10 Props You Need To Have For Your Next Personal Branding Photoshoot
What may seem like a small element of a personal branding photo shoot is actually one that’s super important — props.
Without props, your photos and video would feel very barren, very sterile — like having a house without any decor.
They also play a huge role in showcasing you & your brand.
They add personality, carry out your aesthetic, create brand awareness, and even help with your brand message.
And because we’re all about function & fun over here, many of these will be items you can reuse in your business later! Let’s dive in to some ideas of what you need to have on set with you to execute a successful brand shoot.
PRETTY MUGS REFLECTIVE OF YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
Whether you have a favorite container for your daily cup(s) of joe, or want to bring something new & fun to your shoot, make sure to pack these up for your session!
BONUS: Bring a bottle of iced tea or coffee so the mug isn’t empty for photos, especially overheads!
2. NOTEBOOKS & PLANNERS
Listen, even if we live in the digital age and all of our notetaking is taking place online, a pretty planner or notebook in your brand color will go a long way to pack an extra punch in your pictures.
BONUS: Get colorful pens or pencils to match. Nobody wants to see a boring, generic pen you got from your dentist’s office.
3. RELEVANT BOOKS TO YOUR INDUSTRY OR TEACHING
Just remember to remove any neon post-its or stickies — those are super distracting in photos. As to how many? I always say the more the better — you can decide which to use and when during different scenes of your shoot.
BONUS: Magazines count here, too! If you are an interior designer, for example, magazines such as Better Homes, or Architectural Digest would be the perfect addition. Don’t have any on hand? You could buy some at the grocery store, or take some issues out at the library — bonus points if the cover or spine are your brand colors!
4. YOUR LAPTOP
Just make sure to remove any covers you have on it, and wipe it clean before your shoot, including your keyboard and screen, unless you want crumbs and fingerprints showing up in your photos.
If your laptop is too dirty to properly clean, or if you have a lot of stickers that can be distracting, borrow one from a friend or spouse. If you’re still stuck, give your photographer a heads up and ask if the stickers can be easily removed in editing.
5. JEWELRY/ACCESSORIES
Put aside any jewelry or accessories you like to wear and bring them to your shoot!
Some things to note: thin bracelets can often look like hair ties in photos, so opt for a chunkier piece. If you are getting video done, your videographer may ask you to remove some pieces of your jewelry so they don’t clank against the microphone.
Also, if you plan on bringing a hat, make sure you save those photos for last so you don’t mess up your hair!
6. PODCAST MICROPHONE
If you’re a podcast host, or even if you guest podcast often, bring a podcast microphone with you to set. Plan on taking a stage at some point? Bring a regular microphone with you and ask your photographer to get some shots of you “speaking.”
BONUS: Bring a few friends + ask if your photographer will have an assistant on set, to act as your “audience” for speaker photos, so it looks like you’re addressing a group of people and not an empty room.
7. FAKE PLANTS FOR SOME EXTRA LIFE IN YOUR BRANDING PHOTOS
I love giving photos some life and extra color with plants. You could, of course, opt to use live plants if they are already on set, otherwise you can easily grab some great little plants on Amazon or at IKEA.
8. TAROT CARDS, CANDLES, INCENSE
Does your business or personal brand have a witchy vibe? Bring these items for an extra punch of personality. Don’t forget to pack pretty matches instead of bringing a neon cigarette lighter.
9. YOUR FRIENDS!
Okay, okay, we know…humans are humans, but they can also be great props for your shoot! From stand-in clients to audience members when you’re leading a workshop, having a few extra bodies on set can bring more life to your photos.
BONUS: Ask your photographer if they’d be willing to snap a few headshots for your extra participants as a thank you!
10. YOUR FAMILY
Get the most bang for your buck by bringing the family along at the top or end of your shoot for some updated family photos! Just make sure to ask your photographer first if it’s ok!
Have other suggestions? Drop them in the comments below!
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW FOR MORE IDEAS ON HOW TO SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY IN YOUR BRAND PHOTOS
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MEET BERNADETTE
Hi! I’m Bernadette Marciniak, founder of Solhaus Media, a woman-owned brand photography and video production company. We work with coaches, healers, podcast hosts, educators and creative business owners to create powerful imagery that converts audiences into clients.
I’m a cat mom of two, love good pizza, craft beer and red wine. I’m usually bingeing on the hottest new true crime documentary, or finding solace in the upteenth repeat of Ted Lasso or Friends.
Solhaus Media is based in Los Angeles, the SF Bay Area, and New York City.
This ultimate list of props to bring to your brand photoshoot will help tell your story, show your personality, and stand out in your photos!