Choosing Locations for Your Brand Photoshoot
Traditionally, a corporate photoshoot would take place in the office. Perhaps black and white headshots in front of a blank wall followed by a group photo in the atrium or outside the office. However, with nearly 4 million employees permanently working remote and 80 new businesses popping up every hour in the UK, it’s clear that we are seeing a massive shift in the way people work. So, how can we make sure this is reflected in your brand photography?
Let’s talk about how to choose the right locations for your shoot, and you might even get an idea or two about adding a twist to your next photoshoot!
Start with what you do
How about we take things back to basics? Ask yourself: what does your business do? And who do you help? By thinking of it this way, you can start to shortlist some places that will be relevant and interesting to your audience. Remember: your brand photos won’t just appear on the About page of your website - although this is an important part of it. You can also use them across social media, email marketing and even in print. So, think about how to creatively tell your story and what sort of locations make sense for your business.
Of course, if you have your own premises then it makes sense to take photos there. I worked with Newcastle-based systematic kinesiologist Zena Warburton, who runs Vital Fours from her studio in Gosforth. Not many people know what systematic kinesiology is, not least how it works. So, we arranged for a photoshoot at her studio with a client who was happy to be photographed receiving treatment. The result was these natural images of Zena at work, exactly how you would expect to meet her if you came to her premises for a treatment.
Zena Warburton
Captured in her studio
Think creatively
But what about if you work from home or don’t have your own premises? I work with a lot of freelancers who typically work from home or at co-working spaces. Many of these individuals run their businesses online and don’t always find it easy to represent what they do visually - think copywriters, marketers, graphic designers and other creative but desk-based people.
I worked with Alex Thompson, a North East-based copywriter who works between a small office and from home. Alongside working with businesses to put their brands into words, Alex is also a family man, and this is a very important part of his life and, therefore, something he wanted to include in the shoot.
Alex Thompson
Copywriter captured in his office
So, we got the professional headshots in his office. Then, we headed outside with his son and snapped some really fun shots in the park. These images do a fantastic job of getting Alex’s personality across and showing that he truly values the work-life balance that freelancing brings.
Lights, camera… action?
If you have decided to have a photoshoot somewhere other than your premises or plan a combination like Alex, your photographer will help you decide the best place to capture your shots.
At For You Photography, I have a consultation with all of my clients ahead of the shoot to find out more about what their business does and how we can best capture that in still images. Don’t worry if you can’t think of anywhere you’d like it shoot, I can ask the right questions and help you to shortlist some locations.
Once we’ve decided on the photoshoot style and made sure it aligns with your brand, we will determine the best locations for logistics. If you want to shoot at the beach, for example, then we will choose a quieter spot during a lull period, perhaps early morning, so we don’t have to contend with the crowds at the region’s busier spots. Equally, if we decide to go on a hike - like I did with Sarah Alcock, a marketing consultant based in Northumberland - then I will bring all the kit I need to make the most out of the natural light and capture the best possible shots.
Ready to bring a breath of fresh air to your brand marketing? Browse my full pricing packages on my website and get in touch to book your photoshoot.
