How to Create the Perfect Shot List for your Brand Photos | Boston Brand Photographer

It’s finally time to start planning the details of your personal brand shoot, so get excited! Creating a shot list is an individual experience, as no two brands are the same, especially in a city like Boston. The digital world is getting crazier by the day, so If you don’t know where to even begin when drawing inspiration for your branding photoshoot, let me offer some guidance…

1. Give your photographer as much insight as possible to your brand! In addition to having all my clients fill out a thorough questionnaire, I also schedule a phone call. Talking about your brand, your expectations, your ideal client, always gives me little golden nuggets of info to use when creating the perfect shot list.

2. Create an inspiration board. Pinterest is ideal, but any visual representation of your brand goals, the vibe you are going for, posing you love, etc, is essential in communicating what you want your brand photos to look like to your photographer

3. Know what you need ahead of time. If you’ve hired a pro photographer, you’re going to get great photos. But to get the BEST set of photos to launch your brand to the next level, you need to dig deep and figure out your photo priorities. Do you need a banner image for your website that shows your team hard at work? Do you need a series of verticals for an Instagram reel? A unique horizontal of each team member for a blurb about what they do?

Building the perfect shot list is as much about the vibes and the visual inspiration as it is about the nitty-gritty details. Having a clear vision for your brand ensures that we can capture exactly what you need from your shoot… and also allows us space to get creative on location and potentially create something we might have never dreamed up in planning. You give us your brand story, we translate it into next-level visuals that attract your ideal customers.

Brand Spotlight: Creative Personal Branding with Coastal Artist Nikki Storer | Boston Brand Photographer

We love working with fellow creatives!!! When Massachusetts coastal (and featured Serena and Lily) artist Nikki Storer came to us looking for brand photos, of course we were excited to work with her. But it only got better from there.

Arriving at her home studio in Cohasset we were welcomed into her beautiful space, decked out from wall to wall with her incredible art pieces. A true creative, Nikki shared with us that she had designed her home herself, and after the shoot, it was evident that her personality and style really shone through in her efforts.

Now if Nikki was anything, she was prepared. A creative at heart, but an organized, goal-oriented businesswoman by choice, her studio had been temporarily turned into a gallery-style backdrop. Her workspace was ready for us to get in there and construct artsy flat lays, and her wardrobe options were almost too good to choose from. Because of her fun and colorful brand vibe, we got to be really creative with her shot list and test different things outside the realm of the typical headshot.

Now you might think throwing your paint brushes in the air would be easy, but capturing the perfect shot takes the perfect toss and Nikki NAILED it. Bringing her shot list to life was so much fun, from her beautiful and sometimes candid portraits to watching her work and teaching us about her process.

To capture some of the true day-to-day behind-the-scenes we even brought in her dog for a few shots. Her sweet fur baby was a great sport and even put up with us getting him in on the painting process (no pups were harmed in the creative brainstorm). Including little glimpses into your life is such a cool part of a personal branding photoshoot, especially when it involves our four-legged friends.

It’s always an awesome experience to shoot with someone so passionate about what they’re doing, it shines through the camera and makes it easy to shoot the most beautiful and genuine images.

How to Attract Your Ideal Client from Your Brand Photos | Boston Brand Photographer

Being a Boston-based small business owner myself, if you’re a New England brand looking to take your business to the next level, you've landed in the right spot. As a branding photographer, I am super passionate about helping small businesses and female entrepreneurs create stunning visuals that can help you reach your audience and attract your ideal client with your brand photos.

The Importance of Strong Visuals

First things first, strong visuals are essential. In the world of social media and digital marketing, high-quality photos are a non-negotiable part of your professional brand strategy. It’s not just about them looking amazing, but also conveying your brand’s personality and values.

This is where brand photography and lifestyle shots come into play, your photos should reflect your unique style and story, and make your brand instantly recognizable. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and in the crowded online space we want to be remembered.

Knowing Your Audience

No one understands your audience better than you, and we want to create content that speaks to them. Who are they? What do they value? What problems are they looking to solve? This helps me as your photographer to tailor your photoshoot to reflect what you want to say. This is why we start with a call and questionnaire so that I can build the perfect shot list for our shoot.

Telling Your Brand Story

Your brand story is a powerful tool for connecting with your audience. Behind-the-scenes shots are a fantastic way to give potential clients a glimpse into what it’s like to work with you. This not only builds trust but also adds a personal touch to your professional brand strategy. 

I personally always love to showcase your workspace, process, and team, this makes your brand relatable and engaging. Storytelling through visuals is a trend that’s here to stay, so let’s connect with your clients by showing them the human side (the YOU) of your business.

Attracting your ideal client is really all about showing off who you are and what you do, and really what better way is there than with your brand photos. I’m here to help you navigate the journey and create content that truly speaks to your brand. Remember, great photos aren’t just about looking good—they’re about making a lasting impression. Let’s create something amazing!

Overcoming Camera Shyness: Why You Need to Be in Your Brand Photos | Boston Brand Photographer

Maybe you hate the way you look in photos. This is a common theme I hear from business owners, especially female business owners… which is an issue when you are the face of your business. People want to see you! They want to get to know YOU (spoiler, they don’t care if you have a double chin or wrinkles when you smile), but I get it. We all want to look our best in front of the camera.

1. Let’s make you actually look like yourself. Stop judging your appearance based on camera snapshots with terrible lighting and unflattering angles. We’ll set up the good light, with the good angles, and make you look like you

2. Wipe the fake smile off your face. It’s not your fault, but for some of us, a “smile for the camera” is nothing like our actual genuinely happy-to-see-you smile. We’ll help you get the real smiles and leave the “cheese” at the door.

3. Take a deep breath, channel your inner T Swift, and just get over it :) I know it’s easier said than done, but being overly critical of yourself in front of the camera is often a mental block we just need to knock down.

Have you seen our Ebook: 8 Tips to Look Your Best in Every Photo? This is the best resource I send my clients when we book a brand photoshoot.

Camera shyness plagues our everyday life now as it feels like everyones taking pictures all the time, but this is your moment to shine and let the professional photog take care of all the things that make you nervous. A personal brand session is all about letting your audience get a peek behind the business, and give them a reason to get invested in the person, not just the product.

Reintroduction: Get to Know Your Future Photographer | Boston Brand Photographer

I’m Emily, brand photographer, and creative director of your shoot. I help you plan and execute an amazing (and fun!) photoshoot that is customized to your brand. I’m based in Boston’s South End and especially love to work with the small businesses right in my own community.

This is Mikayla, photo assistant, incredible content creator, and all-around extra set of hands on the day of the shoot.

Who do we work with? Brand photoshoots can scale from 1 individual to a large company. But we LOVE working with small teams. Teams of 1-5 people in any sort of creative field is kind of our sweet spot, as that’s usually where we get to let the inspiration and small team personality shine.

How can we help your business grow? This is where our genius comes in. (see our blog post about how to create amazing mood boards) A pro photog should be able to create great images, but a brand photographer should be able to create compelling images that attract your ideal client. When we work together, we try to gain as much insight into your brand as possible, so that every image we make is intentional, unique, and speaks to your brand. Our goal is to show your customers what is so awesome about working with you. (Oh, and we also like to make it fun, because if you’re not having fun, what’s the point)

Using my small business to uplift others is the ultimate win, and I love to see all the ways clients continue to use their images after the shoot. Let’s uplevel your branding together, we can’t wait to work with you! 

Utilizing the Location You Have for An Amazing Photoshoot | Boston Brand Photographer

I want to get real about a game-changing aspect of brand photography – the art of making your chosen location fit you and your photo shoot. I’ve spent years photographing personal brand projects not just in Boston but throughout New England, and I know it can be hard to decide on a location that does everything you want it to and more. So, where do you start?

Location is extremely important as we plan our branding shoot, but I’m here to tell you it doesn’t need to be as fancy or overtop as you may believe. Whether you're vibing in your cozy living room or soaking in the cityscape outside, it is possible to make one space the center of your visual storytelling. Trust me, it's all about getting creative in order to create a photoshoot that's as versatile as your brand lifestyle.

My first suggestion to people is always to consider where you’re comfortable working, whether that be your workspace, your office, or even your home. Not every space will be a winner, but often my clients completely overlook the potential of a versatile spot just because they are there every day. Making that space come to life is exactly what’s going to make your brand photos stand out. Don’t feel discouraged because you’re shooting in the spots of your everyday life, get excited! Being familiar in a space not only reflects on you in the photos but also reflects where the guiding force behind your brand comes from.

Bringing the versatility out of the spot we choose is all about maximizing the space. This is done by switching up the looks, poses, and angles, Simple changes in perspective can turn a familiar spot into a whole new visual experience. Remember, it's not just about the location; it's about how you frame your story within it.

If you still don’t believe in the dynamics of your spot, I’ve covered tips on making your workspace look and feel more photogenic, prepping your space with a few small details can make all the difference in the look and feel. My goal is to debunk the myth that you need a glamorous setting for a killer photoshoot. Your living room, your favorite cafe, or that cozy corner in your workspace – they're all potential gems for your photographer. Embrace the simplicity and let your brand personality take center stage.

Capturing the Magic: Top 5 Tips to Photograph Kids Products WITH Kids | Boston Brand Photographer

Kids are an important part of the process when it comes to branding for what kids like and want to see, so why wouldn’t they be a part of the process? This blog includes our tips and tricks for how we roll with the incredible chaos of a kid’s brand shoot, and how we photograph kids’ products that appeal to parents AND interest their kids.

Be flexible!

We may have a grand plan for (our model) the child, to sit on a stool, surrounded by flowers, with the perfect sunlight falling over them. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, sometimes, reality has different plans. If the kid decides that our plan is not the same as theirs, it's essential to roll with it. Flexibility is a superpower, we are always prepared to embrace the unexpected, pivot when needed, and sometimes, let them think it was all their brilliant idea. After all, magic often happens when we let go of rigid expectations and go with the flow; kids know what’s cool and fun to their own brains and they usually surprise us with what they come up with by just playing.

Connecting with Them

Years of working with kids has taught me that above all, connection is key. Every child is unique, with a distinct personality that dictates how they respond to the world around them. Some are all about silliness, others thrive on compliments, and then there are those who really just want a quiet, safe space. It is so important to pause and make time to understand and connect with each child individually. Building that relationship of trust and making them feel heard is going to open the door to genuine expressions and authentic moments that truly shine in the final photos.

Become an Observer

On a photoshoot, it can be easy to get caught up in the director's role, after all, we love having a good shot list! (IYKYK) But sometimes, the best moments unfold when we step back and just watch what they do naturally. Kids are genuinely curious and creative little geniuses. Given the space to explore on their own terms, we often find ourselves capturing pure, unscripted magic. My extreme type A personality can have a tendency to over-direct, but it's a delicate balance between guiding the shoot and allowing their playful spirits to take the lead.

So, there it is – a sneak peek into the world of kids' brand photography and how we approach it. Our guidelines are: Stay flexible, focus on connections, and step back and observe. The spontaneous shots that we end up with are often my long-time favorite photos.

Moodboarding: How to Inspire Your Brand Photos with Stunning Digital Visuals | Boston Brand Photographer

Picture this: You have booked your brand photoshoot, and you’re ready to make a statement with gorgeous, on-brand images for your website, but you arrive, and the vibe is “bright and casual”, not the “upscale and elegant” vibe you were going for. Didn’t you talk with your photographer about this beforehand?

Moodboarding (or modern-day Pinning on Pinterest) is THE best way to communicate what you want your branding photoshoot to look like to your photographer. In our initial conversation, I ask a lot of questions about your brand, your ideal client, and especially about what you want your photos to look like. As much as we chat about this, there is no replacement for visual representation. As I tell my clients, “modern farmhouse magic” can translate totally differently to two people. It’s always best to have visual inspiration to communicate your “dark, sophisticated, moody” or “bright, cheerful, casual” vibe.

Where to Start:

Create a Pinterest board you can share with your team. This part may feel like homework but it’s so fun, this is where your brand personality can really shine! Pinning images that reflect your brand's values, mission, and personality helps you define and communicate your identity visually. It's like giving your brand a voice without saying a word.

To Create your own Pinterest Inspiration Board:

1. Create a new board: "your business name brand photoshoot" and check the box to keep it secret

2. Search relevant terms. Use words to describe your brand, "bright, modern, minimal", and words relevant to your industry. This might look like "bright modern interior design brand photoshoot ideas" or another iteration of that. The goal is not to find exact images we will replicate, but to use your board to come up with the overall brand aesthetic that you are going for.

3. You'll want about 10-15 images on your board. You want to have enough variety, but too many could start to lose focus on the main concept.

4. Share your board with your team.

That’s it! Now you and your team of marketers, web designers, hair and makeup artist, and photographer will all be on the same page to help you create stunning visuals that are on brand for your business.

Top Visual Branding Trends of 2024 for Women-Owned Small Businesses | Boston Brand Photographer

In the ever-evolving landscape of visual branding, small business owners are increasingly utilizing the power of a personalized experience. As a Boston-based small business owner and photographer, I know how important it is to stay on top of visual trends to effectively speak to the audience of women-owned enterprises. In 2024, brands are gravitating toward minimalism, candid realness, bright colors, and authenticity. Embracing these trends will uplevel your brand photography and resonate with your target audience.

Embracing Minimalism

The "less is more" philosophy has never been more relevant in visual branding. Minimalism conveys a sense of sophistication but also ensures that your message is clear and impactful. When photographing I like to focus on creating images that are clean, uncluttered, and utilize simplicity to highlight the most important parts of your brand. Whether it's a product, a service, or the entrepreneurs themselves, minimalistic visuals allow the audience to focus on what truly matters.

Bright Colors

Vibrant colors within your brand photos can add that extra pop to your content without being overpowering. Bright colors are stealing the spotlight this year from fashion to home decor to photography, don’t be afraid to embrace them for that little shot of energy you may be lacking in your visuals. They’re not just a trend but a statement, let your images help you incorporate modern vibes within your existing brand landscape.

Getting Real

The trend in 2024 leans heavily towards capturing natural expressions and candid moments. Gone are the days of stiff, posed photographs, your audience wants to work with REAL people. As a photographer, I strongly encourage my clients to be themselves during the shoot. Documenting genuine smiles, laughter, and authentic interactions adds a human touch to the brand. This element of realness is tangible through a screen and creates a more relatable brand aesthetic for your audience to connect with. 

In a world inundated with curated content, authenticity stands out as a breath of fresh air. Let the heart and soul you bring to the brand shine through, showcase the genuine faces behind the business, the passion that drives it, and the unique stories that make it memorable. By weaving authenticity into your visual storytelling, you not only become a recognizable part of your client's brand but also build personal trust.

Incorporating Trends into Your Brand Aesthetic

Staying relevant while also appealing to your target audience can be difficult in today’s ever-changing social media landscape. It’s important to keep up with trends and determine what already flows your existing brand aesthetic. No one understands your brand’s audience better than you, so start adapting your content and brand photography to not only reach your current following but to reach newcomers as well.  Maintaining consistency in theme across all platforms will ensure a cohesive and recognizable brand identity that aligns with the evolving visual preferences of 2024.

In the realm of brand photography for women-owned small businesses, the emphasis on authenticity, minimalism, and natural expressions is shaping a new era. By staying attuned to these trends and seamlessly incorporating them into your photography, you not only uplift your business but also contribute to the success and visual identity of the inspiring female entrepreneurs you work with. In 2024, let your lens capture the authenticity, simplicity, and genuine connection, helping small businesses thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

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