What to wear to your branding session

Brand Photography

Apr 28

Sometimes really simple things stop me from moving forward with plans. Not knowing what to wear? Top of the list! If I don’t know how to dress for an activity, it makes it 10x harder to actually motivate myself to do it! Taking photos is no different.

For a standard branding session, I recommend that you bring at least two different outfits. Every business and business owner is different, so here are some recommendations I make to my clients during our consultation.

I recently had a branding session with my friend, Blake Brandon. Blake is a sales manager for cannabis company. Let’s go through this cannabis-inspired branding session for some tips in choosing your outfits.

Let’s break them down here:

What your clients will (or would) see you in
This is especially important when YOU are the biggest piece of your business. If you’re in sales or offering a service, you are the face of your business. People want to see your photos and feel like they know you. Blake generally wears jeans and a t-shirt when he visits dispensaries. This makes him approachable and not too stuffy for the industry. He chose an “Ohio Weed” shirt to play up the feeling. (That’s also why we incorporated so many plants into our sets!)
Don’t have a client-facing job? Wearing what your clients would see you in is still a great idea. This helps build trust and gives people an idea of what a typical work day can look like for you!

2. Something nice/dressy

If you’ll need a photo on your business card, LinkedIn profile, or to promote speaking engagements, having a few photos in professional attire is the way to go.

Blake is working to elevate his profile within his industry so we planned a few nice, straightforward headshots that he can use anywhere! These photos make him the focal point. We also tipped our hats to his industry by filling the background cabinet with paraphernalia.

This is the photo the Blake has chosen to use on most of his social media accounts. It’s fun, and a bit quirky. It quickly captures your attention and he is center stage! I’m also working on a version of this photo that includes smoke: another little nod to his industry!

3. What you wear on the weekend

Ok, so this one isn’t too scientific. If you love sweats and are comfortable with your clients seeing you in them, go for it! If you like trendier clothes and want a few photos all decked out, this is the perfect time! Show your clients the humanity of it all.

Blake’s cat, Eleanor, is a big part of his life. He talks about her regularly, and he loves to spoil her with treats and toys. I always remind people to include accessories to change up looks and speak to your passions. In this case, we used Blake’s living room to include the things he really values: good tunes and a sweet kitty!