In 2021, having killer brand photos for your business is non-negotiable. You simply can’t expect to have a booked out business without ‘em. It’s just the truth. However, not everyone always has the extra cash flow to book a photographer every. single. time. they need updated brand photos; it’s just not always feasible. So today, I’m setting out to help you get fresh images without emptying your pockets. Really. Here’s exactly how to DIY your own brand photos; so now you’ve got no excuses to level on up. ?
1. Determine the goal of your photos.
If you’ve been around here for any amount of time, you know I preach there should ALWAYS be a strategy behind every single thing you do in your business. Photoshoots aren’t an exception.
What is the end goal of your photos? Is it to promote a particular service or offering? Do you have a launch coming up that needs relevant images? Or is it to update your brand imagery vault with fresh headshots/content that convey the overall message of your brand? What’s the goal?
Once you clearly define the goal, you’ll then be able to tell the story. (Much better than if you were *just* taking photos for fun, imho.)
2. Be aware of your brand colors, and infuse them however you can.
Sometimes we may love the way we look in a certain color, but it won’t look too stellar on our website.
For example, maybe you LOVE the way you look in fire-engine red… but your brand colors are pastel pink and teal green. Soooo, bright red ain’t gonna look good in the midst of all that. ?
Usually what I do is choose neutral colors, colors that go with just about anything. I’m typically wearing either white, black, or tan, or denim in just about all of my brand photos.
For one, I naturally wear those colors on the daily. And two, they’re going to match my site, no matter what colors I use! It’s a hassle-free way to make sure your photos will look good.
See…?
3. Hire a professional makeup artist.
I know I said you’d save some money, (and you will by DIY-ing your brand photos themselves,) but the makeup is one thing you def don’t want to do yourself.
(That is, unless you know what you’re doing!)
However, I recently hired a makeup artist to do my makeup, (even though I used to be one!) Sometimes it’s just nice to feel pampered, and have one less thing to worry about on shoot day. I just happened to reach out to a makeup artist that lives close by, and she did a PHENOMENAL job. (If you’re ever in Central Arkansas, you’ve gotta hire Blended by Shawna. She’s legit!) ?
4. Find the best natural light source available.
Light is single-handedly the most important factor when it comes to taking photos. Really, it’s even more important than the location!
If you’re shooting indoors, you want to choose a room that has the most natural light. Naturally, that would be the room with the most windows!
For my recent DIY brand photoshoot, we chose to shoot in my office. A) Because I needed photos at my desk/workspace and that’s where it was, and B) because it has three huge windows! 🙂
Then, be sure to turn off any overhead lights. We don’t want any warm room lighting, or lamps, etc. We only want the natural light, trust me! It helps the light to be the most beautiful/even. 🙂
Then, you want to be as close as possible to the light source. So it’s ideal if you’re right next to the window!
5. Set your camera up with the correct settings, and then hand it off to a friend, (or husband, or your mom, etc.!)
The good thing is, if you’re a photographer, you know what settings your camera should be set to! So, what you’ll do is pose your friend (the one that will be taking the photos,) exactly how you want to be shot.
Then, show that photo to them, and tell them you want the exact same thing. Have them take note of the composition, how much of you is in the frame, etc. After just a few tries, they’ll be able to replicate it. It’s so easy!
Really, that’s exactly what I did with my sister. I had her pose, and then I got my settings right, etc. Then, I showed her the image, we switched, and she nailed it! Don’t ya think!? ? ?
Don’t have a friend to be able to use? No problem! You can always use a Tripod and a remote shutter! There’s a ton on amazon. It’s just easier to use someone, because it requires less of you having to get up and shift around! 🙂
Don’t have a legit camera? All good! You can use portrait mode on an iPhone and do the best you can. The technology in phones has SERIOUSLY improved over the years, so I think you can swing some pretty good DIY brand photos! 😉
As a personal brand photographer, (and self-employed business owner myself,) I get that you can’t always take your own brand photos. So I hope this crash course on how to DIY your own brand photoshoot was super helpful!
Does the thought of doing DIY for your brand photos make you wanna scream? All good, I’ve got a solution for that too. ?
Sometimes you want to DIY one of your to-do list items, and other times… ya don’t. I feel that sis. If you’re in a place where you DO want to outsource your brand photos to a profesh, I can help!
I’m sure you know all about how stellar photography not only boosts your confidence, but your profits, too. So enough talking, let’s get some fresh images in your feed stat!
LOOKING FOR MORE HELPFUL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS? FEEL FREE TO BINGE ON THESE BLOG POSTS, OR PIN ’EM ON PINTEREST FOR LATER! 
If you’re short on time, follow me on Pinterest – and you’ll get these kinda tips delivered straight to your feed! You know… when you’re scrollin’ through Pinterest with coffee in hand, ready to take on the day… or, procrastinate.
Whatevs. Pinterest biz sesh, anybody!? 
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