Five Pose Ideas for Your Branding Photos
Pose Ideas are the fun part of planning your branding photos! When small businesses book me to be their Calgary brand photographer, they have often started a Pinterest board with different pose ideas for their branding photos. My Pinterest profile is here by the way, so feel free to add me to your secret boards of pose ideas. With that said, although pose ideas are fun, it’s easy to get caught up in “what everyone else is doing”. Do you really need a photo of you sitting at your laptop if you are an artist? Probably not.
To me - and in case we haven’t me, hi, I’m Sarah - that’s what marks the difference between a true branding photographer and someone who is just taking headshots or taking photos of whatever you ask for. I always encourage my clients to be really intentional about how we spend our time together (and what they will really use the photos for!). It’s not enough to say you need fresh Instagram content (unless maybe you are an influencer). What story are you telling your ideal client about what working with you is like? How will they feel after purchasing your product/service? How can we communicate your value through your visual content?
Once we approach branding photos from that mindset, we can move on to the five types of pose ideas for your branding photos!
1. The Relaxed Headshot
This is that classic lifestyle shot - whether it’s you leaned over laughing and looking at the camera, or poised in front of a solid wall with your arms crossed. You can decide what the right vibe for your business is (or take a couple of both!). Most often, these are used for your profile pics, about page, and business cards (if you still have them!). Even more, you’ll also be asked for them anytime you are featured in an article, podcast, or online summit. The options are endless. It’s nice to have a solid headshot that doesn’t leave you feeling embarrassed to send over. That iPhone photo you have been rocking - it has got to go! These headshots can also be used anytime you promote something - I always love to get a photo of you pointing at a blank wall so you can swap out the text anytime you launch something.
2. Working Photos
Can I tell you a secret? The more you showcase the amount of work that goes into the finished product (whether your finished product is a product or service), the less people will question your pricing. For that reason (and to build that know-like-trust factor), think of a few poses of you in your element. What does your daily routine look like? What does it take to make that finished product or service your customers are raving about? Use your tools too! That’s one advantage of booking Studio Mini’s or a full branding session. We have time for you to get setup, and bring some of the things you use regularly to your photos (whether that’s a laptop, a poster board with your design ideas, or your wedding planning binder/clipboard).
If I peaked your interest about studio minis, read more about why Jinx & Co is the best Calgary photo studio for your branding photos.
3. Leisure Time/Your Personal Brand
Now, let’s bring your ideal client into your personal brand. This may not be a priority for *all* businesses but I personally love getting to know my favorite business owners behind the scenes. So many of us are craving connection (especially after the pandemic), so what poses or setups can we use to bring your audience into your daily life? Binge Netflix? Walking your dog? Reading a book? Working Out? Love to spend time in the kitchen? When it comes to planning your personal branding photos / leisure time, the most authentic photos will always be the most powerful. If you haven’t read a book since high school, don’t feel the need to buy one for your branding photos.
4. Your Space
Not all of us have an office space but if you do, that’s likely where we should be taking the photos! Show your clients where they are going to be meeting you (and what to expect when they get there). If you have a Keurig station, “grab them a coffee” for a photo! Even if you don’t have a traditional space, you can still show clients what to expect. Whether that’s you sitting down at your Laptop/computer or in your home office (ask me about my showhome branding photos if you don’t have that Instagram-worthy home office). Do you often meet clients for coffee? One of the reasons I chose the Jinx & Co studio space is that it was walking distance to cute coffee shops!
5. The Finished Product
Last but not least, show them what they paid for! For service based businesses (like graphic designers, copywriters, massage therapists, you can check out my portfolio here), this can be a happy client checking out or in the process of receiving something. It can also be screenshots of their new website, analytics, don’t be afraid to get creative. I’m here to help you brainstorm whenever I can. For product based businesses, this can be someone using your product, where it's used, or how it's used. Use your photos to tell a story and the sales will follow! Although you and your process are important, don’t forget to show them what they are parting with their hard earned cash for!
Calgary Branding Photographer
I hope this has you ready to fill out your new notebook with pages and pages of pose ideas for your next branding photo shoot. If you are looking for a Calgary Branding Photographer, you can contact me (and read more about my branding photography pricing and packages) here. I would love to tell your brand’s story!