The Ultimate Brand Photoshoot Checklist for Small Business Owners
Whether you're preparing for your first brand shoot or refreshing your visuals, knowing what to bring (and plan for) makes all the difference.
A brand photoshoot is about more than just nice pictures — it’s about building trust, telling your story visually, and creating content you can use across your website, social media, and marketing materials. So let’s make sure you’re walking in confident and walking out with content you actually want to use.
Here’s your go-to checklist.
🎯 1. Know Your Purpose
Before anything else, ask yourself:
Where will these photos be used? (Website? LinkedIn? Socials?)
Who are they for?
What message do I want them to send?
A good brand shoot isn’t just about “looking nice” — it’s about communicating value, personality, and credibility.
👕 2. What to Wear
Bring 2–3 outfit options that reflect your brand and your day-to-day work.
Tips:
Stick to colours that suit your brand palette or website
Avoid busy patterns or logos (unless it’s your logo)
Make sure you feel comfortable and confident — if you’re fidgeting, it’ll show
Accessories can help: glasses, jewellery, tools of your trade, etc
Pro Tip: If you're unsure what looks good on camera, take mirror selfies in each outfit beforehand.
🧰 3. Props + Tools That Tell Your Story
Think beyond the classic laptop shot. What tools, products or details reflect how you work?
Ideas:
Notebook and pen
Coffee or tea mug
Sketchbook, camera, product samples
Phone, tablet, or packaging
Flowers, candles, or flat-lay items that match your aesthetic
🏡 4. Think About Location
Depending on the feel of your brand, you might want:
A studio setup with clean or styled backdrops
A natural light lifestyle location (café, co-working space, your own home/office)
An outdoors shoot (great for wellness, artists, coaches, or dog walkers!)
I always help clients pick a location that matches their vibe and keeps things cohesive with their existing visuals.
💬 5. What to Discuss With Your Photographer
Don’t be afraid to speak up — a good brand shoot should feel collaborative.
Ask about:
Time and number of outfit changes
Whether you can bring a friend or assistant
The edit style and delivery timeline
Posing support (I promise, you don’t need to know how to pose!)
Whether they help with shot planning beforehand (I do — always)
📥 6. Post-Shoot Essentials
Make sure you:
Have full usage rights (you should — I include this automatically)
Know where and how you’ll use your photos
Keep your content consistent across platforms
Use the images across your website, blog posts, email headers, Instagram grid, and LinkedIn
🧠 Final Thoughts
A brand shoot is an investment in your visibility. It’s your chance to show up how you want to be seen — not just what you do, but how you do it differently.
If you’re based in Lincoln or the surrounding areas and want help planning a shoot that actually feels like you, I’d love to work together.