So you’ve booked your branding session, you’re saving 500 pins on your new Pinterest board.. but those inspo posts are mostly different poses. Where are the pins with links to accessory/prop ideas? Where’s the articles with the ideas in bold and then a short explanation section so you can quickly skim through? You don’t have time to read every part of every blog post. I don’t have time. No one does! So here’s your no-BS guide for what to wear and what to bring to your branding photoshoot.  

Starting with the most important, let’s talk...

CLOTHING

Before you go buying Target and Dillard's out of business just to return 75% of your haul, let’s break down what items are staples and what colors are good for you. 
First, I want you to complete a color palette analysis. I’m not affiliated in any shape or form, but this is the short quiz I took personally. Tap here to complete your color analysis!

Now you’ve got your color palette, so you know which colors to get in the next section. 

The basics:

• Blazer and tank top

• White Button Down (more fitted or more oversized, depending on your brand’s style)

• Chunky, soft sweater

• Confidence piece (LBD, corset style top and jeans and heels, whatever makes you feel like the badass you are)

• Jeans

• Heels

• Cute comfy socks

• Jewelry (optional)

The looks:

• Business Pro: Blazer, tank top, jeans, heels

• Relatable: Chunky sweater, jeans, cozy socks

• Badass: Confidence piece, heels, jewelry (optional)

HAIR AND MAKEUP

This area has a lot of freedom, all depending on the look you're going for. My personal recommendation for hair is to do soft waves (think curls brushed out). Soft waves are flattering on everyone, it gives your hair volume, and you can play around with it during the shoot to give movement in your images.

For makeup, think along the lines of "men thinking women aren't wearing makeup." You know the look. Where you spent 30-45 minutes applying a full face of makeup where you highlight your natural features, add bronzing where you'd be darker if you got a good spray tan or just came back from a week vacation in Mexico. A gentle smokey eye, filled brows but not blocked, mauve/nude lip, you catching my drift?

On the flip side, say you're a makeup artist. You wouldn't want a "no makeup" look when that's literally your job. So go hard, girlfriend. Wear the bold lip, the dramatic cat eye, the flawless highlight.

Not sure what look you're going for? Arrive with the lighter, more subtle makeup look and bring your makeup along! Branding sessions are scheduled for more than an hour so you can have those outfit changes, apply more makeup, do a quick hair refresh, etc.

THE PROPS

Here's where it gets fun. I love props. You'll use these to create both the relatable aspect and also share a window into your life and business. Here's some suggestions for various professions.

Blogger: phone, laptop, are you a coffee or tea drinker? Wine more your speed? (Food blogger, check out the chef item ideas, too!)

Photographer: clearly - your camera. It's your life. Your phone and laptop are also great to bring

Chef: knives, apron, chef jacket, hand towel (you know the look where it's thrown over your shoulder and you're slaving away in a pristine kitchen that someone else cleaned for you), flour, cook/bakeware, prepared food

Hairstylist: definitely those shears that cost you entirely too much. Apron, combs and brushes, hair tools, hair spray

Author: BOOKS. Has your book been published? Bring multiple copies. If not, what are you reading? Wine/coffee/tea, laptop and/or a fresh notebook and a cute pen depending on your preferred writing medium

Real Estate agent: keys, phone, planner, travel mug of coffee

One of my favorite additions to any branding session is a bottle of champagne! You never know when you'll need a celebration post, and what says celebrate like poppin' some bubbly?

CONCLUSION

I hope this post has helped you narrow down and get a better idea of what to wear and what to bring to your own branding session. These shoots are the MOST fun, as it's all tailored around what makes you, YOU. No one else does it like you do, so your images shouldn't look like cookie cutter portraits. No boring headshots found here!

Have you had a branding session? What did you bring? Drop it in the comments!