How to Prepare for Brand Portraits: A Montreal Photographer’s guide
If you’ve got a brand portrait session planned or are seriously thinking about it, this one’s for you! Deciding to invest in strong visuals for your business is a smart move, so congratulations.
Now you might be wondering, what should I actually do to get ready for this?
I’m Cat, a brand portrait and headshot photographer based in Montreal. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a creative who needs on-brand images, this stuff is my jam. I love helping people show up in ways that connect them to their audience and that truly feel like them.
So, read on and let’s make sure you get the most out of your session.
That’s me!
Step 1. Define Your Audience
Before thinking about what to wear and how much hairspray to pack, defining who you’re actually talking to is crucial. Brand portraits go way beyond basic headshots, and planning the story behind the photos is crucial.
For example, a photographer who specializes in Indian weddings and a sober coach who enjoys working with men most likely won’t be trying to reach the same person, and you can imagine how that might affect the photos that they need.
Ask yourself these questions:
Who is my ideal client?*
What kind of people most light me up when I work with them?
What do they care about?
How do I want them to feel when they see my photos?
*The secret no one tells you: your ideal client is usually… You!
Believe me: knowing that your ideal client is Bob, 67, who enjoys the outdoors and sturdy wood tables is such precious information when it comes to planning a session that will actually be helpful in reaching your audience.
Step 2. Confirm What You Need the Photos For
Whether you need brand portraits for the next conference you're speaking at, photos for your website, content for your social media page or all of the above will affect how your photographer plans your photo session.
Before the shoot, reflect on those questions:
Do I have a special event coming up which I need visuals for?
Am I in the process of rebuilding my website?
Is social media marketing a strong need for me?
Whatever the answers are, communicate those to your photographer and make sure to incorporate those needs into planning your brand portrait photoshoot.
Step 3. Look at Inspiration Photos and Share Them with Your Photographer
This part is super fun, and super helpful!
Getting visual inspiration is a great way to get excited and to define your vision for the photoshoot. Start a Pinterest board or screenshot images that speak to you, and discuss with your photographer whether:
You like the emotions that they convey;
You enjoy the lighting;
You would like to try a pose;
Any other reason why that image speaks to you.
A nice way of making brand portraits fun is to start from somewhere, experiment, and make it yours! It takes the pressure off and helps shape the plan for both you and your photographer.
Step 4. Pick Locations, Outfits and Props that Align with your Brand
Choosing the right location and accessories is a great way to instantly communicate who you are and what you do.
Are you a painter who loves painting coffee mugs and wears glamorous outfits? Include that.
Are you a very laid-back photographer who mostly does outdoors portraits? Include that.
Are you a therapist who wants to work mostly online and wear their pajamas? Well maybe not all of that, but you know what I mean.
Whatever it is, the most important thing is that those environmental elements represent who you are, and should probably be communicated to the people you want to attract.
Step 5. Find a Photographer Who Does Most of the Heavy Lifting (So You Can Actually Relax)
A good brand portrait photographer will have all of that in mind already, and all you’ll have to do is to provide the information. So when you’re shopping around for someone to do your brand portraits, ask them this very important question:
How will you make sure that my brand portraits actually represent me?
If the photographer doesn’t know how to answer that question, I would keep looking.
Final Thoughts
Having visuals that feel like you is such a blessing when it comes to running a business. It’s a very powerful way of standing out in this overstimulating online world. Knowing who you’re speaking to is crucial, and having someone to help you figuring it all out is tremendously valuable.
As a brand portrait and headshot photographer, this is what I love doing the most. It’s a way of understanding the human beings that dare create a unique project, and to collaborate in a meaningful way.
If you’re ready for brand portraits that feel like you and connect with your dream clients, I’d love to hear your vision.
