So here’s a couple of the things I want to know about you and your business before the photoshoot:

Whilst I do want to know about your business – what you do and how you do it, I also want to know your passions and your hobbies.  I want to know things we can share about you beyond your business to further resonate with your audience.  Do you journal and mediate, own a cat, drink coffee, love op shopping?  These things help you be memorable, build those trusted relationships and stand out from everyone else doing what you do.  

What do you like and dislike about yourself in photos?  Knowing this allows me to better support you during the shoot and make you feel more comfortable in front of the camera.  We’ll maximise the number of photos you love and will use and not get any that make you cringe!

And what are the common themes in your messaging?  You might have heard them called content pillars or buckets or topic hubs or clusters.  I want to know the broad themes or categories you create content about but also importantly, what emotions you want to convey to your audience and what emotions you want them to feel.  We then know the emotions we need to create through poses and expressions during the photoshoot.

Getting clear on the above will not only help you plan your own photos but provide clarity for marketing and content creation.

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Selecting a photographer: If you like my style (and hopefully that’s why you’re on my web page!) then this step is done! Tick!  Otherwise the research phase can be quite the rabbit hole…  A couple of quick tips: pick a photographer whose photographs you like.  Whilst you can ask a photographer to replicate someone else’s style, why not go with someone who specialises in what you want?  And if you know you’ll need more images than the 10 photo package, be sure to get quotes that include the price of extra images and/or the whole album. 

Time taken: less than a minute

Planning the shoot: Contact the photographer and book a date for the photoshoot.  My brand shoots last 90 minutes, so you don’t have to block out a whole day. I’ve got a questionnaire that I’ll email through and you will need to dedicate a solid 20 minutes on it between making your booking and the day of the shoot. You can email me back or I’m happy to call/zoom and chat through it if that’s easier.  It allows me to get to know your audience and your messaging and how and where you’ll be using your photos.  We’ll determine the stories you want to tell with the photos, the expressions we need to include in headshots etc.  The props required, locations we’ll use and clothing choices will fall out of it… for example: needing a yoga mat, active wear and a garden location for a mindfulness/mediation/yoga sequence of images. We’ll also determine if anyone else is required, like asking a friend to be a ‘client’ model or if you’ll need to ask your cat to appear in any of the shots.

Time taken: 20-30 minutes

Choosing a location: I’m going to recommend your workspace and or your happy place.  Somewhere you can feel a little relaxed.  So this may be an office, or your study, or your dining table made up to look like a desk. And then perhaps the yard, or a local beach, park or cafe.  Don’t worry if its dark – photographers can pack light.  Don’t worry if its messy – that’s what cropping and hiding stuff under your desk or behind the photographer is for!  If you’re not sure what could work, hit reply and tell me about your hesitations and we’ll make a decision in under 5 minutes. 

Time taken: under 5 minutes

What to wear: Wear what makes you feel great!  Think about how you show up to work with clients and start from there because you want to be recognised from your profile picture.   If you don’t wear makeup go the mascara and lip gloss.  If you have your makeup artist on speed dial, book them in. You’ll need about 3-5 outfits that don’t clash with your brand colors.  (An entire new wardrobe is not necessary but if you want to use the shoot as an excuse to go shopping go right ahead!)

Time taken: However long it usually takes you to get ready for work (additional time required if you’re outsourcing hair & makeup or doing some strategic shopping)

Day of the shoot:There is no travel time because you’re getting photographed at your place.  You’ve got props and accessories at your fingertips.  We have a fast, fun photoshoot (no fake smiles allowed) that’s over in just 90 minutes.

Time taken: 90 minutes

About a week later: Read an email, login to an online gallery, do a happy dance as your photos download ready to use.

Time taken: depends on your internet speed!

Organising and completing a photoshoot may be less time consuming than you think – let’s get it off the todo list and into the calendar 😀

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