How to Create Custom Authentic Brand Imagery
Every marketing strategist has faced it - the social media conundrum of how to create authentic images for your brand when you are clearly setting up a planned photoshoot. Believe it or not, it can happen! With proper planning, you can have REAL connections that demonstrate your brand through images.
This is a four-part blog series to help you capture authentic brand images for your company.
Here are four steps to find success:
SHARE YOUR PLAN! It’s not enough to just set a date and time and have people show up. The more specific of details you can share with your models (employees or professional models), the better results they can give you. If people know the purpose, they are much more likely to buy in and wholly participate rather than just “getting through it” - and that is where the fun begins! This means sharing the overall shot list, the production plan for the day and recommendations on what they should wear on shoot day.
TAKE THEM ON THE JOURNEY: As you are about to begin, take them on the journey…explain the purpose of each shot (i.e. “We are trying to convey teamwork in this shot”) and then describe in detail what you want them to do (“Paul, stand with one hand on the desk…Betty, sit and point at the paper”). The very best way to get the results you want is to mimic what you’d like them to do first, then let them recreate it in a more natural execution.
BRING THE ENERGY: Your subjects will match the energy you bring. If you’re feeling shy / uncomfortable, they will mirror that behavior in front of the camera. However, if you bring the fun - they will relax and allow their real personalities to come through on camera.
BE PATIENT: You can’t expect to show up at a 9:00am shoot and begin firing off your camera. You’ve got to earn the trust of your subjects, make them feel comfortable, and then guide them to where you want them to go for the shots.
There are so many moving parts that go into a successful shoot and these tips are just the beginning. This is part one of a four-part series on how to create authentic brand imagery for your company. Next up: Tips for using your own employees as models and sample shot list of must-get images!
