A simple exercise that will transform how you plan your brand shoot
Do you have a really clear, consistent brand identity?
I do – and I hope you’ve noticed. It’s all about colour, joy and fun.
Be Recognisable
I know my brand is working because people send me links all the time to rainbow things they see online. They think of me instantly – which is honestly one of the best feelings in business. People I’ve never met recognise me at events purely because of my colourful clothing.
Branding myself was easy, if I’m honest. I genuinely love rainbows and bright colours, and I love working with vibrant brands too – so staying on brand was never a stretch, because I quite literally live it. My clothing is colourful. My home is colourful. It’s a natural extension of who I already am.
But it’s worth saying – choosing colours you love is the first step. Thinking about what those colours communicate to others is the next, more important one.
I’ve started writing a series all about brand colours which you can read here.
It’s Not Just About Colour – It’s About Personality
A mood board isn’t only a collection of pretty images. The best ones capture something harder to pin down: who you actually are.
Mine isn’t just rainbows and bright colours. It’s laughter. Action shots of me with my camera. Graffiti walls. My slightly unreasonable obsession with Christmas decorations. Chocolate, because obviously. None of those things are “on brand” in a colour sense – but together they tell you exactly who I am and what it would be like to work with me.
That’s the bit people forget. You don’t want the same images as everyone else – you can absolutely take inspiration from others, but the real work is figuring out how to add the personal aspect that makes your gallery unmistakably yours. Together we can take that inspiration and turn it into something that genuinely represents you.
Like Emma – a laser hair and tattoo removal technician who gave me her best Lara Croft pose with her laser gun. Not your average headshot. Completely her.
Pets!
I always encourage clients to bring their pets along for the shoot if they can.
It’s a brilliant way to grab the attention of like-minded people scrolling past on social media – everyone loves a cute sidekick. And honestly, I love it too. There’s nothing quite like a cuddle from a client’s furry companion mid-shoot. (And I’m not averse to the non-furry kind either, if you happen to have a snake or something equally unexpected!)
Where Do You Start?
If you’re building your brand identity from scratch, Pinterest is genuinely one of the best places to begin. Start pinning images that appeal to you – not specific shots to copy, but a general feeling, a vibe, a mood.
My mood board is exactly what you’d expect – lots of colour, rainbows, laughter, joyful images with clients, action shots with my camera, graffiti walls, my Christmas decoration obsession, chocolate. All things I love. Things that show who I am, what I value and the joy I want to bring into my work.
Everything on it ties back to how I want to come across: friendly, fun, approachable, trustworthy and creative.
Design Your Brand Photoshoot Around It
Once you have your mood board, use it to shape your actual shoot. It should inspire ideas about locations, colours, poses and the general atmosphere you want your brand to convey. Before any shoot, I always encourage clients to think carefully about their values, their audience and what they want people to feel when they see their images.
A perfect example is Bignose & Beardy. The things that mattered most to capture were sustainability, small-batch craftsmanship, friendship and community. Their green, natural branding was a perfect fit for a countryside business based in a smallholding orchard – and every shot we planned reflected that, right down to the colour palette.
Refine Your Image
A mood board doesn’t just help you. It helps your photographer too – giving them a real sense of the poses you’re drawn to, the energy you want and the kind of shots that feel like you.
Do you need more formal images to attract corporate clients? Something relaxed and natural? Action shots of you working or creating? Or a thoughtful mix of all three? A mood board makes those decisions so much clearer before you ever step in front of the camera.
My Own Brand Photos
As a photographer, I think it’s especially important to have high quality images of myself – and to be able to say honestly that I’ve been there too, in front of the lens. I know exactly how it feels, which means I can help make it easier for my clients in return.
It also genuinely makes a difference. Showing my own face consistently gets more engagement on social media than anything else I post. That connection – seeing the real person behind the business – is everything. It’s exactly what I help my clients achieve too.
Ready to start building yours?
Try searching Pinterest for “brand photography,” “personal branding,” or your industry combined with “photoshoot ideas” – and start pinning anything that makes you stop scrolling. That instinct is exactly the information your photographer needs.
Want help turning your mood board into a real shoot? Let’s have a natter.
