As a personal branding photographer, your goal is to capture the essence of your client's unique brand through stunning, personalized photography.
But how do you work with clients to achieve this goal? Here are some tips for collaborating with your clients to create an epic personal branding shoot:Get to know your client and their brand
Collaborate on a concept
Once you have a good understanding of your client's brand, work together to develop a concept for the shoot. Generally there will be 2-3 main ideas or messages that will thread through the shoot.Plan the logistics
Once you have a concept in place, work with your client to plan the logistics of the shoot.
Determine the date, time, and location of the shoot. Make sure they have plenty of time to prepare in time, especially on shoot day, allow time for them to have their makeup done without having to rush around too much.
The location should suit their brand voice and aesthetic, and booked well in advance.
Communicate clearly
For most people the idea of organising a branding shoot is a scary ordeal which means that communication is key when it comes to working with your clients.
Be sure to keep your client informed of your progress leading up to the shoot. I send automated emails to keep them in the loop and provide clear instructions on what they can expect during the process.
It's a good idea to even writing out a checklist of props to bring, or send them a Shot List so they know what to expect on the day.
Encourage your client to be themselves
The purpose of a branding shoot is to capture the true essence of your client. If they are feeling stressed and awkward, this will translate into the photos.
Play some cool tunes on a speaker, tell some bad knock knock jokes to break the ice. Anything to get them a bit more relaxed and in the flow. I find showing the clients some of the images during the shoot helps them to relax as they can see how good they look.
Be open to feedback
Throughout the shoot, be open to feedback from your client. If they have specific requests or preferences, be sure to listen and adjust your approach as necessary. Remember that your goal is to create photos that accurately capture their personal brand, so their input is invaluable. I always ask if they have a preferred side, or any areas of their body they are particularly sensitive to photographing. I find that if I ask them before the shoot they are more inclined to tell me, rather then make them feel embarrassed about mentioning something on the day.
Provide guidance and support
While you want your client to be themselves during the shoot, it's also important to provide guidance and support as needed.
My clients always appreciate suggestions for poses or angles that will help to highlight their best features. Giving encouragement and feedback throughout the shoot helps them feel more confident and comfortable which will translate through the images.
To sum up
By following these tips, you can work with your clients to create stunning, personalized personal branding photos that capture the essence of their unique brand. Remember that the key to success is collaboration, communication, and a deep understanding of your client's brand and personality.
With these elements in place, you can create photos that truly stand out and help your clients achieve their personal branding goals.
PS If your interested in what in using my client questionnaire then click here to grab it for yourself.
Or maybe you need a Branding Shoot Guide to educate your clients more on how to be prepared for their shoot?
Or if your clients are struggling with what to wear, you can use one of the 'What to Wear Style Guides' to support them in that area.