5 must-have props for your personal branding photo-shoot

Whether you’re planning an epic personal branding photo-shoot with the photographer of your dreams, or you’re just wanting to up your bespoke social media stock photo game, there are a few foolproof props you shouldn’t be without.

1. Your laptop or tablet

Likely to be the engine room of your business, your laptop or tablet is essential. There are so many kinds of photos to be taken that involve your laptop - from close-ups of your hands typing, over-the-shoulder shots of you working on your website, to dreamy photos of you working at your favourite cafe with your laptop in front of you and a beautiful drink in hand. Laptops and tablets help demonstrate professionalism, organisation, inspiration and connection.

Top tip: Ideally take any protective plastic covers off, this will help keep your photos looking timeless. And always make sure the screen is nice and clean.

2. Your phone

Our phones are very often the main point of connection between us and our communities - whether it’s taking calls, sending emails, or interacting on social media. However you most use your phone in your business - have photos that illustrate this. It’s a great way of letting clients know how you like to work and where else they might find you before they’ve even spoken to you.

Top tip: Again, ideally remove any cases and covers, and give the screen a wipe! If you have scratches or dents in your phone, where possible, try to cover them with your hands.

3. Your favourite notebook and pen

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” - William Wordsworth

Journaling, planning, dreaming, drawing, brain dumping, to-do-listing, note-taking and designing. For all the technology, sometimes you just can’t beat the feeling of putting pen to paper. One of my favourite kinds of photos to take with clients is them using a jazzy pen and writing in a glorious notebook. Such a versatile image that can be used on your website, on your social media pages, in your email newsletters, and in your PDF downloads to name but a few. These images help demonstrate creativity, thoughtfulness, reflection, inspiration, and so much more.

Top tip: Choose a notebook in your brand colours to help bring your photographs together!

4. Your favourite books

Books are such a brilliant way of connecting with your people. From professional development books, to books about your industry, to favourite novels that you love to read on a rainy day with a blanket and a cup of tea (give me an Austen or Brontë novel and I’m a happy girl!). Whatever the kind of book, it helps paint a picture of who you are and what you’re about.

Top tip: Books with large text quotes inside work really well in showing your clients and community an ‘on brand’ message without specifically telling them.

5. Trinkets and knickknacks that are unique to you

Lastly, I’d like you to think about some of the things that really make you, YOU. It can be something as simple as vintage French postcards to illustrate your love of France; to photos of your family on your desk; to your favourite scented candle that instantly takes you back to the holiday of your dreams; to something that represents one of your hobbies; to that china cup and saucer you treated yourself to all those years ago that you have your morning tea in each day as you sit with your journal, and anything and everything in between. It’s all about letting your community see who you are beyond your business.

Top tip: Think about some of the little luxuries you enjoy, often it’s the little things we connect with the most.

So I hope that’s helpful for you! This is all about helping to make your images your own, but in a way that will still connect with your dream clients. Always remember, you want your community to see you at your best. If you don’t feel to have many props just yet, that’s a-okay. As Arthur Ashe said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can,” and build up your stash of props as you go.

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