BRANDING, HEADSHOTS, AND COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE
I'M SO EXCITED YOU'VE DECIDED TO WORK WORK WITH ME ON YOUR HEADSHOTS, BRANDING, AND VISUAL IDENTITY! IN THIS GUIDE, I'LL WALK YOU THROUGH HOW TO PLAN FOR THE BEST-EVER SESSION, WHAT TO INCLUDE ON YOUR SHOT LIST, AND HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SETTING, OUTFITS, AND PROPS FOR YOUR SESSION.
I CAN'T WAIT TO WORK WITH YOU SOON!
XO.
Rachael
Welcome!
"Rachael was by far the best decision
I made when planning photography...
She makes you feel instantly comfortable...you can tell how passionate she is not only about her job but also her clients."
- jenn
Let's dive in...
Yes, I'll capture headshots - several of them - but I want to get so much more for you, too. From lifestyle imagery to flat lays, I want to encourage you to think of your session with me life a magazine editorial on your brand. When we're finished, I want you to have images that will take you far past just a bio image on your website, but will give you a gallery of ready-to-go content you can pull from to tell your brand's story visually on whatever platform you need - from the pages of a magazine spread to your instagram feed.
Below, I have offered collection options as well as shot lists to think of as we start to count down and suggestions for outfits and props you might want to include. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me on my email (hello@rachaelosborn.com) or at my personal cell, 815.631.1450.
it's more than just a headshot
headshots only
some of our past clients include...
full branding shoot
Collection Guide
For individuals or small teams:
- One hour of shooting time
- 1 location of your choice
- Headshots and portraits that reflect your brand
- Edited Images from your session
- Commercial release of images for use on your website and social media channels
$850 + travel if outside of local area
For individuals & teams:
+Three hours of shooting time
+2 locations of your choice
+Headshots as well as action shots of your team at work, product photography of your service, and other photographic elements needed for your website and brand, including curated vignettes and flat lays
+Edited Images from your session
+ Commercial release of images for your website and social media channels
Investment: $2,250
additional hours beyond the first three billed at a discounted rate of $700 per shooting hour
step one:
find your vision
I highly recommend you begin your planning process by taking a long look through your current website and social media pages and begin to think about what you *WISH* you saw there.
- Is it behind-the-scenes peeks into what your daily business life looks like?
- Flat lays or close-ups of a product you sell?
- A team photo that not only showcases your faces, but the joy you have working together
From there, think about format:
- Is there a shot you *need* to have as a horizontal landscape so you can you use it in your current website design?
- Do you need more vertical shots you can put together into reels for social media?
Chances are, you need a mix of both, but it's always better to think ahead in case you really want to fit something into an existing website design.
Most brands have more than just people they need to showcase when they think about building a visual identity. Often, there is a physical product that needs to be showcased, but even when there isn't, there are usually still aspects of your job or visual elements that go beyond headshots you might want to capture. For example, a wedding planner might want to feature a beautiful flat lay of invites in their exact brand colors, or a photographer might want to include a model couple in addition to themselves so they can get behind the scenes -style images of them working with a client.
beyond the headshots...
step two:
a shot list you can build on...
- individuals of each team member, waist-up and full body
- team photos - formal as well as casual, candid
- lifestyle images - "behind the scenes" style images of you and your team working or doing daily tasks
- celebratory images - it never hurts to grab a fun confetti or champagne pop, so that the next time your brand hits a milestone, you already have an image ready to go!
- detail shots - even if you don't have a product you are showcasing, we can get photos of your hands hard at work arranging florals, answering emails, styling a flat lay, etc.
- Flat lay images - these aren't just for wedding day stationary! For example, I have gotten flat lay shots of food, business supplies, laptops, you name it! Take some time to look at some well-known brands whose style you resonate with and pull inspiration, as well as looking at day-to-day things you find yourself already sharing.
- Depending on your business, you may also need shots of a studio or office space. If your business doesn't have a physical building, are there places you work often? For example, a business centered in Charleston. SC might want to include landscapes of the city into their social media and website.
step three:
fashion and choosing what to wear....
- Think about how you will use your images and how they will cohesively fit into your brand identity. We want to use colors and tones that will fit into your instagram grid as well as your website design. We also don't want to use colors or patterns that will compete with client work you may show, or with your current website, branding, and online presence.
- Neutrals and pastels always photograph well, and for that reason, I highly recommend at least one outfit be neutral - it's also a good way to ensure you'll always have something that will match your instagram grid!
- If you are a wedding vendor and always wear black, do pick one look that is an elevated version of what you would wear to be client-facing. If you wear a uniform, I recommend finding ways to style it in a slightly elevated way, whether it be through shoes, jewelry, or other accessories.
- If possible I highly recommend professional hair and makeup as well as manicured hands.
secure your date
Let's create something beautiful.
We can't wait to begin documenting you and your team! Pease feel free to email hello@rachaelosborn.com with any questions. We're always happy to help!
xo,
Rachael Osborn
