The Best Props to Bring to Your Brand Photo Shoot

Props can make a huge difference in creating images that reflect you and showcase your brand to your clients and customers.  You may be wondering “what do I bring?”

Part of the Brand & Bloom Personal Branding Experience involves an in-depth planning session for me to get to know you, your brand and what makes your business unique.  Through this detailed process, we will come up with a list of props that will help you to showcase your brand superpower.

Good news!  You likely have everything you need already. High five! Any items you don’t have can all be easily acquired in the days before your shoot.  Brand & Bloom also has an extensive prop collection that you’re welcome to use for your photo shoot.

I encourage my clients to bring props that match their brand and help tell their brand story.  Another way to think of this is to think about your key messages and how a certain prop might help you tell that story. 

The Essentials:  These are the tools that you use for work such as a laptop or tablet, phone, notebook, planner, pens, pencils, glasses, etc.  

Tip!  Be sure to clean your laptop or tablet screen prior to your brand shoot and no cracked phone screens please!

Colors: Stick with your brand colors:  For example, teal is one of the main brand colors for my client Janet from The Uptique Boutique (link to: www.theuptiqueboutique.com)  This vintage toy truck that the shop uses as a business card holder ties her image back to her brand and provides a cohesive look.  Fresh flowers, throw pillows, a candle, books, a notebook, or planner in your brand colors can add the perfect pop of color to tie things to your brand.

Magazines/Books:  Like to read? You may want to include some of your favorite books and magazines.  Make sure they are relevant to you, your brand, and your ideal client. 

Sticky Notes:  Sticky notes are available in a rainbow of colors and an assortment of sizes.  Write out your key messages for social media content on sticky notes and post them on a wall for a pop of on-brand color. 

Print outs: If you offer worksheets for your clients, print them out!  These can be a great way to visually show your clients how to use them.

Snacks:  Snacks can be a fun prop to incorporate into your brand photo shoot.  Think about your color scheme when choosing snacks and this includes any containers that hold the snack (i.e. a bowl).

Coffee cup and/or water bottle:  this one may feel a little overdone but if it’s part of your daily routine, you’ll definitely want to include it.  Bonus points if  the mug/water bottle ties into your brand colors. Be sure to bring coffee to put in the cup and fill the water bottle (wink!)

Be unique – This is your chance to stand out and show what makes you & your business different.  One of Janet’s core brand values is sustainability.  This photo of her holding the world in her hands shows her love and care for the planet which permeates in everything she does. 

This next photo shows her with a handful of hardware removed from old dressers and cabinets that will be repurposed on a new project. What makes your business unique?  What props can you choose to help you show that?

The key to choosing props is to be authentic.  If it’s not something you’d ever use in daily life, then don’t include it in your photo shoot.

I’d love to hear which props you’re tired of seeing in brand photos, or which props you like to see more of?  Please share in the comments below.