more you give the more you get.

4. Be discrete and quick

I always try to get in and out of a location as quickly and professionally as I can.

Don't bring lots of lights or other gear.

I like to slip my mirrorless camera into a big purse and leave the rest of my kit behind.

Have a shot list and get to work.

The more time and space you take up, the more onlookers you will have.

If you are in a cafe, while waiting for your order, get some lifestyle shots and work on the computer shots.

Use the extra time to get whatever pictures you can and plan what you will get when your order arrives.

5. Know when to ask permission (and how to ask)

Ok here is the thing.

I am always going to recommend you get permission before shooting at any location.

But if you ask the wrong way, there is a huge chance you will never get a response.

If you ask making it sound like a big commercial production, they are going to say no (or never respond at all because they are waiting to get the ok from corporate and it all gets lost in the chain of command).

Just say, "Hey, is it ok if we take a few pictures for social media?"

That's not a lie and you are much more likely to get yes.

Just make sure to avoid logos and other companies' brands in your pictures.

We’re taking new clients RIGHT NOW! If you’re ready, you have to click here and take the next step.

Great photos are the heart of YOUR personal brand.

But if your state has a shelter-in-place order or if your usual brand photographer isn’t offering services at the moment, you might have to get a little creative in order to create some photos for sharing.

Here are four types of branding pictures you can take from home. All you’ll need is a camera or phone, a tripod, and your winning smile.

1 | A #WFH (Work from Home) Shot

Show potential clients where the magic is happening these days!

Are you working at your kitchen table? Your Instagram-worthy home office?

On the couch, snuggled up with your kids?

Set up a tripod and snap a few shots of your WFH life.

Don’t have a tripod?

Enlist the help of your partner or kids.

2 | Flatlays

The tools you use can tell a really vivid story about who you are and what you do.

Gather some objects that represent you and your business (bonus points if they are in your brands colors), arrange them on your kitchen table, and take some photos from above.

For example, if you’re a baker, get some cookies, your latest recipe book, a whisk, and your KitchenAid mixer in the shot.

If you’re a graphic designer, get your laptop, your sketchbook, and a few of your favorite prints you’ve done.

3 | Close-ups Get up close and personal.

Take a few shots of yourself from the shoulders up.

As long as you find some natural light near a window and keep the emphasis on your face, no one will ever guess you took those shots in your living room!

(Bonus: close-up portraits are perfect for your bio & your LinkedIn profile.)

4 | Outfit Changes

The best thing about an at-home brand photoshoot?

You can do as many retakes and outfit changes as you want!

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different looks.

Take a series of full-body shots in different outfits.

(This is perfect for regular social media posting, since wearing a different outfit will make it look like it was taken on a different day!)

5 | Show us who you are at home with.

This is a great chance to show your audience who you are outside of your professional brand.

Do you have kids?

Super cute puppy?

Letting your audience see into your world can build trust and make you seem a bit more human.

These days, we’re all spending a lot more time at home and online than usual.

If you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or working professional, there’s never been a better time to give your brand a much-needed visual refresh with a great at-home brand photoshoot.

While hiring a professional brand photographer is not exactly an option right now, these tips should help tide you over until you’re able to shoot with the pros again.

Want more ideas like this?

We created the #WFH Content Calendar with 1 months of daily ideas of what you can post during this pandemic.

CLICK HERE to get it.

The idea of personal branding has been around for a long time in on form or another.

The problem that you face is that your... well... face... is everywhere now.

And first impressions happen in less than a second.

Unfortunately... or fortunately (if you follow the advice below)... you can make the right impression.

View fullsize

REASON #7 | Outdated Photos Make You Untrustworthy

Think about it. If you were going to meet someone in person for the first time and they didn't match their picture, would you trust them more?

Or would you trust them less?

REASON #6 | Standard Headshots are Mostly Boring

Sure, there's a time and a place for the professional headshot.

But do you really want that to be the story you tell about your brand?

We recommend that you have candid photography done where you're part of the story that you want your market to learn about.

REASON #5 | Pictures Tell Stories, So Why Don't You?

When you take professional photographs, you can use them to tell a story about your brand.

You can create an origin story through visual images that tell people who you are.

REASON #4 | Don't Just Tell The Story, Connect Emotionally Too!

Yeah. Pictures do tell stories, but they also pull people in emotionally.

When you do this through your branding, it changes the conversation in people's heads from "yeah this person is credible" to "I feel like they know me".

REASON #3 | Create a Consistent Brand Message

One of the biggest reasons for having professional branding photography done is to create a congruent marketing message.

A congruent marketing message creates trust with your market.

That trust is created by familiarity.

REASON #2 | Fresh and Professional Translates to Caring

It's true. When you have a stale branding look, it makes it seem like you don't care when your customers take a look at what you're up to.

When they research you, they're going to see everything you have online and then immediately dismiss you or validate you.

REASON #1 | Instantly Create a Trusting and Likable Brand Image

When it comes to creating a marketing message that communicates who you are and what you stand for, professional branding photography does this instantly.

How?

By having a first impression that looks clean, professional and matches all of your other images.

It also is a current and fresh photo of you so that when they meet you in person, you're not mistaken for someone else.

It's very key.

What do you think?

Do you think that professional branding photography is required?

Let me know in the comments below.

Talk to You Soon,

Mark Gubuan

Owner/Director of Funk

P.S. Have you seen our 2019 Fall/Winter Style Guide? Get it here.

The Bridgetown Insider's Club is an exclusive club that takes your brand and places it in a category above all of your competition.

That's right...

Your business needs this... yesterday.

I'm not writing this blog post because I want practice writing.

I'm writing this because there are too many businesses EXACTLY like yours that are starving for higher quality business....

And if you're thinking that you can't afford this, then keep reading because we have a package that's interesting for you.

As you've probably realized, photography is expensive.

But let's not focus on the cost of photography.

And rather, let's focus on the value that photography brings to your business....

#3 - Familiarity

The thing about today's business environment is that there are so many different ways to steal attention from one another.

Videos.

Pop up ads.

Etc.

But the thing that levels the playing field for everyone is social media marketing.

Images.

And controversy.

Now we don't sell controversy.

But what we do sell are images... and there's a secret sauce...

(Which I'll share with you down at the bottom)

The familiarity is created when you have a consistent flow of daily content across all social media platforms that are relevant to your business (a topic for another day).

But seeing your beautiful face, day in and day out, puts you in the driver's seat in an otherwise distracting world.

#2 - Likability

The Bridgetown Insider's Club is important to you because when you have professional photography done, it can enhance your marketing to a point where people subconsciously decide that they like you.

Why?

Because your image is pleasing to the senses when they're scrolling through their news feed.

Makes sense right?

Even if they don't stop and look, they'll still have more respect for you because they see that you actually took the time to improve your perception.

Which brings us to #1.

#1 - Trust

The Bridgetown Insider's Club creates a scenario for you where you go from just meh.... to oh....

I really think that this business has great messaging...

They took the time to create advertising and a brand image that speaks to me...

I feel like they know me.

And now I trust them more...

Are you pickin' up what I'm puttin' down??

Awesome!!

Now here's the deal. The Bridgetown Insider's Club is an exclusive offer that we have for businesses that are looking to solve the following specific problems.

1. Your brand needs an update.

2. Your marketing messaging is stale and needs a boost.

3. The perception of your brand could use some repairs.

4. You are updating your website and other marketing assets.

5. You need fresh, attention grabbing content for social media.

6. You have more money than time and would rather pay someone to do this for you.

Oh I almost forgot, remember that secret sauce?

In one word.

Genuine.

When you are a member of the Bridgetown Insider's Club, you'll get genuine, authentic images that your market already craves.

In our modern world, everyone is living a life of fake.

They want to see you in your purest form.

So why not put your best foot forward?

Now if you're a business that is ready to invest, but your cashflow is tight, then check this out...

When you're part of the Bridgetown Insider's Club, you get a 10% discount AND you get the monthly installment option.

Cool right?

You get the professional photography without the stress of coming up with the investment all upfront.

Ok.... so enough sales for the day...

Let me know what you think about this post!

If you have questions let me know too.

Sincerely,

Mark Gubuan

Director of Funk

P.S. Check out the Personal Branding Photography Here

Here are some reviews for you... I know "photographers near me" is a very common search term.

And frankly, I want our website to be found on the search engines for people that want our services LOL...

This blog post will be updated with reviews for your area. Just let me know in the comments below and I'll add some for you.

Review for Photographers Near Me - Wilsonville Area

All of these reviews are pulled from Google. I figured, hey, why make things difficult for you?

Click the image to see a live result on Google now.

Have you seen my article about choosing the right photographer? Here's an article that will save you some money and keep your search quick and easy.

We really champion authenticity here...

So in that thought, the reason why I share reviews of my local competitors on my website is because I believe in abundance.

More importantly, I know that no two people are the same.

And photography is art.

Not all people like the same art.

There are so many different styles and artistic elements to a photographer's work.

You deserve to choose the one you'll be the most happy with.

It's yours afterall....

What we offer here at Bridgetown Pictures is something called Bridgetown Story Sessions.

It's perfect for personal brands, however we have adapted this style for corporate brands.

If you want to learn more, you can follow this link to our Personal Branding Photography page.

Ok, so don't forget that reviews for photographers near me will be updated, so come back if you're still undecided.

Take Care,

Mark Gubuan

Studio Manager/Director of Funk

P.S. Are you struggling with your marketing message? Use this FREE Customer Avatar - Customer Success Profile PDF. Learn how to use it with this video tutorial.

Modern photography is unlike anything else in history.

The competition for the attention of ONE personal seems to have no end in sight.

Human beings are constantly over stimulated...

Take driving a car, for example, it’s so overwhelming on the senses.

You're late for school...

...the kids are screaming in the back.

People are honking at each other... and not you.

All while you're mentally preparing for that big presentation you have later in the day!

Sound a little too familiar?

It's crazy to be alive right now because technology is growing exponentially and many of us were alive to see the beginning.

So what's next?

How do you take old, but high converting, advertising principles and make them new for a modern, authentic visual marketing message?

The answer... is a Bridgetown Story Session.

Simply, this is our personal branding photography package and one of the reasons why you should be following us here, on Instagram and YouTube...

We want to help you out so much that we're creating and releasing content daily for you...

Please subscribe!!!

Now onto the content...

High Converting Ad Principle #1

Congruency.

There must be congruency from message to offer.

If you’re offering a high value package, the marketing message should convey the same message.

Photography today can mimic this principle by taking content from the same shoot and use it across many different marketing channels and social platforms.

High Converting Ad Principle #2

Clearly defined value.

Since we’re on the topic of value, let’s chat about having a solid value proposition.

A value proposition can also be known as an irresistible offer.

Professionally planned images can easily convey the right message.

This is done by showing the quality of the manufacturing process or by capturing a memorable customer service experience.

High Converting Ad Principle #3

Emotion driven messaging.

We’ve known since the beginning of time that a human's emotion drives them to action.

Do you have a song that reminds you of something that happened in your life? Like a wedding song? Or a first kiss?

That's what happens when you create imagery that's relevant and familiar to your audience in today's modern world.

BUT...

There is ONE problem...

Never before have humans been able to create video and digital photography with ease.

You have full multi-media studios in your pocket now.

Everyone can create high converting images now...

Or can they?

Because when a true artist picks up a camera... you notice the difference.

Why?

It's because a professional can create a emotion driven image that's congruent and has a clearly defined value proposition in an artistic way.

What is a Bridgetown Story Session?

Just imagine having 90 days of professional, authentic, photography with targeted messaging to use in your social media campaigns.

Imagine never having to worry about images for advertising because you have branding and unique pictures at your disposal.

Increase your customer's confidence in you because your messaging is congruent across your website, social media presence and advertising.

If this makes sense to you then let's make sure to have a conversation about it.

Have you gotten your FREE CUSTOMER SUCCESS PROFILE PDF? Subscribe to our newsletter and get it sent to your best email.

CLICK HERE TO GET FREE PDF

Schedule a time to chat (503) 383-9159 or email Jess@BridgetownPictures.com.

Thanks,

Mark Gubuan

Studio Manager and Director of Funk

P.S. When you subscribe to our newsletter, you get notified FIRST of discounts and booking slots.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE