Are you planning your personal branding shoot? Want to make the most of your time with your photographer and maximize your investment? Be sure to keep reading about some simple mistakes to avoid for your personal branding shoot!

A personal branding shoot is an investment of time, money, and effort. Most people do not like having their photo taken. As a photographer, I know that first hand. Many clients have told me before their shoot just how awkward they feel in front of the camera.

So if you’re going to take your business to the next level and elevate your brand image, it’s important to make the most of your time, money, and effort. Avoid these simple mistakes to ensure that you have an awesome branding shoot with photos that will last you throughout the year.

Mistake #1: Booking with Limited Time

I don’t recommend booking a brand shoot that will take place in a week’s time. A full branding photoshoot takes time and preparation in order to get the most out of the session. Sure, you can book a shoot and it take place the next week, but unlike portraits, it’s recommended to take time to plan it out.

If you need photos ASAP and perhaps not a full shoot, then it’s recommended to book a branding mini session instead. You can still get new photos for yourself, it just won’t be custom tailored. And some people don’t need a full shoot at their point in business or they just need some updates to freshen up their current photos.

Solution: Book a branding mini session or move your photoshoot to when you can allot more lead time.

Mistake #2: Skipping Planning Your Personal Branding Shoot

Planning is crucial when it comes to your personal branding session. The most common mistake I see that results in photos that don’t meet a client’s expectation is lack of planning. It’s so important for the client to communicate with the photographer what they want or are envisioning.

Because saying “photo sitting at a table” can be interpreted in a number of ways. If the client is self conscious about her body, she may not want to sit at a table – or you may need to find the most flattering pose for her. I can’t stress enough how much that communication is necessary so that the photoshoot translates to meet client expectations.

Solution: Following photographer’s planning workflow process. For me, that’s a client brand questionnaire and a planning & strategy call. The planning call takes place about 4-6 weeks before the photoshoot which leaves enough time to secure location rentals, hair & makeup artist, and stylist.

Mistake #3: Rushing Your Personal Branding Shoot

Sometimes you’re limited on time and I totally get that. However, your branding session shouldn’t be rushed. While it’s not meant to be a long drawn out process, give yourself at least four weeks (though 6-8 weeks is advised) in order to complete all the planning.

But if you need new photos and there’s just no time to spare, I recommend booking a branding mini session. That way you can get some new photos for your business, some new headshots, and it only takes a short amount of time. Now, remember that mini sessions are just that. They are not custom to your business. However, they can get the job done when you need photos ASAP!

Solution: Booking a branding mini session

Mistake #4: Not Knowing Your Brand Story

I’ve touched on knowing your personal brand story before, and it bears repeating. You must know your brand story. Who are you, what do you do, who do you do it for, why do you do it, and what makes you and your offering unique.

Mistake #5: Not Knowing Your Ideal Client Persona

This one is related to #4, however, it’s important all on it’s own. Your brand photos will be taken with strategy in order to attract your ideal client. We want these photos to appeal to your ideal client, so you need to know who you’re serving.

And saying, “I serve anyone who wants to work with me!” or “I serve women!” is not specific. It’s not enough. You have to be able to get into your ideal client’s head, know their problems and pain points that you have a unique solution for them.

An ideal client persona looks like:

Female, 35-45, married, no children, director level career, homeowner, travel buff, loves staying at 5 start hotels, splurges on designer handbags, vacations in Europe, etc.

This is much more specific than “women”.

Ready to Book Your Personal Branding Shoot?

If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur in the North Dallas area, including Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Celina, Plano, Little Elm, and more – and you’re looking for a branding shoot with a photographer with a proven planning process in place, I’m ready to chat!

Step 1. Get in Touch – click and contact today

Step 2. Discovery Call – we’ll chat about your business and your vision for brand photos

Step 3. Book your Shoot – if we’re a “match” let’s get you on the schedule and start planning