How to Prepare for Your Branding Photography Session

Every small business needs content. From website updates to social media posts to email newsletters to online directories, it all requires photos that feel fresh, professional, and true to your brand. That’s where I come in.

I’m a Bay Area lifestyle business photographer, specializing in small, locally owned businesses in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and the surrounding wine country. Most of my sessions happen right where you work, and if you don’t have a great, well lit space, we can also do it in my Sausalito studio.

If you’ve booked a session (or are thinking about it), this guide is all about how to prepare for your branding photography session so you walk away with a gallery of images that look like you, support your business goals, and actually work across the platforms you use every day.

What Is a Lifestyle Business Shoot?

Unlike traditional headshots or product photography, a lifestyle business shoot is about storytelling. It’s you in action whether that be at your studio, behind the counter, at your laptop, talking with clients, or doing whatever it is you do best. It’s about capturing you in your element so people can connect with your brand on a real, human level.

While I do offer headshots as part of your session (either on location or at my Sausalito studio), the focus is on showing your personality and process, not just posing.

1. Fill Out the Questionnaire (In Detail, Please!)

Once you book your session, you’ll get a questionnaire from me. This is not a formality! This is how I tailor your session to your exact needs. The more detail you include, the better I can plan your shoot. I want to know:

• What you’re using these images for (website, Instagram, press, email, etc.)

• What types of shots you need (portrait, action, group, workspace)

• If you need specific image orientations (landscape, vertical, square)

• If you need space for text or overlays in the image

I shoot in 4x6 format by default, but if you need a long, narrow banner for your website or a vertical crop for Pinterest, I need to know before the shoot so I can frame accordingly. One of the most important steps in how to prepare for your branding photography session is communicating this clearly ahead of time.

2. Define the Purpose + Your Audience

Your branding session should work strategically for your business. Think through:

• What message are you trying to convey?

• What are the photos promoting or supporting?

• Who are you trying to connect with?

When we know your brand story and ideal audience, I can help capture images that are inviting, clear, and compelling.

3. Think Through Your Brand Colors and Style

Use your brand colors and style to guide your wardrobe, props, and setting. If you’ve got a brand guide or a website color palette, send it over. This helps create a consistent visual presence across platforms.

And remember: you want to feel like yourself in these photos. Pick outfits that reflect your style but are elevated enough to look polished on camera. If you are working with other people, also make sure you’ve approved their wardrobe, hair and make-up choices to ensure that they are in line with your brand colors. For example, don’t just say ‘bright colors’, give them a Pinterest page with inspiration and color palettes and be more specific (for example, primary colors vs neons).

4. Choose Your People + Props Wisely

If you're including other people in your shoot, whether it’s clients, colleagues, or kids, make sure they’re comfortable in front of the camera and can take direction well (especially the younger ones).

Props should feel natural to your work. A laptop, coffee mug, notebook, tools of your trade, whatever you actually use, bring it! If you're a therapist, yoga instructor, doula, creative, or anyone whose work is deeply personal and process-based, we can also create a clean and timeless look in my all-white Sausalito studio, like I did recently for a children’s therapist.

Important note: I don’t do product photography, but I’m happy to refer you to someone who does. If you’re looking for lifestyle portraits of you doing your work, though—I’m your girl.

5. Build a Shot List (and Let’s Talk About Format)

We’ll work together to build a shot list that supports your marketing goals. Think beyond portraits to things like:

• You at work or with clients

• Detail shots of your space or tools

• Pull-back scenes of your environment

If you have specific image uses in mind like banner crops, profile images, or promotional layouts, please let me know! This ties back to the questionnaire (see why that’s important?) and ensures I shoot with enough space or framing for your layout needs.

Being intentional here is a key part of how to prepare for your branding photography session so that your final gallery isn’t just beautiful, but useful in the places you need it most.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to prepare for your branding photography session is the best way to make your shoot as stress-free and productive as possible. With a little planning (and a lot of intention) we’ll create images that reflect your business, build your visibility, and give you a content library you’ll actually use.

To see more of my sample images and read more about my process, click here. Ready to book? Reach out directly and we can talk about your needs and I’ll get you a custom quote.