PHOTO SESSIONS MAY LOOK LIKE YOU NEED MONTHS AND MONTHS OF PRACTICE BEFORE HOPPING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, BUT YOU REALLY DON'T! 

AS LONG AS YOU'RE PREPARED OF COURSE.

Intention + Confidence

To maximize time during your branding session, we want to be intentional about the images we create. When pulling together your must-have shots, consider what you’ll be using your images for. Below is a list of what most people book a branding session for and the images that I will focus on helping you create for that specific purpose:

Personal Website

• Marketing images that showcase you + what you do and carry your brand theme

• Lifestyle images of you that visually amplify your copy

• Curated lifestyle ‘stock’ photos for blog posts and general use throughout website

• Lifestyle headshots

Social Media

• Lifestyle images of you that visually amplify your copy (the words that go along with the photo)

• Profile photos

• Lifestyle images to use in IG stories/reels and TikTok or as cover art

• Cover art for YouTube

Media Usage/Media Kit

• Marketing images that showcase you + what you do

• Lifestyle headshots

• Curated lifestyle ‘stock’ photos for general use throughout media kit

Marketing for Services/Products

• Marketing images that showcase your service/product and/or how its used

• Lifestyle headshots of you, the owner/boss/ceo

Podcast

• Cover art

• Marketing images for website and social media

To create images that will effectively tell your story across multiple digital platforms, your session shot list may include images like:

• Images with whitespace

• Flatlays/Curated stock photos

• Lifestyle

• ‘Behind-the-Scenes’

• Creative Portraits

• Images specific to your personal story

Wardrobe Styling

Your photo session is the perfect intro to your story. Your photo session should showcase who you are, turned up a notch, so we invite you to BRING IT when it comes to your personal style.

Pick a look that reflects your personality. Have fun with it and grab some killer pieces out of your wardrobe (or hire a professional wardrobe stylist which will forever be our top recommendation). Add a belt, throw on a hat, throw on some rings and bracelets, style it up! Ask your most fashionista friend if you don't know what to wear. Our photography style really shines through when your outfit choice is ah-ma-zing.

Sometimes people want to know what color will work best in photos. I don't want to tell you what I think will look best on you because really only you know. I will say that personally, I love to shoot solids + neutrals (black, tan, white, grey) with pops of color or personality in your accessories or makeup (belt, jewelry, shoes, lipstick color, etc). Patterns are fun for those confident enough to rock them. A cute pair of earrings and a simple necklace (or a statement necklace for the bold) always make great additions.

Our Wardrobe Stylist Recommendations

Vibe & Props

The vibe is everything we are planning put into one melting pot of awesome. Your wardrobe, the location, the time of day, and the creative direction. All of this will set the final vibe of your session. So what do you want your session to feel like? Fun? Boss? Vogue? Soft? Relaxed? Light? Dark?

Also think about what it is that you would want people to know about you and put it all into an image! Are you an avid book reader? Bring your fav books. Do you love coffee? Bring your fav mug. Are you a painter? Bring an easel, paintbrushes, and your favorite masterpieces. Do you coach others for a living? Bring one or two friends that can pose as your clients! Staging is everything when it comes to a branding photography session, so be sure to bring anything that would tell the world who you are.

Note: If your session includes a Visual Strategy Meeting, we will help you curate your vibe and props.

Location & Creative Direction

Your location, vibe and props really add to your brand story. We will work with you to pick one or two locations that are just right for showcasing you ‘at work’, ‘on the go’ and maybe even what you would do during your ‘down time’.

Also so that you don’t expect the entire session to be all candid’s and what-do-we-do-now’s, you should be prepared for the majority of your photos to be the result of creative direction that will move us from one epic scene to the next. You don’t have to be a full time fashion model to look like one, so don’t worry about practicing in the mirror (but you can if you want to). Candid shots are great and I will take more than you will even realize. There is no real prep for candid, because candid!

Example Branding Visuals You May Want to Incorporate

Working

On laptop
Talking on the phone
Talking to a ‘client’
Sitting at a desk
Sitting in a coffee shop
Brainstorming with your assistant
Using your phone
Giving a presentation

On the Go

Grabbing a favorite drink
Walking down the street
Standing front of a cool wall/mural/neon sign
Chatting with a friend

Personal Life

In the kitchen
Sitting on the couch
Playing with your pet
Hanging with your spouse
Decorating your house
Showcasing a favorite product
Laying in bed
Hanging in your backyard/on your patio

Indoor Locations

Indoor locations that are well-lit and aesthetically pleasing make for amazing images! In the event that you think in indoor vibe works well with your brand (or in case we need a rainy day back-up plan!), check out some of our recommendations below!

Note: Your branding session does not cover any indoor location reservation outside of Neutral Moon Studio.

For locations that require a paid reservation, please make sure we approve it (based on size, lighting, geo location, etc) before you book it.

“What do I do with my hands?!”

Number one question we get when we start shooting. Everyone relax! There's nothing to be nervous about. You've seen our photos right? None of these people have a Ford Modeling Agency contract. Ok maybe one. You gotta cute, new outfit? Makeup artist booked? Great! Put your game face on and let’s do this. Your energy can be read through photos. You don't really want to be there? It will show. Dont want to come out of your shell? Yep that shows too. Show up ready to have fun and your photos will turn out amazing.

FOR ALL THE HUMANS WHO SAY THEY DON’T WANT TO LOOK STIFF:

Well then...don't be stiff! You need to bring your personality to the session. If you don't, we will have to pull it out of you. When you are the only subject, you have to do a little bit more to carry the shoot by yourself. Most of the energy created during your session will actually be your interaction with us, which is why most of our session will be us laughing and joking, talking about dreams and aspirations, and just having a regular conversation like two new friends throughout the session.

Laugh, smile, dance, twirl, loosen the f* up and have fun with it. For real though. If you feel like you cant achieve this on your own, by all means bring a friend if you think that will make you feel more relaxed. 

Time Management on Session Day

So you want the most out of your session as far as time goes, right? Of course you do! So it should be no surprise that it is highly suggested that you arrive on time. We know sh*t happens every now and then, but when you feel like you’re going to be late, you start sweating, panicking, your blood pressure rises, it’s just better to kick off your session at your calmest, ya know?

TIPS TO AVOID SHOWING UP LATE:

• Pack your bag the night before if you are bringing extra clothes, shoes, props, etc.

• Schedule your hair/makeup appointment minimum 3 hours prior to your shoot.

• Consult with the map app of your choice at least 1-2 HOURS prior to your session to see what time you need to realistically hit the road. Traffic changes by the minute.

• Give yourself an extra 15 minutes to find parking and walk to our meetup spot. It takes longer than you think and you wouldn’t want to break out in a sweat.

• Take the whole day off! Just because your session is one hour doesn’t mean you don’t need time to do other things.

BAD WEATHER/unhealthy conditions + RESCHEDULING

Clouds make for amazing light for outdoor sessions but physical rain is not so awesome. Changes to your session may be made due to actual or forecasted: heavy rain, snow, sleet, earthquake, hurricane, mudslide, tornado warnings, etc.

Changes may also be made if news of unhealthy conditions that could cause issues with our respiratory system arise.

Also, we reserve the right to reschedule your session for a later date if it appears as if it is unsafe for humans to interact with each other due to whatever Jumanji level we are currently experiencing at the moment.

The weather forecast changes often (because weather!) and typically is not accurate until about an hour prior (if that) so keep that in mind before emailing us weeks and days in advance with weather concerns about your outdoor session.

Try not to worry about the weather, it is what is is! If it’s raining cats and dogs at the time of your shoot, we will move your session to Neutral Moon Studio at no additional cost (based on availability). If our studio is not available, you may opt to reschedule your session.

Your “Stuff” on location

If we are shooting on location, your “stuff” should be in a suitcase or bag that you don’t mind being placed on the ground and/or carried by someone else other than you or I. We will not always be near a chair or table that you can put a purse on, so it is suggested that you put your items in a bag other than your purse, one that can get dirty. Cell phones, keys, sunglasses, etc should all remain in your bag (unless needed for a photo), and not in your pockets.

“How long will it take to receive my photos?”

Great question! We’re pretty busy around here so your photo ETA is 3-6weeks.

Last but not least, let’s not ask for an update on your photos every two minutes, especially if the above estimated due date has passed. We gotta lotta clients and we edit in order. Don’t worry lady, you are in the queue!

When you post all your glorious images, please post the correct size so they are not stretched, blurry, grainy, looking all crazy, etc AND please don't put a filter over them as they are already meticulously edited.

Also, please always tag/credit us whenever and wherever you post your images; it helps us keep our small business churning along! Our Instagram and Facebook are @kelleyrayephoto. TIA!

All Rights Reserved © XO Kelley Raye LLC