Chosing Props for Your Branding Shoot
When I think back to my first brand photoshoot and the props I chose I had NO idea what I was doing. Instead of making a list of items I used in my business, I pulled things from my office that were beautiful and that I thought would work well together. A pair of vintage scissors, some magazines, and some old paint samples were a few of the items I chose. They had nothing to do with being a brand photographer. Talk about cringy! I’ve learned a lot since then and have some fantastic tips for you. I promise you don’t have to make the same mistakes I did. Here's how to choose great props for your next brand photoshoot.
The first thing I’d do is make a list of any items you use regularly in your business. The items should be both physical and digital (questionnaires, client guides, etc). For the clients that work from their office, I sometimes hear, "I use a pen, paper, my laptop, and coffee mugs. But that’s so basic and typical of what everyone uses...” Here’s the reality though: the goal isn’t to find different or “extra creative props”. That won’t make you stand out. What WILL make you stand out is getting locked into your specific brand and using props that relate to YOU.
MINDSET SHIFT: DON’T FOCUS ON HOW YOU CAN DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY FOCUS ON HOW YOU CAN DO THINGS THAT SPEAK TO YOUR IDEAL CLIENT AND WHO YOU ARE AS A BUSINESS.”
Got that list complete? Set it aside. You’ll come back to it later.
The second thing that really helped me was working off a mood board. Now, I get it, sometimes mood boards get a bad rap. People think, “They’re fun to create but do they have a purpose beyond looking pretty?” My first mood boards were a bit scattered and it took some practice but now I won’t plan a brand photoshoot without one. Over time I've realized they play a HUGE role in strategic planning. Not to mention that they help keep your message consistent. You really can't afford to NOT use one. Follow steps 1 & 2 to bring that mood board to life!
Choose three adjectives that capture your brand. A great question you can ask is: “How do I want people to FEEL when they interact with my brand?”
Select 3-9 images that embody those words.
Remember, it may take several revisions to get your mood board juuuusut right and this is normal. Choose some photos then come back to it the next day and revise again. It’ll get easier with time!
Have your mood board ready to go? Great! Now it's time to reference your list of items. You'll use it with your mood board to curate the props for your photoshoot. Don't worry, I've got lots of examples below to help guide you. For this specific brand photoshoot example, I pulled props for someone who works from a desk. It could be a copywriter, business coach, or graphic designer. You'll notice that the prop lists are almost the same. What I love most is that choosing props through the filter of a mood board makes the final selection SO distinct and different. Each is beautiful and impactful in its own way. Take note of the adjectives and how each inspiration imagery embodies those words. From there it was easy to select props that aligned with the visual identity of the brand.
Washi Tape / Binder / Stapler / Binder Dividers / Glasses / Magnifying Glass / Scissors / Frame / Candle / Calculator / Floral Notebook / Mug / Antique Paper Clips / Acrylic Planning Template / Pens
Pen / White Clock / Stapler / Tape Dispenser / Calculator / Note Pads / Lamp / Picture Frames / Cement Desk Organizer / Mug / Phone Case / Cement Planter / Notebook / Black Clock / Scissors / Glasses
If you're wondering where to get props I recommend first starting with what you have. You'll be surprised at how many items are around you at home! I love shopping at local boutiques or small businesses. Thrift stores are also great. You can also find so many useful items online. I curated the examples above using Amazon. Please note that I share Amazon Affiliate links to all the props featured. I will make a small commission on anything purchased through my links at no additional cost to you 😉
Every time I work with clients, I love walking them through this part of the brand photoshoot process. Taking a strategic approach to planning your branding photoshoot is truly a game-changer! It takes what can be overwhelming and puts it into easy, actionable steps. Not to mention that your final result is consistent, on-brand, and relevant!
Looking for extra help by working with a brand photographer? I'd love to partner with you on your next project! Fill out the contact form on my website and we'll get started.
