How to Find the Perfect Location for a Brand Photoshoot
If you’re in the trenches of planning a brand photoshoot, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing the location. In this blog, I'll guide you through the steps of finding a great spot for your branding session. Everything from what to look for, important factors to consider, and where I find the locations for my clients. By the end, you'll have all the tools you need to find a great spot for your branding session.
Why Choosing a Photoshoot Location Matters
Choosing the right location sets the tone and mood for the branding photoshoot. As a small business owner, it is important to consider how the location reflects your brand's personality. Your brand photos not only market your business but also provide visual cues for your ideal clients. For my brand photoshoot, I made sure to take my photos in a space that visually inspired me and reflected the kind of work I wanted to book. It was a beautiful studio space with big windows and warm colors, and it had minimal styling. It reflected my brand's personality while also showing the kind of work I wanted to create as a brand photographer.
Discover the Key Factor that Simplify the Process of Finding a Location
One of the most overwhelming parts of choosing a location is all the options. Indoors vs. outdoors? Using your own space vs. renting? A European vibe, Scandinavian, urban, modern, classic? The list goes on and on. But, there's one thing that takes out ALL the guesswork and that is strategic planning. It may seem like an extra step but it actually makes the final decision super easy and straightforward. As you strategize and plan your shoot it's important to keep the following things in mind:
who you're marketing to
what you do
how you do it (especially the things you do different from your competitors)
how you want people to feel when they interact with your brand
A few years ago I was working on a branding photoshoot for an author. Together we looked at her ideal clients, the things that inspired her, and her writing process. We also talked about how she wanted people to feel when they interacted with her brand and boiled it down to a few adjectives. This is where things got fun. I curated a collection of images that portrayed those feelings and all of a sudden things began to take shape...
Armed with her brand photography mood board above, I started scouring Google for location ideas. It wasn't long before I found the PERFECT photo spot. Isn't it fun how the location below and the moodboard fit together so perfectly?! The overall color scheme down to the wood tones and types of lighting matched perfectly. Imagine if I didn't have the mood board and tried to find the location. This is the beauty of strategic planning.
Key considerations when choosing a location for a branding photoshoot
So now that you have an idea of what you're looking for it's still crucial to consider several elements such as lighting, composition, and color scheme. These three factors will ensure the best outcome for your photoshoot.
Beautiful Lighting = Beautiful Photos
Lighting is the most impactful but often overlooked factor at a photo shoot. I typically opt for a place with ample natural light to achieve the natural look you see in my work. If you're doing this be sure to factor in the direction and intensity of sunlight at different times of the day. If you can't scout the location prior to the shoot get images of the space to review in advance. The Sunseeker App is a great tool for figuring out where the light will be coming from and at what times during the day. Take time to troubleshoot potential issues like harsh shadows or uneven lighting so you're not left scrambling on set. In addition, brainstorm ways that you can use light to give your photos a certain look. I photographed these products by a window with lots of light streaming in but utilized the window shades to create variety in the final gallery by adding shadows and also having a cleaner look.
Most importantly ask your brand photographer if they are comfortable using off-camera lighting. I get it, you want that natural light look but here's the deal, not even a natural light photographer can control the weather. An experienced brand photographer will know how to recreate that "natural light look" even on cloudy or rainy days.
Aesthetics & Props
When choosing a spot for branding photos, look for photo spots with architecture, flooring, and paint colors that align with your brand's aesthetic. Remember, you can easily swap out decor or bring in a few pieces of on-brand furniture. What you can't do is repaint or change those primary elements. This is exactly what we had to do for my client, Anne Taylor Studios, during her first branding shoot. After we completed the strategic prep for her session I had a pretty good idea of the space we needed. I scoured some curated home listings and looked on Airbnb but couldn't find anything. Eventually, I found this studio that was actually marketed as a boudoir photo space. Obviously not what we were looking for BUT the crown moulding and white walls gave us the clean European style we were searching for. We booked the space and from there, the prop stylist transformed it into an artist's studio. I was so glad I could see beyond the props and decor and find a space that fit our vision.
How To Add Versatility to Your Brand Photo Library
A great thing about brand photography is coming away with a content library full of images you can use across your brand. A great way to bring diversity to your gallery is by shooting in different types of locations. Versatility can look like using different rooms in a house or having indoor and outdoor options. If I'm doing a simple studio set-up with a client, I like to have different seating options to diversify the shots.
Location Ideas for a Branding Session
Now that you have an idea of what you're looking for and the elements to keep in mind, it's time to start searching for the perfect location. This part can be equal parts fun and frustrating. Whether I'm on a client project or not, I keep a running list of potential photo spots. On Instagram, I have a saved folder for locations. Whenever someone tags a cool venue, I'll save it to that folder for future reference. Pay attention to the bridal suites people get ready in, restaurant interiors, and photo studios. Many of those places are available for rent, especially during the off-season. Also, keep an eye out when you're on the go. Two of my favorite urban spaces are outside a public library and an art museum. You never know what different options you'll find by just being aware of your surroundings.
Branding Shoots in Photography Studios
Peerspace offers a curated selection of photography studios. I love photo studios because they typically come with lots of furniture and prop options. They are minimally styled so you can personalize them to your client’s brand story. Some photographers will build their own photo studios in their homes and have them available to rent. I find most of these on Instagram.
Using Home Rentals for Your Personal Branding Shoot
If you know you'll be taking photos in a home but don't want to use your own space check out Home Studio List. They have a curated list of homes and spaces that are available to rent all across the country. Their selections are BEAUTIFUL and it's so easy to search by location or style on their website.
Budget-friendly Brand Photoshoot Locations
Selecting a location doesn't need to be expensive. You can use your own space, use your friend's home, create your own backdrops, or utilize public parks and outdoor spaces. If you're looking for a simple studio set-up for your home, check out Amazon. They also sell the Savage paper backdrops in a variety of sizes. I also frequent Home Depot when I'm looking for a small backdrop set-up for product photos. Fabrics like sheets or blankets can also make a great backdrop.
What time of day is best for scheduling an outdoor branding photography session?
This is a great question and the answer isn't as straightforward as you'd think. The best light for portraits is usually right after sunrise or closer to sunset so you can avoid midday when the sun is directly overhead. Brand imagery is different. I always consult the overall mood that we're going for and plan around that. If you're going for a moody look you might want to utilize harsh shadows or window light. If you want something softer then choosing a time in the morning or right before sunset will be best. For these lifestyle images for Wyeth (a California hat company), I opted to shoot in the morning with direct sunlight. I loved playing with the strong shadows and harsh light and loved the results we got.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the right location sets the tone and communicates your brand's personality and values. You should always factor in things like lighting, aesthetics, and versatility when choosing a location. And remember, having a great location doesn't need to break the bank, there are lots of budget-friendly options too.
