BRAND PHOTOSHOOT STRATEGY + CREATIVE DIRECTION

Because a first impression can't be made twice.

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.

I help to ensure that it makes a statement—and the right one, at that…

One that truly embodies your brand, exudes your essence, and distinguishes you in your market. 

Partner with me to strategize, concept, and plan out each-and-every detail of a unique-to-you Brand Photoshoot – culminating in iconic imagery that can serve as the centerpiece of your brand and a catalyst to step into your next level.

Together, we’ll work to ensure that your essence is translated, that your message is clear,  that look your best,  and that your final result is precisely what you need.

INTEGRATED: VISUAL STRATEGY | Creative Direction | shotlist development | StylE DIRECTION

Together, we'll discuss + determine your photoshoot’s:

This comprehensive, highly collaborative intensive is perfect for those who have a clear understanding of their brand’s core identity and message ––  and are eager to express their brand’s essence and message through unique and captivating photography.

Together, we will create a strategic vision for a photoshoot that resonates with your ideal clients and leaves a memorable first (and lasting) impression.

Our goal is to develop a clear and comprehensive plan for a Brand Photoshoot that can serve as the centerpiece of your brand, telling a compelling story that aligns with your brand's identity and resonates with your target audience.

Whether you’ve already booked your shoot and identified your perfect-fit photographer or you’re still early in the planning phases and would like to be sure that you nail a unique-to-you creative concept and aesthetic to inform the kind of shoot that would best help to communicate that, I’ve got you.

Here’s how it works:

00 –  Strategic Discovery

The first part of this process is a preliminary deep-dive into your brand. Before we formally meet, I’ll send you a questionnaire that will both help to serve as a refresher for your brand’s foundation as well as will fill me in on all of your particulars: who you are, your business vision, your market, your message, your story as well as your aesthetic tastes. 

I will also ask you to put some thought into where you’ll specifically be using the images (ie: which web page or if using for social media- the kinds of posts/ topics you’d be using them for). As you’ll learn in working with me - I’m BIG on wanting your photos to fill a very specific need and to send a very specific message - and when paired with content, copy or messaging on a page this can help to create a compelling “see and say” cohesion.

01 - Creative Concept Development Session

We’ll kick off our collaboration with a 90-minute session diving deep into your business, goals, clientele, and the grand vision for your brand in order to begin to develop a Visual Strategy to guide our efforts.

From there, we’ll creatively meld-our-minds and roll up our sleeves to originate a unique-to-you overarching Creative Concept, Theme, or Guiding Narrative that will help to effectively (and compellingly) capture and communicate who you are and what you do best so that we can showcase it in your photography. This will help to guide our decisions moving forward - not only your photoshoot - but it can also be incredibly handy to have and to hold for your branding and marketing efforts beyond your shoot - helping to inform and inspire ideas for things like messaging, copy, and even naming conventions.

After this session, I’ll work to create a moodboard that captures the essence of our new Creative Concept as well as defines the Look + Feel of the shoot. Together, these will form the foundation for your final Photoshoot Creative Treatment.

02- Shotlist Development Session

With your Creative Concept / Guiding Narrative in place, we’ll meet again for a 90-minute session to review and discuss the Look + Feel for the shoot and from there, we’ll begin to zoom in to map out your Hero Shots: the core scenarios for your photoshoot. This will form the foundation for your Final Shotlist.

For each shot, we’ll also begin to zoom in to begin to determine the details – from set + setting to expressions, to wardrobe looks, props, hair and makeup - all the way down to the tiniest detail –  all to ensure that all of your i’s are dotted, and t’s are crossed - ultimately ensuring you get EXACTLY what you need from your big day in front of the camera. 

I’ll work after this session to further compile and flesh out the final shotlist - adding additional details, visual references, and will also identify shoppable wardrobe items, accessories, and props that you can purchase on your own if desired - making preparing for your shoot a literal no-brainer.

03- Wrap Up Session

In our final 90-minute session together, we’ll review your photoshoot treatment and shotlist as a whole - making any last refinements, and from there we’ll work to dial in all of the details. Much of our conversation typically revolves around wardrobe choices at this juncture. My goal is to leave you with a handful of shoppable links that you can use to source your wardrobe, accessories, as well as props.

We’ll also reserve some time to field any questions you might have surrounding your shoot. As someone who has directed over 400+ brand and commercial photoshoots over the past 25 years (both on and off-set), I am able to help to prepare you for a successful shoot, provide you with a clear idea of what to expect, and help you to show up looking and feeling your best on your day of.

04 – The Final Deliverable

Following our sessions, I’ll prepare and share four separate Documents (housed in Google Slides / Google Docs for easy sharing and editing as needed)

1. Photoshoot Treatment: This will contain both a moodboard that captures your photoshoot’s Look + Feel as well as a synopsis of your photoshoot’s overarching narrative and creative concept / theme (which can also be used to inspire and inform design, messaging should you be planning to elevate those in tandem with your photography). This is ideal to share with your photographer of choice to brief them on the vision.

2. Shotlist: A comprehensive shotlist to map out 8-10 “Hero Shots” / Primary Scenarios with all corresponding details as discussed along with and reference images intended to set the tone and stage (when possible). — please note that within each of these there are typically variations within.

   1. Set + Setting: Environment/ location/ backdrop

   2. Situation/backstory

   3. Your actions and/or expressions to ensure you’re communicating the right message.

   4. Suggested Wardrobe Looks, Hair + Makeup + Props for each shot

   5. Recommendations for props that will help to further tell the “story” and send the right signals.

   6. High-level post-production graphic or effect recommendations (if applicable).

3. (Shoppable) Wardrobe + Prop List: Containing 6-8 complete (head-to-toe) shoppable wardrobe looks to ensure you’re giving off the right “vibe” as well as making it easier for you to put appropriate looks together for your shoot, and a handful of props to help tell your story. *Please note that this is for ONE individual.

4. Bonus: The Photoshoot Prep Guide I will also share my Photoshoot Prep Guide to help you to fully prepare for your big day on set.

   
   

   These documents will collectively serve as an invaluable resource that will help you to properly prepare for your photoshoot so that you can walk into your big day feeling ready, radiating confidence knowing that you will be walking away with EXACTLY the right images that you will need that communicates EXACTLY the right messages to your audience. 

The Investment

The investment for this service is
$5600

If you’d like to book, please reach out to book a call to discuss.

***Please do note that I recommend completing this service a bare minimum of 2 months prior to the shoot itself to ensure that you have plenty of time to source wardrobe items, props etc.

"Partnering with Sarah to help me concept and direct my business's photoshoot was hands-down the best investments I’ve made to date.  She helped me add a unique twist to my brand narrative, helped me build out a detailed shot list, gave me specific recommendations for props and wardrobe and made sure I was confident and prepared for my big day on set. 

Thanks to Sarah’s attention to detail, I got exactly what I envisioned and more — a clear vision of where my brand is going, the professional photos that project the polished image I’d been wanting for years, and the confidence to raise my rates, knowing that what I’m offering now aligns with the visual presentation of who I am and what I do best.”

—Shauna Haider, Founder & Creative Director of We Are Branch