Branding Photography Frequently Asked Questions: A Guide to Hiring a Branding Photographer | Denver Branding Photographer, Underexposed®
What is Branding Photography?
Branding Photography is a specific type of professional photography focused to helping professionals, entrepreneurs, businesses, and corporations create custom images to reflect their brand’s unique identity, showcase what they do, and portray their story to help attract their ideal customers to work with them through branding photography or personal brand photography.
How to Find a “Branding Photographer Near Me”
Use Google to search for keywords such as “branding photographer near me" or “Denver branding photography."
Ask your local network for referrals for photographers who specialize in branding photography.
Then, spend some time researching to look at their websites, portfolios, reviews, and pricing information. A branding photographer’s portfolio should align with your style, vision, and package needs so you can get the best return on investment (ROI) for your photoshoot. Pay attention to photo quality, creativity, and consistency in their work.
Reach out to book a consultation with your top branding photographer choices to ask questions and get more specific details.
Compare your photographer options and decide which branding photographer is right for you.
Contact your chosen branding photographer to officially book your photoshoot and get started.
What Makes a "Professional Branding Photographer?"
As a professional branding photographer, I’ve talked with multiple clients and other people who have invested in a branding photoshoot only to walk away only having 2 or 3 photos that they can actually use. Unfortunately, this happens too often – be sure to avoid these mistakes. Many photographers think that branding photography is just another photoshoot with the goal to capture a pretty picture. They often shoot branding photos much like a senior portrait session, which is a huge mistake.
A professional branding photographer requires much more skill and understanding for branding than most photographers have. Mostly, branding photography sessions need to help the brand, business, or professional stand out in their industry, not just look like everyone else holding a coffee mug with a laptop.
What to Look For in a Branding Photographer
When looking for a branding photographer, you’ll want to look for specifics in their portfolio and packages that fit your needs, such as:
High quality images – their photos shouldn’t be blurry, pixelated, or grainy.
Professional composition – notice how photos are laid out. The subject should be framed well, not their head cut off or too much space at the top. Other elements of the photo shouldn’t be distracting.
Attention to detail – details always matter, like hands are resting naturally, jewelry laying flat, or collars and cuffs adjusted.
Coloring – the images should not be too dark, too light, grainy, or yellow-toned.
Editing style – the photographer’s editing style should fit your personal preferences.
Horizontal portfolio images – when reviewing a photographer’s portfolio, it’s important they have a mix of vertical and horizontal images. If a photographer has too many vertically shot images, this is a red flag you want to avoid.
Communication and response times – make sure that you are receiving prompt responses and great communication through the inquiry and booking process to avoid any further issues.
Questions to Ask a Branding Photographer
There are various tips for booking a successful branding photography session, including some of the best questions you can ask. Here are some of the key questions to ask a branding photographer before, during, and after your photoshoot so you can be prepared and get the most out of your shoot.
Questions to Ask Before Booking a Branding Photographer:
What is your photography style?
How would you say your style aligns with my brand?
Have you worked with businesses similar to mine? Can I see your portfolio?
What does the process look like to book with you?
What does your process look like to plan and execute this photoshoot?
What is included in your branding photography package? Add-ons?
What forms of payments do you accept?
What is your reschedule or cancellation policy?
Do you offer additional services like styling guidance or location suggestions?
Questions to Ask After Booking a Branding Photographer:
What brand information do you need from me?
How will we communicate during the planning process?
Are there any specific locations or props you recommend?
Questions to Ask After the Branding Photoshoot:
What is the turnaround time for receiving my final images?
How will the images be delivered?
Do I have full rights to use the images for my business, or are there any restrictions?
Is there support available if I need additional edits or have questions about using the images?
Branding Photography Services
Branding photography services, packages, and pricing can greatly vary depending on your photographer, photoshoot needs, location, and more. Which is why it’s important to do your research.
At the very least, branding photography services should always include an in-depth consultation for understanding your brand, a branding photography shot list, a photoshoot, and the final, edited images with a use license (included in the package or at an additional cost).
How Much Does Branding Photography Cost?
The packages and pricing for branding photography can vary greatly, but typically you are looking at packages in the thousands – which is what you want, trust me. Branding photography is a type of commercial photography that is used to directly promote a brand, service, or product to sell to potential clients and represent the brand’s image and support their messaging. In other words, these photos are for business purposes.
While the cost can vary according to what all is included in the packages or the duration of the photoshoot, another cost factor is the use license. While many typical portrait sessions (family, senior, engagement, etc.) include a “print release” to use the photos for personal use, branding photography and other commercial photography requires a “marketing release” or specific “use license” that includes specifically how the client can use the photos and for how long. These use licenses are different per photographer and business, and may require additional cost.
Why to Avoid “Cheap Branding Photography”
While it might feel productive to search for cheap branding photography options to help you save money, I promise you it won’t be worth your time or savings. Because amateur or non-professional “branding photographers” think branding photography is like any portrait session, there may be many cheaper photographers out there. The risk is you won’t end up with the photos, dimensions, quality, or brand representation you actually need for your branding photos to be effective. There are specific red flags you should avoid when searching for a branding photographer. In the end, it won’t be worth your investment to try to hire cheap.
Branding Photography Shot List
For your branding photography session, you’ll want to create a detailed shot list of all of the different types of images you’ll need to capture to effectively promote your brand and offers, as well as supplement your content. This should also include information about your website, social media profiles and channels, and content strategy to help you plan out what you’ll need.
To help you do this, download my Free Branding Photography Checklist here to help you understand the types of photos you need to effectively market your business, why they matter, and how they help increase your revenue!
Denver Branding Photographer, Underexposed Photography
Underexposed Photography is a Branding Photographer in Denver. By combining her B.A. and Masters in Business, professional experience, and expertise in photography, owner and photographer, Danielle Uhl, offers effective, high-quality branding photos that will help you stand out with a high-end, professional look and unique editorial-edge.
Underexposed Branding Photography Pricing
Any photographer can take a decent headshot… But you need effective marketing photos that sell!
All branding photography packages are custom quoted to fit you and your needs. One of my popular packages includes a questionnaire, two-hour photoshoot, and roughly 50 professional edited images for $1500. Professional Hair and Make-up, extra time, additional image sizes, etc. are also available upon request.
You can find all the information for Branding Photography on my website or contact me to get a custom quote.
Ready to Book Your Branding Photography Session?
If you’re ready to book a Branding Photography session, let’s chat!
I have had the honor to travel to and had clients fly to work with me from Las Vegas, Chicago, Los Angeles, Iowa, Florida, Canada, Finland, and more! Whether you’re near Denver, Colorado, traveling in, or interested in flying me in, I’d love to chat with you!
The best way to do a shoot — make a Mini Business Retreat out of it!
My out-of-state or country clients will take a weekend or few days to fly into Denver, have their photoshoot, and spend an extra day workshopping their business making the trip into a business retreat! (Plus, it’s a write off!)
I have a professional Hair and Makeup Artist and location recommendations to design your Branding Photography Session. In addition, before your session, I send you a questionnaire to design your session and we book a Zoom consultation call to discuss wardrobe and prop options, details for your shoot, and answer any questions you have.
Underexposed® is proud to be an LGBTQ Ally and Foster Friendly Business, so all identities, cultures, abilities & genders are welcome and supported.
Additional Suggested Articles:
