Behind the Scenes of a High end Brand Photoshoot
Behind the Scenes of a High End Brand Photoshoot: How We Plan Every Detail
Professional brand photography isn’t just about looking good -it’s about creating a visual presence that positions you as the expert you are. And to make sure your photoshoot truly reflects your brand, the planning starts long before the camera clicks.
In my experience, the most successful shoots aren’t the ones where people “just turn up” and hope for the best. They’re the ones where we take the time to curate every detail. From wardrobe to props to how the final images will be used.
Recently, I had a planning call with Sarah, of Thea Pelvic Health. A pelvic health clinic owner who needed professional images to elevate her brand and refresh her website. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we made sure every detail was covered.
Step 1: Defining the Purpose of the high end brand Photoshoot
Sarah has been running her clinic for nearly two years. But until now, she’d never had professional brand photos. Like many business owners, she had relied on grabbing the odd shot here and there. Using whatever was available at the time.
Now, she wanted something more strategic. Clean, polished images that reflected her expertise and could be used across her website, social media, and marketing materials.
Our goal was to capture:
Professional headshots for her website and LinkedIn.
Lifestyle images to showcase her work in the clinic.
Action shots with a client to demonstrate her expertise.
This is exactly why I encourage my clients to think beyond just “getting photos”. We make sure every shot serves a purpose.
Step 2: Wardrobe & Styling for a High-End, Professional Look
For high-end brand photography, outfits aren’t just outfits – they’re part of your brand identity.
Sarah and I talked through her wardrobe choices, ensuring she had a mix of styles that reflected different aspects of her business:
- Professional & polished: A smart outfit with an open shirt and tailored trousers—perfect for headshots and formal branding.
- Clinic-friendly activewear: A more relaxed but professional look that felt authentic to her work environment.
- Neutral colour coordination: Since Sarah would be working with a model (her friend and client), we also discussed ensuring their outfits complemented each other. I advised her to ask her model to wear neutral tones to avoid any clashing colours in the images.
High-end clients take note: If you’re unsure about wardrobe, I always recommend bringing extra options on the day so we can make last-minute adjustments based on lighting, location, and composition.
Step 3: Planning the Space & Setting the Scene
Because Sarah’s shoot was taking place in her clinic, we needed to think about how to optimise the space for photography:
- Clean, light backdrops—We identified a plain white wall that would work well for headshots, ensuring a distraction-free background.
Props that add credibility—Sarah planned to include her laptop, a pelvis model, and other tools from her clinic, helping to visually reinforce her expertise. - Additional lighting—I’d be bringing extra lighting just in case the natural light wasn’t as strong on the day.
- A well-prepared space can completely transform the final images, which is why I always discuss this with my clients in advance.
Step 4: Bringing in Extra Storytelling Elements
Sarah also had a brilliant idea—to include a real-life client scenario in the shoot. Since she specialises in pre- and postnatal physiotherapy, she arranged for a friend (and her baby!) to join us for a few authentic action shots.
This adds so much value to a brand shoot—rather than just standard headshots, these kinds of images show expertise in action, create connection, and make marketing easier.
If you’re considering a high end brand photoshoot, think about the real-life scenarios that showcase what you do best. These images will be the ones that resonate most with your audience.
Step 5: Final Details & Pre-Shoot Prep
Before wrapping up the call, we ran through a final checklist:
Hair & makeup: Sarah’s makeup artist was booked to create a natural, polished look. Enhancing her features without looking too heavy for camera.
Nails: I reminded Sarah that even hands are part of the story, so it’s always a good idea to have neat, neutral nails for any close-up shots.
Shot list: While I always guide my clients on the day, I encouraged Sarah to update her Pinterest board with any specific inspiration so we could reference it as needed.
Why a Pre-Shoot Call Makes All the Difference
This isn’t just about “taking some photos.”
A high-end brand shoot is a tailored, strategic experience. Every detail – from what you wear to where you stand – is designed to position you as an expert. It creates consistency across your brand, and gives you images that work effortlessly across your marketing.
If your brand presence doesn’t currently match the level of expertise you bring to your business, it’s time for a refresh.
📸 I have limited spaces available for my next brand photography sessions. If you’re ready to elevate your brand visuals, get in touch—let’s create the kind of images that open doors.
And when you’re ready, here are three ways that I can help you:
1) Visit my blog for tips on VISIBILITY.
Every week I discuss strategies to improve your visibility, get over your fear of visibility and my latest shoots. Read the blog here
2) Plan a bespoke photoshoot.
We can plan a shoot based on what you need (read more) or you could join me at a Visibility Session
