As a Dallas branding photographer, I have had the pleasure of working with a diverse range of clients, each with their own unique business and branding needs.

Over the years, I have developed a pretty comprehensive process that makes sure that I fully understand my client and their goals and can create personalized branding photography that effectively communicates their brand message.

It all starts with a discovery call where I take a hands-on approach. I ask my clients key questions to gain a thorough understanding of  their business, industry and their specific needs. 

I also talk about the concept of “content buckets” which are important elements that must be captured during the photoshoot to effectively represent the brand. These content buckets include your business location, headshots, your specific products and/or services, your target audience, and the elements that make your brand unique. By touching on all these “content buckets” in a session, this ensures that every necessary piece of content is captured during the session, providing my clients with a variety of visuals that they can use across their marketing channels.

One recent client photoshoot that exemplifies this process was with Jennifer from Lotus Therapy Center. Jennifer’s content buckets included showcasing her office space, capturing headshots for her, depicting her services and ideal client, and celebrating what makes her brand unique. From photos of her in action to detailed shots of the center’s amenities, we were able to check off all of Jennifer’s content buckets and create a stunning portfolio of images that she can use to market her business.

If you’re preparing for your first branding photoshoot, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed or uncertain about where to start. But, when you hire an experienced professional branding photographer, you’ll be guided through the process with support. A skilled photographer will help you create a timeline and shot list that addresses your specific content buckets, ensuring that you capture all the essential elements that represent your brand.

Here’s how I used content buckets to create content for Jennifer: 

1.Showcasing Your Work Space

2. Headshots

The next content bucket I focus on as a branding photographer is capturing headshots that showcase the client’s personality and energy. Headshots are one of the most important elements of any branding strategy, as they help put a face to the business and establish a personal connection with clients.

 

In Jennifer’s branding shoot, it was important to capture headshots that reflected her warm and welcoming energy. As a therapist, Jennifer’s ability to create a safe and supportive environment is a vital aspect of her brand, and her headshot played a significant role in communicating this to potential clients.

 

During the photoshoot, we worked with Jennifer to capture headshots that showcased her genuine smile, warm gaze, and approachable demeanor. By focusing on these elements, we were able to create headshots that help establish a sense of trust and connection with her audience.

 

 

 

3. Depicting Your Services

Depicting your services is another crucial content bucket that I work on during a branding photoshoot. These photos help your clients understand what you offer and how your services can address their needs. By showcasing your services in action, you can create a visual representation of the value and benefits you provide to your clients.

 

During Jennifer’s therapist branding session we focused on individual counseling and coaching services and how she utilizes both standard 1:1 counseling services and also incorporates useful tools to help her clients communicate (more on this in #5). 

 

By addressing this content bucket, we were able to create a portfolio of images that effectively communicated the range of services offered by Jennifer’s Lotus Therapy Center and helped potential clients understand the benefits and value of seeking counseling services in a supportive and compassionate environment.

 

4. Depicting Your Ideal Client

During a branding photoshoot, you’ll also need to depict your ideal client. By showcasing your target audience in your branding photos, you can help potential clients see themselves in your business and understand how your products or services can address their specific needs.

 

If you don’t have actual clients available for the photoshoot, you can get friends, previous customers, or even hire models to portray your ideal client. This allows you to create a visual representation of the people you are aiming to serve and the problems you are helping them solve.

 

In Jennifer’s case, she got the help of a friend to portray a therapy client during the photoshoot. The friend did an excellent job posing as a client, helping us create photos that showcased the supportive and compassionate environment that the Lotus Therapy Center provides. By addressing this content bucket, we were able to create a visual representation of the individuals that Jennifer aims to serve through her counseling services. The photos depicting Jennifer’s friend as a therapy client helped potential clients see themselves in the Lotus Therapy Center.

 

5. Elements That Make Your Brand Unique

Capturing content that celebrates the unique elements of your brand or business is another essential content bucket to focus on during a branding photoshoot. These photos help you stand out from your competitors and showcase the unique value and benefits that you offer to your clients.

 

Jennifer uses props to help her clients express their feelings and tell their stories. She provides a variety of props for clients to choose from, allowing them to select items that resonate with them and help them express their thoughts and emotions. One of the most distinctive props that Jennifer uses is a sandbox, which serves as a stage for clients to use the props and create visual representations of their experiences and emotions. 

 

With this content bucket, we were able to create photos that showcased the unique and innovative aspects of Jennifer’s counseling services. The images featuring the sandbox and props helped communicate the unique approach that the Lotus Therapy Center takes and set it apart from other counseling centers in the area.

 

 

 

Content buckets are a the perfect tool to use in your branding photoshoot as they allow you to create a strong and effective branding strategy. By focusing on elements such as your workspace, headshots, services, ideal client, and unique brand elements, you can create a diverse portfolio of images that communicate your brand message and help you achieve your business goals.

 

If you want to build a strong brand for your business, it’s important to take the time to understand your brand, your audience, and the unique elements of your story that set you apart from your competitors. When you focus on these content buckets in your branding photoshoot, you can create a really compelling visual story that showcases your brand’s personality, values, and offerings.

 

I want to say a quick thank you to Jennifer for choosing me as her branding photographer. It was such an amazing experience working with her and helping her communicate the unique value of her counseling services through branding photography.

 

If you want to learn more about how you can build a strong brand using branding photography, check out my other blog posts, “Using Props, Wardrobe, And Location To Build Your Brand,” and “5 Elements Of A Great Branding Photoshoot.” If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email at info@monikanormandphoto.com