What to Wear for Your Branding Session
styling your session
Whether you’re launching a brand new business or you’re looking to refresh the one you’ve already got - professional photographs are a must!
You’ve worked hard to develop your brand. You won’t settle for anything other than amazing. All you need now are images that instantaneously communicate your brand message (and worth) and inspire your potential customers to want to learn more.
First step: Find a photographer you love, book your date and choose your location. Easy.
Then comes the hard part. You have to choose what you’re going to wear. Let the angst begin!
Questions about what to wear to a branding session usually flood my inbox leading up to a client’s shoot. I get it. It’s hard enough to style a regular lifestyle session - like family photos or an engagement shoot. Styling your professional self is different. You want to exude confidence, yet seem approachable. You want to look polished, but also make sure your unique style shines through.
As I said, this is the hard part.
Fear not, I’ve compiled my top five tips on styling your lifestyle branding session.
Wardrobe Changes Encouraged
I highly encourage my branding session clients to change their outfits several times during the shoot. And I’m not talking about two different looks. I mean, come with at least five outfits. This adds a lot of variation to your session and extends the shelf life of your photos. And, to be blunt, no one wants to see pics of you in the same outfit on multiple pages of your website or on social media.
Bring Your Strongest Color Game
If you had to assign your brand a color – what would it be? Now, how are you going to translate that into your lifestyle branding session? Here’s my advice – add pops of your brand colors throughout your clothing items. As long as it looks good on you, fits your brand and your location — go for it! A branding session is a great opportunity to bring your A-game in the color department.
Avoid Distracting Patterns, Prints & Logos
While I’m all for a bold color palette, I highly encourage you to avoid clothes with unsightly logos or distracting patterns/prints. Now, I’m not opposed to some tasteful prints -- but make sure the article of clothing with the print doesn’t overwhelm you. Wearing mostly solids is ideal for a clean and polished look.
Add Accessories
The skies the limit when it comes to your accessories. There are obvious choices like bold jewelry and great shoes. But a branding session is a unique opportunity to think outside the box. I highly encourage my client to include “business accessories” like their laptop, a pretty leather-bound journal, or their favorite book. A cool pair of reading glasses is a great way to change up your look between wardrobe changes, too. Depending on where we are shooting, including interesting elements from the space like pottery, plants, etc can be a great way to warm up your images.
Treat Yo’ Self
Ok, so this final tip isn’t directly related to what to wear - but I can’t encourage you enough to pamper yourself in the days leading up to your branding session. After all, you’ve worked hard for the money – right?! For any shoot – I always recommend getting your hair, makeup, and nails done. These small, but professional, touches can go a long way in the finished product. And, besides, you deserve it (and more)!
Now you’re ready to slay your branding session - I’m so excited for you!
If you loved these suggestions, you are going to want to grab a copy of my FREE GUIDE below! This will walk you through exactly what to wear for your session, along with lots of inspiration.