Common Concerns about Booking A
Brand Photography Shoot
Booking a brand photography shoot is an exciting step in your business journey. But it’s completely normal to feel some hesitation; one client told me recently that they had had my details for 18 months before they felt ready to pick up the phone!
So I know many businesses have concerns about it; the process, investment, or whether they’ll get the results they need. If you’re feeling unsure, you’re absolutely not alone!
In this article, I’ll address the most common concerns my clients have, about booking a brand photography shoot and, hopefully, suggest solutions to ease your worries.
1. Uncertainty About the Investment
I understand one of the biggest worries is about the cost of a brand photography shoot and whether it will be worth the investment. You might be unclear on the pricing structure, what’s included in the package, and whether there are any hidden fees or additional services you might need later.
That’s why I believe in being completely transparent about my pricing and packages, and offer options depending on your needs.
2. Not Knowing What to Expect
One of the biggest concerns I hear from clients is the uncertainty surrounding the brand photography process. You may not understand the timeline, feel nervous about posing, or wonder how many images you’ll receive and in what format. To put your mind at ease, even before you’ve booked in, I start with a phone or zoom consultation so I can outline the entire process step-by-step and you can ask absolutely any questions and make sure there will be no surprises. Plus, once you’re booked in, I provide a detailed guide on how to prepare for your shoot so that you can get the most out of your photo shoot.
3. Fear of Not Looking Professional Enough
I know that a lot of my clients worry about how they look in pictures, what poses will look good, what they should wear etc. Rest assured, throughout the photo shoot, I will give you posing guidance and direction to help you feel more comfortable. Part of the preparation process is also to help you think about how you want to present yourself and what feelings you want to evoke from your pictures. Therefore, long before I’ve even pressed the camera shutter, we’ll have a clear idea of what we want to achieve which always helps to alleviate those fears. One key thing of which I always try and remind my clients, is that brand photography is about authenticity, not perfection. I’m here to capture you in your best light.
“I am very pleased with Georgina’s headshot and branding photoshoot…the preparation was first class, she spent time learning about the business; sourcing a venue, was very responsive and extremely professional. The shoot itself was great fun, a welcome respite from the regular office and the resulting photos were excellent.”
Mike James, Sable Consultants
4. Choosing the Right Photographer
Finding a photographer who ‘gets’ you, gets your business and truly understands your brand is really important. In my opinion, I would say it’s vital that you feel comfortable with the photographer you choose, along with more obvious things such as liking their work and making sure they have a proven track record. I wouldn’t expect to invest in a significant service without doing my homework, and so I encourage you to look through examples of work and case studies to ensure the person you choose can deliver the high quality, on-brand images that you need, in a relaxed, friendly and professional manner.
5. Preparing for the Shoot
Many clients feel stressed about what to wear, how to coordinate outfits and what colours will work. You may also be unsure about which props, locations or settings will best showcase your brand and whether professional hair and makeup are necessary. Along with a pre-shoot consultation where we discuss all of these things, I also provide a preparation guide which will help you to think through all aspects of the shoot. I can also suggest a hair and makeup artist if you would like.
6. Getting the Right Images for Your Needs
You might be wondering whether your photos will be versatile enough for different platforms such as social media, websites, and marketing materials. You may also worry about not having enough variety in your shots or needing more photos later but not having budgeted for them. That’s why I encourage all my clients to think through exactly where and how they need to use images and customize my sessions accordingly. I offer a mix of landscape and portrait orientations to cover both mobile and desktop needs. We can do indoor and outdoor if appropriate, formal and informal, prop shots, wides and close ups; all to ensure you have a huge variety of images for your every need.
7. Time Constraints
I know that time is a major concern for a lot of businesses — you’re busy, and taking time away from your day-to-day operations for a photoshoot might feel daunting. You may fear a lengthy, complicated process when you need quick results or worry about turnaround times. To make things easier, I offer mini brand sessions for those who need high-quality images without a huge time commitment. I also streamline my process to make it as efficient as possible and provide fast turnaround options if you need images quickly.
8. Past Negative Experiences
Almost all my clients tell me how much they hate having their photos taken. And often it is due to a previous negative experience. You may have had a photoshoot that didn’t go quite how you had imagined or it didn’t produce the results you were expecting. This may have left you concerned about wasting time and money. Or you may have had an uncomfortable experience with a photographer in the past. I completely understand these concerns, which is why I specialise in providing a relaxed and friendly experience that will make you feel comfortable from start to finish.
I hope that if you have had concerns about booking a brand photography shoot, this article has shown you that it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right photographer, clear & professional communication, and proper preparation, it’s not hard to achieve the on-brand, unique to you images which will truly represent you and your business.
Who is your Brand Photographer?
It’s Me! Hi, I’m Georgina.
I have a genuine passion for photographing people. My clients tells me time and again how much they hate having their photo taken. By the end of their sessions, they are telling me how much fun it was!
I pride myself in putting people at ease in front of the camera and making each and every photoshoot as much fun as possible.
I have photographed marketing specialists, graphic designers, yoga instructors, screen writers, therapists and many others besides. If you would like to chat about your own personal branding photography session, please do get in touch.
“Georgina was incredible; she captured the essence of the business perfectly and was great getting all members of the team to engage with her, resulting in fantastic, true to life, images. The turnaround from shoot to final edit was very quick and we are thrilled with the results.
Thank you very much Georgina, we look forward to working with you in the future.”
Eleanor Benjamin, DBSJ
Related Reading: Why You No Longer Need to Fear Having Your Photo Taken