December 29, 2021
By this point, you’ve realized brand photography is good for business, especially in Austin. Able to make a world of difference for your brand, your brand photos can establish your credibility in the online marketplace and build that oh, so coveted like-know-trust factor with the clients and customers of your dreams.
So you booked a personal brand shoot, but now you have, ahem, questions. As a brand photographer, I am committed to educating my clients on everything branding and brand photography throughout the entire process, but there are a few questions I still get asked from time to time. My goal is to help you feel even more prepared, especially if you have a question you’ve been afraid to ask. Maybe you’ll see it here.
1. Can I bring my friend/spouse?
That depends on the purpose. Is it just to watch? It’s a good idea to only bring a guest if they’re going to be aiding in setup/takedown or otherwise actively engaging as a teammate. If they’re not, it would be best to leave your friend out of your session.
The reasons:
2. Can I squeeze in more outfits?
For Signature Sessions, I recommend 4 outfits + a bonus/backup option. You’re welcome to bring more options, especially if you want my help narrowing things down. But we stick to 5 outfits as that’s usually PLENTY. Time spent changing/deciding is less time we have to spend shooting. I want to make the most of our time together.
For Refresh Sessions, you will have time for 2 outfits (but bring a backup.) If you’re wanting more looks and variety, the Signature Session is the way to go.
3. Can you get me in by {insert short time frame here}?
Likely not as I book out a few months in advance, particularly around the holidays/end of the year. When you ask this question of your photographer, though, it’s important to remember that rushed bookings cannot afford us the time we need to chat, plan, and prepare you for your customized session.
My advice:
Inquire 4+ weeks before your desired session date. This gives us the time we need to cover all the bases, so you come into your session feeling good, confident, and ready.
4. Can I shoot my brand photography session on-location in Austin?
Yes, we can definitely shoot your session on-location! The studio is not mandatory, by any means, but a lot of clients do find it helpful and oftentimes less stressful.
5. Can we split our time between the studio and on-location during one shoot?
No, I’m sorry, but we can’t split up your sessions into part-studio and part on-location. Setup and takedown require significant time, travel between the two places requires time, hair and makeup take time, and, by the end of it all, a fun, heartfelt session has rather unfortunately turned into a long, grueling day. As a result, the images suffer. Trust me: it’s not worth it.
My advice:
Book two separate shoots with two different goals‒ one on-location and one in the studio. You’ll get all the amazing photos you want and an overall less stressed experience.
A lot of the time, the questions that go un-asked are some of the most important ones to address. They’re questions about our worries or self-conscious feelings, so-called “embarrassing” questions. Questions like…
If you’re feeling self-conscious about something or have any special needs, let your photographer know. I have intentionally created this judgment-free zone for you because my goal is always to make sure you feel comfortable and cared for throughout your shoot.
Give yourself plenty of time to prepare all the stuff (acquire wardrobe, props, set things out, review items, audit your content needs, pack, etc). And by plenty, I mean, it’s not a bad idea to give yourself at least 3 weeks to prep for your brand photography, even here in Austin. Clients are always thankful when they take this suggestion to not try to accomplish too much in too short of a window.
The reasons:
When you hire a professional brand photographer, they will help to ensure all the bases are covered. You’re going to have a cheerleader leading up to the shoot AND on the day of the day.
Just focus on arriving safely and with your stuff in tow to your brand photography session here in Austin. We’ll guide you the rest of the way. Your only job is to have fun and trust your photographer. I won’t let you down.
If you’re in the Austin, Texas area, be sure to check out the heartfelt brand experience.