The thing about me is, I’m always going to find ways to make my life easier and make my workflows more efficient. I just can’t help it.

And because I know we ALL want to simplify I wondered if you might be doing these three things that are definitely making your brand sessions harder than it has to.

It’s okay, I was here too not so long ago, until I figured out ways to combat the overcomplication and make my life and my sessions easier.

Are you overcomplicating your brand session locations?

Shifting into Personal Branding Photography has never been easier, and with all the information out there about HOW to run a successful brand session, it can be hard to know what’s really working and what isn’t.

One thing I can tell you that seriously ISN’T working is running around a whole city trying to capture different scenes and locations.

Let’s keep it real, the whole city is not your canvas. Instead of trekking across town, think about a 5-block radius bursting with stories.

Try to find an area of town that is rich in diversity, character, and convenience. Set up a parking area near a coffee shop that you can easily return to for quick outfit changes and take your client for a walk.

Every new facade, doorway, graffiti wall, and outdoor seating area is now your studio.

Don’t forget to add some video to your session to add convenience and ease to your content creation.

Are you overthinking posing and framing?

When I first started out posing and competition were my biggest priority. I came from a very traditional photography background, learning the rule of thirds before I even understood what the aperture was, and learning to pose before I understood connection.

I found after a while that not giving myself the freedom to be spontaneous and “in the moment” with my clients was hindering my final product. My clients were so over-posed that they were uncomfortable and my framing was so precise that I was forgetting to account for use cases.

When you allow your session to flow you can capture more genuine and authentic moments with your client. And you’ll never fully retire those old skills, but you don’t have to rely on them as heavily as you think.

All that is doing is creating more overwhelm and stress for everyone.

Are you neglecting pre-shoot planning:

I see this a lot with photographers coming from family and other portrait genres of photography, where you are used to setting the date, talking a bit about location, and relying on your style to do the heavy lifting.

But Personal Branding Photography is more of a collaborative process. It requires A LOT of pre-planning and consideration.

Everything from location to wardrobe and everything in between is communication something about the subject you’re photographing. You can’t leave those things to chance.

Failing to adequately plan the details of the session, such as locations, lighting, and shot list, can result in confusion and wasted time during the shoot.

Thorough pre-shoot planning can prevent unnecessary complications and help the session run smoothly. And your clients will thank you.

If any of this resonated with you, let me know. I’m here for the conversation.

Til next time,

Keep capturing the magic 📸✨