How To Prepare For Your Website Photoshoot

I understand first hand how stressful getting your photo taken can be - I literally had a meltdown at my first DIY brand photoshoot - which is why it’s important to prepare for your website photoshoot.

Like your website, your brand photoshoot is an investment so you want to get it right first time. And as a website designer I can offer a unique perspective and advice on what are some best practices for photos that are both beautiful and functional for your site.

After my horror-story DIY shoot, I decided to have my own brand photoshoot with the lovely Beth Lavin who made me feel super at ease and comfortable. But most importantly, we went in with a plan so we knew exactly what I wanted to achieve to get the most out of our shoot time.

This is how you can plan and prepare for your own website photoshoot.

Step 1: Consider your website timeline

The first thing to consider for your website photoshoot is the timeline. When do you want your new website to be live by? You can then reverse engineer from there. This is particularly important if you have a launch coming up or a holiday you need to work around.

A lot of designers such as myself have a web design process which require all of the photos/imagery ahead of design work commencing. Therefore, make sure you allow enough time for the photoshoot itself AND enough time to receive the final edited photos from your photographer.

Step 2: Plan the shots you want in advance

It is important that as you go into your photoshoot, you have a list of shots that you really want to capture. That way, you won’t be stuck with photos which don’t quite fit the function you had planned.

Here are a couple of ideas to get the ideas flowing, including my best recommendations for amazing website photos.

A mix of landscape & portrait photos

My first recommendation is to include a mix of both landscape and portrait photos which will serve different purposes. For example, landscape photos are amazing for website banners and portrait photos are amazing for sharing on social media.

Getting a mix of both landscape and portrait will allow for the most flexibility in terms of their use throughout your designs.

Look at other websites for inspiration

Of course the plan is not to copy other websites here - the plan here is to get a feel for what you like/dislike. You might find that you’re more attracted to a minimalist style, or maybe you like a busy background. Maybe you’re drawn to a more professional headshot, or a sitting-on-the-ground working photo.

Here are a few questions to get yourself thinking:

• What do I like in particular about this photo?

• What poses do I like/dislike?

• How does this photo make me feel?

• What messages does this photo say about this person?

• What messages do I want my photos to say about me?

By taking a look at different websites for inspiration, it can start to give you some ideas about what photos you want to capture and maybe even some ideas for your own website.

What messages are you trying to communicate?

Photos speak a thousand words and all that. When it comes to your website photos, you want to really consider the message you want to convey. How do you want people to feel? How do you want to capture your personality? How can you convey your work and your values through your photos?

Some examples of great website photos could include:

• A shot of you celebrating client wins, a new product launch or a new milestone e.g. opening a bottle of champagne or holding balloons.

• A shot of you on a zoom call (or pretending to be) if you take meetings online regularly.

• Position yourself as a professional e.g. a photographer with their camera, a baker with their oven or a coach with an award.

Consider things less literally too. For example:

• If you want to portray yourself as corporate and professional, maybe a suit or high-rise buildings in the background could help.

• If you want to portray yourself as connection-driven and community-focused, photos with other people could be great.

• Maybe you want to showcase the “freedom lifestyle”, pictures of you at the beach would be helpful to compliment pictures of you working in a café.

You want to think a little deeper than just “I want XYZ photo” - think about WHY.

Step 3: Plan your outfits to match your brand/website colours

This is a tip that I am really passionate about because oftentimes people don’t think about the outfits their wearing - particularly the colours.

Imagine your brand is red and pink - then you have a bunch of photos in a blue/green. The combination of the two might clash on your website and create a jarring look.

But also, when you are wearing your brand colours - your photos can create brand recognition, even when they standalone such as on your social media.

Step 4: Invest in the right photographer

The most important step of all is investing in the right photographer for you. If you’re going to the effort of getting some brand photos then there is no point basing your choice on budget.

Find a photographer who matches your aesthetic

Lots of photographers have a distinct style and look/feel that they aim to capture with their photos. Of course, most photographers will tailor their photos to what you’re after but you should absolutely check out their portfolios.

For example, some photographers might have a more boho style, or artistic or more corporate headshots. Think about how you want your brand to be represented and if the photographer is a good fit.

Ask for your photographer’s advice

A good business/brand photographer will want to learn more about you, your brand, what you’re trying to achieve. And so much can be gained from the pre-shoot chats.

They can put your mind at ease, answer any questions and you can spend some time planning out the shoot.

At the end of the day, they are the professional. Their advice is invaluable and they will have done brand photoshoots tonnes of times before!

BONUS: Advice from a professional photographer

Of course, this article has been written from my perspective as a website designer, but I thought it might also be helpful to hear the thoughts of a professional photographer. So I have asked the lovely Nadine Wilmanns for her thoughts on what makes a branding shoot successful.

If you’re thinking about booking a brand photoshoot then you should definitely check her out. I can first hand confirm how amazing she is to work with and her art is so beautiful.

Here is some of her top tips for an amazing photoshoot:

Wardrobe

There is a common misconception that baggy clothes are good for the shape, but when it comes to a photoshoot, something fitted is the way to go. Something like a jacket or blouse, or anything that is not supper baggy. You’ll find that in photos, the bagginess will be exaggerated and you won’t be so happy with the final result.

Pick a location that represents your personal brand

We are thinking more and more about our personal brands, so think of a location that represents your personal brand well.

When it comes to location, you want to think about “What am I trying to say with my photos?”. For example, if you usually work from home, then what would represent your work and personality in terms of location?

E.g. If you record a podcast, consider using a mic in your photos. Or if you’re an estate agent, a clean, modern office space might be what you’re after.

Talk to your photographer about this too. They should be asking you about your brand personality and your message and will help you pick a location that is perfect for your brand. And if they don’t ask, tell them anyway!

The photographer will also suggest places with good light. And you can find a location that suits both your needs and what your photographer’s needs.

Allow enough time

Which brings me onto talking to your photographer before the photoshoot itself, rather than just turning up on the day. It will make all the difference in the photos to build a connection beforehand.

The best photos come when you have a great connection with the photographer. So if you’re working with a complete stranger, it will be hard to go from 0 - 100 in terms of a great connection. Even something as small as a zoom call or voice notes.

However it does take time to build a connection, so you should allow enough time for a photoshoot. Allow time for chatting, and relaxing in-between so you don’t feel rushed or under pressure. Often photoshoots are a new situation, so when you allow time to settle in and start to feel confident.

The photos will turn out better when you are relaxed and the shoot is not rushed.

So there you have it - how to prepare for your website photoshoot. I hope you found these tips helpful and if you ever have any questions, please don’t think twice about dropping me an email, I’d be happy to help.

If you’re ready to elevate your brand with new photos and want a beautiful website to match then take a look at my web design packages to see if we are a good fit.