As a creative entrepreneur or small business owner, finding time and budget for a professional brand photoshoot can be challenging especially during the Holiday Season. Whether you’re postponing your brand session or simply need to keep your social media with some fresh content for now, here are 8 Pro Tips to DIY Your Brand Photos Using Your Phone.
1. Invest in a Simple Phone Tripod
Holding your phone steady or balancing it on random surfaces can be difficult! A simple and inexpensive phone tripod provides stability and flexibility, ensuring your shots come out sharp and explore creative compositions in your solo shoots.
Pro Tip: Look for tripods with a Bluetooth remote for hands-free control, which allows you more variety of poses as well.
2. Lighting is Your Best Friend
Natural light plays a crucial role in photography, so aim to shoot near a window or outdoors. Avoid overhead lighting, which often creates harsh shadows. Instead, opt for morning or late afternoon light, which offers a softer and more professional look.
Quick Tip: If you’re indoors, shoot near a window with indirect sunlight and avoid using your phone’s flash.
3. Keep Your Background Clean and On-Brand
Your backdrop should complement your brand, not distract from it. Choose a clean and uncluttered background that aligns with your aesthetic. Whether it’s a neutral wall, an outdoor scene, or your styled workspace, a cohesive background enhances yourself (and your products).
Brand Hack: For service-based entrepreneurs, consider setting up a background that reflects your work environment to give viewers a glimpse into your world.
4. Set Up a Scenario That Reflects Your Brand’s Personality
Beyond a clean background, think about the scenario or setting as an extension of your brand’s story. Ask yourself what feeling you want to convey: Are you aiming for warmth and approachability, or sleek and professional vibes? Set up spaces, props, and scenes that reinforce this mood.
Try This: If your brand is creative and fun, consider bright colors, lively surroundings, or action shots of you working with clients or products. If your brand is more refined, go for minimal, elegant backdrops with neutral colors and structured compositions.
5. Show Off Your Brand’s Personality
Whether it’s through a candid shot, a workspace setup, or a product close-up, infuse your unique brand personality. If you’re service-based, capture moments of you in action or working with clients (ask a friend to pretend to be a real client and have fun together). These images build connections and give your audience a genuine sense of your brand.
If you need a hand with posing, check out this blog post: Poses for Branding Photos.
Think About This: Candid shots—like you laughing with a client or arranging your workspace—add warmth and authenticity.
6. Use Portrait Mode or Adjust Your Lens Settings
Your phone’s portrait mode can create a beautiful background blur, adding depth and keeping the focus on you or your product. Experiment with portrait mode or your lens settings: around 35mm (1.5x zoom on iPhone) is perfect for wider shots, while a closer setting between 50mm and 85 mm is great for headshots.
Pro Tip: Portrait mode works well with good lighting; for wider shots, switch to the regular photo mode to capture more of the scene.
7. Lifestyle Shots Build Connection
Lifestyle images—those that show “behind the scenes” moments or showcase your day-to-day—are invaluable for personal branding. They let your audience see the person behind the business, which builds trust and relatability. Think about including images that reveal your work process, favorite spots, or personal details that represent your brand’s character.
Idea: Include shots of you in your workspace, living room, coffee in hand, celebrating with wine or arranging products. These moments show your audience you’re real and relatable, making it easier for them to connect.
8. Add Props That Reflect Your Brand
Props can enhance your brand’s story and give your photos an extra layer of meaning. Choose items that represent your tools of the trade, or even personal touches (crystals, candles, books, etc.). The right props can add depth, showcase your expertise, lifestyle, and make your images more engaging.
Running out of ideas for props? Check this blog post: The best props to add to your brand session.
With a few strategic intentions and these 8 Pro Tips to DIY Your Brand Photos Using Your Phone, you can capture images that look polished and aligned with your business. Use these tips to keep your visual content fresh during the holidays — and if you feel ready to elevate your visuals with a professional brand photoshoot, I’m already booking for 2025, and you lock in my 2024 rates now and even count it a tax write-off. Get in touch!
Xo,
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