The Ultimate Guide to Your Personal Branding and Lifestyle Photoshoot
What To Wear, What To Bring, And How To Set Yourself Up For Success
A personal branding photoshoot is more than just a collection of beautiful pictures—it’s your opportunity to tell your story, showcase your personality, and create a lasting impression. As a Denver-based photographer specializing in personal branding and lifestyle portraits, I’ve worked with countless men and women to help them shine in front of the camera. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative professional, or building your online presence, this guide will empower you with tips and insights to feel confident, prepared, and ready to rock your next personal branding session!
HOW TO ROCK YOUR PERSONAL BRANDING PHOTOSHOOT
Below are some examples of different photoshoots I have done. These serve to give you some ideas while preparing for your personal branding session!
NEUTRAL COLORS
Neutral tones are my go-to favorite for personal branding because they keep all eyes on you, not your outfit. I love how wearing white gives off a bright and airy vibe that pops. It's about creating a professional, yet approachable look that works everywhere, from your LinkedIn profile to your Instagram feed. These colors blend seamlessly with any backdrop, letting your personality shine through, and making sure your brand feels consistent and timeless.
Location in this set - https://belmarphotostudio.com/
HAIR & MAKEUP
Not everyone chooses to have hair and make-up done professionally. However, expert styling ensures you look your best, highlighting your features in a way that's both flattering and consistent. This attention to detail can make a significant difference in how professional and polished you appear, enhancing the impact of your personal branding photos.
Makeup Recommendation:
PROPS & PEOPLE
Props like notebooks, laptops, or tools of your trade are essential for a personal branding photoshoot because they add authenticity and help tell the story of your business. These items make your images feel relatable and give viewers a glimpse into your day-to-day work. Bringing a friend along to stand in as a 'client' can take this a step further by allowing you to showcase what it’s like to work with you—whether it’s consulting over coffee or brainstorming ideas together. These interactions create dynamic, engaging photos that capture your expertise and personality in action, making your brand feel approachable and professional.
LOCATION SELECTION
Location is such an important part of a photoshoot. It helps tell the story of your business and puts your audience into your brand story. For personal branding, it’s important to invest in the right location. For real estate agents, that might mean using a listing or renting a house to use for our shoot. It may mean additional cost, but it’s usually worth the added expense.
LOCATION RENTAL SITES:
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
A personal branding photo shoot doesn’t always need to be about work. It can showcase your personal hobbies and activities that you love. This can help your potential clients relate and connect with you on a more personal basis and adds depth to your brand story. Showing off your hobbies can also make for some awesome photos!
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Using two locations in your personal branding photoshoot is an excellent way to add variety and depth to your gallery. Each location can highlight different facets of your personality and brand. For example, a scenic trail can showcase your passion for trail running or an active lifestyle, while a home office can capture you in your element, hard at work. This combination not only provides diverse visual content for your website and social media but also helps tell a more complete and relatable story about who you are, both personally and professionally.
This shoot combines trail running in the Boulder foothills with an awesome Boulder property with amazing home office vibes.
PLAN YOUR MESSAGE
Think about what story you are trying to tell and how you will use these images. We will do a mix of looking at the camera and also looking away. Each expression can convey different emotions and feelings that can tell different stories. Think about your social media posts, website pages, etc to determine how your images will be used.
This set was done entirely downtown near Union Station.
BRING YOUR TEAM
I work with a lot of real estate teams, especially Compass. I have been working with both the Denver and Boulder Compass offices as well as offices in Southern California. Bring your team to feature them in your photoshoot! Also realizing teams change frequently, we won’t make them the primary point of the shoot, but it’s nice to work them in there so you can feature them in your social media and websites.
This set was done in Orange County for Compass.
MAKE IT YOURS
Using your own home or office as a space is a great way to bring your vibe and energy into your personal branding photoshoot. In this particular set, Loni had an amazing home office that worked really well for photos. It is bright, light, and matches her outfit really well. If you would like to use your own space, make sure it is well-lit and uncluttered. The limited use of colors in this set keep the accessories from being too distracting in the photos and keep the attention on Loni. It also creates a cohesive look for the gallery of photos.
BUSINESS PARTNERS
Bringing your business partner along to your personal branding photoshoot can add a dynamic and authentic layer to your images. Not only does it showcase the collaborative side of your brand, but it also captures the connection and synergy that make your partnership unique. Whether it’s brainstorming over coffee, laughing between takes, or strategizing together, these candid moments can create relatable, story-driven images that highlight the heart of your business. Plus, having your partner there can ease nerves and make the experience even more fun!
BRING YOUR DOG
I’m not going to lie, dogs can be difficult for photoshoots. However, if you have a well behaved dog, bring them! In this particular personal branding photoshoot for PaleOMG’s Juli Bauer, we were able to incorporate Jackson into her photoshoot at her beautiful home in Denver. Sometimes, incorporating your dog works best if the shoot also happens be at your home. If not, have a plan to pass the dog off to a friend so we can also focus on you for the photos.
INCLUDE YOUR LOGO
Including your company logo on items during your personal branding photoshoot is a smart way to reinforce your professional identity and build brand recognition. Branded items like folders, catalogs, or even a laptop sticker help visually connect you to the company you represent and lend an extra layer of professionalism to your images. For example, a real estate agent working with Compass might showcase branded materials to highlight their affiliation with a trusted and recognizable name in the industry. These subtle details not only strengthen your credibility but also make your photos more cohesive and aligned with your overall branding.
READY TO BOOK?
1. Plan Your Outfits Thoughtfully:
Choose 2-3 outfits that align with your personal brand and feel comfortable.
Stick to solid colors or simple patterns—avoid busy prints that can distract.
Incorporate your brand colors, but don’t shy away from neutrals for versatility.
Make sure clothes fit well and are wrinkle-free.
2. Accessorize Wisely:
Add statement jewelry, watches, scarves, or other accessories that reflect your style, but don’t overdo it.
3. Prep Your Skin and Hair:
Get a good night’s sleep and stay hydrated to keep your skin looking fresh.
Consider professional hair and makeup services—they can make a huge difference in photos.
4. Bring the Essentials:
A small touch-up kit: lipstick, powder, hairbrush, and bobby pins.
Props that showcase your brand or personality (laptop, camera, notebooks, coffee cup, etc.).
Comfortable walking shoes if your shoot involves multiple locations.
5. Choose Locations That Reflect Your Brand:
Think about places that align with your personality or work—coffee shops, co-working spaces, parks, or urban backdrops.
Renting a location is well worth the investment.
Discuss options with me; I have great ideas and know photogenic spots in Denver.
Consider variety! Mixing indoor and outdoor locations can add depth to your final gallery.
6. Practice Confidence and Connection:
Spend time in front of a mirror practicing your favorite poses or expressions.
Relax! A genuine smile and natural movement will shine through in the photos.
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
DENVER PHOTOGRAPHER TIM GILLIES
VOTED TOP 10 BEST DENVER LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Being one of the top portrait photographers in Denver allows me to connect with all sorts of people looking for senior portraits, corporate headshots, photo sessions in a photography studio, online dating profile photos, outdoor lifestyle photography, fitness photography, and so much more.
I love meeting people doing who are stepping outside of the ordinary and doing something big. I like the connection in between the clicks of the camera. My clients tell me that I am great at making people feel comfortable and I am great to work with. My photoshoots are relaxed, fun, and exciting rather than awkward and boring and that is why I come highly recommended from my clients. I will do my best to make sure we get the best version of you that we can.
Portrait photography and headshot photography is one of my favorite things to do because it’s one on one. It’s personal. It’s about YOU and showing off your unique personality and lifestyle. Contact me today for a world class experience for your next photo session.
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