What to Expect (and What to Avoid) Before Your Brand Photo Session
Written By: Amber Eden - Digital Marketing & Photography Assistant, Northumberland
Lorena from The Book Loft during her brand photo session in Berwick-Upon-Tweed
A successful brand photo session doesn’t begin when the camera is switched on — it starts much earlier, with clarity, preparation and a shared understanding of what you want the images to achieve for your business.
Whether you’ve had brand photos before or this is your first time in front of a professional camera, knowing what to expect and why each step matters makes the experience, more enjoyable and far more effective.
Here’s what to expect after booking a brand shoot with us at Pictorial Photography.
1. Business Contract
It might not be the most exciting part of your journey — but it’s one of the most important.
Your contract sets the foundation for everything that follows. It outlines practical details like payment terms, usage rights, cancellation fees and other essentials so everyone knows where they stand before creative work begins.
A clear contract removes uncertainty and allows creativity to flow without distraction.
You’ll also be sent a Licence of Rights for your photography — there’s more on that below.
2. Model Releases
Please note: if your shoot involves people other than yourself (for example, team members or collaborators), we reccommend that you obtain model releases or consent forms.
If you need a model release template, we’re happy to provide one.
Andrea from Don’t Frown Aesthetics in the studio for her website branding session
3. Questionnaire — Your Vision Starts Here
Once your contract is signed, we’ll send you a questionnaire.
This isn’t a test — it’s a conversation on paper. We’ll ask things like:
Where will the photographs be used?
Which orientation (portrait or landscape) will you need more of?
Is there anything else we should know at this stage?
Do you have any questions for us?
The questionnaire helps us understand:
The type of photography you want
Your brand’s voice and personality
Where the images will be used (website, socials, ads, etc.)
Who your audience is
The location of your session
Most importantly, it gives you space to ask questions and clarify ideas before the shoot.
This stage ensures your session is planned with intention — so your brand photos genuinely support your business goals.
Alison from Coostie Illustrations based in Northumberland - on location branding session for her website and social media content.
4. Licence of Rights for Photography
After you complete the questionnaire, we send your licence agreement.
This document explains what permissions you have to use your photos and for how long — typically across your website, social media and marketing materials for 5 years, unless otherwise agreed.
Accepting this digitally avoids confusion later and gives you the confidence to use your images consistently and correctly.
5. Confirmation Email
Once planning is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation email that brings all the details together.
This usually includes:
A final summary of what we’ve planned
Session date, time and location
Reminders about what to expect next
Some of these messages are automated, so if something feels repetitive or out of place, you’re welcome to ignore it — or ask us directly if you’re unsure.
If you ever need clarification, you’re always welcome to speak to Sarah directly (click here to schedule a call).
Lorena from The Book Loft
6. Reminder Emails
We like to add an extra layer of reassurance.
To keep everything feeling calm and well‑organised, depending on your session type you may hear from us a few times in the lead‑up to your brand photos.
These friendly check‑ins are designed to:
Confirm key details
Share practical tips
Give helpful reminders
Ensure you feel fully prepared
Rebecca Wilkins from Cutting Edge Mortgages in the studio
7. Visual Inspiration — Why This Helps
It’s extremely useful if you have an idea of how you’d like your photographs to look — but this doesn’t mean being overwhelmed with choice.
Creating a simple Pinterest board or gathering a few images that speak to you — even magazine clippings — can be enough.
These reference images help us understand the style, mood and feel that resonate with your brand.
They also give us a shared visual language to work from on the day, which:
Helps the shoot flow more naturally
Saves time
Lets you get the most out of your session
Having this inspiration ensures nothing important is overlooked and helps us create images that align with what you had hoped for — while still leaving room for real, natural moments to unfold.
If you’re unsure what you like, don’t worry — we’ll guide you through what works best and help shape your ideas so your photos feel authentically you.
8. Where to Have Your Shoot, Studio or On Location?
Studio sessions and on‑location sessions both have different advantages — and the right choice depends on you.
Benefits of Studio Shoots
Full control over lighting for consistent, professional results
Warm, comfortable, and weather-proof all year round
Clean, distraction-free backgrounds
Private, professional space for outfit changes and relaxed sessions
Considerations
Less natural or “real life” feel than outdoor locations
Limited space and variety without props or set design
Can feel more posed if not styled carefully
Doesn’t showcase your workplace or surroundings
Benefits of Outdoor / On‑Location Shoots
The setting can elevate your brand
Natural surroundings add visual interest
More candid, natural moments
Can showcase your workplace
Many people feel more comfortable outside
Considerations
Weather can be unpredictable (rain, wind, etc.)
Temperature can affect comfort
You might need a space to change
Passers‑by can occasionally interrupt
There’s no right or wrong choice — only what feels best for your brand and confidence. We’ll help you choose a setting where you can relax and be yourself — because that’s when the best images are made.
Jo Thomas from Wild Revival - an outdoors brand based on the Northumberland Coast
9. Feeling Nervous? Props & Personal Touches
It’s totally normal to feel a bit nervous before your brand photos session — especially if you’re not used to being photographed.
Bringing along a few props or accessories can help your hands have something to do and make you feel more at ease. They don’t need to be elaborate — simple, meaningful items usually work best.
Examples people have brought:
Musical instruments (e.g. clarinet)
Work tools (sketchbooks, laptops, cameras, model skeleton)
Items that represent your process/business or personality
These props make the session feel more relaxed and authentic — and that always shows in the final images.
Hannah Jemima Yoga Instructor studio shoot, relaxing with props
10. Confidence Boosters — How to Feel Great for Your Session
Confidence in front of the camera often comes down to how prepared and supported you feel.
Here are some tips and ways to feel calm and confident:
Colour Analysis
Knowing which colours suit you can make choosing outfits much easier. Colours that complement your skin tone often photograph beautifully and help you feel put together.
If you’ve had a colour analysis done before, lean into it! If not, we can offer guidance on tones that tend to work well on camera.
Sarah has used StyleMeHappy for colour analysis.
Personal Shopper Support
If outfit shopping feels stressful, a personal shopper can take the pressure off.
Here are some lovely online options for those with less time: (John Lewis has a great in person personal styling service)
Style Me Happy — online styling with body colour focus
Lookiero — curated styling boxes sent to your home
Styled By Susie — friendly styling consultations
Andrea from Don’t Frown Aesthetics
Make‑Up, Nails & Hair
Feeling like the best version of you can make a huge difference.
For make‑up, you might choose to:
Apply your own natural look
Book a professional for a polished finish
Our team at Pictorial Photography collaborate with local makeup artists:
Holly Wyatt at Doll Kulture — @doll.kulture
Meghan McIntosh — @megh_.__
Jen Katryn — @jenkatryn
For nails, if your hands feature in your brand photos:
Meghan McIntosh at Megh Beauty — @megh_.__
And for hair styling support:
Tasmin Eden at The Hair Boutique — 📞 07740 983 096
Julie at Tribeca Hair — 📞 01289 308886
Whatever you choose, the goal is to feel comfortable and like yourself — not different. Try to avoid any major changes like a new hairstyle or brand-new glasses the day before your session, as it can take time to feel fully ‘you’ in something unfamiliar.
Rest, Hydration & Gentle Movement
Simple self‑care in the days before your session makes a real difference:
• A good night’s sleep
• Drinking plenty of water in the week before a shoot does wonders for the skin
• A walk in fresh air or gentle stretching before a session
All of these help you arrive feeling calm, grounded and ready.
Affirmations & Mindset
If nerves creep in, try a simple affirmation:
I am calm.
I am present.
I don’t need to perform — I just need to be.
Pair this with slow, steady breaths and let it bring you back into the moment.
Final Thought
Preparing for your brand photos session doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. When you take thoughtful steps beforehand, the whole experience becomes calmer and more empowering.
Your brand deserves images that feel like you and support your business with intention. We're here to help you every step of the way.
