Most of my clients tell me they feel a mix of excitement and nerves before their first brand photoshoot. They’re excited to finally have a collection of photos that reflect their brand and help them show up as the confident, professional business owner they are. But at the same time, the thought of being in front of the camera can feel a little intimidating—and that’s totally normal.
As a professional brand photographer in Calgary, I’ve captured authentic brand images of many different entrepreneurs, small business owners, and their teams, who all felt the same way in their first brand photo shoots. One of my superpowers is helping my clients relax and find their confidence while on camera. In this article, I’m sharing some of my top small business photography tips to help you look and feel natural during your next brand photography session.
The Key to Looking & Feeling Natural on Camera During Brand Photoshoot: Be Authentic & Come Prepared
The biggest advice I can share with my potential clients before the photo shoot day is to be prepared. What does this have to do with being authentic or feeling natural? Well, one of the biggest sources of stress during a branding session is feeling unprepared and stressed about forgetting important details.
When my clients follow my photoshoot prep checklist, they ease their worries and feel more confident because they know they’ve done everything they can in advance to be ready for the day. When you’re feeling confident in your clothes, hair and makeup, location selection, and have water and snacks on hand, your energy changes from frantic to relaxed.
How Do You Find Your Authentic Self?
Being authentic simply means that you feel like yourself. The goal of brand photography is to create a series of images that represent you and your business so you can use them on your website and on your social media to attract your ideal clients. I highly recommend that my clients avoid drastically changing their hair or style for their personal branding photography. If your photos feature you in makeup or a hairstyle that you don’t typically wear, your clients will notice the difference, and you may need to work harder to build trust.
The best way to look and feel authentic in your photos is to dress in a style you feel comfortable in, and that aligns with the brand messaging you want to convey. I can recommend amazing personal stylists for my clients who want a professional’s advice and help. On the day of the photoshoot, I can help you find the right poses and authentic expressions to capture the best images for your needs.
Have Fun and Build Your Confidence
Your brand photoshoot should be a fun experience. If you’re feeling nervous, feel free to bring a friend or family member along who can help you relax, feel like yourself, and (most importantly!) make you smile.
The energy you bring to your photoshoot will have a big impact on your photos. That’s why I created a list of positive affirmations for you to read daily or even multiple times daily to boost your confidence in advance of your photoshoot. Even if you don’t have a branding session booked, I recommend downloading my affirmations to give yourself a deserving boost of confidence any day!
Choose the Right Setting
The location of your photo shoot will also impact how you feel during your session. Long before your booked photoshoot day, I’ll help you select the right location for your brand. Depending on the season and your brand personality, we’ll choose between outdoor and indoor locations, your home office, your place of practice, or a rented space.
Work with a Professional Brand Photographer in Calgary
The right environment can make a difference in how relaxed you feel during your brand photoshoot. So can the photographer you work with. Helping my clients feel at ease and confident during our photo session is one of my superpowers—just ask my past clients!
If you’re ready to book your first brand photo shoot, I recommend booking your free consultation with me to learn more about my process.
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