Where to use your branding colors in your branding photos
Yes, of course you should incorporate your branding colors into your photos by wearing them. Despite what you might think though, clothes are not the only way to bring your branding colors into the photos. And while going to buy new clothes is a lot of fun (or the last thing you'd rather do), I'm also here to tell you that your brand is more than just your outfit. To start, I look at four places when I'm looking for ways to incorporate branding colors, which I'm going to share about here.
Before we get too far into it, I also want to say that I'm down for anything else you can think of. I want to make branding photography a fun experience and I love when my clients get creative. In all of my full branding photography packages, I include a strategy call where we brainstorm this so don’t feel like you are all on your own here either. You would be shocked at how often unique ideas come up during our strategy call! I don’t let my clients go through this process alone.
Home and Office Decor
Before you go shopping, have a look around. I have had clients bring anything from throw pillows to books they have on their bookshelf. Look around for different home decor pieces, Knick-knacks, office decor. If you have so much as paper clips in your branding colors, I want them. Literally, nothing is too small - not everything has to be “main pieces” but we might be able to add them to a few flat lays. Seriously, once you look around your home and your office, you'll be surprised at how many things you already own in your branding colors. Take some time before you go on a new shopping spree and figure out exactly what you already have.
While we are talking about it - when you choose books, unless it's a book you talk about quite a bit, neutral colors are best. I love Seth Goden, but what was he thinking when he made “What Is Marketing” a bright orange color. Everybody wants to use it in their branding photoshoots, but nobody wants the color.
Branding photo accessories
If you have any jewelry (earrings, necklaces, etc) that are in your brand and colors, bring them. Unless they are something you wear everyday, don’t be afraid to switch them up in your session when you switch up your clothes. Nobody wants to see you in the same necklace for 50 branding photos. It's also an easy tell that you had all of the photos taken at the same time. Although our logical minds know that business owners don't wake up and take a photo of themselves every day, it's nice to pretend. That's why we switch up our outfits (and now, our jewelry).
Other than jewelry, consider if you can incorporate any other kind of accessory. I've seen clients paint their nails or bring a hair scrunchie. If something like that fits your brand colors (or even just your personal style) bring it. You probably don't want to have perfect branding photos and then show up on Instagram stories every day in a scrunchie. I mean, you totally can, because stories are where we like to be authentic anyway, but just keep that in mind. If your audience is used to seeing you in a scrunchie, bring it to your brand photos. It's okay to have a mix of super professional photos and then throw your hair up in a scrunchie for someone super casual ones at the end!
Everyday Items You Use
Although you might've come across some of this in your office decor, I want you to actually pay attention to what you use in a day and how you can add in some of your branding colors. Maybe you get a Laptop cover or maybe a fancy new notebook. After all, a new notebook is a lot less expensive than a new wardrobe. You can also consider a phone case, pens, markers, binders. These don't necessarily need to be key elements in the photos, but they definitely make some good additions in some flat lays or “stock photo” type images we create.
Incorporating Lifestyle Elements into your Personal Branding Photos
We have done a pretty good job of covering your work by now. And again, we are going to have a branding strategy session before we meet so don't worry too much. I will take care of you. The last thing you want to think about for now, is about what else you use throughout the day that you might be able to incorporate in your branding photoshoot. I love a good coffee mug - whether it's in your branding colors are not. It should always fit the vibe though! For example, if you're really sassy, bring that side of you out in a funny coffee mug. If you're always chugging water, find a water bottle in your brand colors.
I am a huge believer that despite the fact that we all get sucked into pretty branding photos on Instagram, authentic ones will always sell your company's story more. Bring your headphones, bring your screenshots, bring literally anything else. It doesn’t have to be in your branding colors to be ‘on brand’
Planning your Calgary Branding Photos
I'm so sorry if I took away your excuse to buy new clothes, but don't get me wrong, you should definitely be wearing your branding colors. And if you don't have strong branding colors right now (that you are using consistently), wear neutrals. You don't want to have a bright orange shirt that is easily recognizable when you reuse it across your website, your Instagram, and your profile picture. By the way - make sure to check out this post for 8 places you should use your branding photos. If you are in Calgary, make sure to connect with me so we can get started with your own branding session. We will go over all of this and so much more.