Your personal brand photoshoot is booked and your next question is what do I need to bring with me? Simply put, don’t overthink it. Personal branding photography is all about capturing the essence of who you are, and why that makes your business stand out. That being said, it is so much more than impersonal headshots. Props are a great way to help bring character and depth to your photos. They can also help you to relax and feel comfortable during the photoshoot. Here’s my guide to the 5 best props to bring to your personal branding photoshoot.

Props are a great way to help bring character and depth to your photos.

1.Your favourite accessories 

A personal branding photoshoot is just that – personal. So when you are thinking about what to bring with you, think about the things you love the most. That could be a statement piece of jewellery, a hat, a scarf… Whatever makes you feel the most like you. A photoshoot isn’t the time for experimenting with a new look; it’s about showing the natural you.

2. Business props 

What kind of business do you run? I have taken beautiful photos of clients using their business tools as accessories. For example JarryG, the jewellery designer, where I took some shots of her using her jewellery making equipment to supplement the ones of her by herself. Obviously, some businesses have more scope for aesthetic accessories than others, but if you have a personal attachment to your laptop or sample books, then bring them along!

3.Don’t go it alone 

If your business is people-centric or you work with families or children, make them part of your branding photoshoot. You are definitely the star of the show, but a loved one would make the perfect accessory! The same goes for pets. If your furry friend is an important part of your business and is best able to show off the reason for your passion, then they should be part of your limelight.

Include your furry friend in your personal brand photoshoot.

4. Feeling comfortable = feeling confident 

As a personal branding photographer, it is my job to make you feel as comfortable and as empowered as possible during your photoshoot. Not everyone feels confident having a camera pointed at them, so it is a good idea to choose props that allow you to relax. If you aren’t sure what to do with your hands, it’s great to have an accessory to hold. What would say the most about you? It could be an espresso, a vintage cup, and saucer, a cocktail, a book, a craft project. A picture can tell a thousand words, so choose a prop that says something about you as a person, as well as your business. 

Personal Brand Photoshoot for a photographer Alina Clark, sharing her big hobby for growing plants.

5. Futureproof 

Before arriving at your photoshoot, think about how you would like to use your personal branding photos in the future. It’s always good to have up to date photos, but you don’t want to be getting them done every two minutes, right? How about a celebration photo for when you reach your next milestone? A glass of bubbly would make a great accessory for that. Do you have plans for different products in the near future? Maybe there is an accessory you could bring that would complement a social media post about the new direction you are heading in. 

It’s always great to have a celebration photo as part of your branding photoshoot.

…but most importantly, for brand photoshoot bring you! 

You could amass the most thought out props and fancy accessories available, but at the end of the day, your clients want to get to know you. You are the reason for your business. You are the reason people love your products. Don’t spend so much time thinking about your props that you forget to make time for yourself. My guide to self-love can help you with ways to increase your love for yourself and make looking after yourself a priority. Then you can bring the very best version of yourself to your personal branding photoshoot and totally rock it!

I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF TAKING BRANDING PHOTOS FOR SOME VERY SPECIAL WOMEN. JUST LIKE YOU, THEY WANTED TO TAKE THEIR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND REALIZED THAT PERSONAL, BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHY WAS THE WAY TO GO. I WOULD LOVE TO CONNECT WITH YOU, CREATE YOUR BRANDING PHOTOS AND HELP YOU TO CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIANCE.

A book is always a great prop to have in a personal brand photoshoot.