One of the questions I ask my clients during their branding pre-shoot consultation is “How do you think you are going to use the images?” or “Where are you going to use your brand photoshoot pictures?”.
I ask them a lot of things to better understand their business such as what problem they solve for their clients, their unique way to do it and much more! My questionnaire also includes a question related to the future use and potential cropping of the pictures.
Depending if you need it for your website banner, your LinkedIn profile, or an Instagram post, I won’t take a picture the same way. The cropping, and so the composition, will be very different.
HOW TO USE YOUR BRAND PHOTOSHOOT PICTURES?
FIND MORE ABOUT ME AND MY BRAND PHOTOSHOOTS
Laure Pascal-Glorieux from Laure Photography is specialized in personal branding and headshots photography. Laure lives in Atlanta GA.
If you have any question on brand photography or if you want to know more about my sessions, Contact me! I would be happy to help you have an easy and relaxed experience as well as provide you with images you will be proud to share.
I also have other blog posts that will interest and help you!
WHAT IS “CROPPING” IN BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY?
Let’s start at the beginning shall we? What does cropping a brand picture mean?
Cropping in the branding photography world is framing an image for the best composition and maximum impact.
Depending on how you decide to use the picture and the message you want to convey with it, it will be framed different ways.
KNOWING WHERE YOU WILL USE YOUR BRAND PHOTOSHOOT PICTURES WITH HELP ME COMPOSE THEM
Me questionnaire question “How do you think you are going to use the images?” is followed by a list of options to select from: Instagram stories, social media feed, blog, website, YouTube, newsletter headers… Do you need content for your podcast? or a website launch page? Are you starting a YouTube channel?… The answer will directly influence how I’m shooting on the day of your session.
For example, pictures are composed very differently for a website photo with space for text overlay versus a portrait for your Instagram feed. In the first case, you need negative space on top or on the side of it so you can put text over. I’m going to compose shots with my subject to the side of the frame, not directly centered.
When I shoot knowing how my client is going to use the pictures, I can do it with dimensions in mind. It gives you a maximum of flexibility and variety.
If you are not sure how to answer that question, another way to do is by sharing some of your photo gaps. For example, if you lack a header for your newsletter, I will create a wide shot that can have half of the image cropped.
EXAMPLE – USE YOUR BRAND PICTURES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA
Here is the example of some social media’s formats. Each social media platform uses different aspect ratios for posts, headers, reels and stories…
Instagram: vertical, landscape and square images
YouTube: landscape format
Facebook: landscape or portrait
Pinterest: portrait format
Social media headers: very narrow landscape panoramic format for facebook, a little wider of LinkedIn…
You see the number of formats that exist just for social media!
I hope this blog post will help you prepare for your next branding photoshoot.
Try to communicate as much as possible with your photographer before your session. Be very clear on the compositions you need. It will help get useful pictures to showcase your activity, attract new clients and stand out.
Product or people on the left of the frame, negative space for overlay text on the right
Subject on the right of the frame with negative space for overlay text on the left
Centered at the bottom of the frame with negative space for overlay text on top
Subject centered in a portrait format picture
People often ask me what are the differences between headshots and branding pictures. So let’s dedicate a full blog to it!
Headshots and branding photo sessions are very different, in terms of preparation, content, duration and price! They have one common thing tough. Headshots are included in a personal branding session but your personal brand session will include so much more than that.
You are going to get a lot lot of information here under but don’t worry, I have resources to help you through both your headshots and branding journeys!
HEADSHOTS PICTURES
I usually deliver 3 to 5 high resolution edited images after a headshots session. The pictures will mostly be taken from the waist up. You can select two outfits, combine standing and sitting poses, in one location. I will dedicate another blog to the different headshot backgrounds options!
BRANDING OR PERSONAL BRANDING PICTURES ARE VERY DIFFERENT
A personal branding session is 100% customized to your needs. Each element, such as the outfits you will wear, the locations we will select and your brand colors, will be carefully studied. They will help showcase the uniqueness of your brand and personality.
It will include headshots, your work environment, your business vibe, some lifestyle shots, pictures showing your personality, your creative process, details… and so MUCH more!
As your session is unique, planning is crucial. It helps me understand what you need, your business, your brand, your goals and the messages you want to share. I will also get a better view on how you will use the images, what makes you unique, who your ideal client is.
On the session day, my goal is to understand your brand so well that I can articulate everything as if it was my own.
Personal Brand session typically last half a day or a full day and include different outfits and locations.
It also includes a commercial right to the images. It means that you can use all the high and web resolution edited images for any business communication without restriction.
LEARN MORE!
As you can see, the differences between headshots and a branding pictures are huge! If you feel overwhelmed, this is totally normal. I have create, for my headshots and branding clients, two dedicated 15 pages Welcome Guide to explain the specificities, the process and what to expect. It will answer all your questions!
You can also go and check the dedicated sections on my website for more information: Branding / Headshots
And read this blog to know more about Laure Photography!
