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Wardrobe & Styling Tips for Personal Branding Sessions

Wardrobe & Styling Tips for Personal Branding Sessions:

How to Choose On-Brand Outfits, Accessories, and Props to Make the Most of Your Photoshoot

WARDROBE

1. Choose 3–4 Outfits to Reflect Your Brand Range

Think of your wardrobe as a visual representation of your brand voice. Here is a helpful breakdown:

Business Casual / Branded Uniform: Clean, polished, and consistent - perfect for websites, press features, and team bios. Think neutral or brand colors with your signature style.

Elevated / Dressy Look: More formal or fashion-forward - great for social media profiles, speaking engagements, or “hero” images that inspire authority and aspiration.

Casual / Everyday Look: Think approachable and relatable - this style connects with your audience on social platforms or for lifestyle storytelling.

Bonus Tip:

Keep accessories minimal and shoes clean, and avoid tiny patterns or logos that distract.

2. Wear and Work With Your Brand Colors

Incorporating your brand colors into your wardrobe and props helps create a unified visual identity across platforms. You do not have to dress head-to-toe in them - use brand tones in subtle accents like a blouse, blazer, accessories, or even a background element like flowers or books.

This kind of intentional styling helps tie your visuals back to your website, logo, packaging, and social media - creating instant recognition for your audience.

3. Prep for Comfort + Confidence

A day or two before the shoot:

• Try on each outfit in full, head to toe

• Steam or iron clothing

• Pack clothing items, shoes and accessories in labeled bags or hangers for easy changes

• Bring touch-up items like a lint roller, brush, and powder if needed

Feeling prepared helps you show up relaxed and confident - that energy shines through in every photo.

PROPS

4. Bring Props That Reflect Your Work + Personality

Simple, intentional props help tell your story:

• Tools of your trade (laptop, tablet, camera, sketchbook, tape measure, cooking utensils)

• Product samples, packaging, workbooks, worksheets, blueprints, finish samples, letterhead, business cards

•Personal items (favorite coffee mug, branded notebooks, flowers, fabrics)

• Lifestyle add-ins (books, glasses, tote bags, plants)

Tip: Choose items that reinforce your values or the way you serve clients - without feeling overly staged.

5 Ways to Use Your Brand Photos for Maximum Visibility

A strategic brand photoshoot gives you more than just beautiful images - it provides powerful content that elevates your business and positions you as the expert in your field. To unlock the full value of your photos, you need to know how to use them effectively across all your marketing channels - website, social media, lead magnets, and PR pitches for consistent brand visibility.

1. Make Your Website Unforgettable

Your website is often the first impression of your business. Use your branding photos to build trust and show your personality.

Use a hero image that instantly connects with visitors.

Add lifestyle shots to your About page to tell your story.

Highlight product or service photos to make your offers shine.

Pro Tip: Website banners and section headers are perfect places for wide, horizontal images.

2. Elevate Your Social Media Game

Gone are the days of scrambling for something “post-worthy.” With the right brand photos, your feed looks cohesive and professional.

Rotate 5–10 polished images through your content calendar.

Use close-ups, flat lays, and lifestyle shots for variety.

Pair your images with captions that tell your story or share tips.

Pro Tip: Plan for square crops (Instagram) and vertical images for Stories or Reels thumbnails.

3. Add Personality to Your Email Marketing

Your subscribers want to see you! Include your brand photos in:

Newsletter headers or “meet the owner” sections.

Welcome email sequences to build instant connection.

Promotional graphics for special offers or launches.

4. Create Polished Lead Magnets & PDFs

Whether you’re offering a free guide or a workbook, custom brand images add a polished touch that stock photos can’t match.

Use lifestyle shots and detail photos in the layout.

Include a friendly portrait of yourself in the intro or “About the Author” section.

Design social share graphics for your freebies using your photos.

5. Pitch Partnerships & PR Opportunities

Journalists, podcast hosts, and event coordinators all want a professional headshot (or two) before they feature you.

Keep 2–3 high-resolution images ready for press kits.

Use “in action” shots for speaking events or bio pages.

Include a polished portrait on your LinkedIn profile and media pitches.

Ready to Get the Right Photos for All These Uses?

The first step is knowing which images to plan for. My free guide, Brand Like a Leader: The 5 Must-Have Photos to Elevate Your Business, walks you through the 5 essential types of photos every business owner needs to stand out and market with ease.

Los Angeles-based branding, food, and portrait photographer creating timeless, natural images that feel authentic and elevated. I specialize in capturing layered visuals for creative businesses, restaurants, and personal brands - images that tell your story and support your growth across web, social, and print.

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