I don’t know about you, but I love to have a nosey into how other photographers get the shot. Most of the time its not actually as fancy as we think  but I still love to see their process,  because we all do it a little bit different. I did some work for a good friend of mine and fellow business owner  Emma Stirk recently and thought I would share some of the behind the scene details. We were doing  branding shots for her new venture – The Legal Lounge. I actually shot her branding for her website the year before, but this time we had a new brief with a slightly different direction, plus it was over a year ago  – so fresh content is always needed. Emma however seems to be beating old Mr time, because I think she’s looking younger each time we shoot! Don’t worry ladies, I’ll find out her secrets and pass them on 😉

I thought id share how I approach a styled session with a client and show you a bit of the behind the scenes footage. I’m just getting used to how to do this, but it’s more interesting that just reading words so I’ve done a little bit of a time-lapse, like I say, I’m new to sharing this way but let’s just roll with it.

** FYI Flowers by Deluxe Blooms and Makeup by Naomi Frazer **

Emma Stirk, branding photography, independent business photography, leeds photographer

Before doing any shoot with a client, I’m über conscious that we are on the right page. So I get them to start a pinterest board – not to copy exactly but to give me a little direction. And, I get them to write down for me what the aim of the shoot is – what and who it is for.

In this case, Emma was launching a new section of her business – The Legal Lounge. She wanted something still feminine, but not quite a girly as we had done before – something a tad stronger  and wanted to create some evergreen content as well. Evergreen content – what’s that? Let me tell you. So, evergreen content is as the name would suggest, content for your business that is not restricted by seasons or time frames – it’s material that you can use all year round. Again and again. For example, if we had done the shoot in hats and scarfs, because of the current weather, using that content in summer wouldn’t doesn’t sit right. Or if we had shot at Christmas and incorporated decorations, that material wouldn’t look quite as good throughout the rest of the year. You want material that can be used across social platforms with no restrictions.

For Emma we set up 4 different looks or situations if you will.

  • Office Desk
  • Office relaxing Chair
  • Kitchen
  • Lounge Area

All areas that apply to her and working spaces with for her business and clients.

We had 2/3 outfit changes to go along side this and we also shot some flat lays.  All the time, I was searching for the right light to make all the locations gel together for that consistent feel. You’ll see from the video’s that my setup is really simple. I don’t carry huge lights, flash guns or props. It’s me and my camera, using natural lights and the lenses that I know the most – 50mm and 35mm. I find it useful for these type of shoots to think like a viewer and web designer. Viewers are the people who will be looking at your feed, or social media platforms and they are going to want to be seeing you and what you are offering. They want to see how you run your business, where it all happens and your face. Yep –  you can’t shy away from it – we are all interested in the person.  Web designers, they need more than just your face. They need details, fillers, context and content images. Tell the story of the brand and you will cover all the material you need. Headshots don’t always have to have the person staring into your lens with their arms folded, relaxed and natural ( I think) is key.

Quick Shoot Recap:

  • Discuss the brief prep with your client and make sure you are on the same page. Use a pinterest board if needed.
  • Plan out your locations inside the shoot
  • Get a mix of images for them to use. Portraits, landscape, close ups, full setting shots.
  • Tell the story of the brand
  • Create ever green images
  • Your client doesn’t have to be looking at the camera all the time.

So, take a look at some of behind the scenes  footage and the images that we got from them. I’d love to know if this was useful, or interesting and what you thought. If you have any questions just let me know 😉

These are just my thoughts how I approach my work and if they help at least  one person that’s getting started – then good!

Happy Monday peeps.